Bonito & Pantanal

Day 01. Campo Grande - Bonito. Arrival at the International Airport of Campo Grande, where assistance with name board is waiting. Transfer to Bonito (3 hrs). Bonito is small town in Mato Grosso do Sul state. It is an ecological paradise to be discovered by nature lovers. Due to the existence of calcareous soil the rivers are incredibly transparent, considered one of the best places in the world for the observation of underwater fauna (diving and snorkeling). Arrival in Bonito and check-in at your hotel. Welcome to your eco-resort hotel, relax in the sauna, jacuzzi and heated pool before relishing a mouth-watering dinner buffet with regional and international cuisine. The hotel's open-air architecture gives a light, unobtrusive-to-nature presence, home of toucans, Angolan chickens and other birds whose fancy plumage look like they are playing dress-up. Accommodation for 4 nights. Rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy the tennis court, beach volley courts, soccer field, and bike lane, jogging lanes, sport fishing or horseback riding at your hotel.

Day 02. Bonito - Boca da Onca Eco Tour. After breakfast you will have the Boca da Onca Eco Tour. On all tours, specialized guides are mandatory, the tour sites are located in private properties open for tourism in a sustainable way where human beings are perfectly integrated. Walking jungle trail, where one will be in contact with hundred-year-old trees and 12 waterfalls, one of them bearing the most suggestive name of "Indian Caldron", a real natural massage. At the end of the trail we will be face to face with a beautiful waterfall: the Jaguar's Mouth. A deserved stop for waterfall bathing in a natural swimming pool formed by the falls. The highlight of the tour is floating in the pool as one watch the waterfalls plunging from on high, feeling all of Nature's energy. With a height of 156 meters this is the highest waterfalls in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. If you like rappel, so you can do it here from a 90-meter high platform and for additional cost. Also, for rappel it is necessary to have some preliminary training the previous night. In the afternoon back at your hotel. (Breakfast & lunch included)

Day 03.Bonito - Blue Lake Grotto - Snorkeling in the Sucuri River. After breakfast, you will go to the Blue Lake Grotto whose interior is gothic cathedrals formed by stalagmites and stalactites that end in an aqua blue pool. Hiked around a 120m deep sinkhole, alive with its emerald vegetation, where red and green Macaw parrots returning at day's end, swoop and glide in the open abyss. The trail will start with a 5 minutes walk to the cave, then, after descending a trail of 350 meters, you will see the lake with the famous crystal clear water. The depth of the lake is approximately 120 meters and in the morning when the sunbeams hit the lake, the water will have an intense blue color. In the afternoon lunch will be served. After lunch start of the snorkeling tour in the Sucuri River, one of the clearest river water in the world, with a visibility and transparency of 100%, due to the calcareous composition of the soil. Visit to the headwaters where we see the water come out the sand in phosphorescent blue and green color. Afterwards, floating snorkel for 2 km down in the main current to observe flora and fauna of the river. Unforgettable! Very transparent waters, rich aquatic fauna and flora. Afternoon back up boat. (Breakfast & lunch included)

Day 04. Bonito - the snorkeling and flotation down the Rio da Prata. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the city of Jardim, about 50 kilometers from Bonito, where you will start your amazing snorkeling in the Olho d'Agua ("eyes of water") and adjoining Rio da Prata ("Silver River"). Rio da Prata cited as World Tourism Reference for observation of fish. The snorkeling begins in Olho d'Agua spring until meet the Prata river, where the water is crystalline and you can see several species of amazing fishes and exuberant sub aquatic vegetation. Due to calcarious rocks, the waters in the rivers of the region are completely transparent and teeming with huge quantities of wildlife. Mask, snorkel, neoprene clothing and boots included. Dressed in neoprene suits, the current takes you along its shallow trail of clear turquoise water with curious, shiny tropical fishes, many of them popular in amateur aquariums around the world. A small caiman that shared the lagoon will be ignored by you completely because there is definitely enough fish for all. The area is protected from pollution, please don't use sunscreen or bug spray, in order to preserve the clean water. (Breakfast & lunch included)

Day 05. Bonito - Mimosa Farm - Waterfalls - Pantanal. Today say good bye to Bonito, check out at your hotel because you will go to the Pantanal, but on the way you will visit one more fascinating place- Mimosa Resort for appreciating the nature of the best. You will enjoy a light snack, coffee, tea and biscuits, and then begin a pleasant walk through the forest by the Rio Mimosa waterfalls, natural pools, caves and a platform of 6 meters where you can jump in a natural well. You will have the opportunity to be surrounded by centennial trees, wild animals and to know that the enormous anaconda sunning itself in the overhead tree prefers smaller prey to tourists. And finally, nothing better than a delicious lunch of ranch style, with various dishes and homemade desserts. After lunch you will be transferred to the Pantanal, the enormous depression covered in savanna and scattered groves of tall trees, extends over 140,000 sq. km at the extreme north of the Plata River basin in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is the home of 650 different species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 15 species of reptiles. Arrival and accommodation for 3 nights at the eco lodge. During your stay the following tours will be scheduled: nature walks, horse back rides, Canadian canoe trip, nocturnal Spotlighting, biking, photographic Safari. All excursions depend on the weather conditions. All tours are guided by young guides, bilingual in English and Portuguese and trained in the fauna and flora of the Pantanal. PLEASE NOTE: Upon check-in you must sign a disclaimer acknowledging the risks involved in the activities and that will respect all the instructions given by guides (caimaner and field guide). Overnight at your lodge. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Day 06. Pantanal - excursions and activities as offered by your lodge. The Pantanal, one of largest sedimentation plains of the world, approximately 140 thousand square km, with 65 % of extension in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, presents fauna and flora of rare beauty and abundance influenced by four big biomass: the Amazon, the Savanna, the Chaco and the Atlantic Forest which runs as far as the Bodoquena Mountain Range region, where is Bonito. The Pantanal was recognized by UNESCO, in the year 2000, as the Biosphere natural reserve of the Earth. During your stay you will have all meals and excursions included. Each day you'll have morning and afternoon excursions, varied to optimize wildlife viewing. And you'll have a chance for any evening excursion as well to search for nocturnal animals. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Day 07. Pantanal - excursions and activities as offered by your pousada. You'll have ample time to explore this wildlife rich area. The activities at your lodge start very early in the morning taking full advantage of the best portion of the day to observe the wildlife. After that, you return to the pousada, have lunch and rest. When the afternoon passes by and temperature cools off, it is time to go out for an afternoon excursion, another good time to see the Pantanal. Go to the Canadian canoe trip in the bays of the lodge. You row in three-seat Canadian canoes and contemplate the nearby vegetation and water birds. It is also a good opportunity to listen to many the local sounds, besides admire the fantastic Pantanal's sunset. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Day 08. Pantanal - Campo Grande. Now here is the big decision: Go out… or stay on? If you must go, so you will be transferred to Campo Grande airport for your return flight.(Breakfast included)

• Package rates vary depending on time of the year you travel. Please request them.

Included:

• 4 night's accommodation in Bonito.
• 3 night's accommodation in the Pantanal.
• Daily breakfast.
• 4 lunches in Bonito.
• Full board in the Pantanal.
• All tours as described in the itinerary.
• Transportation and boat
• Professional guides (Russian, English, Spanish, German)

Milavia International is very selective in the choice of the vehicles within each destination. We understand that the mode of transportation must be not only comfortable but also permit a good observation of the wildlife and panorama around you. The road tours will be operated by air-conditioned vans or off-road vehicles, except when not available.

Recommendations:

• Be in a good physical shape and have a disposition for long hikes.
• We recommend that all passengers take the vaccination 10 days before the departure.
• Never go alone. It is necessary to know the basic first aid and orientation techniques.
• Carry enough water for the trek for it is a hot weather region.
• Protect your skin with solar filters before starting the hike.
• Do not forget to pick up your garbage and to bring it with you until finding a place in the city where to dispose of it properly.

What you should bring for your trip to the Pantanal:

• Insect repellent - this should be taken with you during the activities.
• Sun screen or sun blocker.
• Casual clothing, comfortable and resistant. Cotton clothes are lighter and more comfortable than synthetics. But some synthetics like supplex or tactile are good, as they dry faster, are lighter and can be easily packed.
• Short pants and T-shirts are appropriate for some activities, although you also should bring long trousers as well. A long sleeves shirt of light color is also very useful, against sun and bugs. It is important to consider that dark clothes like black and dark blue attracts mosquitoes.
• The best colors to wear are the light tones, like brown, beige and green, which don't highlight you in the landscape, not scaring the animals. Avoid strong colors like yellow, blue and red.
• A raincoat or poncho is necessary in the wet season, but always recommended, even in the dry season.
• A wind break coat is recommended in all seasons, and if you plan visiting the Pantanal from June to August, winter time in Brazil, make sure to bring heavier coats, as cold fronts reach the Pantanal very suddenly and temperature can drop drastically.
• Comfortable shoes, like hiking shoes or tennis shoes, at least two pairs, if you come during the wet season, as they usually get wet during the activities. In the hotel areas, sandals and flip-flops are safe.
• A small day pack could be useful to carry your equipment, insect repellent, etc, during the tours.
• Controlled medications and of habitual use - remember that you are going to a remote area, where some medicines are hard to be found.
• We remind you that there are swimming pools at all lodges, thus, bathing suits are recommended.
• Photographic camera.
• Sun glasses with UV filter.
• Hat or cap.
• Binoculars - extremely useful during the activities. Can be rented at the reception desk.

The scenery of the Pantanal changes with every new season, but it remains always exuberant. Each one of the seasons has its own characteristics, varies year-to-year according to the presence or absence of rain. The average annual precipitation is 1500mm, the majority of which falls between the months of November and March.

Temperature:
The Pantanal is a flat plain, naturally open and without big mountains to block cold fronts. Because of that, the temperature may vary a lot in a short period.
The summer is hot, with temperatures around 25C (77F) to 40C (104F). During the winter the weather is mild and dry, with temperature varying from 18C (64F) to 30C (86F), but the occasional cold front can bring temperatures as low as 8C (46F). So, if you plan visiting the Pantanal from June to August, it is important to be prepared to these unpredictable cold fronts.

Seasons in the Pantanal

January through March - Wet Season: With the summer rains, as parts of the Pantanal are flooded, the fauna and flora reinvigorate and the Pantanal reveals one of its most lively seasons. The main characteristics of this season are the beautiful water landscapes, and many water birds such as the Jabirus Stork, Woodstorks, and Limpkins, ducks, teals and egrets. Among the common mammals we can find the Capybaras, Crab-eating Foxes, and the Grey-brocket and Pampas deer. The water plants are in bloom with different shapes and colors throughout the lakes and rivers. Also abundant are butterflies and other interesting insects. The wet season is also the best time to watch the most beautiful sunset of the year.

April through June - Intermediate Season: In April, the rains stop, and the water level begins to recede, giving rise to lagoons and water puddles. Here, thousands of fish are trapped, providing a food banquet for the water birds which concentrate in these regions. The temperature becomes milder and the night skies are filled with stars. The mammals, which dispersed in the wet season, start to come back and show themselves. Species such as the White-lipped Peccaries, Collared Peccaries, Marsh Deer and the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys can often be seen.

July through October - Dry Season: The best time to observe wildlife. The lack of rain diminishes the lagoons, revealing the flat grounds and aiding transportation by land. The fields begin to dry, providing vast grazing areas where mammals search for food and water in the remaining water puddles. From August on, the Tabebuia trees blossom - locally known as Piuvas (with pink flowers) and Paratudos (yellow flowers). This is the breeding season for birds - their plumage is at their best condition and their calls can be heard throughout the Pantanal. This is also the best season to observe Giant Anteaters, Crab-eating Raccoons and South-American Coatis.

November through December - Rainy Season: The period when there is a lot of rain in the Pantanal, but not enough to flood. Due to the long dry season, it takes a while for the soil to saturate to the point of flooding. It is also a season of a great abundance of food for birds that started their breeding in the past months. It is very common to see chicks being fed by their parents.

Reservation Form