Compare Pantanal Jaguar Safari by Want Expeditions vs Bhutan Tour with day hikes by Himalayan Glacier Adventure

Day 1: Arrival/Cuiabá

Accommodation: Four star city hotel

Our fascinating Pantanal Jaguar Safari starts in Cuiabá, the largest city in northern Pantanal. Plan on arriving before 13:00 today, in order to enjoy lunch at a lovely restaurant just across from the airport. From here well head to a little known tract of forest, located just outside the city, that provides the best opportunity to see black-tailed marmosets playing inches away from us. After a short time here, we will head into downtown Cuiaba and check-in to our hotel then enjoy some time to refresh and rejuvinate before gathering at 19:00 in the hotel lobby for our official Welcome Dinner and Orientation. Welcome Orientation and welcome dinner

Day 2: Pantanal

Accommodation: Rustic ranch-style family accommodation with private facilities

After a leisurly breakfast, we will start out on the famous Transpantaneira Road and drive about 40 km, reaching our first lodge late afternoon. After a quick check-in and refreshment, we take off on foot to explore the immediate surroundings of the accommodation, which lies in the middle of a huge (11,000 ha) ranch. This fascinating place offers an incredible diversity of habitats (flooded fields of native grass, four types of forests, dry pastures and temporary and permanent waterways), and of course, the richness of habitats supports an amazing mixture of wildlife. We will not have enough time to explore all of this during a short afternoon walk, but we will have our first chance of meeting the majestic Hyacinth Macaws and many other endangered species that call this area home. After our walk, we take our well-deserved showers and gather on the patio and enjoy the night sounds and visitors.

Day 3: Pantanal

Accommodation: Rustic ranch-style family accommodation with private facilities

Our entire day is dedicated to exploring the diversity of habitats of this unique property and to try and meet, observe, and photograph as many fascinating species of birds, mammals and other wildlife as possible. As usual, we will be up by the rising sun and will be on the walking trails after a delicious local breakfast. We hope to see several caimans, capybaras, at least two primate species, deer, possibly anaconda, and of course, a multitude of fascinating birds this morning. Once the midday sun climbs too high on the skies, we will return to the lodge for a great lunch and a short siesta, just to recharge for the afternoon walk that will take us to the Capao das Araras trail. We hope to be able to approach and photograph several pairs of nesting Hyacinth Macaws on this afternoon walk, but there will be toucans, parrots, cardinals, caracaras, jabiru storks and many other wildlife spieces, to enhance the experience. The evening will entertain us with a great shower and a delicious traditional dinner, but our day of explorations will not be over by then! We are getting onto a safari truck and head into the night, in search of tapirs, as well as giant anteaters and tamanduas.

Day 4: Pantanal

Accommodation: Rustic ranch-style family accommodation with private facilities

Our avid photographers will be up with the rising sun today, capturing great images right around the lodge, and joining the rest of the group for breakfast afterwards. We have an amazing horseback safari scheduled for this morning, but those of us preferring to stay on firm grounds, are welcome to continue their exploration, with the help of our local guides. The horseback trail will take us through shallow flooded grasslands, elevated dry forests and open farmland, in search of species that are more likely to be seen in this part of the huge property. Once the midday heat forces us to return to the lodge, we will enjoy a nice lunch and siesta again. For the rest of the afternoon, we will be able to choose from half a dozen great trails we haven’t been on before, so we will leave this decision for the last minute, to maximize our chances of seeing great species we have possibly missed before. Whichever way we go, we will return to the lodge for dinner and will retire early, to save energy for all those days of exploration that are still ahead of us.

Day 5: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

After an early morning photography session and a traditional breakfast, we check out and get on our open safari truck, to enjoy a short (one hour) ride on Transpantaneira. Once checked in at our new accommodation, we take off immediately and start exploring the surrounding virgin forest and possibly take a boat trip on the River Novo. After the short excursion, we will enjoy lunch and siesta, then continue our wildlife safari this afternoon on foot through a highland forest,in search wildlife we have not encountered on our voyage so far, particularly Black and Gold Howler Monkeys. Dinner will be back at the lodge, then we head out again for a night game drive, in search of the elusive tapir and other nocturnal animals.

Day 6: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

This morning, like all others, starts before sunrise. Today we have a treat in store, as we will head to an observation tower to watch the sunrise and catch diurinal animals waking up, and nocturnal animals heading to bed. From here its a short hike back to our lodge for breakfast. From here we head out of the Rio Novo for a canoe safari. This is an excellent chance for us to experience the forest in a very natural and quiet way. We will see several waterbirds, and with a little luck, mammals along the river's edges. We will be back to the lodge for lunch, and our traditional siesta to beat the heat. Then we will set off again on foot to explore the surrounding forests in search of crab eating fox, crab eating raccoons, pacas and tons of coatis!

Day 7: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

We are gathering with great excitement around the breakfast table today, because this morning we are heading to the river that can provide us with the highest possibility in the world for spotting a wild Jaguar! To maximize our chances, to maximize the time spent on the river, we will depart as early as 7 in the morning, and have our lunch at the PWC as early as 11 am. Once our dietary requirements are satisfied, we get back on our vehicle and drive another 2.5 hours. Once reaching our river, we board the small outboard boats that are waiting for us, and start our first jaguar river safari immediately. Our destination is the Meeting-of-the Rivers National Park, about 20 km upriver from here, but we will be in no rush getting there – we will spend the entire afternoon searching the river banks, looking for those jaguars that own this territory and love sunbathing on the forest edges. And, of course, we will keep our eyes open for the magnificent giant river otters (they are truly huge!), black skimmers and many other interesting wildlife, as well. As the sun is about to disappear below the horizon, we return to our hotel and quickly occupy our rooms, and gather for a delicious dinner. We shall retire soon afterwards, in order to save enough energy for the coming days.

Day 8: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

This morning we wake up surrounded by 2 million hectares of undisturbed Jaguar habitat in the Central Pantanal. Excitement grows as we are trying to complete breakfast as soon possible, so that we can board our smaller boats, decide which river to cruise in the morning, and take off right afterwards. We are intending to spend at least 5 hours on the river this morning, searching for jaguars, giant otters, Brazilian tapir, black-and-gold howler monkeys, yellow anacondas, brown capuchin monkeys, black skimmers, hyacinth and red-and-green macaws, capybaras, caimans and many other species of mega-fauna. We will only return to our accommodation for a quick lunch and a short siesta, before we get back on the water again and choose yet another direction in search of magnificent animals. Our group will use boats that maximize our chances of seeing a jaguar - the sighting will be shared with all other boats then, through the radio. Only the disappearing daylight will force us to go home, but by then we might not mind the promise of a great shower and a delicious dinner.

Day 9: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

After a morning river safari in search of jaguars, we'll head to a local fishing camp, where the owner has been crafting a wildlife sanctuary with hundreds of animals including tapirs, agoutis, capybaras, caracars, storks, macaws, and more visit throughout the day on his property. We'll enjoy lunch here and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the grounds, and enjoying the opportunity to observe these animals in a very natural setting, but up close and personal. Then as even draws, we'll head back to our boat, and cruise down, still searching for jaguars, until we reach our accommodation.

Day 10: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

This morning is our last chance to see the majestic jaguars and all the other wildlife this area has to offer. We will be finishing breakfast by the time the sun rises, and soon after we take off for our last river safari. This morning trip will last for about 5-6 hrs and will end back on board with a quick lunch and check in. After lunch, we drive back to the place where we have originally reached the river three days ago. We get on our transfer vehicles and drive for two hours, before we reach our accommodation and have a wonderful, well-deserved, traditional dinner. The PWC is our last destination on this voyage, yet not any less exciting than the previous ones, as that Jaguars and their evidence are regularly seen around the lodge. This lodge is located on the Pixaim River, which is actually an ox-bow lake, and has resident giant river otter groups on its property, but also, and more excitingly, neo-tropical river otters. The other very exciting wildlife opportunity here is the fishing hawks. For the last couple of years, the Pantanerios have trained a few of the wild Black Collared hawks to fish, just meters from our eyes, for piranaha. This is by far something that the dedicated photographers can spend hours doing!

Day 11: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

Today we'll be up well before sunrise and will be done with our first coffee and some simple biscuits by six am, so that we can board a small boat on the Pixaim River, in search of the elusive giant otter families that live here. These majestic, 30kg, nearly two meter long giants are an absolute joy to watch. We will hear them interact through high-pitched hums and squeals, see them hunt together like a pack of wolves, and watch them snorting loudly, should we allow the boat to get too close to them. After this fascinating morning outing, we will return to the lodge for a proper breakfast and spend a few hours on our own, before lunch will be served and siesta will commence. For the afternoon activity, we will have the chance to choose between a hike, a horse riding tour, or another boat tour on the river, using special, flat boats equipped with temporary blinds for wildlife photography. Whichever way we decide to go, we will all meet at the dinner table, share our experiences, and prepare for one last full day in this wildlife paradise on Earth.

Day 12: Pantanal

Accommodation: Ranch-style lodge with private facilities

This morning we have another chance to design our own daily itinerary. All those activities (horse riding, photography excursions, hikes, game drives) will be offered and available, so we will all be able to choose whatever we feel like doing today. As usual, we will meet for lunch and we might even decide to enjoy a long siesta all afternoon, yet will surely be together around the dinner table, since it is our last night in the Pantanal. It is time to recap, to celebrate and to share the experience with each other one more time. But despite the festive atmosphere, we should retire early, in order to be able to get up early the following day and catch our planes from Cuiabá.

Day 13: Transfer to Cuiabá/Departure

Like all of our other mornings on this trip, an early wake up today is no exception. From our hotel we will head back to Cuiaba to catch our flights onward. Once we reach the airport, our fantastic Pantanal Jaguar Safari will come to its end, we hope you are richer with lots of outstanding memories and thousands of photographs. Have a safe flight home!

Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)

Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft

As our flight nears Bhutan, we can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier who will take us to our hotel. Today, we will visit Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 and now houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. We will also visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2: Paro to Thimphu, Hike to Taktsang Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)

Hiking: 4-5 hrs Travel Distance: 54 km Driving: 1 hour

Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft

After breakfast, we hike for around 4 -5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor and leave for Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3: Hike to Wangditse Gompa followed by sightseeing in Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)

Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft

In the morning, we drive to BBS Tower and then hike for 1 hour to Wangditse Gompa on leveled trail with great view of Tashichho Dzong.   From here, we also get an amazing view of the Samtenling Palace, home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat on the hillside above.  After touring the Gompa, we return to Thimphu. On the way, visit the mini Zoo to see the Takin, national animal of Bhutan. After lunch, we visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. We may also visit the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichho Dzong. In the evening, we enjoy strolling in the streets of Thimphu and observe the local lifestyle. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha, Hike to Lungchutse Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)

Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 76 km Driving: 2-3 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 3,100m/10,171ft

After breakfast, we drive to Dochula pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day we can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. We will begin 2 hours hike to Lungchutse Monastery from 108 chortens. The trail passes through rhododendron forests. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers us stunning views of Himalayas, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Hike back to Dochu La Pass. After lunch, drive downhill through the rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha to Paro, Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)

Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 130 km Driving: 4 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft

At dawn, we drive 12 km north of Punakha and begin our 2-hour hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is located on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang and contains elaborate paintings dedicated to the old sect of Buddhism. We hike further towards Punakha. On the way back, we visit the Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637. It is also the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. In the afternoon, we drive to Paro and spend the night there.

Day 6: Final Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Today we bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Therefore, after breakfast, we will be taken to the airport in the morning for final departure.