Araras is a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure lodge. Throughout your days in Pantanal, you are able to personally choose the activities which most match your interests and active levels. No day is the same, creating a unique and authentic stay during your time in Pantanal. Three activities are offered per day: one early in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one after dinner. Groups have a maximum of 10 travelers which are conducted by a bilingual naturalist guide. The lodge has a variety of activities, and you can choose from the following:
Introduction Walk : Take the opportunity to explore the grounds with a guide. Learn about the impounding and treatment of water, destination of garbage, explanations regarding water heating, and everything concerning minimizing the impacts of human presence on the environment. Explore the Corixo (flood channel) of the caiman, and observe one of the most present symbols of the Pantanal. Visit the 'Egret Tower' outlook point, which presents an aerial view from the crown of a giant tree, before arriving at the nest of a pair of Hyacinth macaws. This familiarizing walk also takes you to Barara, where you can meet regional ranchers and cowboys. Repeated encounters with the capybara, curassows, and countless other species can be expected.
Trekking Pantanal: Explore the Pantanal region by foot on this guided walking tour. The direction of the hikes depend on the season. During the dry season there are more than 12 miles of hikable trails, and during the wet season travelers can take advantage of the catwalks. Each trek is focused on nature and allows travelers to observe the fauna and flora of the surrounding woods, savannas, fields, and swamps. Climb three towers for incredible views of the canopy.
Bird Release Station: Attend the bird release station, a project carried out in partnership with the NGO 'Animals of the Forest' and IBAMA – The Environmental Protection Agency. Birds at the station are apprehended and recovered before being returned safely to nature. Additionally, make an acquaintance with the stud farm 'Bafo da Onça,' where Pantaneiro horses are bred.
Horseback Riding: Take advantage of the lodge's horses and explore Pantanal in the most traditional way. Explore areas of difficult access where it is common to witness the harmonious relationship between cattle and the wild fauna. This tour is conducted at a walk, geared toward beginners and to preserve safety and comfort. The horses of the lodge enjoy a high reputation regarding their beauty and docility. **Note: The horseback riding is only permitted for children over 8 years of age**
Canoeing: Discover the riverside forest in absolute silence from the safety of a canoe.
Photo Safari: Explore the region in open vehicles which are especially adapted to access the more distant sites. During the photo safari, observe the peculiarities and contrasts of the vegetation, as well as a large variety of animals.
Night Watch Tour: Experience the jungle at night on this nocturnal tour. The highlight of this expedition is often the sighting of caiman, which have eyes that produce a red reflection and give the impression of gazing into a distant city.
Bicycle Tour: The Pantanal is flat and permits pleasant bicycle rides. This is an excellent means of making individual discoveries and covering larger stretches along the private roads within the lodge’s reservation area.
Night Walk: This expedition favors the adaptation to the environment and the observation of nocturnal animals, providing a closer contact with the sounds of the night and the observation of the stars and other celestial bodies.
