Brazil’s Atlantic Forests
From the mountains to the lowland forests near the coast, this adventure offers colorful birds, endemic rarities, and breathtaking landscapes in a major biodiversity hotspot. During our first forays, we might see some colorful jewels such as Green-headed, Gilt-edged, and Burnished-buff tanagers. A few hours away is one of the most successful forest restoration initiatives in Latin America. Here, more than 22,000 acres of natural habitat are protected, including lowland forest, highland forest, riverine forest, and wetland, with an altitudinal range that varies from near sea level to over 6,500 feet. We’ll also make a side trip to see Golden Lion Tamarins and have two nights in Rio to visit the famous sights and experience the local culture.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from home airports on overnight flights to Rio de Janiero.
Day 2
We meet at Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GAL) and drive about 3 hours to Itatiaia National Park, the first National Park in Brazil. Once we arrive at the park, we’ll start birding, and could already find such prizes as Green-headed Tanagers and many more. We’ll check in to our hotel in the late afternoon. At night, we will be looking for one of the most famous residents of this lodge: the Tawny-browed Owl.
Night: Hotel do Ype
Meals: LD
Day 3
After an early breakfast, we start birding the many trails in the park. Among our targets today are Spot-winged Wood-Quail; Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail; Brown Tanager; Pin-tailed, Blue, and Greenish manakin; Saffron and Spot-billed toucanets; Plumbeous Pigeon; Atlantic Black-throated Trogon; White-eared Puffbird; Rufous-capped Motmot; Bare-throated Bellbird; Bertoni’s Antbird; Ochre-rumped Antbird; White-bearded Antshrike; Hangnest Tody-Tyrant; Such’s Antthrush; Rufous Gnateater; Red-ruffed Fruitcrow; Rough-legged Tyrannulet; Large-headed Flatbill; Gilt-edged Tanager; and Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s seedeater. At noon, we’ll stop for lunch and have a short break at our hotel, then continuing birding in the afternoon.
Night: Hotel do Ype
Meals: BLD
Day 4
This morning, we’ll start very early and drive to the upper part of the Itatiaia National Park (altitudes above 2.000 meters) where we’ll bird the Agulhas Negras Road looking for specialties of the highlands. Here, we have good chances of finding Giant and Large-tailed antshrikes, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Brown-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Fawn-breasted and Brassy-breasted tanagers, Black-and-Gold Cotinga, Itatiaia Spinetail, Brazilian Antthrush, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Black breasted Plover-Crest, Great Pampa-Finch, Thick-billed Saltator, Golden-winged Cacique, Oustalet’s and White crested tyrannulets, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Diademed Tanager, and many more. We return to the hotel for lunch, and in the afternoon may bird the road again or opt for birding a trail near the hotel.
Night: Hotel do Ype
Meals: BLD
Day 5
This morning, we can bird a bit near the hotel and then check-out and drive to Reserva Ecologica Guapiaçu (REGUA), an ambitious conservation project that is restoring habitat and protecting wetlands. In the afternoon, we’ll walk around the property looking for Rufous sided Crake, White-barred Piculet, and Blond-crested Woodpecker, among many others.
Night: REGUA
Meals: BLD
Day 6
This morning we’ll bird the trail that circles the wetlands, where over 220 bird species have been recorded, with great chances of finding the scarce Masked Duck, Boat-billed Heron, Pinnated Bittern, Capped Heron, and several species of rails. The wetland is also an excellent place to watch for soaring raptors during the late morning, including Rufous-thighed Kite, Crane Hawk, and Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle.
In the afternoon we’ll bird the Brown Trail, which crosses mostly second-growth forest in a relatively flat terrain. The habitat here favors species such as Ruddy Quail-Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Rufous-capped Motmot, Blue Ground-Dove, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, and the near-threatened Black-legged Dacnis, along many other species.
Hotel: REGUA
Meals: BLD
Day 7
Today we will explore the Brown Trail, inside the property. In 2004, REGUA began replanting much of the land near the lodge with native trees. This trail passes through these areas, which are being colonized by a wealth of wildlife. As the trees mature and the young forest becomes more established, the open country bird species such as Grassland Sparrow and Yellowish Pipit have been replaced by forest dwelling species including Ruddy Quail-Dove, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, and Rufous-capped Motmot, as well as species associated with scrub and open forest such as Blue Ground Dove and Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike. The near-threatened Black-legged Dacnis is now regularly found along this trail during the austral winter, and even the rare Shrike-like Cotinga is starting to show up here. This trail is also a reliable spot to find lekking male White-bearded Manakins.
Night: REGUA
Meals: BLD
Day 8
After an early breakfast we’ll drive for about two hours to Pico da Caledônia, one of the highest peaks in the Serra dos Órgãos Mountains, reaching 2,219 meters. On a clear day the views from the top are truly spectacular. The montane forest here is one of only two known sites (and by far the most accessible and reliable) where the extremely rare and elusive Gray-winged Cotinga may be found. We start the day birding the elfin forest near the summit searching for the rare Gray-winged Cotinga, Itatiaia Thistletail, and other high-altitude specialties including Plovercrest, Large-tailed Antshrike, Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, and many more. In the late morning, we drive part way back down the mountain for lunch, before spending the early afternoon birding another trail at lower altitude while enjoying the fantastic scenery. Birds here include Dusky-tailed Antbird, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black-and-gold Cotinga, and Mouse-colored Tapaculo.
Night: REGUA
Meals: BLD
Day 9
Today, we’ll leave after breakfast and drive for about two and a half hours to Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas, where we’ll be looking for the rare Golden Lion Tamarin, a threatened species of primate only found here. We’ll learn about the conservation initiatives and watch birds while we walk the forest in search of these enigmatic creatures. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the city of Rio de Janeiro, where we’ll stay in a hotel near Copacabana Beach
Night: Hotel Windsor Copacabana
Meals: BL
Day 10
Founded in 1565, the city of Rio de Janeiro has a huge importance in Brazil’s history. It was the seat of the Portuguese Royal Court in the 19th century and Brazil’s capital until the late 60s, when it then moved to Brasilia. Rio was the world’s first city to be listed as Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and offers visitors a great variety of attractions beyond the beaches and the Samba. Today, we’ll explore the city guided by a local insider, including the Botanical Garden and Corcovado Mountain and its famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, the nice ocean views, and a lot more that only someone that lives locally could unveil. Lunch will be at a Churrascaria, the famous Brazilian steak house, and we return to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon.
Night: Hotel Windsor Copacabana
Meals: BL
Day 11
Today we don’t have any activities scheduled apart from getting to the airport in time for our overnight flights back home from Rio.
Meals: B
Day 12
Arrival back at home airports.
Tour Leader
Andy Griswold
Andy has conducted bird surveys for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and been participating as a CBC captain for nearly 30 years. He has been a consultant to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism concerning development of birding tourism in its more remote islands. Andy leads trips to Canada, Texas, South Florida, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, and many other destinations. Andy is a licensed USCG 100-Ton Master boat captain and lives in Essex, Connecticut, with Marilou, his wife, and Sam, their son. He is known for his attentiveness to traveler's needs, fine birding skills, and infectious sense of humor.
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
More Trips
