Photo: Tami J
Pantanal 2026 Wildlife Photography Adventure
with Iguazu Falls By Moonlight Optional Extension
Experience Highlights
• 5 Full Day + 1 Half-day Jaguar safaris in private speedboats. Every participant gets their own row - shoot out both sides with plenty of room for your gear.
• 3 additional days of Daylight and Night 'game drives' on land for caiman, anteaters, tapir, birds and other wildlife.
• Iguazu Falls by Moonlight (optional) – photograph this natural wonder by day and at night. Capture “Moonbows" by the light of the full moon (if Mother Nature cooperates).
At A Glance
August 15-26, 2026 Pantanal Photography Adventure
August 26–28, 2026 Iguazu Falls Extension
Starts/Ends:
Cuiaba, Brazil/Cuiaba (Sao Paolo. Brazil for Iguazu Extension Participants)
$9,750 USD
Double occupancy
Single Lodging +$1,100
Iguazu Falls Extension: +$3800, Single Lodging +$900
Deposit: $1,500
Instructors:
Leighton Lum
&
Ken Lee
What's Included: Lodging, Meals, Transportation, Guides & Photography Instruction
What's Not Included: Airfare to/from Cuiaba, Brazil; Tourist Visa, Travel Insurance (required), Personal Expenses including alcohol, Gratuities. Anything not specifically listed as included.
“The Amazon rain forest may get all the attention, but when it comes to wildlife, South America's biggest biodiversity star is the Pantanal.”
–National Geographic
Wildlife Paradise
Covering over 40 million acres, Brazil’s Pantanal is the largest freshwater wetlands on Earth. It’s also the best place on the planet to capture photographs of jaguars in the wild. But big cats are just the beginning of what this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers wildlife photographers. A dizzying array of species, many wonderfully strange, inhabit the Pantanal including giant anteaters, tapir, caiman, capybara, giant river otters, toucan, parrots and many, many more.
Ken Lee and Leighton Lum will lead a small group of passionate photographers on this wildlife photography expedition of a lifetime. Most of our shooting will be done from private speedboats, searching the water and riverbanks for jaguars on the hunt and other wildlife but we’ll also venture on to dry land as well both during the day and at night on vehicle and walking safaris.
Sharpen your Skills, Expand your Vision
Leighton and Ken will be by your side throughout the expedition to help you make the most of every shooting opportunity and to offer tips, critiques and coaching. Learn the fundamentals of wildlife photography, as well as more advanced techniques specific to the conditions we’re likely to encounter on the water. In the evenings, we’ll discuss best practices for managing and polishing that mountain of images you’ll come home with using Adobe Lightroom. Our small group size (max 6:1 Participants: Instructor) allows for plenty of personalized one-on-one coaching.
Iguazu Falls by Moonlight Optional Extension
Over 275 separate cascades make up this natural wonder on the Brazil-Argentina border. Their combined flow is the largest of any waterfall system on earth. We’ll photograph Iguazu Falls from both the Brazil and Argentina sides. In addition, we’ve timed our visit to coincide with the full moon, creating the possibility of capturing ‘moonbows’. The only way to access the Falls early and late is by being a guest at the Belmond hotel, a true 5-star luxury resort located inside Brazil’s Iguazu Falls national park, so that’s where we’ll stay. Wrap up an amazing adventure with amazing scenery and maybe a massage or spa treatment! Sometimes Art requires sacrifices ;-)!
Ready to Join the Adventure?
-
Hawaii native Leighton Lum’s jaw-dropping images simply speak for themselves. Led by his creative eye and passion for adventure, Leighton has traveled the globe to destinations like Africa, South America, Iceland, Indonesia, and Antarctica, leading photography workshops and making his own award-winning photographs. Leighton hopes his photography inspires others and raises awareness about conservation to ensure future generations can enjoy the natural world he cherishes. Read more about Leighton and see a selection of his images.
Ken Lee, the founder Art of Seeing Photography Adventures is as passionate about helping others grow as photographers as he is about creating his own images. Ken’s Whole Brain approach to teaching photography addresses both the Craft (gear, technique, post-processing) and Creative (Composition & the Photographer’s Eye) aspects of image-making – and the completely different approaches needed to master both. Click the links to read more about Ken Lee and The Art of Seeing, what you can expect from an Art of Seeing workshop, or to see examples of Ken’s photography.
-
We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply:
Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferrable to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:
Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:
Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 mos.
Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.
*Canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity
All cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Payments made for private workshops that you arrange with us are not refundable.
Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy which covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation in this workshop. Such policies typically cover many other things like lost luggage or non-refundable payments if you need to cancel your trip. -
If you've traveled with us before, thank you! You're the reason our passion is our profession, and we are deeply grateful for this blessing.
To express our appreciation, we've launched our Alumni Rewards Program which gives our 'frequent flyers' discounts on future Art of Seeing Photography Adventures. Click here for full details
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight | Included Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15-Aug | Our adventure begins upon your arrival at Cuiaba airport (CGB). We’ll transport you to our hotel where you can relax for a bit before we kick things off with:
Introductions & Workshop Overview Wildlife Photography Fundamentals and Advanced Techniques discussion Group dinner at local restaurant |
Cuiaba Hotel | D |
| 2 | 16-Aug | Breakfast
Transfer to Pouso Alegre Lodge, making stops along the Transpantaneira Highway. Lunch at Pouso Alegre Afternoon vehicle photo safari Dinner Night vehicle safari – nocturnal wildlife |
Pouso Alegre Lodge | B-L-D |
| 3 | 17-Aug | Early morning walking / photography in the water ponds.
Breakfast Photography around the lodge: feeders, fields, tower. Lunch and check out Transfer to Rio Claro Lodge (30 minutes) Afternoon Boat safari focusing on birds, fishing eagles, heron, storks, kingfishers & more. Dinner Walking night photo safari |
Rio Claro Lodge | B-L-D |
| 4 | 18-Aug | Early breakfast
Morning boat safari on the Claro River looking for hawks, heron, kingfishers & other wildlife. Lunch at Rio Claro Transfer to Porto Jofre making stops along the Transpantaneira road (3-4 hours) Arrival at Pantanal Norte Lodge Dinner and overnight |
Barco Aguapé | B-L-D |
| 5-9 | 19-23 - Aug | 5 Full Day Jaguar safari on private speedboats on the Cuiaba and Tres Irmaos rivers. Break for lunch at lodge. Optional Lightroom post processing session after dinner or work on your images on your own. | Barco Aguapé | B-L-D |
| 10 | 24-Aug | Our final morning Jaguar boat safari
Lunch at Pantanal Norte Depart Pantanal Norte and drive to Piuval Lodge Optional image review/post processing session Dinner & Overnight at Piuval Lodge |
Piuval Lodge | B-L-D |
| 11 | 25-Aug | Early morning vehicle/walking safari looking for giant anteaters
Breakfast Walking/driving safari Lunch Afternoon vehicle safari or image review/post processing session Dinner Night Vehicle safari |
Hotel in Cuiaba | B-L-D |
| 12 | 26-Aug | Breakfast
Transfer to CGB airport End of Service for those not participating in Iguazu extension Flight to Iguazu (IGU) Transfer to Belmond Hotel Dinner at Belmond Night Photography at Iguazu Falls |
- | B |
| OPTIONAL IGUAZU FALLS EXTENSION | ||||
| 12 | 26-Aug | Flight to Iguazu (IGU)
Transfer to Belmond Hotel Dinner at Belmond Night Photography at Iguazu Falls |
Belmond Iguazu Hotel | B |
| 13 | 27-Aug | Full Day at Iguazu Falls – explore this natural wonder with its 275 cascades. Day visit to Argentina side of falls, sunset and night photo sessions on Brazilian side. | Belmond Iguazu Hotel | B |
| 13 | 28-Aug | Morning photography at Iguazu Falls
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for our flight (included) to Sao Paolo. Our adventure concludes upon arrival at the Sao Paolo airport (GRU). End of Service |
- | B |
Note: this itinerary represents our general plan but is subject to change without notice for weather, logistical considerations or other reasons.
More Photography Adventures!
Is your passion wildlife, landscape or cultural photography? All of the above? We’ve got you covered. Click here to view all of Art of Seeing’s Photography Adventures!