Family expedition with biologist Ivan Kvasov from Cerrado to Pantanal: to Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park and to the world’s largest jaguars
PANTANAL
June 14 – 22, 2025
Tour Brazil
Thinking of providing an experience that goes beyond the visitation of a single place – or even a single biome so to speak – we run a unique expedition for those who like ecotourism with a bath of waterfalls, contemplation of high landscapes and passionate about wildlife.
It was at the junction of experiences and sensations provided by two of these incredible places that we decided to create this expedition.
Pantanal is snaked by rivers, large flooded regions, receiving the title of the most flooded region in the world. And that also houses the most diverse types of animals, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and large mammals such as bu‑aloes and the largest feline in the Americas, the Painted Jaguar.
The Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, in addition to landscapes surrounded by beautiful orange stone walls, which illustrate the Brazilian Cerrado very well, also has several waterfalls, including the most emblematic, the Véu de Noiva waterfall, with a fall of approximately 85 meters, as well as a conservation area with the largest sandstone cave in Brazil.
This expedition was designed to cater the interests of our travelers of different age, adults and their kids, and it is led by famous biologist Ivan Kvasov, who will definitely reveal all the secrets of this extraordinary place!
It was at the junction of experiences and sensations provided by two of these incredible places that we decided to create this expedition.
Pantanal is snaked by rivers, large flooded regions, receiving the title of the most flooded region in the world. And that also houses the most diverse types of animals, such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and large mammals such as bu‑aloes and the largest feline in the Americas, the Painted Jaguar.
The Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, in addition to landscapes surrounded by beautiful orange stone walls, which illustrate the Brazilian Cerrado very well, also has several waterfalls, including the most emblematic, the Véu de Noiva waterfall, with a fall of approximately 85 meters, as well as a conservation area with the largest sandstone cave in Brazil.
This expedition was designed to cater the interests of our travelers of different age, adults and their kids, and it is led by famous biologist Ivan Kvasov, who will definitely reveal all the secrets of this extraordinary place!
SСHEDULE & COST:
Dates: June 14 – 22, 2025
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Number of participants: 8 – 18
– 3 090 USD subject to 16 – 18 participants, or
– 3 290 USD subject to 13 – 15 participants, or
– 3 490 USD subject to 10 – 12 participants, or
– 3 690 USD subject to 8 – 9 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before December 14, 2025)
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Cuiaba roundtrip.
- international medical insurance,
- visa of Brazil (not required for Russian citizens)
Estimated cost for the flight Moscow – Cuiaba – Moscow is 1700 – 2200 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Istanbul – Cuiaba – Istanbul is from 1200 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Paris – Cuiaba – Paris is from 1400 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Madrid – Cuiaba – Madrid is from 1300 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Single supplement: 460 USD (it is provided along the entire itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Pantanal Brazil
Day 1. June 14, 2025 (Saturday). CUIABA
Cuiabá is the capital of the state of Mato Grosso, the third largest state in Brazil. It is also considered the capital of the Pantanal, as it is the gateway for those who enjoy Pantanal wildlife.
Arrival of the participants at Marechal Rondon airport, our team will be waiting to make the transfer to the hotel, free afternoon and in the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner, boarding and pass all the information regarding our expedition.
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Paiaguás Palace Hotel
* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines from Moscow via Addis Ababa (4 hours 20 minutes stopover) and Sao Paolo (5 hours 35 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow on June 13 at 21:30, then departure from Addis Ababa to Sao Paolo at 9:50 am on June 14, then departure from Sao Paolo to Cuiaba at 21:55 on June 14, arrival in Cuiaba at 23:20 on June 14, or
– Qatar Airways from Moscow via Doha (9 hours 35 minutes stopover) and Sao Paolo (6 hours 5 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow on June 13 at 17:05, then departure from Doha to Sao Paolo at 8:05 am on June 14, then departure from Sao Paolo to Cuiaba at 23:50 on June 14, arrival in Cuiaba at 1:10 on June 14, or
– any other flight arriving in Cuiaba at any time on June 14.
Day 2. June 15, 2025 (Sunday). CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES
In the morning we go to the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, where the beauty of the place will welcome us along the way with the orange walls that border the highway.
That day we will make some stops for contemplation along the way and also some waterfalls such as the majestic Véu de Noiva, with its almost 85 meters of waterfall.
Today we will also take a short walk of approximately 5 km inside the national park and at the end of the day, we will admire the entire landscape from the top of the walls.
Free night to discover the city of Chapada dos Guimarães.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 3. June 16, 2025 (Monday). AROE JARI
On our third day of expedition, we will visit a preservation area that has a circuit of caves, where one of them called Aroe Jari, with approximately 1550 meters of greetings and at, is considered as the largest sandstone cave in Brazil. Within this preservation area we will visit caves with crystal clear waters, such as the Blue Lagoon, noisy caves and we will walk over a natural stone bridge.
During the visit to the cave region, we will have the option of one-way or round-trip transportation and take a walk of approximately 8 km. Or option to do the entire route also of transport, with the exception of some short accesses to the caves. At the end of the day, we will contemplate the sunset at one of the viewpoints of the region.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 4. June 17, 2025 (Tuesday). CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES
On that day we will take a short walk and visit a circuit of small and beautiful waterfalls, in addition to also visiting some rocky regions and contemplating the exuberant landscape of the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park from above a plateau. Where we can see in addition to the vegetation, also some birds and if we are lucky, some felines such as the brown jaguar, ocaguatirica and other mammals such as the guara wolf and the flag anteater.
The Chapada dos Guimarães National Park houses 659 known species of vegetables, 44 of fish, 242 of birds and 76 species of mammals according to information from ICMBIO.
It is also in the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park that the springs of some of the rivers forming the Pantanal are located, stating even more about the reason of visiting this place during our expedition.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 5. June 18, 2025 (Wednesday). TRANSPANTANEIRA
On this day we will begin our activities very early, to start our journey towards wildlife.
We will follow to Transpantaneira, an elevated dirt road approximately 160 km from Cuiabá and which is a portal for all our activities in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. Day of walking through forest areas, bird watching, mammals and a night safari.
*Between June and July the cultural event called Cavalhada sometimes happens. It takes place in Pocone, the entrance city to the road to Pantanal. Cavalhada is the equestrian simulation of a gentleman’s war between Moors and Christians, colorful show that mobilizes the entire family of Pocone city.
This even has no fixed schedule and calendar normally becomes available in January. If this event falls the dates of our expedition, we try to attend it.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Rio Claro or Pouso Alegre Lodge or Aymara Lodge Pantanal
Day 6. June 19, 2025 (Thursday). TRANSPANTANEIRA
Right after breakfast, we will have a brief meeting to spend the briefing of the next few days and then we will go out to make records along the Transpantaneira.
With a route of approximately 130 km away from an elevated dirt road over the flooded Pantanal, the Transpantaneira is the road that will take us to the encounter of the jaguars.
We will cross more than 120 bridges until we reach our destination, which is the region of Porto Jofre, also known as Alto Pantanal or Pantanal Norte.
Along the road, whenever we are requested and observe some animal on the way, we will make some stops to photograph the fauna of the natural beauties of the Pantanal.
It is not possible to see the most diverse types of birds, alligators, anaconda and maybe even fearless Onça Pintada (Pointed Jaguar).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Rio Claro or Pouso Alegre Lodge or Aymara Lodge Pantanal
Days 7 – 8. June 20 – 21, 2025 (Friday – Saturday). PORTO JOFRE
Arriving in Porto Jofre, we will check in, we will have a lunch and then we will go out by boat in search of the long-awaited meeting with the Pointed Jaguar.
Let's sail through the rivers Cuiabá, Piquirí, Três Irmãos and ... in search of several ounces in the region, in addition to contemplating landscapes, capybaras, endemic aquatic plants, primates and various types of birds.
The Pantanal is considered the largest flooded plain in the world and has a very rich faunal diversity. However, during the dry season, when the waters begin to recede, there are more opportunities to see the most varied types of animals. The Pantanal biome alone has at least 264 species of fish, 652 of birds, 102 of mammals, 177 of reptiles and 40 of amphibians. The fauna is largely derived from the pampas of Cerrado, with Amazonian influences. It is the Pantanal that has the largest jaguars in all of the Americas and also in greater quantities.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Pousada Berço Pantaneiro or Puma Lodge
Day 9. June 22, 2025 (Sunday). JOFRE – CUIABA
On that day we will do more searches for the Onça Pintada crossing different rivers in the Jofre region and at the end of the afternoon we will return to Cuiabá to finish our expedition.
Evening transfer to the flight back home (after 8 pm).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: no
* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines to Moscow via Sao Paolo (4 hours 40 minutes stopover) and Addis Ababa (4 hours 5 minutes stopover), departing from Cuiaba on June 22 at 17:50, and then departure from Sao Paolo to Addis Ababa at 1:45 am on June 23, then departure from Addis Ababa to Moscow at 23:50 on June 23, arrival in Moscow at 7:40 am on June 24, or
- Qatar Airways and LATAM Chile to Moscow via Sao Paolo (4 hours 10 minutes stopover) and Doha (10 hours 05 minutes stopover), departing from Cuiaba on June 22 at 17:50, and then departure from Sao Paolo to Addis Ababa at 1:20 am on June 23, then departure from Doha to Moscow at 8:25 am on June 24, arrival in Moscow at 13:50 on June 24, or
– any other flight departing from Cuiaba Airport no earlier than at 20:00 on June 22.
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Number of participants: 8 – 18
– 3 090 USD subject to 16 – 18 participants, or
– 3 290 USD subject to 13 – 15 participants, or
– 3 490 USD subject to 10 – 12 participants, or
– 3 690 USD subject to 8 – 9 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before December 14, 2025)
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Cuiaba roundtrip.
- international medical insurance,
- visa of Brazil (not required for Russian citizens)
Estimated cost for the flight Moscow – Cuiaba – Moscow is 1700 – 2200 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Istanbul – Cuiaba – Istanbul is from 1200 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Paris – Cuiaba – Paris is from 1400 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Estimated cost for the flight Madrid – Cuiaba – Madrid is from 1300 USD (Bought on your own with our assistance).
Single supplement: 460 USD (it is provided along the entire itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Pantanal Brazil
Day 1. June 14, 2025 (Saturday). CUIABA
Cuiabá is the capital of the state of Mato Grosso, the third largest state in Brazil. It is also considered the capital of the Pantanal, as it is the gateway for those who enjoy Pantanal wildlife.
Arrival of the participants at Marechal Rondon airport, our team will be waiting to make the transfer to the hotel, free afternoon and in the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner, boarding and pass all the information regarding our expedition.
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Paiaguás Palace Hotel
* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines from Moscow via Addis Ababa (4 hours 20 minutes stopover) and Sao Paolo (5 hours 35 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow on June 13 at 21:30, then departure from Addis Ababa to Sao Paolo at 9:50 am on June 14, then departure from Sao Paolo to Cuiaba at 21:55 on June 14, arrival in Cuiaba at 23:20 on June 14, or
– Qatar Airways from Moscow via Doha (9 hours 35 minutes stopover) and Sao Paolo (6 hours 5 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow on June 13 at 17:05, then departure from Doha to Sao Paolo at 8:05 am on June 14, then departure from Sao Paolo to Cuiaba at 23:50 on June 14, arrival in Cuiaba at 1:10 on June 14, or
– any other flight arriving in Cuiaba at any time on June 14.
Day 2. June 15, 2025 (Sunday). CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES
In the morning we go to the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, where the beauty of the place will welcome us along the way with the orange walls that border the highway.
That day we will make some stops for contemplation along the way and also some waterfalls such as the majestic Véu de Noiva, with its almost 85 meters of waterfall.
Today we will also take a short walk of approximately 5 km inside the national park and at the end of the day, we will admire the entire landscape from the top of the walls.
Free night to discover the city of Chapada dos Guimarães.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 3. June 16, 2025 (Monday). AROE JARI
On our third day of expedition, we will visit a preservation area that has a circuit of caves, where one of them called Aroe Jari, with approximately 1550 meters of greetings and at, is considered as the largest sandstone cave in Brazil. Within this preservation area we will visit caves with crystal clear waters, such as the Blue Lagoon, noisy caves and we will walk over a natural stone bridge.
During the visit to the cave region, we will have the option of one-way or round-trip transportation and take a walk of approximately 8 km. Or option to do the entire route also of transport, with the exception of some short accesses to the caves. At the end of the day, we will contemplate the sunset at one of the viewpoints of the region.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 4. June 17, 2025 (Tuesday). CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES
On that day we will take a short walk and visit a circuit of small and beautiful waterfalls, in addition to also visiting some rocky regions and contemplating the exuberant landscape of the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park from above a plateau. Where we can see in addition to the vegetation, also some birds and if we are lucky, some felines such as the brown jaguar, ocaguatirica and other mammals such as the guara wolf and the flag anteater.
The Chapada dos Guimarães National Park houses 659 known species of vegetables, 44 of fish, 242 of birds and 76 species of mammals according to information from ICMBIO.
It is also in the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park that the springs of some of the rivers forming the Pantanal are located, stating even more about the reason of visiting this place during our expedition.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Pousada Penhasco or Pousada do Parque
Day 5. June 18, 2025 (Wednesday). TRANSPANTANEIRA
On this day we will begin our activities very early, to start our journey towards wildlife.
We will follow to Transpantaneira, an elevated dirt road approximately 160 km from Cuiabá and which is a portal for all our activities in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. Day of walking through forest areas, bird watching, mammals and a night safari.
*Between June and July the cultural event called Cavalhada sometimes happens. It takes place in Pocone, the entrance city to the road to Pantanal. Cavalhada is the equestrian simulation of a gentleman’s war between Moors and Christians, colorful show that mobilizes the entire family of Pocone city.
This even has no fixed schedule and calendar normally becomes available in January. If this event falls the dates of our expedition, we try to attend it.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Rio Claro or Pouso Alegre Lodge or Aymara Lodge Pantanal
Day 6. June 19, 2025 (Thursday). TRANSPANTANEIRA
Right after breakfast, we will have a brief meeting to spend the briefing of the next few days and then we will go out to make records along the Transpantaneira.
With a route of approximately 130 km away from an elevated dirt road over the flooded Pantanal, the Transpantaneira is the road that will take us to the encounter of the jaguars.
We will cross more than 120 bridges until we reach our destination, which is the region of Porto Jofre, also known as Alto Pantanal or Pantanal Norte.
Along the road, whenever we are requested and observe some animal on the way, we will make some stops to photograph the fauna of the natural beauties of the Pantanal.
It is not possible to see the most diverse types of birds, alligators, anaconda and maybe even fearless Onça Pintada (Pointed Jaguar).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Rio Claro or Pouso Alegre Lodge or Aymara Lodge Pantanal
Days 7 – 8. June 20 – 21, 2025 (Friday – Saturday). PORTO JOFRE
Arriving in Porto Jofre, we will check in, we will have a lunch and then we will go out by boat in search of the long-awaited meeting with the Pointed Jaguar.
Let's sail through the rivers Cuiabá, Piquirí, Três Irmãos and ... in search of several ounces in the region, in addition to contemplating landscapes, capybaras, endemic aquatic plants, primates and various types of birds.
The Pantanal is considered the largest flooded plain in the world and has a very rich faunal diversity. However, during the dry season, when the waters begin to recede, there are more opportunities to see the most varied types of animals. The Pantanal biome alone has at least 264 species of fish, 652 of birds, 102 of mammals, 177 of reptiles and 40 of amphibians. The fauna is largely derived from the pampas of Cerrado, with Amazonian influences. It is the Pantanal that has the largest jaguars in all of the Americas and also in greater quantities.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Pousada Berço Pantaneiro or Puma Lodge
Day 9. June 22, 2025 (Sunday). JOFRE – CUIABA
On that day we will do more searches for the Onça Pintada crossing different rivers in the Jofre region and at the end of the afternoon we will return to Cuiabá to finish our expedition.
Evening transfer to the flight back home (after 8 pm).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: no
* Recommended flights:
– Ethiopian Airlines to Moscow via Sao Paolo (4 hours 40 minutes stopover) and Addis Ababa (4 hours 5 minutes stopover), departing from Cuiaba on June 22 at 17:50, and then departure from Sao Paolo to Addis Ababa at 1:45 am on June 23, then departure from Addis Ababa to Moscow at 23:50 on June 23, arrival in Moscow at 7:40 am on June 24, or
- Qatar Airways and LATAM Chile to Moscow via Sao Paolo (4 hours 10 minutes stopover) and Doha (10 hours 05 minutes stopover), departing from Cuiaba on June 22 at 17:50, and then departure from Sao Paolo to Addis Ababa at 1:20 am on June 23, then departure from Doha to Moscow at 8:25 am on June 24, arrival in Moscow at 13:50 on June 24, or
– any other flight departing from Cuiaba Airport no earlier than at 20:00 on June 22.
Cost includes:
· TWIN accommodation (or DBL accommodation for the couples) in comfortable hotels and lodges as per the program
· all airport transfers
· all private transportation according to the program: Mercedes Sprinter minibus, air conditioned, with the professional drivers,
· full board meals (3 times a day) throughout the trip, except 3 dinners in Chapada dos Guimarães
· mineral water throughout the trip
· all permits to National parks and entry fees
· all activities according to the program, all visits, including boat trips to spot jaguars and other animals,
· accompaniment of experienced local English-speaking guide and photographer throughout the trip,
· Russian and English speaking team leader professional biologist throughout the trip
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid) :
· international flight to Cuiaba airport (roundtrip)
· international medical insurance
· visa of Brazil (not required for Russian citizens)
· 3 dinners in Chapada dos Guimarães
· tips
· alcoholic beverages and drinks not included in the full board,
· personal expenses
· single accommodation
To take with:
• sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and warm clothes (hoody, light jacket),
• long sleeve clothes, long trousers,
• sun hat/panama
• swimwear
• raincoat
• comfortable footwear
• forehead torch
• big backpack or travel bag or suitcase for all stuff (80 liter or so),
• small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, video cameras
• repellents,
• mosquito net for sleeping place,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap)
• personal hygiene items
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, rehydration, your personal medicine, including medicine for altitude sickness prevention)
• anti malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide)
• photo and video camera, tripod, spare batteries
· TWIN accommodation (or DBL accommodation for the couples) in comfortable hotels and lodges as per the program
· all airport transfers
· all private transportation according to the program: Mercedes Sprinter minibus, air conditioned, with the professional drivers,
· full board meals (3 times a day) throughout the trip, except 3 dinners in Chapada dos Guimarães
· mineral water throughout the trip
· all permits to National parks and entry fees
· all activities according to the program, all visits, including boat trips to spot jaguars and other animals,
· accompaniment of experienced local English-speaking guide and photographer throughout the trip,
· Russian and English speaking team leader professional biologist throughout the trip
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid) :
· international flight to Cuiaba airport (roundtrip)
· international medical insurance
· visa of Brazil (not required for Russian citizens)
· 3 dinners in Chapada dos Guimarães
· tips
· alcoholic beverages and drinks not included in the full board,
· personal expenses
· single accommodation
To take with:
• sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and warm clothes (hoody, light jacket),
• long sleeve clothes, long trousers,
• sun hat/panama
• swimwear
• raincoat
• comfortable footwear
• forehead torch
• big backpack or travel bag or suitcase for all stuff (80 liter or so),
• small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, video cameras
• repellents,
• mosquito net for sleeping place,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap)
• personal hygiene items
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, rehydration, your personal medicine, including medicine for altitude sickness prevention)
• anti malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide)
• photo and video camera, tripod, spare batteries
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you.
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