Pantanal Wildlife Trail
Program / Itinerary
Table mountains on the plateau
Orange trupial
Black howler monkey
Day 1
Campo Grande > Pouso Alto Ranch
Arrival at Campo Grande airport (CGR). Surface transfer to Aquidauana. From here private air charter into the deep Pantanal wilderness. The 30 minutes flight, always at low levels, offers spectacular sights over the vastness of the Brazilian Savannah and its rich Fauna and Flora. At Fazenda Pouso Alto you will be welcomed by Fernando Barros, one of the sons of the owner of the Pouso Alto property. He will introduce the riders to the facilities, distribute the rooms and see to it that everybody is properly accomodated.
In the saddle: 3 hrs
Day 2 and 3
Pouso Alto Ranch
The group rides through the vastness of the Pouso Alto property, enjoying untamed wilderness while observing the typical wildlife of this region of the Pantanal. Return for lunch. The group will be delighted with superb local food and drinks, followed by a break that can be used relaxing In the swinging hammocks under the huge mango trees or In the air conditioned quarters. Another ride on the property is due in the afternoon when the riders will try to get a glimpse of the group of black howler monkeys that normally habit the area. Return during sundown. The dinner tonight might be a barbecued roasted lamp at the open fireplace. Fernandos family will come over to join in and the story- telling will have no end. Overnight.
In the saddle: 6-7 hrs
Grazing Pantaneiro Horse at sundown
Group of Riders
A tough job for just 1 man
Visitors join in on a cattle trail
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Day 4
Pouso Alto Ranch > Nhecolândia Ranch
The breakfast is as early as 6 am. In the meantime horses are saddled and the group is ready to go. Destination: Nhecolândia Ranch. The ride along the vazante Castelo and Mangabal takes bout 6-7 hours. Vazantes are areas with retained water from the last rains. These areas feature lush vegetation and plenty of wildlife. Half way, we have set up a shadowy place for lunch, supported by 4x4 vehicle that carries provisions, baggage and emergency kit. Nhecolândia Ranch will be reached In the early afternoon. Riders will appreciate a refreshing shower and relax after the long ride, followed by gathering, drinks, dinner and overnight. Overnight.
In the saddle: 6 hrs
Days 5 and 6
Nhecolândia Ranch
The traditional Fazenda Nhecolândia Is a property that encompasses some 16 thousand hectares and about 10000 mostly Nelore cattle, which Is a Indian Brahma cross, perfectly adapted to the seasonal variable hot and humid climate of the Pantanal and other tropical and sub tropical regions In Brazil. The Fazenda Is located at the edge of the vazante Castelo, hosting a great variety of wildlife. During the stay here the group will be riding every day to different locations for observation of wildlife. Nature will release step by step its wonders, offering fascinating sights and observations of wildlife while on route. There is nothing that compares with the Pantanal of the Nhecolândia region.
Great White Egrets taking off
Ready to go
Peão Pantaneiro
Retiro São Luis Camp
The rides are being divided into morning and afternoon rides coming back to the main house for lunch and relax, except one day the group will lunch out In the open. A new set of horses, out of a herd of some 300, will be supplied here. The owners, Rita and Doio and the family will make sure that you feel comfortable and at home. The food Is superb and the accommodations are adequate. As one client puts It:
“All meals were highlighted by local cuisine, the most delicious meat I have ever tasted, home made breads, beignets and rolls, exotic fruits and vegetables, home made cheeses, compotes, and cane fudge and caramel sauces. During our trip we were treated to fresh piranha, caiman, suckling pig, a BBQ of the hump of the Asian cow, and many other delicacies local to the country and the Pantanal”.
There Is time to go fishing for piranhas In a nearby lake, or just take ride In the jeep for a photo safari. We also recommend having a round of tereré Mate tee with the cowboys, here called peões. Chatting with the locals, getting to know peculiarities and histories, making friends, enriches your stay In the Pantanal even more.
In the saddle: 6-7 hrs
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Day 7
Nhecolândia Ranch > Retiro Sao Luis
One of the main attractions of this ride is that the group will get to know two very different regions of the Pantanal, which is divided by not less than 6 sub regions with an enormous variety of landscape. Today the group will depart again early and will be riding during all morning. Riding at the edge of the beautiful vazante Castelo and the open land, lush native forest and vegetation hosts an Incredible number of birds species that seek food there. Night break is at the Retiro São Luis. From here we are in short distance to Recanto Barra Mansa, which would not be possible to reach on horseback on the same day. After refreshing drinks, cold beers and a good meal, you will listen to Pantanal stories. Subjects usually are dangerous spotted jaguars, anacondas and brave horsemen, are told by the horsemen themselves. In the dark with the fire low, sleep will come after a long riding day while the splashing sounds in the lake remind you that the fight for survival is going on. Sleep in hammocks.
In the saddle: 7 hrs
There are always a few cayman around
Impossible to get closer: capybara babies welcome visitors
Mealy parrot (Amazona farinosa)
Giant Anteater
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Day 8 and 9
Retiro Sao Luis > Recanto Barra Mansa
Short ride (2 hours) on day 8 to arrive at Recanto Barra Mansa. Situated In a isolated, preserved and salvage area, the Recanto offers, rides and activities, during which the group can appreciate this particular environment. Because of the Rio Negro River the variety of wildlife here changes. During a canoe or boat ride on the Rio Negro It Is possible to watch giant otters, huge caymans, capibaras and even the jaguar can be observed here frequently. The Recanto offers fishing and bathing at the Rio Negro and his white sandy beaches. The daily riding In the vicinity of Recanto, with its forests, open land, rivers, lakes and wildlife diversity includes gallops and canters on sand roads.
Day 10
Recanto Barra Mansa> Aquidauana > Campo Grande
Depending on the flight schedule of the group there might be a last chance for a ride In the morning, being back for lunch. The group will transfer out by air to Aquidauana (30 min) and from there by car to Campo Grande (1 hour 45) or flying straight from Recanto to Campo Grande (1 hour). Transfer from private airstrip to Campo Grande airport for flight and connections. End of your Pantanal wildlife safari on horseback!
In the saddle: 2-3 hrs
Howler Monkey female
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Notes
There is plenty of time for wildlife observation and photography, swimming in the rivers, fishing, etc. The trails lead through large areas of bush land and require occasionally crossings of rivers on horseback.
Ex wild boar - a barbecued specialty
Meals
All meals are highlighted by local cuisine, some of the most delicious meat you have ever tasted, home made breads, beignets and rolls, exotic fruits and vegetables, home made cheeses, compotes, and cane fudge and caramel sauces. During your trip you will be treated to fresh piranha, caiman, suckling pig, a BBQ of the hump of the Asian cow, and many other delicacies local to the country and the Pantanal.
When is the time to visit the Pantanal?
A good time to visit the Pantanal is from May to September, being June, July, August probably the best two months, since than this is winter in the southern hemisphere and the temperatures are more pleasant. This is also the best time to view wildlife as the animals concentrate on the fewer ponds and other water sources available. It is also the nesting season for most birds and macaws.
Green pasture below water level, no problem for the real Pantaneiro horse
Horses
The ranch owns among the very best of the Pantaneiro horses, a criollo crossbreed, adapted perfectly to the characteristics of the flooded lands.
Tack
South American / Brazilian / Australian or crioulo saddles
Pace
Moderate, trots, canters, gallop
One of Pantanal's few wooden bridges
Gateway
Campo Grande
Meeting
Campo Grande, gateway to the Pantanal, which can be reached with regular flights via São Paulo (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
Transfer
Pick up from the Campo Grande airport and the private charter flight from Campo Grande to the Pantanal are included.
Fazenda Nhecolândia
The Fazenda
Cattle ranches in the Pantanal exceed in size those of the south by far. Just like our partner Ranch where Doio and Rita Jurgielewicz own some 30.000 acres of land. They keep there about 12.000 head of cattle and 250 working horses. Some of them the of the finest Pantaneiro breed. A farm stay at the fazenda offers not only an insight in the traditional cattle business of the Pantanal but an awesome wildlife experience in the first place. Guest will ride out every day or undertake 4wheel drives around the property joining the cowboys in their daily.