Hotel Porto Jofre - Endpoint of the Transpantaneira

This comfortable hotel facility is located at the end of the Transpantaneira, also called Porto Jofre. This is the starting point for a number of boat tours offered on Rio Cuiabá, Rio Tres Irmãos, Rio São Lourenço and Rio Piquiri. On these tours you can track jaguars and many other kinds of animals. Timely booking is required since the hotel is usually fully booked for months in advance, and often by larger groups. In front of the hotel there is a landing strip, so the hotel can be reached by plane from Poconé in about an hour.

In the past, the hotel was exclusively frequented by hobby and sport fishers, which is why all fishing equipment necessary is available in the hotel, including several comfortable motorboats suited for extensive trips. Only last year did the hotel open its gates to international ecotourism and has offered excursions ever since.

Besides the boat trips, our programmes include the jaguar-safaris and spot light for a lot of other animals, around the rivers.

Itinerary example (4 days/3 nights)

1st day:

Our tour guide will pick you up in Cuiabá. Drive of approximately 110 km to Poconé on asphalt roads. In Poconé you will have lunch with a typically Brazilian family and savour the local cuisine of Mato Grosso (depending on arrival time at the airport). Afterwards drive on the Transpantaneira to the hotel Porto Jofre with several stops to watch the flora and fauna (journey time 3-4 hours, depending on road conditions). After arrival assignment of rooms and dinner. Nighttime safari with torches and headlights to watch nocturnal animals.

2nd day:

Breakfast at 5 am. At 6 am starts a 7-hour boat tour that takes you deep into the Cerrado’s untouched nature, the area of Rio Tres Irmãos, Rio São Lourenço and Rio Piquiri, to track jaguars. Return to the hotel Porto Jofre for lunch. After lunch and a rest period follows a short hike on the lodge grounds and in their immediate vicinity, where you can watch a population of Hyacinth macaws as well as the big Victoria water lilies, which are exclusive to this region. The rest of the afternoon is free. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. By request nighttime safari to track nocturnal animals.

3rd day:

Sunrise tour at 5 am; experience the awakening of the Pantanal, a unique natural spectacle you shouldn’t pass up. After breakfast you go on a hike on the hotel grounds and their immediate vicinity. Here you can see the Victoria water lilies (Victoria regia), which are exclusive to this region. The rest of the afternoon is free.

After lunch you will go on another boat tour to track wild animals like jaguars (about 3 hours). On this trip you can see a lot of animals and birds, also a fantastic landscape and wildlife-tour. Return to the lodge. Dinner.

4th day:

After breakfast transfer to the airport in Cuiabá or follow-up itinerary.

Note:

Its exclusive location makes the hotel one of the most expensive accommodations in the Pantanal. Nevertheless we think that the place has a very good price-performance ratio (comfortable rooms, outstanding food), particularly because of its excellent service. Moreover, all boat tours on the rivers, which can be dangerous, are supervised by skilled boat guides. You will be obligated to wear one of the life jackets handed out before the boats set off.

Prices per person:

All prices per person and per package. Prices valid until 30 October 2011.

Additional days possible. Follow-up tour to Chapada dos Guimaraes or Nobres possible at a premium, on request. Bigger groups possible, on request.

The following is included in the prices:

3 overnight stays in comfortable rooms in the hotel Porto Jofre with full board

All rooms with bathroom/shower (cold/hot water), fan and air conditioning, TV and frigobar

All excursions described above, particularly a 7-hour and 3-hour boat tour.

All transfers and all excursions by car and on foot.

24-hour supervision by competent and skilled english speaking tour guide.

All car drives in air conditioned and insured vehicles in mint condition (minivan or car, depending on the number of participants).

Not included:

Beverages, tips, personal expenses.