City to Island with The Pantanal - 17 Days
São Paulo, Southern Pantanal, Bonito, Curitiba, Serra Verde Express Train, Morretes, Ilha do Mel
Brazil is a big country with many biodiverse regions, on this itinerary you will take in some of the more out of the way areas and have a completely different experience living like a local. Starting off in the mega-metropolis of São Paulo before venturing in the Southern Pantanal where you may find yourself in a paddock with no people near you, perhaps cows or alligators! Live your cowboy dreams at a traditional pousada, immerse yourself in the lifestyle and natural surroundings. Let the gentle waters push you down the Prata River outside of Bonito as you watch the underwater world of the river go about its day. Make sure you look up or you may miss monkeys or even tapirs overhead and on the banks of the river. Visit the green city of Curitiba where you will not only find parks and outdoor activities but also monuments to great artists and architectural delights. Glide through conserved forest on the Serra Verde Express Train on your way to a deeply soulful experience on Honey Island, Ilha do Mel. What better way could there be to finish off a trip than to an island so laid back that they don’t have roads. You will return home from this trip with great knowledge of flora and fauna and many cultural experiences to share with your loved ones.
In Brief
Day 1: Arrival in São Paulo and Transfer to Your Hotel
Day 2: Full Day São Paulo Tour
Day 3: Transfer to São Paulo Airport – Flight São Paulo to Campo Grande – Transfer to Campo Grande to Your Pantanal Lodge
Day 4 & 5: Pantanal Lodge Activities
Day 6: Travel from Your Pantanal Lodge to Bonito
Day 7: Rio Prata Floatation and Buraco das Araras Visit
Day 8: Free Day in Bonito
Day 9: Visit Estância Mimosa and Gruta do Lago Azul
Day 10: Transfer to Bonito Airport – Flight Bonito to Curitiba – Transfer to Your Curitiba Hotel
Day 11: Full Day Curitiba Tour
Day 12: Serra Verde Express Train Curitiba to Morretes and Antonina Walking Tour
Day 13: Free Time in Morretes
Day 14: Travel to Pontal do Sur – Boat to Ilha do Mel – Assistance to Your Ilha do Mel Hotel
Day 15 & 16: Free time on Ilha do Mel
Day 17: Boat to Ilha do Mel – Transfer to Curitiba Airport and Departure
- 17 Days / 16 Nights
- Group Size: Customised Itinerary For You
- Accommodation: Hand-Picked Hotels
- Start: São Paulo, Brazil
Finish: Curitiba, Brazil
Included
- 16 Nights Accommodation
- Breakfast Daily
- 5 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Domestic Flights as Mentioned
- English and Portuguese Speaking Guides
- Private & Shared Tours
- Private Transfers
- In Country English or Portuguese Speaking 24 Hour Assistance
Not included
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
- Meals Not Mentioned
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Additional Entrances Not Specified in the Itinerary
- Visas
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrival in São Paulo and Transfer to Your Hotel
Welcome to São Paulo and welcome to Brazil!
After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, make your way out of the airport building where your driver guide will be waiting for you. You will make the trip to your hotel.
Settle into your hotel and relax after your long trip.
Overnight in São Paulo
Day 2 - Visit the City of São Paulo
Exploring São Paulo today, you will get to know as much of this ginormous city as possible.You will visit a large number of different historical areas of the city of São Paulo, which is a mega-metropolis. Walk through the streets to get the feeling of the day to day life of the “Paulistano” or the “Paulista”, the people of São Paulo.
Visit the historic centre, where you will see the city’s beginnings and its development, such as the first station of the city, Luz Station. Continue with a visit to the Mercado Municipal with its huge variety of mouth watering offerings and copious and delicious fruit. Marvel at the unique architecture of the Sé Cathedral before visiting the Municipal Theatre and Santander LIghthouse, which will give you 360° views. Pass by the Masp Museum, which is the main museum in São Paulo and surroundings. Then venture onto Ibirapuera Park with its works by Oscar Niemeyer in the architecture, museums and monuments.
A day full of differences, architecture and culture, all in one city and yet only scratching the surface of this vast place.
Overnight in São Paulo
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Fly to Campo Grande - Transfer to Your Pantanal Lodge
In time for your flight, you will be transferred by private car to the airport in São Paulo for your flight to Campo Grande
Flight: São Paulo -> Campo Grande
On arrival in Campo Grande you will be met and transferred to your lodge in the Pantanal.
After settling into your room you will be served a welcome dinner. Then it is time to rest from the long journey and get to know the lodge area. So you can enjoy the beauty of the Pantanal in the coming days there will be programmed activities by the lodge.
Overnight in Pantanal lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 & 5 - Pantanal Lodge Activities
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on one of the pousada’s activities, which are aimed to give you a feel for life in the Pantanal and so you have the chance to see as much wildlife as possible. You will have the opportunity to try different activities as you can do two per day during your stay. The activities are organised by the pousada and are set out according to the weather and time of year when you are visiting.
Some of the activities offered are:
Ecological Walk – Walk, on flat train, through the riparian forest that borders the bays, iterating with the fauna and flora on an interpretive trail. You will be accompanied by a local guide from the pousada to get the most out of your walk.
Horse Ride – Horseback ride through the farm lands accompanied by a local guide, observing the flora and fauna of the Pantanal.
River Tour – Boat trip along the Aquidauana River, observing the diversity of the Pantanal vegetation as well as the way in which the Ribeirinhos use primitive techniques to practise artisanal fishing for pacus and dorado.
Night Animal Spotting – Night boat trip along the Aquidauana River with a focus on alligators, capybaras etc. Additionally you will observe the night sky and listen to the silence of the forest. Alternatively the Night Animal Spotting can be done by car, through the fields to observe small wolves, alligators and capybaras crossing the lagoons.
Photo Safari – Carried out in a safari vehicle, travelling through the farm’s fields, observing animals and heading towards Capão da Figueira where you will observe alligators and the Figueira Mata Pau (a peculiar type of fig tree).
Piranha Fishing – Sport fishing for piranhas in a the giant otter bay.
Cattle Handling – Carried out on horseback, accompanying pedestrians while handling cattle. Experience the day to day lie of the people of the Pantanal.
Horse Drawn Carriage – Carriage ride to observe the local flora and fauna through the farm’s fields.
Overnight in Pantanal lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 - Travel to Bonito
Waking up with the call of the birds for the last time this morning as you will be moving on this morning. Enjoy a farewell breakfast before joining your private guide and driver for the trip to Bonito.
After checking into your hotel the rest of the day is at leisure to explore your hotel or the small town of Bonito.
Overnight in Bonito
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Rio da Prata Snorkeling and Visit Buraco das Araras
Today you will experience one of the most beautiful tours of the area, where you will enjoy a true spectacle of nature including crystal clear waters, a great diversity of fish and rich aquatic vegetation. Part of the RPRN (Private Natural Heritage Reserve), the Recanto Ecologico Rio de Prata is an unparalleled river floating experience.
Arriving at the farm, you will be directed to the front desk where they will give you information about the farm, the floatation and the safety management system, part of the Safe Adventure Project. You will then be guided to the equipment sector, where general information is given. Once suited in your wetsuits and booties you will board a truck which has been adapted to transport tourists to the beginning of the track. From here you will follow an interpretative trail for approximately 2 kms (50 minutes walk). You will pass by large trees such as mastic, mahogany pink, balm, mimosa and ipes. You may also catch sight of animals such as capuchin monkeys, agoutis, tapirs, peccaries, curassow and others.
At the source of the Rio Olho d’Agua you will have a moment of contemplation and practise snorkelling before preparing to set off. The stream will take you quietly floating down the river, creating an underwater route that lasts approximately 2 hours. There will be a stop on a small deck for diving and experiencing the beauty of the springs erupting from the riverbed below. From this point you can continue to float a further 600 metres or climb aboard a motorboat to complete the river trip.
After a hearty lunch and some time to relax you will travel to the nearby Buraco das Araras, which is a huge crater in the cerrado (tropical savanna of Brazil). The crater is about 500 metres in circumference and 100 metres in depth, which makes it the largest sinkhole in Latin America. Follow the 970 metre track around the sinkhole, which is located within a Private Natural Heritage Reserve. There are two main viewpoints and at both you can observe the beauty of the area, which echoes with the sound of nearly a hundred red macaws and other species of birds which all this area home. Throughout the day groups of these birds go out to feed and return so there is the opportunity to see birds at all times.
Overnight in Bonito
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Restrictions for Rio Prata floatation:
– Minimum age of 6 years old. Any child who is not able to make the full floatation must return to the reception area accompanied by an adult.
– Pregnant women are not allowed after 24 weeks.
– Visitors with recent surgery (up to 30 days), epilepsy, history of stroke, history of infarction, history of anaphylactic shock, heart problems and/or pacemakers may not take the tour.
– People over 120 kg must bring their own neoprene clothing.
– Forbidden to drink alcohol before activities.
– Forbidden use of chemicals in flotation (sunscreen or repellent).
– No refund or reimbursement is given for anyone unable to complete all activities
Day 8 - Free time in Bonito
Relax and enjoy a day free of activities today. Should you wish, a guide and driver will be available to you.
Overnight in Bonito
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Visit Estancia Mimosa and Gruta do Lago Azul
After breakfast you will have a day of authentic contact with nature and culture, a visit to Estancia Mimosa. In 2009 Estancia Mimosa was awarded prizes for their work in environmental and quality management. You will tour through riparian forest using an interpretive trail in a Private Natural Heritage Reserve.
Firstly a briefing on the Security Management Sydney of the area will be given by an employee of the estancia, they will then join you on your tour. In your vehicle you will explore the area. There are walking and boating areas to explore, along the way you can take a dip in the natural pools created by waterfalls and explore the small caves behind the cascades. The track encompasses suspended walkways and lookouts, from where you can see the Serra da Bodoquena, with waterfalls and hills that form the valley through to the Mimosa River.
After lunch you will continue on to the Gruta do Lago Azul. You will follow an interpretive trail which is approximately 300 metres long, until you reach the cavity of the grotto. From here a descent of approximately 200 metres is made, via stairs made of limestone rock. Some of the staired area is without support rails and does have a drop off to the side. You can take your time and rest along the way, your guide will help you with information about the geological formations of the cave whilst you look into the vast depths. The cave is home to stalactites, stalagmites, travertines and several other limestone formations. Continuing on down you will reach the lake, Lago Azul, which is 87 metres in depth and harbours a rare type of albino shrimp along with the bones of extinct animals that have lived in the region for over 12000 years, such as the giant sloth. Though you can not touch the waters you will marvel at its luminescent blue and feel the tranquillity of the area.
Once you have finished visiting the lake you will return on the same route back to your vehicle and onto your hotel in Bonito.
Overnight in Bonito
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Distance: 24 km from Bonito
Travel time: 40 minutes
What to bring: swimsuit, towel, closed shoes, camera, insect repellent, sunscreen, cash or card for extra purchases
Optional: horseback riding, bird watching, neoprene boots for hire
RESTRICTIONS:
– Children under 3 years old cannot do the tour.
– Cannot take the tour: women after 24 weeks of pregnancy, people with pacemakers, recent surgery (up to 30 days), epilepsy, stroke history, anaphylactic shock history.
Day 10 - Fly to Curitiba and Transfer to Your Hotel
This morning your guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the small airport in Bonito for your flight to Curitiba.
Flight: Bonito -> Curitiba
On arrival in Curitiba you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Curitiba
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Explore Curitiba with a Private Guide
With so many things to explore in Curitiba you have a full day ahead of you. After breakfast your first stop will be to the botanic garden Jardim Botânico, it is one of the most beautiful gardens in the area, and includes a greenhouse where you can find a wide variety of plants and vegetables. Afterward, enjoy a panoramic view of the XV street, which is one of the commercial centres of the city, followed by viewing the cathedral, the centre of any Latin American city.
Oscar Niemeyer is a very prominent figure in Curitiba and a visit to the Oscar Niemeyer Museum to see one of the greatest Brazilian artworks which are considered one of the most important and beautiful structural places to visit in Curitiba. The Bosque do Papa João Paulo II is a forest with sculptures that honour the polish immigrant, here you will find statues of Black Madonna of Czestochowa and also Pope John Paul II as tributes.
The Opera de Arame Theatre, is a metal structure made of steel tubes and transparent plaques, all surrounded by an artificial lake.
Circumnavigate Tangua Parke, which is a tranquil place with beautiful lakes, forest, waterfalls, jogging trails and also cycling infrastructure. Unilivre park; this park is also one university which provides studies and research on the environment and ecology matters. A wonderful green area surrounds this university and it’s open to visitors, there you can also find one incredible quarry and spiral ramps that provide access to one viewpoint of the entire place. Tingui Park: In this park you can find beautiful lakes covered with timber bridges and many green areas. The main attraction of this park is the Ukrainian Church and its architecture. This park carries that name in honour of an indigenous tribe called “tingui”, which inhabited the region of Curitiba in the past.
As you can see the people of Curitiba are outdoor people who love to be in nature.
For a Panoramic view over the city, visit the Panoramic Tower. It is located in the centre of the city and is 110 metres tall. From here you can see the whole city and its green spaces.
Finishing off your day of exploring, take a walk around the historic centre. In the historic centre you will find many buildings from the XVII century. Most of these constructions are strongly influenced by Portuguese colonialism.
Overnight in Curitiba
Included meals: Breakfast
Note: many museums are closed on Mondays. Alternate visits will be made if you happen to be in Curitiba on a Monday.
Day 12 - Serra Verde Express Train to Morretes - Walking tour of Antonina
This morning you will be transferred to the train station where you will board the Serra Verde Express train for a spectacular journey to the charming city of Morretes. The trip is 110 km through verdant Atlantic Rainforest conservation area, the largest area in Brazil, and along a railway system that was established in 1885. All up you will be on the train for about 3 hours, however this time will feel much shorter as you take in the fantastic views of the coastal mountain range of the region, pass over bridges and hug hills and cliffs by the side of the train.
On arrival in Morretes your guide will take you to one of the local restaurants to try the speciality of this area, Barreado and seafood. Barreado is beef stew, slow cooked in a clay pot for many hours. It is a very typical dish for this area.
After lunch take a walking tour of Antonina before being transferred to your pousada, or inn. You will be staying at a pousada very close to the heart of Morretes and this is an experience not to be missed.
You will be given a key to this pousada and it is the only key, so don’t lose it! After being shown around you have the place to yourself. The staff will be back in the morning to prepare your breakfast. Should you wish to cook, you can do that. Have a shopping adventure and then cook what you would like. If you prefer to eat out, the local recommendations are: Casa do Rio Restaurant, Terra Nostra Restaurant or Hamburgueria Castelinho. Whichever option you go for you will be in for adventure as there are few people who speak English in this area. What a great way to immerse yourself in the local scene!
Overnight in Morretes
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 13 - Free Day in Morretes
Take today to relax in Morretes, stroll the picturesque streets and along the river. Make further friends as you shop, eat and explore this quaint city.
Overnight in Morretes
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14 - Travel to Pontal do Sul for a Boat Trip to Ilha do Mel
Leaving your pousada in Morretes behind you will be transferred to the pier of Pontal do Sul, a little over an hour’s drive. From here you will take a boat for approximately 30 minutes to the island of Ilha do Mel, your home for the next few days.
At the pier of Pontal do Sul you will be given 2 boat trip tickets, one is for your return so please ensure you keep this safe.
On arrival in Ilha do Mel you will quickly notice the lack of vehicles. Walking and biking are the means of transport on this island. There are small laneways which are the “roads” of the island and there will be an assistant with a trolley to help you with your luggage as you walk to your pousada. Life on Ilha do Mel is very relaxed and calm. There is nowhere to hurry to and so, no need to hurry!
After checking into your pousada, sit back and let the island life soak in.
Overnight on Ilha do Mel
Included meals: Breakfast
Note: there are no cash machines in Ilha do Mel, so please make sure you have enough cash for your days on the island. Some places take credit cards for your convenience.
Day 15 - Free Day on Ilha do Mel
Today is a free day for you to take your time to enjoy the island.
We recommend renting a bike, or walking to the Fortaleza Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres.
This imposing fortress was built to protect the Paranaguá Bay from Spanish attacks. It is a beautiful 40 minute walk (or 20 minutes by bike) along the beach at low tide. Leaving the village of Nova Brasília,the beach leads to a historic fortress from 1770 on the seafront. Inside the fort you can visit the rooms that served as a prison and also the Commander’s House But the best is on the outside: the English and Portuguese cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries, still installed in their original positions. A steep trail leads to the top of the hill, with more modern guns and trenches of the period of World War II, and an impressive panoramic view.
Alternatively you could try trekking to Encantadas Grotto.
This grotto was formed by a magmatic rock block cut vertically by a strip of basalt. Due to the softness of this rock, it has suffered the impact of the waves for at least 150 million years.
There are two ways to get to Encantadas Grotto if you are staying in Brasilia: by boat (30 minutes) or walking (2 hours) by the beautiful beaches of Praia Grande, Praia do Miguel and Praia de Encantadas.
The large opening in the middle of the rocks out to the Encantadas Beach is one of the classic images of the island.
Access can be made during low tide only. A light trail indicated by signposting on the rocks leads visitors to the Grotto.
Overnight on Ilha do Mel
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 16 - Free Day on Ilha do Mel
Another day to rest and recuperate on Ilha do Mel.
Don’t forget to visit the lighthouse and swim at one of the gorgeous beaches.
Overnight on Ilha do Mel
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 17 - Transfer by boat and car from Ilha do Mel to Curitiba - Departure
Saying goodbye to this relaxing haven, you will make your way to the pier and take a boat back to Pontal do Sul. In Pontal do Sul you will meet your private driver who will transfer you approximately 2 hours to Curitiba airport in time for your departure flight.
Included meals: Breakfast
Sadly your arrangements with Real Local Experiences, and your time in Brazil has come to an end.
You will take home with you memories of a lifetime, many photos and perhaps a few great souvenirs!
