North Pantanal - ARARAS LODGE

Transfer from Cuiaba airport to Araras Lodge at 1:20 pm.
Introductory walking tour: In this first activity, you will enjoy the enrichments of the history, concepts, and surroundings of this environmentally conscious lodge. You will be shown the impounding and treatment of effluents and liquid waste, the destination of garbage, water heating and everything the lodge accomplishes to minimize the impact of our ordinary footprints on the environment. Enjoy a visit to the flood channel of the alligator, where visitors have the opportunity to have an intimate and safe contact with one of the most symbolic species of the Pantanal. From the 12-meter-high Heron Lookout, you will an aerial view of the Pantanal from the crown of a giant tree.

Night walk: This moment favors an adaptation to the environment and an adventurous observation of nocturnal animals; a genuine and profound contact with the sounds of the night, illuminated by the stars of the clear night sky.

Overnight at the Lodge.

Welcome and reception upon arrival at Cuiaba Airport. Transfer by car to the Pousada do Rio Mutum at 1 pm or 5:30 pm (2 hours 30 min) passing through the small town of Santo Antonio do Leverger, as well as the villages of Porto de Fora, and Mimoso - the birthplace of Marechal Candido Rondon.
During your journey to the lodge, it will be possible to spot birds and various wild animals in their natural habitat as you enjoy the beautiful landscape decorated by the typical settlements of the Pantanal people.
Upon arrival at the lodge, reception and a welcome-cocktail.
After your check-in, an introduction to the Pantanal region is scheduled with a presentation of cartographic maps and satellite images. After the brief lecture, and time permitting, enjoy a short walk to observe the various species of birds and other animals at the lodge.

Early in the evening, enjoy being served a tasty piranha broth, followed by a dinner of the typical dishes of the region.

Overnight at the Lodge.

Early departure in private 4x4 vehicle towards the direction of the hotel.
The trip in the 4x4 is an adventurous journey and an excellent introduction to the Pantanal ecosystem, as it provides wonderful landscapes to admire and natural wildlife to ponder.
Arrival and check in at approximately 2 pm.

With the company of your local guide, you will begin the first journey of the trip : Hiking
There are several trails that offer passages and landscapes that show the typical vegetation of the Pantanal: mountain ranges, woods, and waterways, which are home to a wide variety of animals and different species of plants in the region. During this walk you will be able to have an intimate approach with the wildlife and also learn about plants and the environments of the Pantanal.

Free evening and overnight at the lodge.

Transfer from Campo Grande to the Caiman Refugio  (4 hours).
The trip during your transfer is actually an adventurous journey that provides an excellent introduction to the Pantanal ecosystem.
Arrival at the lodge, check-in and lunch.

Walking tour with your local expert guide.
Hiking on the Pantanal trails: Performed on several trails near the inns, the trek of these lands allows the observation of small animals and native vegetation of the region. This excursion provides an intimate and raw contact with the diverse environment of the wetlands. Reinforcing its ecological focus and principles, the Caiman Ecological Refuge always alternates the walking areas available in order to minimize the impact on the environment.

Free evening at the lodge.

Overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, follow your Pantanal expert guide for a Canoeing tour (2 to 3 hours). This tour allows you to discover the riverside forest in an absolute blissful silence for greater integration. It doesn't require overwhelming physical effort, as it is carried out in areas of serene waters without much current. Guests in this excursion row a 2-seat canoe. For families with very small children, we utilize a large boat where the guide paddles so that the family can enjoy the peaceful drifting on the wetlands.
OR
Horseback Riding (2 to 3 hours): This is the most traditional way of becoming acquainted with the Pantanal. Visitors who choose this excursion are given the chance of exploring unique areas that are difficult to access, where it is common to witness the harmonious and dynamic life of cattle and wild fauna in their natural environment. On this tour, the horses walk peacefully, minding the experience of beginners and also to assure safety and comfort throughout the ride. Our cavalry of pure Pantaneiro race horses have earned a world-class reputation regarding their beauty and docility.

Hiking (2 to 3 hours): Trekking is the activity that offers visitors of the lodge the closest physical contact with the environment while preserving its ecological focus. During the dry season, you have 21 km of beautiful and adventurous trails at your disposal. During the wet season, our catwalks that are suspended 1.5 meters above the ground allow you safe and pleasant movement. The duration of these trekking tours are determined according to the groups' capabilities and interest in the observation of fauna and flora across the woods, savannahs, fields, and swamps, with the goal of introducing the diversity of the ecosystem. The three canopy towers which are 12, 13, and 25 meters high respectively, offer panoramic views of the enormous plain with vivid detail from the crown of trees.

Overnight at the Lodge. 

Sunrise Walk: Daybreak in the Pantanal occurs amidst the symphony of night and daytime birds celebrating the arrival of a new day. This precious moment precedes the sunrise and presents a unique appeal as you wander in the everlasting beauty of the Pantanal that happens only in this hour of the day.
It cannot be missed.
Transfer to Cuiaba airport at 7:30 am or 12:30 pm (2h30 hours).