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‘Uncut’ Brazil: birds and Jaguars:Complete survey tour in four parts, which can be taken alone or as a whole, of several of Brazil’s main ecoregions. We will commence the tour at a base in the heart of the world-famous Atlantic Forest and its incredibly diverse avifauna, including many stunning endemics, some of them now very rare. From there, we will proceed to the forests and grasslands of Minas Gerais state, in the south-eastern part of the Cerrado, the enormous grassland area that once covered much of the interior of Brazil, but is now sadly devastated. Indeed, these native grasslands and their native wildlife are, remarkably, even more threatened than the forests of Amazonia or the coastal littoral. Stunning birds such as the globally threatened Brazilian Merganser and the equally rare Northern Muriqui monkey will be among our special targets in this region. An internal flight will place us at the gateway to the Pantanal, the largest wetland in South America, home to astonishing numbers of waterbirds, the superlative Hyacinth Macaw and the most reliable place on Earth to see one of the world’s most superb large cats, Jaguar. Mammals in general will be a special focus of our time in this area, although it will be hard to tear ourselves away from the extraordinary abundance of colourful birds. Finally, another internal flight will bring us to northern Mato Grosso and the south-east edge of the greatest tropical forest on the planet, the Amazon. We will have four full days at the fantastic Cristalino Jungle Lodge, famed far beyond the borders of Brazil for its fine accommodations, good food and, of course, almost unimaginably diverse birdlife. Guide Guy Kirwan is one of the most experienced tour leaders in Brazil, having spent more than seven years in the field there. In the process, he has amassed one of the largest lists of birds seen in Brazil, as well has having published numerous papers in the scientific literature on the distribution and taxonomy and breeding ecology of the birds of his adopted second home. He has special familiarity with all of the areas visited on this tour, but will be assisted by local guides with particular knowledge of the mammals at both sites in the Pantanal. Itinerary Day 1. Arrive Rio and transfer to Serra dos Tucanos. Days 2‒6. We will be based at Serra dos Tucanos lodge for five full days, from where we will also make excursions to nearby areas including Praia Seca (for Restinga Antwren and other endemics), Pico da Caledonia (Grey-winged Cotinga and other high-altitude endemics), REGUA (for wetland species and other birds) and Sumidouro (Three-toed Jacamar and Crescent-chested Puffbird, among others). Here, in the heart of one of the greatest centres of avian endemism, not just in South America but anywhere in the world, we will focus on the special birds of this marvellous area. Species possible around our lodge will include: Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Scaly-headed and Blue-bellied Parrots, Reddish Hermit, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-eared and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Black-capped and White-eyed Foliage-gleaners, several woodcreepers, Spot-backed Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, White-bearded, Blue and Pin-tailed Manakins, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Grey-hooded Attila, many tanagers, and Black-throated Grosbeak. Rarer possibilities not already mentioned include: White-necked and Mantled Hawks, Saw-billed Hermit, Plovercrest, Frilled Coquette, Itatiaia Thistletail, Black-billed Scythebill, Tufted Antshrike, Slaty Bristlefront, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Long-billed Wren, Brown, Olive-green and Azure-shouldered Tanagers, Bay-chested Warbling Finch and Uniform Finch. Mammals will not be our primary focus during this leg of the trip, but nonetheless a few species are possible including South American Coati and Masked Titi monkey. Day 7. Either return to Rio for international departure (for those not continuing with the rest of the trip) or continue to Caratinga. Overnight local hotel. Day 8. Caratinga Biological Station all day for the area’s special primates, including the Critically Endangered Northern Muriqui (c.150 survive here, one of its final refuges) and the highly range-restricted Buffy-headed Marmoset, as well as the more widespread Brown Howler and Black-capped Capuchin. Birds will not be forgotten in this area of Atlantic Forest, and we will be especially alert for the globally threatened Plumbeous Antvireo, among others. Overnight hotel in Caratinga. Day 9. Drive to RPPN Caraça, stopping en route at Sitio Graciema, near Manhuacu for (introduced) Geoffroy’s Marmoset. Overnight at the monastery at Caraça. Day 10. All day at RPPN Caraça for birds, and Maned Wolf in evening. Birds at this site should include the following: Dusky-legged Guan, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Velvety Black Tyrant, White-breasted Tapaculo, Large-tailed Antshrike, White-bibbed, Ochre-rumped and Dusky-tailed Antbirds, Black-capped and Serra Antwrens, Serra Tyrant-Manakin, Grey-eyed Greenlet, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Pale-throated Serra Finch. Day 11. Drive to São Roque de Minas, for Canastra NP. Days 12‒13. Two full days to explore the Serra da Canastra and environs, with target birds including Brazilian Merganser, and mammals including Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, Marsh Deer, Black-tufted Marmoset, and others. We will visit a range of habitats in this area including campo, cerrado and gallery forests. Other possible bird species include Campo Miner, Ochre-breasted and Hellmayr’s Pipits, Golden-capped Parakeet, White-bellied Warbler, Southern Bristle Tyrant, White-eared Puffbird, Black-masked Finch, Brasília Tapaculo, Grey-backed Tachuri, Russet-mantled (Planalto) Foliage-gleaner, Spotted Nothura, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Cock-tailed and Sharp-tailed Tyrants, Crowned Eagle, Helmeted Manakin, Red-winged Tinamou and Yellow-billed Blue Finch. Day 14. Return to Belo Horizonte (Confins airport) and flight to Cuiabá. Overnight at hotel close to the airport. Those wishing to finish the trip can return to Rio de Janeiro. Day 15. Transfer to the Jaguar Ecological Reserve for three nights. Days 16‒17. Birding and mammal watching at the Jaguar Ecological Reserve, along the Cuiabá River and at Porto Jofre, with the main target being Jaguar and other mammals, especially Ocelot, for which this is a superb area. Neotropical and Giant Otters, Crab-eating Racoon, Nine-banded Armadillo, Brazilian Tapir, Black-tailed Marmoset and Red Brocket Deer are also very regularly seen in this area and will be special foci of our time here. Birds, however, will not be ignored: Hyacinth and Golden-collared Macaws are both regularly seen, along with a host of waterbirds but also many passerines. Day 18. Transfer after breakfast to Pousada Araras Ecolodge for a two-night stay. Day 19. All day in the environs of Araras Ecolodge. The boardwalk and tower here should offer especially rewarding wildlife opportunities, with mammals such as Giant Anteater, Marsh Deer, both brocket deer, Black-striped Capuchin, Black Howler and even Tayra. Throughout our time in the Pantanal we will endeavour, wherever possible, to maximise our chances of mammal sightings with dedicated night drives. Birds possible here include Greater Rhea, Maguari Stork, Jabiru, Plumbeous Ibis, Southern Screamer, Chaco Chachalaca, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Black-hooded Parakeet, Turquoise-fronted Parrot, Toco Toucan, Pale-crested and White Woodpeckers, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, White-lored and Chotoy Spinetails, Red-billed Scythebill, Grey-crested Cacholote, Mato Grosso Antbird, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Orange-backed Troupial, and others. Day 20. Early-morning return to Cuiabá for the midday flight to Alta Floresta. (Alternatively, it will be possible to return to São Paulo (but possibly not Rio) for those wishing to end the tour.) Afternoon transfer to Cristalino Jungle Lodge. Days 21‒24. We will spend four idyllic full days at the world-renowned and also extremely comfortable Cristalino Jungle Lodge, located in the south-eastern part of the Amazonian basin. Once thought of as being relatively species-poor compared to the western half of Amazonia, considerable fieldwork in the past two decades has not only revealed that to be untrue, but also that within this relatively endemic-poor region (compared to, for example, the Atlantic Forest), the eastern basin has quite a number of exciting specialities of relatively restricted range. Our time here will consist of regular afternoon boat trips, which should not only produce many interesting bird sightings but are also good for mammals such as Brazilian Tapir (sometimes even swimming alongside our boat!) and both otter species. Mornings will spent immersing ourselves in the greatest avifauna on Earth, either at the tower (where White-whiskered Spider Monkey is regularly seen) or along one of the easy trails. Among the more exciting possibilities are White-browed Hawk, Harpy Eagle, Cryptic Forest-Falcon, Dark-winged Trumpeter, Razor-billed Curassow, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Kawall’s Parrot, Blue-cheeked Jacamar, Rufous-necked Puffbird, Black-girdled Barbet, Gould’s Toucanet, Red-necked Aracari, Glossy Antshrike, Bare-eyed Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye, Flame-crested and Snow-capped Manakins, Tooth-billed Wren, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak, but we should well over 200 species in our few days here. Day 25. Return to Alta Floresta for mid-afternoon flight to Cuiabá. Day 26. Return flights to São Paulo and / or Rio de Janeiro for international departures.
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Itinerary: Duration: 26 days or parts of this tour Limit: 4-8 Date: September 2012 Start: Rio de Janeiro End: Rio de Janeiro Includes: Meals Accommodation Entrance fees Guiding fees & local guide All transport while on tour Excludes: International flight to Brazil Personal Insurance Alcoholic Beverages Gratuities Laundry Personal expenses such as gifts
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