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For travelers planning an ecotourism adventure in Brazil, combining the Amazon and Pantanal creates a premier biodiversity-focused itinerary. These routes typically use the cities of Manaus and Campo Grande as gateways to explore the biomes.
The expeditions can span over 10 days, involving both air and land travel to connect the diverse points of interest. The core activities revolve around guided tours for unparalleled wildlife watching.
Manaus: Gateway to the Amazon
The capital of the Amazonas state serves as the launching point for river expeditions. A city tour often includes the iconic Amazonas Theater, inaugurated in 1896, the bustling Adolpho Lisboa Market, and the Museum of the Amazon (MUSA).
From Manaus, visitors venture to jungle lodges, like the Uiara Amazon Lodge, for immersive experiences. The rainforest itinerary includes navigating Salvador Lake, nocturnal wildlife spotting, and a visit to the Janauari Ecological Park to marvel at the Victoria amazonica, the region’s giant native water lily.
A highlight of the river journey is the Meeting of Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-colored Solimões River converge. This natural wonder occurs because of differences in temperature, density, and speed, causing the two rivers to flow side-by-side for several kilometers without mixing.
Wildlife Encounters in the Pantanal
The city of Campo Grande serves as the gateway to the Pantanal in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. From there, itineraries venture into the countryside to municipalities like Aquidauana, home to traditional lodges, or pousadas, such as Aguapé.
In the world’s largest tropical wetland, spanning 150,000 square kilometers, activities include photographic safaris in 4×4 vehicles, horseback riding, and night safaris for wildlife spotting. Boat tours along the Aquidauana River and even piranha fishing are also part of the itineraries offered by local establishments.
Optional Extension: The Crystal Waters of Bonito and Jardim
Many itineraries through the Pantanal include an extension to the stunning region of Bonito and Jardim. In Bonito, a major attraction is the Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Grotto), a cave housing a crystal-clear lake more than 80 meters deep.
Snorkeling (known locally as flutuação) in the Prata and Olho d’Água rivers allows for observation of underwater fauna and flora in exceptionally clear waters. In the nearby municipality of Jardim, the Buraco das Araras (Sinkhole of the Macaws) is a massive doline—100 meters deep and 500 meters in circumference—that serves as a natural habitat for hundreds of red-and-green macaws.