Explore Pantanal Wetlands, Rio & Beyond
Join us Oct. 14-27, 2027
This 13-day trip will highlight Brazil’s most exciting cities alongside absolutely remote wilderness. Discover Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro’s parks, gardens, monuments, museums, restaurants and beaches. Explore the rich biodiversity of the Pantanal region, home to the world's largest tropical wetlands, and flooded grasslands. All the while, you will stay at incredible lodges in stunning natural settings. Experience the unparalleled treasures of Brazil with Knowmad Adventures and the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Your Host
Jared Rubenstein
Director of Horticulture & Collections
Jared provides strategic leadership in all aspects of Arboretum landscape operations, including curation and care of collections; greenhouse, nursery and orchard management; and stewardship of the Arboretum’s natural resources across 1,200 acres. While leading a team of full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, Jared works to create a culture of respect, inclusion, continuous improvement, customer service and teamwork. He lives with his husband Jake and dog in Minneapolis. His favorite tree for Minnesota gardens is eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).
Trip Highlights
- Cruise the rivers of the Pantanal Wetlands looking for jaguars, giant river otters, capybaras, caiman and other exotic animals and birds
- In the grasslands, search for tapirs, giant anteaters, monkeys and more by jeep, horseback, canoe and on foot.
- Greet the famed Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking bustling Rio de Janeiro
- Watch the sunset over the never-ending coast from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, a truly spectacular experience.
- Wander through nearly 6,500 species of plants at Rio’s botanical garden
- Wonder at the “landscape laboratory” -- the first modern tropical garden on the World Heritage list -- designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx
- Visit the bustling metropolis of Sao Paulo with its parks, monuments and historic sites
- Enjoy delicious Brazilian fish and other local dishes throughout your stay
- Experience all-inclusive lodge stays in the Pantanal, with meals and excursions included
- Relax at carefully selected boutique accommodations in spectacular natural settings
Photo courtesy of Knowmad Adventures
Trip Itinerary
Oct. 14-15 | Travel to Sao Paulo
Fly overnight to Sao Paulo, arriving in the morning. There, you will travel with your guide to your hotel. Spend the day resting up or exploring the area. Enjoy a delicious dinner in a local Brazilian restaurant and toast to a wonderful journey ahead.
Dinner. L'Hotel Porto Bay, executive rooms
Oct 16 | Sao Paulo
Explore the city with your guide. Visit the iconic Ibirapuera Park, the city's most important green space. Explore the spaces dedicated to plants and environmental education. Sample fruit from around the country at the Municipal Market and see the city's important monuments.
Breakfast, Snack. L'Hotel Porto Bay
Oct 17 | Sao Paulo, Cuiabá, Porto Jofre
Travel with your group and guide to the airport and fly to Cuiaba, a gateway to the Pantanal Wetlands.Travel overland through the diverse Pantanal on the famous Transpantaneira Highway, a dirt road surrounded by wildlife and wooden bridges. In Porto Jofre, check into your hotel and enjoy regional cuisine at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Hotel Pantanal Norte, standard rooms
Oct 18-19 | Porto Jofre
Explore the Cuiabá River. The days will start early to catch the most active time of day for most wildlife. In this rich natural area, look out for jaguars, capybaras, giant otters, myriad birdlife and more. After lunch at the lodge, rest up before evening walks through river tributaries.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Hotel Pantanal Norte
Oct 20 | Porto Jofre
After a morning on the river watching the amazing flora and fauna, enjoy lunch at your lodge. Travel overland to your new lodge, where the wetlands transition to grasslands in the dry summer months. Here, you will expand your wildlife search for landbased wildlife that may include tapirs, giant anteaters and monkeys, as well as caimans and a wide variety of birds such as Hyacinth Macaws. Your guide, an English-speaking naturalist, will lead you for these few days.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Araras Lodge, standard room
Oct 21-22 | Cuiabá
Travel throughout the region. Small group activities will include jeep safaris, nature walks, climbing the on-site canopy tower, canoeing, horseback riding and more.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Araras Lodge
Oct 23 | Cuiabá, Rio de Janeiro
Travel with your guide to the airport in Cuiaba. Fly to Rio de Janeiro. Travel to your hotel.
Breakfast, Hotel Porto Bay Copacabana
Oct 24 | Rio de Janeiro
Visit Christ the Redeemer statue this morning. Standing on a mountaintop overlooking Rio, it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In the afternoon, visit Sugar Loaf Mountain. Take a sunset cable car ride to enjoy the incredible views of Guanabara Bay and the city of Rio.
Breakfast. Hotel Porto Bay Copacabana
Oct 25 | Rio de Janeiro
Visit the beautiful botanical gardens of Rio with your guide. The gardens contain more than 6,500 species over 130 acres and some of Brazil's finest flora.
Breakfast. Hotel Porto Bay Copacabana
Oct 26-27 | Rio de Janeiro, MSP
Visit the great botanical laboratory of landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. It has more than 3,500 species of tropical and subtropical plants organized into nurseries and gardens set into native plants, lakes, gardens, art, and a vast library. Travel with your group to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Breakfast.
Cost Information
Tour Pricing
- $10,650 land cost per traveler, double occupancy; $3,260 Single supplement
- $2,500-3,000 estimated international economy-class regional airfare costs (Currency exchange fluctuates). At this time, flights are not published yet.
- You can get at 1.5% discount on your final trip invoice by paying deposit and final trip payment by check, wire or electronic bank transfer/ACH.
Not Included
- International and domestic airfare (see estimate for airfare cost guidance)
- Passport, airline fees for luggage, trip insurance (we strongly recommend that you have trip insurance, including cancellation coverage)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Pptional tips to hotel porters and maid service, personal items, alcoholic beverages