Chapada Table Mountain and Pantanal

Day 1: Cuiabá Airport - Chapada dos Guimarães (2 nights)

After collecting your luggage at the airport, your transfer guide will be waiting with a sign bearing your name. From here, it’s about a 70 km drive to the small town of Chapada dos Guimarães. Located northeast of Cuiabá, Chapada has around 16,000 residents and sits on a rocky plateau 836 metres above sea level. This unique region is known for its dramatic canyons, table mountains, caves, rivers and waterfalls. Alongside the Amazon to the north and the Pantanal to the south, this plateau forms the third distinct ecosystem in the state of Mato Grosso – a rare combination anywhere in the world. Check-in at your pousada in Chapada. Lunch depends on your flight arrival time. In the afternoon, you'll head to the Mirante lookout, where sweeping views stretch out over the landscape. This spot also marks the geographical centre of South America. A short walk in the plateau’s rugged terrain will give you a feel for this unique environment. Time and access permitting, you may visit other nearby attractions – natural rock sculptures, small waterfalls and more – but these stops depend on how much daylight you have and on opening times, which tend to change unpredictably. Return to Chapada in the evening for dinner. The rest of the evening is free to relax. Overnight at the pousada.

Day 2: Chapada dos Guimarães

After breakfast, you’ll visit the region’s largest waterfall, the famous «Veu de Noiva» waterfall. The water plunges 70 metres into the valley below, creating a spectacular sight. Then, it’s time for lunch in the village of Chapada dos Guimarães. After lunch and a relaxing siesta, you’ll take a leisurely walk in the plateau’s stunning landscape, soaking in the views and fresh air. Return to the lodge for dinner and spend the night there.

Day 3: Chapada dos Guimarães - Ueso Pantanal Lodge (2 nights)

After breakfast, you’ll head into the Pantanal with your group and guide – about 170 km on paved roads and another 38 km along the famous Transpantaneira dirt road. Keep your eyes open – you might spot some wildlife already on the way. Once you arrive at the UeSo Pantanal Lodge, a tasty lunch buffet will be waiting for you after check-in. After a little break, it’s time to stretch your legs on a guided walk through the forest, including a stop at one of our lookout towers. Here, you can scatter a handful of corn and salt on the trail – maybe it’ll attract a few curious animals. Dinner is served buffet-style back at the lodge. Still got energy? Join us for an optional night walk to spot some of the Pantanal’s nocturnal creatures. Just don’t forget your flashlight!

Day 4: Ueso Pantanal Lodge

At around 5:00 a.m., before breakfast, you’ll head out on a sunrise walk. A small coffee or tea will be ready for you beforehand. Take in the awakening of the Pantanal – a natural spectacle like no other. After breakfast, it’s time to saddle up for a ride through the wetlands on one of our trusty mules – the traditional mode of transport for local Pantaneiros. No riding experience? No problem. If you’d like, you can even help prepare your mule before the ride. A riding helmet will be provided, of course. Lunch is served back at the lodge. In the afternoon, you’ll set out on a boat trip along the nearby Rio Novo or Rio Claro. These quiet, motor-free outings are powered by your guide’s paddle skills – no engines here, so as not to scare off the shy birds and other wildlife. With a bit of luck, you might spot a family of giant otters, a variety of birds, a few mammals – maybe even a tapir if the wetlands are in a generous mood.

Day 5: Ueso Pantanal Lodge - Cuiabá Airport

Breakfast buffet at the UeSo Pantanal Lodge. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport. If your flight is scheduled for the afternoon, there's the option to head out for a short morning excursion – either on foot or by mule. In that case, your transfer to the airport will take place after lunch.

Note:

All planned activities will take place, but the order may change for organizational reasons.