THE PANTANAL OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL AND THE STALACTITE CAVES OF BONITO

Internationally recognized - the greatest ecological reserve in the world with an area of more than 230 000 km2 in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul near the geodesic center of South America, the PANTANAL is more than three times bigger than the surfaces of Belgium and Switzerland together. The PANTANAL gives shelter to an innumerable variety of Flora and Fauna which will marvel every visitor. Millions of birds of different species, mammals,marsupials reptiles and an infinite fish population are witnesses of an unpertubed ecological system. To appreciate such abundant natural resources it is absolutly necessary to approach to the sites where You can still observe wild animals by car. In the PANTANAL the animals, which elsewhere in the world you will find only as singular individuals in some zoological gardens, are not shy at all because they did not learn to fear the humans who harmed them in other places in the world. The observation of nature requires time and patience.

Remark: In case of heavy rainfalls in the Pantanal it might be possible to change no paved road by asphalted ones as well as planned lodging places have to be modified.

NOTE: This excursion can be extended. Aditional costs per day or distances please consult.

Day 1

Departure from Asuncion at 7.00 a.m..Route : Asuncion - Cnel.Oviedo - Yby Yaú - Pedro Juan Caballero - Ponta Porá. Lodging in the hotel. Rest of the day at your disposal. Distance: 590 kms.

Day 2

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure at 7.00 a.m. Route: Vista Alegre-Guia Lopez da Laguna- Bonito.
Bonito is a town in the center of the limestone meseta of the Serra de Bodoquena which is part of the mesetas which border tha Pantanal. The whole region is well prepared to show the visitors the marvellous ecological environment like the stalactite cave "Blue Lake cave"( with a crystalline lake at 90 m below the entrance level), the open-air bath, and the Ecological Park "Bahia Bonita" with special programs of adventure- and fishing tours on the tributary rivers of the Formoso River. After our arrival at Bonito we immediately visit the Stalactite Cave of the Blue Lake 21 kms away from the center of the town and continue with the Ecologic Park Bahia Bonita with its natural aquarium. Concluded the visit we continue our way to the Pantanal. Route: Bonito - Pitangueiras - Bodoquena - Miranda - Guaicurus - Sâo Simâo - Carandazal - Moro do Azeite - where we stay in the hotel for the night.Distance: 600 kms.

Day 3

Before sunrise we leave the hotel to get the best observation places to see the awaking Pantanal - Fauna on the old road to Corumbá. On the route Passo do Lontra - Curva do Leque to Porto Manga we will find several strategic observation stops before crossing the Paraguay Stream on a ferry - boat. We continue on the right shore in direction to Porto Mortinho and national Highway BR 262 with the possibilities to lodge on the river shore or reach for lodging the town of Corumbá, whose jurisdiction contains 60% of the Southern Pantanal Area. Distance 200 kms.

Day 4

Day at Your disposal to do some boat excursions, fishing tours, or flights over the Pantanal. At 3.00 p.m.we return to Aquidauana where we will stay the night in the hotel. Distance: 282 kms.

Day 5

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to Asunción at 8.00 a.m. Route Aquidauana - Nioaque - Bela Vista - Bella Vista del Norte - Yby Yaú - Cnel. Oviedo - Asunción. Distance: 862 kms.

INCLUDED: Transport, guide, 4 nights lodging with breakfast.
DURATION: 5 Days, 4 Nights
DISTANCE: 2.534 kms.