Thomas & Sophie 5 nights and 6 days 16 a 20 de July! Exploring the Heart of Mato Grosso – From Rondon’s Homeland to Jaguar Territory

🇧🇷 Exploring the Heart of Mato Grosso – From Rondon’s Homeland to Jaguar Territory
A journey through history, land, rivers, and skies – from Mimoso to the depths of the Pantanal.
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Our recent expedition took us deep into the very soul of Mato Grosso, a journey that followed in the footsteps of legendary explorer Marechal Cândido Rondon, crossed some of the most beautiful landscapes of Brazil, and ended in the heart of jaguar territory.

📍 Day 1–2: Mimoso – Homeland of Rondon 🇧🇷
We began in the small village of Mimoso, located in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Leverger, just 90 km south of Cuiabá. This historic region is the birthplace of Marshal Cândido Rondon, the iconic indigenous protector and military engineer who mapped the interior of Brazil and laid the telegraph lines through the Amazon and the Pantanal.
In Mimoso, we explored the local museum dedicated to Rondon’s legacy and walked in the very land that inspired his lifelong dedication to peaceful contact with indigenous communities.
We spent two nights at the charming Pousada Rio Mutum, a peaceful lodge surrounded by cerrado vegetation, birdsong, and starry skies – a perfect setting to begin our journey.

🚤 Day 3: From Cuiabá Mirim to Porto Cercado – 107 km on the Water
After leaving Mimoso, we headed to the region of Cuiabá Mirim, where we embarked on a 3-hour boat journey along the Cuiabá River, covering approximately 107 km downstream through the pristine wetlands.
The river offered spectacular sightings of birds, capybaras, and caimans as we glided through flooded forests, narrow channels, and open stretches.
At the end of this scenic stretch, we arrived at Porto Cercado, where our air-conditioned vehicle awaited us.
🚗 From Porto Cercado to Transpantaneira – 186 km on Land
From Porto Cercado, we drove 100 km along dirt and asphalt roads to reach the famous Transpantaneira Highway, a raised dirt road built in the 1970s, spanning over 100 wooden bridges and stretching 147 km from Poconé to Porto Jofre.
We stopped for lunch at the Hotel Mato Grosso at km 60 of the Transpantaneira. With local dishes and cold drinks, it was the perfect break before venturing deeper into the Pantanal.
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🚢 3 Nights on the Mutum Expeditions Boat – Jaguar & Giant Otter Encounters
Our journey continued south to Porto Jofre, the end of the Transpantaneira and the gateway to the best jaguar-watching region in the world.
We boarded the Mutum Expeditions boat and spent the next three nights on the river, exploring the labyrinth of waterways around the Cuiabá, Piquiri, and Three Brothers Rivers.
These were days of unforgettable wildlife sightings – jaguars hunting along the riverbanks, giant otters playing in the water, and countless birds and reptiles.
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✈️ Returning by Plane – A Final View from the Sky
To conclude this epic journey, we took a 1-hour scenic flight from Porto Jofre back to Cuiabá, flying over the vast wetlands of the northern Pantanal.
From above, the landscape revealed its full magic – winding rivers, oxbow lakes, islands of forest, and the long stretch of the Transpantaneira slicing through the wilderness.
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🌎 Land, Water, and Air – A Complete Pantanal Experience
This journey offered a full immersion into the Pantanal through three dimensions:
• By Land: from Mimoso to the Transpantaneira, following the routes of explorers and pioneers.
• By Water: traveling 107 km by boat on the Cuiabá River and staying 3 nights aboard the Mutum Expeditions.
• By Air: ending with a spectacular flight over the wetlands, providing a final perspective on the world’s largest tropical wetland.
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🏞️ Historical and Geographical Highlights
• Mimoso (📍15°38′S 56°04′W) – Birthplace of Marechal Rondon
• Pousada Rio Mutum – Lodge nestled in nature near the village of Mimoso
• Cuiabá River – One of the main arteries of the northern Pantanal
• Porto Cercado – Entry point to the SESC Pantanal private reserve
• Transpantaneira Highway – 147 km, over 120 bridges, built in 1973
• Porto Jofre – Final stop on the highway and the jaguar capital of South America
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This was more than a trip – it was a passage through Brazil’s natural and cultural history, with deep respect for the ecosystems and the people who protect them.
If you dream of seeing jaguars in the wild, retracing the path of Rondon, and experiencing the Pantanal by river, road, and sky – this is the journey for you.
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