Classic ecolodge programme and a full-day safari in Porto Jofre
Five days at Araras combine the lodge’s classic activities with a long Jaguar Express excursion to Porto Jofre and around six hours of boat safari.
The programme combines Araras’ strong birding, walking and canoeing profile with a concentrated full day in the northern Pantanal’s main jaguar area.
Jaguar Express is normally offered from June to November and needs to be booked in advance.
Day 1
Meet in Cuiabá and travel via Poconé to Araras. The final 32 kilometres along the Transpantaneira double as the trip’s first wildlife drive.
After check-in and an introduction, walk to the Garça observation tower. The evening ends with dinner and a night walk.
Day 2
The day begins with a wildlife drive and canoeing on the Clarinho River, where giant otters and rich birdlife may be seen.
After lunch, walk to the 25-metre Bugio tower for sunset.
After dinner, head out on a night safari.
Day 3
In the morning, ride through open fields, woodland and seasonally wet areas.
After lunch, walk along the Rondon trail to the Tuiuiú tower.
Dinner and a briefing before the following day’s early excursion.
Day 4
After an early breakfast, travel about 115 kilometres south to Porto Jofre, normally around 2.5 hours depending on road conditions.
There, spend around six hours on a boat safari on the Cuiabá, Piquiri and Três Irmãos rivers, focusing on jaguars and other wildlife. A packed lunch is provided by the lodge.
Return to Porto Jofre at approximately 17:00 and then continue back to Araras for dinner.
Day 5
The final morning begins with a short dawn activity.
After breakfast or lunch, depending on the confirmed transfer time, return to Cuiabá.
Araras has 19 rustic-style suites with a veranda and hammock. Facilities include a pool, restaurant, bar, reading room and three observation towers.
The lodge has worked with ecotourism in the Pantanal since 1991 and has a strong nature-guiding and birdwatching profile.
Moderate
The lodge programme includes walking, horse riding and canoeing. Jaguar Express also means an early start, around five hours of road travel in total and a long day in a small motorboat.
The programme is best suited to travellers comfortable with long days in nature and simple packed-lunch conditions during the boat safari.
Araras is about 132 kilometres from Cuiabá and is reached via the Transpantaneira. The lodge’s regular transfers may run at fixed times that need to be coordinated with flights and the rest of the itinerary.
The order of activities may change according to weather, terrain, water levels and the lodge’s overall planning.
Horse riding can be replaced or adapted for guests who prefer not to take part when the lodge programme and capacity allow.
Jaguar Express is normally offered in the dry season, approximately June to November, and must be booked in advance. It is a long full-day excursion with a road transfer to Porto Jofre and around six hours of boat safari.
Wild animals roam freely and sightings can never be guaranteed.
The programme can be booked on its own or combined with flights, hotels, Chapada dos Guimarães and other parts of a tailor-made trip. The exact inclusions and price are specified in SambaTravel’s proposal.
The Pantanal is warm for much of the year, but early mornings and winter days can be cool. Dress in layers and choose lightweight clothing in muted colours for excursions.
Long trousers, long sleeves and closed shoes provide protection from sun, branches and insects. Cameras and binoculars should be protected from dust, rain and spray during boat and canoe trips.
We help you choose the right length of stay and combine the programme with transfers, flights, hotels and other parts of your journey.