\n\n
This season, tour operators are unveiling breathtaking new routes that connect the state of Amazonas to the heart of Mato Grosso do Sul. An incredible itinerary crafted by the Pinto Lopes Viagens agency features stays in the gateway cities of Manaus and Aquidauana. The journey explores the lush Amazon basin and the Pantanal—a massive 150,000-square-kilometer (58,000-square-mile) wetland plain that is home to 698 documented bird species, making it a premier destination for global ecotourism.
During the Amazon leg of the trip, guests stay at the Uiara Amazon Lodge, a unique eco-resort built entirely on floating structures. The itinerary includes visits to the renowned Museum of the Amazon (MUSA) and scenic boat rides through the Janauari Ecological Park. There, botanical observation highlights the awe-inspiring samaumeira (kapok tree), a magnificent native species that reaches heights of up to 70 meters (230 feet) deep within the rainforest.
Connecting with the Cerrado and Crystal-Clear Underground Rivers
After landing in Campo Grande, the itinerary shifts its field activities to the captivating municipalities of Bonito and Aquidauana. The charming Pousada Aguapé serves as the central hub for overland safaris and navigation along local waterways. In the world-renowned ecotourism capital of Bonito, accessing the mesmerizing water mirror of the Gruta do Lago Azul (Blue Lake Cave) requires descending 300 steps to reach a stunning underground lake that is 80 meters (260 feet) deep.
- A 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) snorkeling float down the crystal-clear Olho de Água and Prata rivers, departing from the Cabeceira do Prata eco-farm.
- A scenic 1,600-meter (1-mile) hike through the rich gallery forest alongside the Mimoso River, located within the Parque das Cascatas (Park of the Waterfalls).
- World-class wildlife watching at the Buraco das Araras (Macaw Sinkhole), an awe-inspiring geological formation plunging 100 meters (330 feet) deep into the earth.