Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Brazilian Amazon & Primal Pantanal A Wonderful Wildlife Combo
Brazil – Sao Paulo – the Pantanal – Manaus & the Brazilian Amazon
Everything kicks off in Sao Paulo, one of the most populous cities in the world. From this urban hub, you’ll delve into the waterlogged plains of the Pantanal with the aim of enjoying back-to-back animal encounters. Then, switch tack and fly north to Manaus, gateway to the Amazon. The ying to the Pantanal’s yang, this dense rainforest offers the chance to see everything you haven’t already spotted in the southern swathes of the country. Need we say more?
Itinerary
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It may be tricky to sit still on this overnight flight from London to Sao Paulo, especially when dreaming of samba beats and Amazonian adventures. Still, with 12 hours to spare, you can certainly devour a healthy chunk of your holiday read.
You’ll land early the next morning, ready to hop in a car for the private transfer to your centrally located hotel. When you arrive, check in, freshen up and spend some time settling in before heading out to explore.
Sao Paulo is an evocative place, and as the gateway to the backwaters of Brazil, the city boasts a melting pot of cultures. Today, you can admire modern masters at the Museum of Art, visit the formal gardens and twinkling fountains at Independence Park and go all-out gourmet by hitting up a string of the best bistros in town.
Then, as the day draws to a close, reach out to our local Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations. After all, tomorrow marks the beginning of your descent into Brazil’s beautiful biosphere.
This morning, following breakfast and a dreamy Brazilian espresso, you’ll be privately transferred back to Sao Paulo airport for the one-hour-and-50-minute flight to Campo Grande, ready for your overland journey to the Pantanal.
The Pantanal is the world's largest wetland, covering 81,000 sq miles. The skies are thick with birds, the marshes brim with reptiles and the waterholes are dense with mammals big and small – cue nature documentary impersonations and plenty of photo-ops.
After a three-hour transfer, arrive at your lodge this afternoon, where you can witness your first fiery Pantanal sunset with a celebratory drink in hand. Then, tuck into a delicious dinner before sinking into bed tonight.
Spend dawn in sheer bliss at your lodge, listening to the delightful chorus of the natural world waking up. Today, there’ll be plenty of time to explore your rich surroundings, and a whirlwind of activities await.
For those who want to throw themselves into the flora and fauna of Brazil, there’s everything from walking trails in the dappled forests to photography tours and canoe trips. Even better: experts on the local ecosystem will accompany you on all your adventures.
And when night falls, the fun doesn't stop. Grab a flashlight for a nocturnal safari to see which critters prefer to show their faces by moonlight.
It’s not every day you have the chance to track down the highly elusive jaguar. After breakfast, head out to spend the day with the Jaguar Project Team, who offer the rare opportunity to walk with trained trackers and watch these mythical creatures up close and personal.
For three hours in the morning, two in the afternoon and three after dark (when the nocturnal jaguars are stirring), follow the trail left by the cats, check data from satellites and even locate the animals to help further the project. Few have the chance to be involved in an experience like this, making it a certified bucket list adventure.
Another day, another opportunity to soak up the sonorous surroundings of your wildlife lodge. Fill the hours with birdwatching tours, bicycle rides or a jeep safari to cover even more ground in the southern Pantanal.
And, after a day spent in the sweltering Brazilian sun, there’s nothing more refreshing than an afternoon dip in the pool or a wander through the shaded woodlands.
Make the most of your final morning in the depths of the Pantanal – perhaps with one last glide in a canoe across the mirrored waterways, or a trip to seek out brightly plumed parrots and gossiping macaws.
Then, after a lingering lunch, your private guide will return to drive you back to Campo Grande, where you’ll spend the night.
After a (very) short city break, it's time to head back into the wild for a trip to the untamed Amazon. Head to Campo Grande airport for the six-hour connecting flight to Manaus. A guide will be waiting to take you to the docks where – weather depending – you’ll hop on a private seaplane to your rainforest lodge for the next few days.
The area around Manaus is known for being the greatest river archipelago in the world. It’s home to 400 islands, rare pink dolphins, wildlife-filled lakes and virgin forests. Let the next wildlife adventure begin...
For the next three days, immerse yourself in the exotica of the Amazon. Head out with a guide down the vast waterways in a traditional caboclo canoe to search for monkeys and rare birds in the overhanging trees, or travel along the Rio Negro to visit local communities before trailing the archipelago to spot pink dolphins and fish for razor piranhas.
Back at your lodge, you’ll have the chance to splash in the pool, sip South American wine on the floating deck and purchase local handicrafts from the local boutiques. Other activities we can arrange include piranha fishing, more boat expeditions and local village tours, as well as hiking local trails.
Sadly, like all great adventures, your time in Brazil comes to an end today. This morning, enjoy one last sunrise over the splendour of the Amazon before taking a private transfer back to Manaus Airport for your journey home.
Your return flight connects through Sao Paulo and takes around 20 hours, so you’ll arrive the following day. In the meantime, there’ll be nothing left to do but sit back, relax and start dreaming up your next epic outdoorsy escape.
Why visit Brazil with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Brazil
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
