Alta Floresta is considered by many ornithologists as one of the most diverse destinations for bird watching in the entire Amazon. With a bird list of 570+ species and new species found every year, the region of Alta Floresta and Cristalino River Basin have been visited by leading ornithologists and birders from all over the world. Due to the barrier effect of rivers like the Madeira, Xingu and Teles Pires which inhibit the dispersion of some species, the Cristalino Reserve has a high incidence of endemism. Differing soil types from the drainages of the " White water" Rio Teles Pires and the "Black water" Rio Cristalino enhances the overall diversity of flora and fauna. Receiving influence of the Amazon, Savannah, Chaco, Caatinga and the Atlantic rain forest, the northern Pantanal is a mosaic of environments where a large diversity of birds can be seen, since the aquatic to the bush ones. In a so open area, this swampland is a great place to admire the beauties of many birds. Chapada dos Guimarães, in a higher topography into the Savannah, is a fantastic place to see little birds.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Alta Floresta/ Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
Arrival , welcome drink at Hotel Floresta Amazônica (FAH) and accommodation. Birding in this hotel includes a suburban Harpy Eagle Nest!!! A nest with a new juvenile which can be seen at the hotel grounds. Birding on the hotel grounds also for endemics such as Crimson bellied Parakeet and Black-girdled Barbet. Delicious international and local cuisine for dinner. Overnight at the Hotel. At night observing of Crested Owls and Blackish Nightjars in the clearing.
- Overnight at Cristalino Jungle lodge.
- Transfer Alta Floresta airport/ Cristalino lodge by van and boat.
Includes: (D).
Day 2: Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
Early morning birding at the Hotel where Cinnamon-throated Woodcreepers roost just a few meters from the breakfast buffet. After breakfast , drive to the Cristalino Jungle Lodge, birding along the way. Stops for Sulphury Flycatcher and Point-tailed Palmcreeper in the "buriti" [Mauritia palm swamp ] and any others along the forest road and Cristalino river. Arrival and accommodation. After lunch: hike the Taboca and Ficus trail, for observation of bamboo specialties such as Xingu Antwren, Striated (Emilia´s) Antbird, Dusky-tailed and Large-headed Flatbill and the newly discovered Cryptic Forest Falcon. Overnight at the lodge.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hikes and canoe trips. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
Daybreak visit to the 50 meter observation tower where one can literally Bird as far as the horizon. Birds frequently seen include White bellied, Red-fan and Kawall's parrots, 8 species of toucan, White-necked Puffbird, Pompadour Cotinga as well as several primates. After breakfast, hike the Rocky trail up to "Saleiro", a natural salt-lick in the forest. Birds include Musician wren, Lawrence's Thrush, Curve-billed Scythebill among Others. Lunch. Travel up the Cristalino River by motor boat and walk the tall, lush rainforest of the Brazil Nut Trail: Specialties include the Pavonine Quetzal. About 10 min. further up river we will stop at "Corredeira do Limao", where 100's of Painted Parakeets can often be seen. Return with the engines turned off for observation of the Wildlife at sunset. River and Giant Otter and Tapir possible. Overnight at the lodge.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking and motor boat trip. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
After an early breakfast,boat up river to the Sierra Trail: a site with a low, deciduous type forest isolated in the midst of Cristalino's lowland rainforest. Birds often seen here Include Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Brown-banded Puffbird, Xenopsaris and Rufous Casiornis. Beautiful view of the Cristalino Park. Lunch. Birding the "Caja" Trail near the lodge grounds. Check nearby leks of Flame-crested Manakin. Afternoon visit to the tower for canopy flock members such as Tooth-billed Wren, White-lored Tyrranulet and Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo. Overnight at the lodge.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
Early breakfast. Birding at the tower and walking the newly cut Teles Pires Trail down to Teles Pires river: Noble Antthrush, Snow-capped Manakin, Dark-winged Trumpeter. Return by motor boat. Afternoon : down river to Teles Pires river island. Amazonia Umbrellabird are frequent, parakeets, parrots & macaws, 100's of nesting wood storks During their breeding season, Sunset photo ops on the Teles Pires river.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking and boat trip. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
After an early breakfast, walk the "Cacao trail" across the river . Active Antswarms with attendant Antbirds possible. Return by motor boat or canoeing down river. After lunch, a trip down river for the "Butterfly trail" at left margin of the Teles Pires river. Several Hummers possible, Cryptic Forest Falcon, White-lipped Peccary wallow. Return by boat.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking and boat trip. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Cristalino Jungle Lodge/ Alta Foresta.
After early morning visit to the tower, trip up river to Dr. Haffer's and Kawall´s parrot trail. Haffer Trail great for mixed species flocks: Gould's Toucanet, Kawall's parrot. After lunch, transfer to the Teles Pires river bank. Birding along the access road in the afternoon, where Harpy Eagle was seen twice in 2003 and trumpeters are often seen. Transfer to Alta Floresta late afternoon. Night birding for Crested Owl at the hotel.
- Overnight in the Floresta Amazônica Hotel;
- Hiking and transfer to the town of Alta Floresta. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: Alta Foresta / Cuiaba / Pouso Alegre.
Birding in the Floresta Amazônica Hotel grounds, followed by breakfast. Packing, Lunch and departure to Cuiabá. Arrival at Cuiabá airport and transfer to the Pantanal. On raveling the 100 km until Poconé town is the exchanging from the Scrubland (with a Chance for seen the Greater Rhea) through the Transition vegetation (Palm trees) where there are living the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw as well as the Toco Toucan. Near to the Amazon, the northern Pantanal receives the visit of rain forest birds such as Sunbitern and Troupial. Along the Transpantaneira, there is an epic crossing of diversified sceneries where in small lagoons live the 'fisher' Storks (Jabirus, American Wood and Maguari), Cormorants; Herons (White-necked; Black-capped; Orange billed whistling), and the pretty Roseate Spoonbill. So much food attracts the action of predators such as the fast Peregrine Falcon; the beautiful Black-collared Hawk and the small Pearl Kite.
The private access of 7km to the traditional cattle ranch passes through a 'mountain chain' (where live the clever Oropendulas) and invades the Flooding Field, with the unforgettable observation of large concentration of Ducks and Ibises together with Capybaras and Caymans. Arriving to the Hotel Fazenda Pouso Alegre, the great surprise of seeing at least 25 Hyacinth Macaws that comes to sleep in the surrounding of the lodge.
- Overnight at Pouso Alegre;
- Hiking, transfer to the airport, flight to Cuiabá, transfer to Pantanal. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Pouso Alegre.
The day starts with the first songs of the Chaco Chacalacas, still with stars in the clean Pantanal sky. The garden attracts the colorful Chestnut Eared Aracari. Guided by the Unique sound of the Undulated Tinamou and observed by the huge Black Howler Monkey, the hiking through a mound hill is the opportunity to observe the activity of Wood Peckers and Wood Creepers, as of the camouflaged Common Potoo. In the afternoon, a horse back riding, the most versatile way of visiting Pantanal observing the gorgeous birds activity during the sunset. Returning in the beginning of the night is the opportunity to see also the Night Herons and the Rufous Nightjar on the way.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking and horse back riding. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Pouso Alegre/ Jaguar Lodge.
Hiking through large 'mountain chains' (first in the morning at the Pouso Alegre and the Second in the afternoon at the forest in "O Pantaneiro" lodge) to observe little birds such as Black-fronted Nunbirds; Rufous-tailed Jacamar; Humming Birds and, with luck, the Surucua Trogon. On the way of 91 km, there is a chance to observe endless species, among the Guira Cuckoo; Smooth-billed Ani; Southern Screamer; Blue-Throated Piping-guan; Rufescent Tiger Heron and others. Lunch on the way, then Dinner and rustic overnight in the Jaguar Pantanal lodge.
- Overnight at Jaguar lodge;
- Hiking. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Jaguar Lodge/ Santa Teresa.
Early in the morning, visit to the region where, into a huge panorama there are species such as Black-Headed Marsh Tyrant; Vermillion Flycatcher; Scarlet-Headed Blackbird; Whistling Herons and, with luck, Blue Heron and Purple Gallinule. Transfer to the Hotel - Fazenda Santa Tereza, arriving in time to do a boat sightseeing during the sunset. Followed by the Little Nightjar, many Kingfishers (since the Ringed to the Pigmy) take us to an explosion of colors and noises of the Turquoise-Fronted Parrots and Snail Kites Preparing themselves to sleep in the trees on the border of the river. Return on the darkness, with Cayman spotlighting. After diner, hiking in the surroundings, where normally is seeing the majestic Great Horned Owl.
- Overnight at Santa Teresa lodge;
- Hiking and boat trip. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Jaguar Lodge/ Santa Teresa.
Early in the morning, visit to the region where, into a huge panorama there are species such as Black-Headed Marsh Tyrant; Vermillion Flycatcher; Scarlet-Headed Blackbird; Whistling Herons and, with luck, Blue Heron and Purple Gallinule. Transfer to the Hotel - Fazenda Santa Tereza, arriving in time to do a boat sightseeing during the sunset. Followed by the Little Nightjar, many Kingfishers (since the Ringed to the Pigmy) take us to an explosion of colors and noises of the Turquoise-Fronted Parrots and Snail Kites Preparing themselves to sleep in the trees on the border of the river. Return on the darkness, with Cayman spotlighting. After diner, hiking in the surroundings, where normally is seeing the majestic Great Horned Owl.
- Overnight at Santa Teresa lodge;
- Hiking and boat trip. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Santa Teresa/ Chapada Guimaraes.
Departure in the morning, in an opportunity of knowing the spectacle of the Transpantaneira in the early morning. Having seeing the sunset in the Swampland of Pantanal, then there is the sunset in the Cidade de Pedra, located in a cliff of the Brazilian Central Plateau, after a journey of 244 km climbing 500 m and testified by the Red-Legged Seriema and the Burrowing Owl.
- Overnight at Villa Guimarães lodge;
- Hiking and visit to Cidade de Pedra. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Chapada Guimaraes.
Sunrise break into the Jamacá Valley, where there is possible to see the Rufous and the Blue-Crowned Motmot. Return to the city for lunch and departure to the National Park where, in a hiking is possible to see since the White-eared Puffbird until the Swallows Tanager.
- Overnight like night before;
- Hiking.
Day 14: Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Cuiaba.
Hiking for birding on the trails of the forest, neighbor to the lodge. Transfer for the Cuiabá airport at the convenient time.
- Hiking. Includes: (B), (L).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
* Sightseeing: Boat trips; hiking; terrestrial and night safari; bath in virgin beaches; fauna & flora reconnaissance.
Transportation: Sprinter or Ducato.
* Guide: English speaking guide, with a good knowledge of the Amazon´s nature, equipped with binoculars, books and check-lists.
Price Excludes:
- Beverage, tips and any other personal expenses.
- Flight tickets CGB/ AFT/ CGB.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Brazil
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
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