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Serra do Amolar is one of the wildest and most untouched areas of the Pantanal, with nearly 1,000-meter-high hills and a geological history dating back 2 billion years. This sandstone formation stretches for around 80 kilometers, bordering the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, and crossing into Bolivia. What was once exclusive to local residents is now available to adventurers and nature lovers.
The Instituto Homem Pantaneiro (IHP), a civil society organization dedicated to conservation, has introduced the Travessia Guadakan, a series of trails in the dense forest. These trails were created with the help of experts in trail design, alongside biologists and environmental conservation professionals.
IHP president Ângelo Rabelo explained:
“We called upon various experts, including professionals from other trails and pathways. We followed guidelines, including those from the Chico Mendes Institute, ensuring the trails are both clearly marked for guidance and discreet so they don’t detract from the natural beauty. We drew inspiration from well-known routes, like the Camino de Santiago, but the idea is that this place remains accessible to only a few, maintaining its exclusivity and importance.”
The journey to Serra do Amolar begins in Corumbá, with a six-hour boat ride upstream, covering 200 kilometers. Along the way, visitors can spot wildlife such as the tuiuiú (jabiru stork), the emblem of the Pantanal, as well as alligators and, with some luck, endangered giant otters, which can grow up to two meters in length.
As you approach the hills, the landscape becomes breathtaking, with the water reflecting the surrounding terrain like a mirror. The hills act as a natural dam for the Paraguay River, slowing the flow and creating biodiverse bays.
Photographer Valter Patrial described the experience:
“No matter how hard I try to capture this in video or photos, you have to come and be there to truly understand it. It’s impossible to convey what you feel in Serra do Amolar through words or images.”
Visitors disembark at the private natural heritage reserves of Acurizal and Eliezer Batista, which are hubs for research, environmental education, and ecotourism. From there, trained guides lead groups on trails ranging from 800 meters to 40 kilometers in difficulty. These trails wind through the hills, passing waterfalls, communities, natural springs, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Pantanal plain.
All proceeds from the tours are reinvested in the preservation of the area, which has been a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve for over 20 years.
For those interested in this eco-adventure, itineraries range from 3 days and 2 nights to 5 days and 4 nights in the Pantanal. Registration is available on the IHP website: www.amolarexperience.com.br.