Pantanal Experience
 
The Pantanal area of Mato Grosso do Sul State is the largest continuous wetland in the world. It has an area of 140.000 square kilometers of floodplain in Brazil and it also spreads through Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. It was formed between 02 and 05 million years ago as a large sedimentary basin and now is an isolated plain surrounded by several mountain areas. It is considered as a world heritage site.

Pantanal has a diverse aquatic animal life; hundreds of different fish guarantee a rich bird population (more than 600 species live in the area). There are also huge popullation of reptiles and mammals such as: caimans, capybaras, monkeys, jaguars, armadillos, coatis and anteaters.

Over a period of more than 200 years of occupation by farmers, the Pantanal’s biodiversity and landscape are basically the same as they were in their ancestor’s time. The Pantanal is an untouched and beautiful wilderness with open grasslands, “vazantes” (low-lying areas that are often seasonally flooded), “brejos” (swamps), “caapões” (which in the Tupi Indian language means: caa = forest + pon = round that are patches of slightly elevated ground that are not subjected to inundation), “cordilheiras” (larger than caapões), “corixos” and bays which are permanently flooded areas. In these uncommon Pantanal habitats, there is a rich flora and exuberant fauna which delights everyone. Those who have the opportunity to visit this hidden tropical paradise in the heart of South America and to experience even for a lithe while, its wildlife and lush vegetation as well as to get to know the people, will see the world with different eyes.

Pantanal goes through three cycles every year that changes its landscape:

Rainy or Flood season: summer rainfall usually between November and March causes the flood. Most of the animals search for higher areas such as “caapões” and “cordilheiras”.

Vazante (intermediate season): it usually happens from April to June. The meadows start drying and the water collects in the bays and lakes; the fish, animals and birds stay round these areas. It is a good period to go through the flooded meadows on horseback.

Dry season: The land dries out and many species can be seen searching for waterholes. Different animals get together around the few remaining water pools.

Climate -The weather is hot most of the year. Summer is very hot and humid, usually a rainy season with the rains coming December to March. From April to November it rarely rains. Sometimes there are cold snaps between May and September but they only last for a few days; the temperature may drop to 7º C

About the Ranchs
The ranches you will ride has been run by the same family for some 150 years. Since 1989 it has diversified its activities, continuing with cattle but starting to work with horseback rides and ecological tourism (also birdwatching).
The ranches are located in a rich area formed by typical wetland vegetation and open pastures with patches of stunted vegetation (cerrado), lakes, lowlands, pond outlets and the Aquidauana River with its exuberant gallery forest.

Rides and tours
All rides and tours are conducted by the unique landscapes, The horse is the best way to explore the swamp of Pantanal. You will ride an average of 5 hours a day, riding through its open fields, marshes, capões, ridges, streams and bays, we encounter a rich variety of lush flora and fauna, typical of a region well preserved. There are several tracks with shorter or longer routes, which can be made in both the floods and dry seasons, always with experienced local guides.
You will do one boat tour. This is the best way to get to know the Aquidauana River and the beauty and exuberance of its gallery forest. It is the natural habitat of birds, mammals and reptiles that lie out on river banks or simply hear the songs of the birds. This tour takes about 02 hours, and it is necessary to use a life jacket (provided by the lodge).
You will also do a piranha fishing in a bay of Aquidauana River. The piranha is mainly used to prepare a typical dish of the region, piranha soup. It is also good way to see the caimans who watch the fishers to steal their piranhas.
During one morning or afternoon, you will be able to accompany the cowboys in their work routine with the cattle. Move the cattle to other parts of the farm (cattle drive), take care of the calves or see the cowboys working at the corral. (* this will happen according to their season work with the cattle) It is also a good opportunity to learn a little bit more about the culture and habits of the people from Pantanal.

PHOTOS - Click here

Itinerary
1st day -Arrival in Campo Grande. Transfer to Fazenda Sao Jose in the Pantanal (approx 3 hrs). Time to check in, relax and inspect the property and the horses. Before dinner we depart on a jeep to a nocturnal spotlighting safari- opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. (when the caimans are spotted, the eyes present impressive red reflex)

2nd day - After breakfast we ride through the fields of the ranch. One has to forget the dimensions of ranches in other parts of the world – here the land seems to be endless. In this first day we already start to live the routine of an authentic Pantaneiro (cowboy of Pantanal), we will have the opportunity to do a cattle drive, passing by several regions of the ranch, working along with the cowboys, a good opportunity to establish a closer contact with the regional way of working with the cattle.
We return to the ranch house for lunch and late afternoon we leave for another ride exploring the area around the ranch and will have more chance to see the amazing diverse wildlife that lives in the surroundings. The land is home to many birds and wild animals, living together with the cattle.

3rd day - After breakfast we ride towards Poção crossing the pirizal and one of the “vazantes” of the ranch (vazantes are very important in Pantanal´s water cycle, draining water from the flooded season through the rivers and rendering the land humid and nutricious).Arriving at Poção we will have the opportunity to swim with our horses to cross the river and reach the area where will have our lunch.
The lunch will be one of the most typical dishes of Pantanal, used as main meal during the long cattle drives: “ arroz carreteiro” which is made of rice and sun dried beef. After lunch you can try to fish piranha (in the same river you crossed with your horse!) or rest on the hammocks under the trees.
Near the ranch it is the Lasso competition area where before dinner we will see the Pantaneiros practicing their ability with lasso. (it is their hobby on weekends) and for those interested an opportunity to learn how to do it!

4th day - After breakfast we leave Fazenda São Jose towards Fazenda Pequi. We will ride between hundred-year-old trees, palm groves and have the opportunity to see many fascinating birds and animals. Dinner tonight will be at Fazenda Pequi. If you like a good steak – here you will eat a typical pantaneiro barbecue. Before dinner we depart on a boat to a nocturnal spotlighting safari in the Aquidauana River.

5th day - That’s a day when you can feel how is the cowboys life in the Pantanal, working the cattle in practice and understand why it is a challenging and unpredictable task. You will help to bring cattle from the field and help to take care of the calves at the corral.
Lunch at the ranch and late afternoon a short ride on the Trail of Ariranhas (Giant otters) Bay ( usually they are there)

6th day - After breakfast we leave Fazenda Pequi in the direction of the Olhos D' Água Ranch. Open country changes and we ride for over an hour through ancient forests and palm groves before arriving at the Fazenda Olhos D'Água, located on the banks of the Aquidauana River. Here we enjoy a wonderful typical lunch with some of the main cuisine menus of the Pantanal, fresh water fish roasted, cooked or fried and other typical dishes accompanied by farofa (yucca or manioc flour toasted in butter or oil with banana), besides, of course, their famous deserts with local fruits.
In the afternoon we return by boat on the Aquidauana River to Fazenda Pequi ( another good opportunity to see the environment around this famous river).
A typical Pantaneiro Barbecue and live Pantaneiro music (**) are offered by our hostess at the end of this Pantanal Experience.

7th day - After breakfast depart to Campo Grande airport.

*We reserve the right to cancel or replace any activity if the environmental conditions are not favorable to its performance.
** Live music only