The Pantanal is an extraordinary place. Comparable in size to Portugal, it is the largest wetlands of the Americas, some say the world, and the best possible way to explore this fascinating landscape is on horseback.

The Pantanal is a low lying plain which floods annually after the rains. The majority of the area is privately owned cattle ranches or fazendas and due to the difficulties of crossing the terrain in the rainy season or even the dry months, horses are still an essential part of their life.
On our Pantanal Experience we stay at two different fazendas and ride over three more all of which are owned by five sisters. Their great grandfather established the town of Aquiduana in 1892 and one of the ranch houses was built 100 years ago. It is only in the last few years that a road has been built to the fazendas; before that they were completely cut off in the rainy season.

The Pantanal is most famous for its rich variety of flora, exuberant fauna, exotic birds such as the fabulous hyacinth macaw, fish such as the piranha, mammals such as the capybara and many reptiles, the most famous being caiman. Many of the mammals are nocturnal and the puma and jaguar are extremely elusive although as you ride through the higher forested areas (cordilheiras) you may see jaguar prints to remind you they may be watching you.
You will certainly see the tuiuiú (jabiru stork), the emblem of the Pantanal. Hopefully also the capivara, the biggest rodent in the world. You might also see armadillo, banded anteater, monkey and maybe the nocturnal tapir, the largest land animal in Brazil.

In addition to exploring this wonderful landscape on horseback you also have the opportunity to have night drives and day or night boat trips with a guide.
The culture of the cowboy dominates this frontier land. Cattle are still moved by foot and the horse or mule is an indispensable partner to the Pantaneiro (Pantanal cowboy).

You are likely to take part in some cattle work on the fazendas and share some "tereré", a drink made of herbs mixed with cold water.

Many people prefer to visit the Pantanal in the dry season (July - October) when the land is dry and it is easier to get around. At this time the wildlife and birds are gathered around the few remaining waterholes.
However riding through the flooded meadows in the rainy season is an absolutely unique experience. Summer rainfall between November and March causes the flood and at this time the animals search for the higher areas. From April to June the meadows start drying and the water collects in the bays
and lakes.