Animal and nature trip of Brazil

Day 2: Campo Grande – Bonito

(approx. 300 km | 4-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll collect your rental car and drive to Bonito at your own pace. The area where Bonito now stands was once a sea, 550 million years ago. Today, it is one of the most fascinating water recreation areas in the world. The area around Bonito is renowned for its crystal-clear rivers, which are teeming with fish. When you let yourself be carried along by the current of one of these rivers with your snorkelling gear, it feels as though you are in a life-size aquarium. You will be staying at Pousada Boyra, situated approximately 17 km (partly on unpaved roads) from the centre of Bonito. The name ‘Boyra’ comes from the indigenous Tupi language (of the Tupi Indians) and means ‘something valuable’. Thanks to its beautiful location on the banks of the Formoso River, this accommodation offers a great base from which to explore the Bonito area. You can go snorkelling in the Formoso River near the hotel, and there are several walking trails around the hotel where guests are often accompanied by capuchin monkeys, toucans and macaws.
Accommodation: Pousada Boyrá | bed and breakfast

Day 3: Bonito

Today is a free day, so you can explore the area around Bonito at your leisure. You could visit the Sucuri or the Rio da Prata rivers. These rivers are known as two of the clearest in the world. This is because the water is filtered through the limestone bedrock. It’s a great spot for snorkelling, where you’ll be surrounded by schools of various species of fish such as Piraputangas, Pacu, Cachara, Pintados, Curimbatás and Dourados. The rays of light, branches, broken or fallen tree trunks, rock faces and rock formations create an amazing underwater landscape.
Accommodation: Pousada Boyrá | bed and breakfast

Day 4: Bonito – Pantanal

(approx. 155 km | 2-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive to your eco-lodge, Refúgio da Ilha, situated in the Pantanal. After the Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal is Brazil’s most important nature reserve. It is a seasonal wetland that is flooded for half the year and dries out for the other half. During the rainy season, water flows into the Pantanal from the surrounding areas, forming a sort of basin that slowly but surely fills up. As the water ‘gradually’ flows out again, the nutrients remain, making the Pantanal a biologically rich and diverse area. The rivers are teeming with fish – and as a result, the banks are teeming with waterbirds and caimans. Other characteristic animals include the giant anteater, the giant otter, the anaconda, the capybara and the magnificent hyacinth macaw. You’ll be staying in a stunning location, right in the heart of nature. During your stay, professional English-speaking guides will be on hand to take you on tours of this impressive nature reserve.
Accommodation: Refúgio da Ilha | full board

Day 7: Pantanal – Campo Grande

(approx. 230 km | 3.5-hour drive)
In the morning, you may wish to take part in another activity. Afterwards, you’ll drive back to Campo Grande. You’ll stay here for one more night before travelling on to the Foz do Iguaçu Falls the following day.
Accommodation: Deville Prime Campo Grande | bed and breakfast

Day 8: Campo Grande – Foz do Iguaçu

Today you will drive to Campo Grande Airport, where you will return your rental car and board your domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu. On arrival at Foz do Iguaçu Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our local staff and taken to your hotel; you will be staying on the Brazilian side of the falls.
Overnight stay: Vivaz Cataratas Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 10: Foz do Iguaçu

Today you’ll visit the Argentine side of the falls. When you look straight down into the ‘Garganta del Diablo’ (Devil’s Throat) from above, you’ll immediately understand how this section got its name. Here, nature reveals its true nature. It really is a unique experience to stand so close to this waterfall. After visiting the Argentine falls, you’ll view them in spectacular fashion from the water. You’ll be taken through the Mata Atlântica rainforest in an off-road vehicle. At Puerto Macuco, you’ll board a powerboat. This speedboat will take you through the canyons of the Iguaçu River right up to the falls. After admiring the tranquil side of San Martín Island, you’ll head to the Tres Mosqueteros waterfall, where you’ll have a clear view of the highly impressive Brazilian and Argentine falls, as well as the Devil’s Throat. You’ll then cruise along the riverbank to the enormous San Martín waterfall. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel on the Brazilian side.
Overnight stay: Vivaz Cataratas Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 11: Foz do Iguaçu – Rio de Janeiro

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Foz do Iguaçu Airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, you will be taken to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Arena Ipanema Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 12: Rio de Janeiro

On this day, you’ll be picked up by a private guide and taken to visit the famous Corcovado, home to the enormous Christ the Redeemer statue – the very symbol of this vibrant city. The statue offers a magnificent view. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to Sugarloaf Mountain, where you’ll take a cable car up. This mountain was discovered by the indigenous people, who called it ‘pau-nd-acuqua’, meaning ‘high pointed peak’. To the Portuguese, this sounded like ‘pão de açucar’, as its shape is reminiscent of the pointed earthenware pots used in sugar refining. Sugar Loaf Mountain is an imposing natural landmark that has become an integral part of Rio de Janeiro’s skyline. From here, you’ll enjoy a completely different view of the city and see the Christ the Redeemer statue where you were standing just a moment ago. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Overnight stay: Arena Ipanema Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 14: Rio de Janeiro – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey through Brazil has come to an end. One of our local staff members will collect you from your hotel and take you to Rio de Janeiro airport, where you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive there the following day.

Day 15: Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.