Itinerary

Day 1: USA - RIO DE JANEIRO

Monday, September 15, 2008

Depart home for Rio de Janeiro.

Day 2: RIO DE JANEIRO - CUIABA

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and board a flight to Cuiabá. Upon arrival, proceed to our hotel. This evening gather for dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: AMAZON PALACE HOTEL

Day 3: CUIABA - THE AMAZON

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Following a short city tour of Cuiabá this morning, fly to the city of Alta Floresta. Continue to our lodge located in a private natural heritage reserve in the highlands of the Amazon River basin. Tonight, enjoy a slide presentation followed by dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CRISTALINO JUNGLE LODGE

Day 4: THE AMAZON FOREST

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Spend the day birding on trails surrounding the lodge and from the observation tower to see marvelous Amazonian birds such as the Amazonian Umbrellabird, White-bellied and Red-Fan Parrots, Mealy Parrot, Golden-winged and Painted Parakeet, and King Vulture. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CRISTALINO JUNGLE LODGE

Day 5: THE AMAZON FOREST

Friday, September 19, 2008

Bird by boat at the Cristalino State Reserve, where likely species include Blue-throated Piping Guan, Razor-billed Curassow, White-Collared Swallows, and Black-girdled Barbet. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: CRISTALINO JUNGLE LODGE

Day 6: THE AMAZON FOREST

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Today we return to Alta Floresta. During the drive we pause for birding, searching for the Fork-tailed Palm-Swift and Red-bellied Macaw. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: FLORESTA AMAZÔNICA HOTEL

Day 7: CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Spend time birding on the hotel’s grounds searching for Crimson-bellied Parakeet and Black-girdled Barbet. Following lunch, continue to the airport for a flight to Cuiabá. Upon arrival, drive to Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, stopping en route at the geodesic center of South America overlooking the Pantanal plain. Spend the next two nights at a small lodge where each room has a balcony and views of the Cuiabá River basin. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA PENHASCO

Day 8: CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES

Monday, September 22, 2008

Chapada’s unique cerrado (savannah) habitat supports an array of unique birdlife. After breakfast, we depart on a full-day birding excursion where we look for cerrado species, including Red-legged Seriema, Collared Crescentchest, Horned Sungem, White-eared Puffbird, and Coal-crested Finch. Birding by the sandstone cliffs may produce Blue-winged and Red-and-green Macaws. We also hope to see Biscutate Swift, Crested Black-Tyrant and Cliff Flycatcher. This afternoon continue searching in the semi-deciduous gallery forest for Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Lettered Aracari, Blue-crowned Motmot, and many other species. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA PENHASCO

Day 9: PANTANAL

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

After breakfast, depart for the Pantanal, a paradise for fish and birds, and arrive at our eco-lodge, located at the edge of the River Mutum. After lunch, take a boat ride and explore a tributary of Baía de Chacororé to observe many species of birds, including Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern, Pale-legged Hornero, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Solitary Cacique, and Black-capped Donacobius. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA DO RIO MUTUM

Day 10: PANTANAL

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

We spend the next three days birding in this spectacular area. Explore the swampy surroundings of our lodge, where Yellow-chinned and Rusty-backed Spinetail, Bare-faced Currasow, Large-billed Antwren, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, and Great Potoo may be seen. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA DO RIO MUTUM

Day 11: PANTANAL

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Enjoy jeep safaris that visit different habitats where large concentrations of birds can be seen, including Buff-necked, Bare-faced, Plumbeous and Green Ibises, Roseate Spoonbill, Black Skimmers, Golden-collard Macaw, and White-wedged Piculet. We also travel to the nesting site of Hyacinth Macaw. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA DO RIO MUTUM

Day 12: PANTANAL

Friday, September 26, 2008

In an area where mountains, savannah and swamps meet, look for Chestnut-bellied Guan (endemic to Brazil), Crane Hawk and Red-shouldered Macaw. We also explore the River Mutum by boat to see Sungrebe, Sunbittern, and all five South American kingfishers. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: POUSADA DO RIO MUTUM

Day 13: PANTANAL - ATLANTIC FOREST

Saturday, September 27, 2008

After breakfast, return to Cuiabá and connect to a flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrive in Rio and continue to our hotel located in beautiful Itatiaia National Park, Brazil’s first national park and home to more than 250 bird species. Late afternoon arrival. After lunch spend time birding around the hotel searching for Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanet, Black-throated Trogon, Sand-colored Nighthawk, Red-rumped Cacique, Green-winged Saltator and Brazilian Ruby. This evening, review the birds seen today and then enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: ITATIAIA PARK HOTEL

Day 14: ITATIAIA NATIONAL PARK

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Enjoy two full days of birding. Spending time birding around the hotel searching for Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanet, Black-throated Trogon, Sand-colored Nighthawk, Red-rumped Cacique, Green-winged Saltator and Brazilian Ruby. Follow a trail near the hotel and search for Channel-billed Toucan, White-eyed Parakeet, Reddish-bellied Parakeet, and Dusky-legged Guan, among others. This evening, review the birds seen today. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: ITATIAIA PARK HOTEL

Day 15: ITATIAIA NATIONAL PARK

Monday, September 29, 2008

Drive to Itatiaia’s Plateau, the highest region in the park, and search for species including Black-and-gold Cotinga, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Itatiaia Thistletail, Southern Caracara, and Black-breasted Plovercrest. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: ITATIAIA PARK HOTEL

Day 16: RIO DE JANEIRO

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Enjoy final birding on the trails around the hotel. After lunch, transfer to the airport in Rio de Janeiro and board a flight to the USA. (B) Or join the post-trip extension in Rio. (B,L)

Accommodation: PRAIA IPANEMA HOTEL (B,L)

Day 17: RIO DE JANEIRO

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

A sightseeing tour includes a cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf, a 1,293-foot granite rock offering spectacular views of the beaches, the city, the mountains of Tijuca National Park and the islands of Guanabara Bay. This evening gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: PRAIA IPANEMA HOTEL (B,L)

Day 18: RIO DE JANEIRO - USA

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Travel by railway to the summit of Corcovado where the statue of Christ the Redeemer, with arms out-stretched, welcomes all to this marvelous city. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping. After a late afternoon check out, proceed to the airport for an overnight flight home. (B)

Day 19: USA

Friday, October 03, 2008

Arrive back in the USA and connect to a flight to your hometown.