Natural Wonders of Iguassu and The Pantanal
Trip highlights
- Soak up the cosmopolitan city of São Paulo, the heart of modern Brazilian culture
- View the incredible Iguassu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side
- Observe spectacled caiman in Brazil's wetlands
- Enjoy photographic safaris on specially adapted vehicles
- Track the elusive and mesmerising jaguars in the wild of Brazil’s Pantanal
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The kilometres of walkways that trace the incredible Iguassu Falls
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Capybara families are just some of the Pantanal's residents
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A majestic jaguar wades through the waters of the wetlands
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Sunset boat trips on the Paraguay River
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The bright blues and purples of the Pantanal's Hyacinth Macaws
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São Paulo's ornate Praça da Sé
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–3 Sao Paulo
- Days 3–6 Iguassu Falls
- Days 6–10 The Pantanal
- Days 1–3 Sao Paulo
- Days 3–6 Iguassu Falls
- Days 6–10 The Pantanal
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Two nights in the centre of modern Brazilian culture
Your Brazilian adventure begins in the nation-sized city of São Paulo, recognised as the heart of modern Brazil. The city’s history of immigration has helped to create its cosmopolitan and multicultural identity, something you’ll discover in everything from its food to its music, ensuring it’s one of the world’s most evocative cities. Your days are free to explore and you’ll have our recommendations of excellent restaurants and bars to make the most of your stay.
Where you could stay
Sao Paulo
Overview
The Fasano Sao Paulo is simply a world class hotel, with an understated style, complete luxury and impeccable service throughout.
Located in Jardims, just off of the famous shopping street of Oscar Freire, there’s much to do in the immediate vicinity (an important consideration in a city of this scale).
The Fasano’s facilities are all top class, with a spa, a bar and two restaurants which are among the very best in the Sao Paulo (the Fasano family, built their reputation on their restaurants before moving into hotels).
All the rooms in the Fasano have been decorated with a real eye for quality; every item, fixture and fitting has been carefully sourced and the rooms are extremely comfortable and spacious.
All in all, the Fasano Sao Paulo is a class act throughout.
→ Find out moreSao Paulo
Overview
One of the top luxury hotels in Brazil, the Emiliano is a pleasure from start to finish. Set on Rua Oscar Freire (the most exclusive street in Sao Paulo) the location is perfect. The service here is outstanding and is consistently rated amongst the best in Brazil.
This boutique hotel has just 56 suites each with contemporary Brazilian furnishings mixed with iconic Eames pieces, Hungarian goose-down pillows and fine Egyptian-cotton linens. For a culinary treat, the Champagne & Caviar Bar offers a selection of rare caviar and European roes.
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Exclusive city tour
Take a private tour of São Paulo’s highlights, adapted to your interests. Potential stops include the Liberdade neighbourhood, home to one of the largest Japanese populations outside Japan; Sé Square, the city’s central square; Ibirapuera Park, the biggest green space in central São Paulo; and Patio do Colegio, the site where the city was founded in 1554.
Three nights of luxury at Iguassu Falls
Iguassu Falls is a must-see wonder of the world, spanning 2.5 kilometers with a whopping 250 different cascades, surrounded by the beautiful rainforest and several walking trails. Found on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná, together they are the largest waterfall system on earth. Here you will feel totally enveloped in Brazil’s natural world, hundreds of miles away from the nearest city.
Where you could stay
Iguassu Falls
Overview
Actually inside the national park on the Brazilian side, this luxury property is ideally located. Walking out from the lobby one can hear the thunder of the falls and the hotel is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
The hotel has been recently refurbished throughout to a high standard and in keeping with the colonial mansion style of the hotel’s original design.
The hotel has large rooms with high ceilings, hard wood flooring and period style furniture. There is a large pool area in the rear to relax at with a drink after a day exploring the falls.
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Discover the Falls in Argentina
A stunning tour of Iguassu, where you’ll get a chance to really get up close to the falls. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and bring you by private vehicle to the entrance of the park on the Argentinian side. You’ll then explore the various wooden walkways that lead through the national park close up to the many chutes of the falls, and you will board a train to Devil’s Throat, one of the most spectacular sites of the falls.
Four nights in the wetlands at Caiman Lodge
Explore the Pantanal from Caiman Ecological Refuge on a program that includes two activities per day and one nocturnal excursion. These may include a walking tour in the surrounding area on trails through the forest to observe flora and fauna, or through the ranch and research centres, ending at Paizinho’s bridge, an excellent place to observe the Spectacled Caimans. There will also be photographic safaris on specially adapted vehicles where you’ll try to find a wider variety of animals; canoe trips out on the water; and night time wildlife watching.
Accommodation in The Pantanal
The Pantanal
Highlights
- Choose between 18 delightful suites or pick Baiazinha, their exclusive private villa
- Set out on exciting safaris onboard 4x4 open vehicles
- Go on a nocturnal excursion to discover the nighttime habits of animals
- Immerse yourself in the flora and fauna and learn more about the Pantanal
- Observe jaguars in their natural habitat
Overview
Rising from the Pantanal – Brazil’s enormous wetland, Casa Caiman beckons guests to discover a land of immense biodiversity. This century-old ranch has been transformed into 18 suites. Just a stone’s throw from Casa Caiman is Baiazinha, the lodge’s private villa which comes with six bedrooms. Baiazinha is architecturally laid out in the shape of a bird, with each of its six rooms occupying one of the bird’s wings and offering breathtaking views of the sunset over the wetlands.
Inside, every aspect of the interiors and design celebrates the region with Brazilian furniture and artwork. From here, enjoy direct access to the Pantanal, the largest wetland plain on the planet and a designated UNESCO World Natural Heritage and World Biosphere Reserve. As part of your stay at Casa Caiman, you’re entitled to daily activities ranging from Jeep safaris, Canadian canoe trips, nocturnal spotlighting and nature walks, each led by local expert naturalists. There’s also the opportunity to spot hyacinth macaw and the elusive jaguar in their natural habitat.
Casa Caiman not only allows much of its land to remain wild but also operates on a sustainable cycle involving livestock, ecotourism and environmental research. In collaboration with the NGO Onçafari, the lodge promotes photographic safaris aimed at enhancing visitors’ understanding of nature. These safaris ensure that animals maintain their wild behaviour while becoming accustomed to safari vehicles without perceiving them as a threat.
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The impact of your stay:
- Established in 2004, the Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony Dona Aracy covers one-tenth of Caiman’s territory, encompassing 5,600 hectares.Selected with the help of University of São Paulo researchers, the reserve aims to safeguard local flora and fauna. Casa Caiman collaborates with non-profits to monitor environmental impacts and mitigate the effects of their operations in the area.
- Casa Caiman supports the preservation of wildlife in the area through various initiatives, including jaguar conservation with Onçafari, Hyacinth macaw conservation with the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, herpetofauna bioacoustics research with UFMS, bat research with the Hyacinth Macaw Institute and the ‘PPV – True Parrot Project’ for the Turquoise-fronted Parrot in Mato Grosso do Sul. They are also starting a partnership with the Tamandua Institute for Xenarthran research and conservation.
- As a guest, your stay helps support local institutions. Through funding, Casa Caiman contributes to the Associations of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional, which are dedicated to the habilitation, rehabilitation and inclusion of individuals with disabilities into Brazilian community life.
Caiman Ecological Refuge jaguar experience
Spend a full day and evening with the Jaguar Habituation Team. You’ll head out in the morning and get involved in their daily activities, searching for the ever elusive jaguar. The team spends a huge amount of time searching for the animals themselves, as well as for clues that point in the right direction when the nocturnal jaguars get active as the sun sets – you may have a chance to experience tracking on foot.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
