CNH Tours - Cultural and Natural Heritage Tours

Itinerary

The order of the itinerary is subject to change - but the same locations and services will not.

DAY 1 – 5 AUGUST: SAO PAULO (D)

Upon arrival in São Paulo (Brazil's business capital), meet your guide at the arrivals gate and transfer to Tivoli Mofarrej hotel. Check-in is available from 3:00 pm. At 6:30 pm, meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby for a brief welcome meeting, followed by a welcome dinner at MUST Restaurant.

DAY 2 - 6 AUGUST: SÃO PAULO / CAMPO GRANDE / SOUTH PANTANAL at Pousada Aguapé (BLD)

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Campo Grande. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch (venue TBC), followed by a private transfer to Pousada Aguapé, located approximately 195 km from Campo Grande (145 km on paved roads and 50 km on dirt roads), with an estimated driving time of 3.5 hours. Check in upon arrival. After dinner, enjoy a guided night safari before returning to the lodge.

DAY 3 - 7 AUGUST: SOUTH PANTANAL – Pousada Aguapé – Activities (BLD)

After breakfast, depart for a morning wildlife activity. Return to the lodge for lunch and have some time to relax before the afternoon excursion. Dinner and overnight at Pousada Aguapé.

CHOICE OF ACTIVITIES

Horseback Riding: One of the signature experiences at Pousada Aguapé, horseback riding is an excellent way to explore the Pantanal landscape. Accompanied by experienced local guides, guests ride through open fields, wetlands, forest islands (capões), streams, and seasonal lagoons while searching for wildlife. The activity lasts approximately 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the selected route and weather conditions.

Boat Tour: Explore the Aquidauana River by boat and discover one of the Pantanal's richest habitats for birds, mammals, and reptiles. The gallery forest along the riverbanks offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. The excursion lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Life jackets are provided by the lodge, and each boat accommodates up to 6 guests. Swimming and fishing are not permitted during this activity.

DAY 4 - 8 AUGUST: SOUTH PANTANAL at Pousada Aguapé / CORUMBÁ / PANTANAL RIVER CRUISE (BLD)

Have breakfast, check out and private transfer to Corumbá (5h00 approximately / 340kms of which 50kms by dirt road and 290kms by paved road). Arrive in Corumbá, have lunch (included). Then visit to the Museu do Homem Pantaneiro and then embarkation on your private small cruise. Dinner (included) and start to navigate. Overnight on the ship.

DAY 5 - 9 AUGUST: PANTANAL RIVER CRUISE – APPROACHING SERRA DO AMOLAR (BLD)

After breakfast, visit the crystal-clear waters of the Paraguai Mirim, where there will be time for swimming or snorkeling. Return to the vessel for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, visit the women artisans of Barra de São Lourenço, a traditional riverside community. After dinner, continue navigating toward Serra do Amolar, a remote, biodiverse mountain range rising dramatically above the wetlands of the western Pantanal, near the Bolivian border. The ship will anchor overnight.

DAY 6 - 10 AUGUST: PANTANAL RIVER CRUISE – EXPLORING SERRA DO AMOLAR (BLD)

After breakfast, disembark for the Mirante Trail (8 km round trip). The trail begins on flat terrain, followed by a 1 km uphill section leading to a scenic viewpoint with panoramic views over the Pantanal. Return to the vessel for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a river safari around the Pantanal National Park a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by sunset as the vessel begins navigating along the Cuiabá River. Rejoin the boat after sunset for dinner. Overnight navigation.

DAY 7 - 11 AUGUST: PANTANAL RIVER CRUISE – NAVIGATION CUIABÁ RIVER TOWARDS PORTO JOFRE (BLD)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning excursion in the Rio Negrinho region, followed by lunch on board. In the afternoon, explore the waterways around Porto Jofre, one of the best areas in the Pantanal for jaguar sightings and gateway to the Encontro das Águas State Park. Dinner and overnight on board, anchored in the region.

DAY 8 - 12 AUGUST: PANTANAL RIVER CRUISE - ENCONTRO DAS ÁGUAS STATE PARK (BLD)

Enjoy a full day dedicated to wildlife observation with morning and afternoon river safaris through the Cuiabá, Piquiri, and Three Brothers rivers, as well as their channels and tributaries. This region offers excellent opportunities to search for jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, caimans, anacondas, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. Return to the vessel for dinner and overnight, anchored in the region.

DAY 9 - 13 AUGUST: PORTO JOFRE / NORTH PANTANAL at Araras Lodge (BLD)

After breakfast, check out and depart by private vehicle to Araras Lodge, located approximately 120 kms away (around 3 hours, mostly on dirt roads). Upon arrival, check in and enjoy lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, take part in a brief orientation activity to become familiar with the property and its surroundings. Dinner and overnight at Araras Lodge.

DAY 10 - 14 AUGUST: NORTH PANTANAL at Araras Lodge (BLD)

After breakfast, enjoy a guided morning activity. Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon excursion. Activities may include canoeing, motorboat safaris, photo safaris, night drives, and guided walks in search of the Pantanal's rich wildlife, depending on weather conditions and wildlife activity. Dinner and overnight at Aymara Lodge.

Sunrise Walk: Early wake up to experience the daybreak in the Pantanal on a walk amid the symphony of night and daytime birds celebrating the arrival of a new day. Breakfast is served right after.
Night Walk (1-2 hours): Discover the nocturnal animals’ habits during a night walk.
Canoeing (1-2 hours): Paddle along the property’s “corixo” to observe local flora and fauna. Some of the fauna that is likely to be seen include monkeys, tapirs, giant otters and many bird species.
Photo Safari (2 hours): Depart in vehicle for longer distances within the property and along the Transpantaneira Road to search for wildlife.
Night Photo Safari (1-2 hours): Depart in vehicle for longer distances within the property and along Transpantaneira Road for observation of nocturnal animals.

DAY 11 - 15 AUGUST: NORTH PANTANAL at Araras Lodge / IGUAÇU (BLD)

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cuiabá Airport (approximately 2.5 hours / 128 km) in time for your flight to Iguaçu. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy dinner at the very comfortable hotel - a great place to enjoy your last few days in Brazil. Overnight in Iguaçu.

DAY 12 - 16 AUGUST: IGUAÇU – ARGENTINEAN WATERFALL – Full Day Tour – 8 hours (BLD)

After breakfast, cross into Argentina to explore the Argentine side of Iguaçu Falls (spelled Iguazu in Spanish). Begin at the Visitor Center, where interpretive exhibits introduce the region's unique biodiversity. Continue by ecological train to the Upper Circuit and the Devil's Throat Station. From there, walk along a 1,100-meter elevated boardwalk over the Upper Iguassu River to the spectacular Devil's Throat, the largest and most powerful waterfall in the park. Lunch is included during the excursion. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner in Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú (location to be confirmed). Overnight in Iguaçu.

DAY 13 - 17 AUGUST: IGUAÇU – BRAZILIAN WATERFALL – Half Day Tour – 3 hours (BLD)

After breakfast, depart to visit the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls. Walk along the panoramic trails and viewpoints, offering spectacular views of the waterfalls and the surrounding rainforest. The tour ends with an impressive close-up view of the Devil's Throat.

In the evening, at approximately 6:00 pm, meet in the hotel lobby for a unique culinary experience.

Enjoy an interactive journey through Brazil's culinary heritage, where each course is prepared and presented by the chef while sharing the stories, ingredients, and traditions behind Brazilian cuisine. The menu highlights Indigenous roots, Amazonian flavors, Portuguese and Afro-Brazilian influences, the iconic feijoada, the cuisine of the Sertão, and traditional Brazilian desserts. The experience includes a six-course dinner, a welcome caipirinha, and non-alcoholic beverages, with an optional pairing of unlimited Brazilian wines and beer.

Overnight in Iguassu.

DAY 14 - 18 AUGUST: IGUASSU / OUT (B)

Breakfast, check out and be transferred to the International Airport, according to your flight schedule to board on flight back home. If you need assistance with any additional services while in Brazil, do not hesitate to let us know.

What's included / Not included?

It's always important to be sure!

INCLUDED

English speaking tour leader
All transfers from airports to lodges and hotels starting on arrival in Sao Paolo and to the Iguaçu airport on the last day)
2 domestic flights (Sao Paolo to Campo Grande, Cuiaba to Iguaçu), economy class (contact us for other options)
All the tours mentioned and excursions at the lodge, on the river boat
All the meals as stated (BLD)
3 nights' accommodation in Iguaçu (luxury Belmond Cataratas hotel)
2 nights' accommodation in South Pantanal (at Pousada Aguapé)
5 nights' accommodation in private cruise (ship is chartered for our group only, drinks, cocktails, beer, wine included)
2 nights' accommodation in North Pantanal (at Araras Lodge)
1 night's accommodation in São Paulo (luxury hotel)
Emergency medical evacuation insurance (US$200,000)
Carbon offsets
Services of the CNH Tours trip concierge on hand to help you prepare for your trip

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare
Alcoholic beverages unless otherwise noted
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
All other services stated as optional or not explicitly stated as included.

Your accommodations

Sao Paolo (1 night)

After your long trip to Brazil, you'll be able to relax in the Tivoli Mofarrej hotel, a comfortable business class hotel with pool. It's a perfect place to gather your thoughts and enjoy a bit of down time. If you'd like to arrive earlier let us know and we'll extend our special rates for you.

Into the Pantanal - Pousada Aguapé - Southeast sector (2 nights)

After Sao Paolo, we head off into the wilderness - we hope you didn't get used to the city comforts.... though still comfortable, accommodation options in the Pantanal are a little more on the rustic side. Our home is the Pousada Aguapé, owned by the same family for over 150 years.

Pantanal River Cruise (5 nights)

The Akaia is a solid expedition river cruise ship that will take you to remote places in a good deal of comfort (but don't expect any polished brass / white gloves). With 6 cabins, it accommodates 12 people. All cabins have twin beds, with one of them being a bunk (3 beds / cabin). The top bunk can be used to store luggage, clothes etc... Or accommodate a group of three of course. All have air conditioning, windows and private ensuite bathrooms. With the advent of Starlink - you'll also have internet service.

Pantanal - Araras Lopdge - Northern sector (2 nights)

Unlike our first Pantanal lodge, the Araras lodge was purpose built to receive guests. Located in the heart of the Aymara reserve, it's a classic Pantanal "boutique" lodge, with only 18 rooms, it retains a sense of intimacy with its forested surroundings. Rustic - yet very comfortable.

At Iguaçu (3 nights)

The very comfortable Hotel das Cataratas of the Belmond group (it doesn't get better than that). We feel that after a fascinating adventure through the Pantanal, you will doubly appreciate the comfort here. No corners are cut for you. BONUS: It's the only hotel in the park. Hotel guests are the only people allowed to wander in the park after hours.

You will be accompanied by experienced, congenial and bilingual (English / Portuguese) tour leader throughout your trip, ensuring all goes as swimmingly as possible. What are a tour leader's responsibilities? See our article on the matter.