Araras Ecolodge North Pantanal

 4 days/3 nights

The fabulous Pantanal Nature Reserve is one of the largest inland wetlands in the world. It is mainly located in Brazil, but also extends to the regions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers who love animal safaris. The north of Pantanal is less frequented by tourists than the southern part and has moreover the capital Cuiabá a good infrastructure to explore the flora and fauna.

The rustic but very comfortable lodge is located about 130 km from Cuiabá on the “Transpantaneira km 36” – the main road that goes from Poconé to Porto Jofre. From the road and the many bridges that cross the many rivers and flood plains, many animals can be seen. The private grounds of Pousada Araras Eco Lodge comprise 22,000 hectares of savannah landscape with small sections of jungle. developed at some distance from the main building by footbridges and paths, there are two “Retiros” – Towers, from which you can observe the animals all around. Due to the location of Pousada Araras Eco Lodge, wildlife comes to your door. A family of capybaras walks around the enclosure, as well as even a crocodile or a couple of macaws in nearby trees. Not to mention the many birds that sometimes attack the bread crumbs of breakfast.

The 19 rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a ceiling fan, mosquito nets, a private bathroom with a hot and cold shower and a veranda with hammocks and chairs for the ‘Siesta’. The restaurant is decorated on a regional basis and breakfast, lunch and dinner also coffee and biscuits will be served to reinforce before the afternoon visit. Chilled drinking water is available for each self-service client (bring your own bottle!). A bar, a beautiful swimming pool with a covered outdoor restaurant complete the efficient facilities.

In order to enjoy the unique nature and abundant wildlife and beauty of the Pantanal, you will take during your stay to various excursions: photo safari, horse riding, canoeing, night excursions, always done in the morning and afternoon a visit usually and in addition than one or the other morning or nocturnal tour. You will be accompanied by bilingual and expert guides.

Day 1 – Airport or Hotel Cuiabá – Araras Lodge

From the airport, transfer to Poconé. Continue on the famous “Transpantaneira” to the Ecolodge Araras. In this section of the Transpantaneira, you may have the chance to see animals such as caimans, capybaras and storks of Jabiru. Upon arrival at the lodge, lunch will be served (depending on the time of arrival at the airport). Short stay In the late afternoon, hike on foot. Dinner at the lodge. On request, a nocturnal safari for nocturnal animals will take place after dinner.

Day 2 – Araras Excursions

After breakfast, you can choose between two visits. You can either go on a canoe trip, where you can watch caymans, capybaras and many birds, or discover the alluvium on the back of a horse. After lunch, walk up to a 25-meter-high viewing platform, where you can watch more wildlife at sunset

Day 3 – Araras Excursions

After breakfast, a horse ride is proposed (also suitable for people without driving experience). You will cross the beautiful landscape of the Pantanal and will certainly meet animals. After lunch, relaxing by the pool, free time, in the late afternoon, we go on the Transpantaneira to visit some mammals, such as Capybaras, Jacares (alligators) and birds such as eg. Tuiuius (storks of Jabiru). With a little luck, our guides can find an anteater or a tapir for you. Back to the lodge and dinner.

Day 4 – Araras Ecolodge – Cuiaba

Breakfast at the lodge, then transfer to the airport. For late departures, for example, late afternoon, in the morning, make another trip on foot, horseback, or canoe. In this case, transfer to the airport will take place after lunch.

Price basis: Per person for 2 people in a double room (different number of persons and length of stay on request)
Execution: Daily
Alternatives: Various programs between 2 and 12 days possible
Note: certain excursions such as a full day excursion by boat to the jaguar safari from/to Porto Jofre (only from June to November)
Travel season: All year round, the top season is between May and November
Accommodation: Araras Ecolodge 

Services included in the price:
• 3 nights in a single or double room according to the travel program
• All meals mentioned in the program (full board)
• Group transfer (small group) from/to Cuiabá with Portuguese-speaking drivers
Departure from Cuiabá Airport: 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm
Departure from Araras Lodge: 7:30 am and 12:30 pm
• The excursions are conducted as a small group with other guests of the lodge. (max. 10 people). Private tours possible, on request
• Local English-speaking guides.
• All taxes

Services not included in the price:
• Personal expenses such as drinks
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, etc. (voluntary)
• Travel insurance (luggage, cancellation, separate return trip)
• Flight tickets

Place:
The lodge is 132 km from Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso State, and 32 km from Transpantaneira. Surrounded by nature, the lodge is surrounded by small rivers, gallery forests and the typical landscape of the pastures and wetlands of the Pantanal.

What your lodge offers:
The country-style lodge has a restaurant, pool, bar and porch with hammocks for rest. There are 2 observation towers of 12 and 25 meters high for the observation of animals.

Bedrooms:
The 19 rooms have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, mosquito nets and a private bathroom with hot water.

Meals:
Full board (drinks not included).

Excursions:
Short hikes in the nearby forest, observation tower, canoe trips on the Rio Claro and Rio Nova rivers, horse riding (25 horses in total), bike rides, sunrises and night safaris by car along the Transpantaneira. Jaguar safaris by boat on request from Porto Jofre (endpoint of the Transpantaneira).

Tours:
The tour schedule may vary depending on the arrival/departure time and weather conditions.

Private services:
Private vehicle, English-speaking tour guides. Price on request

Our advice:
In addition to the daily excursions included, special programs for bird lovers, botanists, interested amateur photographers, and Jaguar safaris are possible (optional, to be booked on-site).

Optional: Jaguar safari by boat (only from June to November)
Day trip. Get up around 5:30 hs, coffee/tea to wake up. Transfer to Porto Jofre, the endpoint of the Transpantaneira (unpaved road of 107 km). On the way, you will meet many animals. Small stop breakfast along the track (picnic). The Safari: A 5-hour boat trip (single boats) deep in the savannah (Cerrado) to track jaguars.

To bring:

Clothes:
• T-shirts
• Bermuda
• Jeans
• Long-sleeved shirts (light fabric)
• Lightweight pullover
• Rain protection
• Sports socks

Footwear:
• Sneakers
• Light hiking or trekking shoes
• Beach sandals

Useful items:
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Flashlight
• Military knife
• Headgear
• Sunscreen (at least factor 30, you are very close to the equator!)
• Photo and video camera
• Mosquito repellent
• Swimwear

Subject to price and program changes