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Brazil:  Pantanal (and more) and Rio Cristalino:  
October 24 to November 2, 2009

with Lelis Navarrete

Though Lelis is the premiere guide for Ecuador, he also leads successful
trips to other parts of South America.   His last several trips to this part of
Brazil have found well nearly 480 species in two weeks with around 420
species seen by the group..  

This trip builds on Lelis' experience with the help of the Partnership for
International Birding's founder Charles Thornton-Kolbe (as host).

This trip includes eight days of birding and wildlife watching. The trip
starts with three days of birding and wildlife watching in Brazil's Pantanal.  
Our plans use well these three days, crossing the three key habitats in
the area.  Another five days will be spent birding and wildlife watching in
the top spot for birding in the Amazonian Rainforest (Rio Cristalino).  A
brief and then nearly full itinerary can be found below.  A full bird list is
available upon request.

Extension Note:  A three day extension is available for additional
productive birding near Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park.

Note:  Full trip reports are available upon request, and include lists of bird
species seen at these locations.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Brief Itinerary

Flight In:  Fly into Sao Paulo on either Friday (October 23, 2009) or Saturday morning early
(October 24, 2009). In the afternoon of October 24, we will catch a flight to Cuiaba from Sao
Paolo.  No matter your flight plans, you should plan to join us for dinner in Cuiaba on
Saturday (October 24) for a chance to meet other participants and for a brief trip
orientation.  Please call before booking your flight to Brazil to minimize additional lodging
and transfers.  Also Note:  As the trip comes closer, booking internal flights can be difficult,
so please contact us soon so that we can get these internal flights booked immediately.

October 25 and 26, 2009:  On Sunday, we begin our journey into the Pantanal and to the
Fazenda Pousa Allegre Reserve for two full days.  Our travels will include numerous
birding and wildlife stops, as we travel through the Pantanal.   We will explore the Pantanal's
key habitats of marshes, islands of forests, and grasslands with different routes each day.  
Wildlife is rich in the area, and Lelis will help us fine many more bird species each day.  We
will easily find Hyacinth Macaws.  Numerous other species of macaws, parrots and
parakeets, toucans, trogons, woodpeckers, birds of prey, and hummingbirds are abundant.  
Water birds are impossible to miss and many species will be seen well.   (More details can
be found below and a complete bird list for the trip is available.)

October 27:  On Tuesday, we continue our Pantanal travels in the morning and head
towards a nearby ranch with very nice lodging and an opportunity to find Harpy Eagle.  The
habitat here is a transition between the Pantanal and the foothills, thus new species can
more easily be found here.

October 28:  On Wednesday morning, we will have time for some additional bird watching at
the ranch and reserve (Curripira das Araras) before we head back to Cuiaba.  From
Cuiaba airport we fly to Alta Floresta and begin our exploration of the Amazonian Rainforest.
 After lunch at the Amazonica Hotel, we will head towards the Rio Cristalino Jungle Lodge.

October 29 to November 1:  Amazonian Rainforest and Rio Cristalino Jungle Lodge:  
The Rio Cristalino Lodge is situated along the confluence of the Rio Cristalino and
Teles-Pires Rivers at the southern edge of the Amazonian Rain Forest.  With 570 bird
species found in the are, this is one of the best birding locations in the Neotropical Rain
Forest.  This famous resort offers superb Brazilian cuisine and a mega diverse array of
birds. Over our five day visit to the area, we will be able to select new routes and trails,
taking advantage of different microhabitats and locations to maximize our opportunity to find
new species each day.  (More details can be found below or contact us for a complete bird
list.)  

November 2 and Flights Home:  After birding all morning near a productive birding spot in a
forested area near the Hotel in Alta Floresta, we will head back to Cuiaba that afternoon.  
Some participants may choose to finish the main trip here, and fly back to Sao Paolo the
next morning (depending on flight plans).

Extension Note for November 2 (in the late PM) to November 5:  The first four participants
signed up for the trip have decided to enjoy a four day extension to Chapada dos
Guimaraes National Park.  This this opportunity to extend the trip is very affordable, taking
advantage of a great opportunity for additional productive birding with Lelis.
Itinerary for Brazil in 2009

Saturday, October 24, 2009:  Flights to Sao Paulo and Then
Cuibaba
  • Fly into Sao Paulo on either Friday (October 23, 2009) or
    Saturday morning early (October 24, 2009). Get a flight on
    October 24 to Cuibaba from Sao Paolo that afternoon.
  • Most participants will arrive in Cuiaba on Saturday,
    October 24 on the late afternoon flight (arriving at about 5
    PM).
  • Depending upon arrival plans, all participants will have
    the opportunity to have dinner with Lelis and myself on
    Saturday, October 24.  We will spend some time during
    the meal reviewing our plans for trip.  

Learn more about our three full days in the Pantanal below the
Bare-faced Currassow as the itinerary is continued.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Itinerary for Brazil in 2009:  Pantanal:  Three Days

Sunday, October 25 to Wednesday, October 28:  Brazil's Pantanal
  • On Sunday and Monday, we will begin with early morning birding at the
    Fazenda Pouso Alegre or some other spot near the lodge.  On most
    days, we will be able to allow participants a choice of excellent early
    morning birding or catching up on their rest.  Bird watching and wild life
    watching from the lodge grounds is good at almost any time, including
    good chances to see Hyacinth Macaws.
  • A number of good birding routes and trails will be available each day.  
    Lelis will select the best routes and choices based upon the weather,
    road quality and the interests of the group participants.  Throughout the
    Pantanal, we will bird in marshes and wetlands, grasslands and
    islands of forested areas.
  • The Pantanal Brasileiro is one of the most amazing habitats in South
    America and is home to a wide variety and interesting groups of bird
    species.  The bird watching will be complemented by countless sights
    of different species of mammals.
  • Some of the bird species we will be looking for include Greater Reha,  
    Maguari Stork, Jabiru, Bare-faced Curassaw, Chaco Chachalaca,
    Chestnut-bellied Guan, Rusty-margined Guan, Ash-throated Crake,
    Picazuro Pigeon, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Scaled Dove, Hyacinth
    Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, Black-hooded Parakeet, Buff-bellied
    Hermit, Ruby Topaz, Gilded Hummingbird, Campo Flicker, White
    Woodpecker,  Pale-crested Woodpecker, Great-rufous Woodcreeper,
    Planalto Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Choty Spinetail,  White-
    lored Spinetail, Gray-crested Cacholote, Matogrosso Antbird, Long-
    billed Antwren, Black-chinned Antbird, White-rumped Monjita, Green-
    backed Becard, and White-naped Xenopsaris  among others.
  • Lelis will lead at least one night time outing which will likely result in
    good views of nearby owls, potoos and nightjars (including Rufous
    Nightjar).

  • On the second day in the Pantanal, we will relay upon Lelis' sound
    judgement on the best way to maximize our opportunities to see new
    bird species and wildlife.  Lelis will select the best routes and choices
    based upon the weather, road quality and the interests of the group
    participants.
  • Many trips in this area add Black-fronted Nunbirds, Guira Cuckoo,
    Southern Screamer, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, and maybe a real gem
    like the Surucua Trogan.  
  • At some point, we will likely find Hyacinth macaws, the largest parrots in
    the world.  They live on the reserve and are easily seen in trees
    surrounding the lodge at which we are staying. Some of the species we
    are likely to see include White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Scarlet-headed
    Blackbird, Whistling Heron, and many more.  For half the year (including
    during our visit) the area also has a tremendous concentration of water
    birds, including numerous heron species and storks.  A full list of bird
    species for this area is available.
  • There are plenty possibilities to see other mammalian wildlife including
    Black Howler Monkey, Giant Anteater, Crab-eating Fox, Giant Otter,
    South American River Otter, Jaguarondi, Ocelot,  Puma, Tapir, Marsh
    Deer, Pampas Deer, and Capybara.

  • On Tuesday, the morning will present another opportunity to explore the
    Pantanal.  Based upon group interest (in terms of timing), we will head
    towards another nearby location that day.  This location is famous for
    Harpy Eagle and hopefully the birds will be nesting nearby.  After
    spending some time birding this Pantanal to foothills transition area,
    we will reach Currupira das Araras for lodging that evening.  

  • On Wednesday morning, we will begin with early morning birding at the
    Curripira das Araras before leaving for the airport at about 9:30 AM.
  • We will need to be in Cuibaba to catch our flights starting at 11:30 AM,
    but this leaves plenty of time for enjoying bird watching in the morning.

Host Note:  Charles Thornton-Kolbe will depart from the group as you all leave
for Rio Cristalino.  At this point, the group will be well acquainted with Lelis’
leadership.  Remember that Lelis leads over twenty birding trips throughout
South America each year (and many of these trips are 2 or 3 weeks in length).   
The vast majority of his clients are English-speaking, and he is well acquainted
with the English language.  You will be in good hands while in Brazil.

See more on our trip as we continue for five days of bird watching in the
Amazonian Rainforest.  The itinerary is continued at the top of the web page
(and to the right) under the Black-girdled Barbet.
Nestling Tour's Covey of Adults
Itinerary for Brazil in 2009:  Continued in Amazonian Rainforest
for Five Days

Wednesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 1:  Amazonian Rainforest
  • On Wednesday, we will take a short flight from Cuibaba to Alta Floresta.
  • Upon arrival we will take a short ride to visit Alta Floresta Hotel (run by the same
    owners that Rio Cristalino reserve) to rest for a while and have lunch before
    continuing with our journey to Rio Cristalino Lodge.
  • The Cristalino Lodge and the Alta Floresta Forest are located in the southern edge
    of the Amazonian Rain Forest with 570 bird species.  This is one of the best birding
    locations in the Neotropical Rain Forest.  The Rio Cristalino Lodge is situated
    along the confluence of the Rio Cristalino and Teles-Pires Rivers.  This famous
    resort offers superb Brazilian cuisine and a mega diverse array of birds and other
    wildlife.
  • As well as being known as one of the greatest rainforest sites for bird watching in
    South America, the Rio Cristalino area includes many microhabitats with various
    well developed trails, allowing easy access to them.  Over our four day visit, we will
    be able to select new routes and trails, taking advantage of different microhabitats
    and locations to maximize our opportunity to find new species each day.  Some of
    the trails that we will be visiting will be have an opportunity to enjoy include  Serra
    Trail, Canopy Tower Trail, Borboletas Trail, Haffer Trail, Rochas Trail, Ilha do
    Cardoso Trail, Castanheira Trail, Cacao Trail, and Bananeira Trail.  The Teles-
    Pires River by itself creates a barrier holding sister species in each side of its
    margins including not only birds species but also monkeys and other fantastic
    wildlife.  The birding and choices here are terrific and choosing the best route for
    each day will leave most participants wanting to stay longer.
  • We will also enjoy the always breathtaking and very rewarding boat rides along Rio
    Cristalino and Teles-Pires Rivers.
  • With easy access to different habitats close to the lodge, short productive early
    morning trips will allow us to visit the Canopy Tower, Terra Firme Forest (second
    growth), the Serra (a rocky outcrop) and perhaps a river island early in the
    morning.  Those needing to rest up can join the group after breakfast on most days.
  • Some of the most interesting birds, which we will be looking for, include Zigzag
    Heron, Dark-winged Trumpeter, White-browed Hawk, the recently described  
    Cryptic Forest Falcon, Razor-billed Curassow, Hellmyer’s Parakeet, the endemic
    Kawall’s Parrot, Pavonine Cuckoo, Black-banded Owl, Blue-necked Jacamar,
    Paradise Jacamar, Brown-banded Puffbird, Collared Puffbird, Spotted Puffbird,
    Black-girdled Barbet, Black-necked Aracari, Gould’s Toucanet, Curl-crested
    Aracari, Curve-billed Scythebill, Cabani’s Spinetail, Chestnut-throated Spinetail,
    Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Peruvian Recurvebill, the endemic Glossy Antshrike,
    Manu Antbird, Wing-banded Antbird, Variegated Antpitta, Spotted Antpitta, Black,
    Pompadour Cotinga, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Fiery-capped Manakin, Ringed
    Antpitpit, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Tooth-billed Wren, Guanianan Gnatcatcher, Gray-
    chested Greenlet and  Red-billed Pied Tanager among others.
  • All of these different habitats, various good trails and boat rides, and Lelis’
    leadership and expertise will help the group find over 200 new species for the trip
    in this area.  Some of the additional species we will may find include Violaceous
    Quail-Dove, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Golden-winged Parakeet, Red-fan Parrot,
    Pheasant  Cuckoo, Ocellated Poorwill, Silky-tailed Nightjar, Red-necked Aracari,
    the endemic Uniform Woodcreeper, Olive-backed (Para) Foliage-gleaner,
    Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Bare-eyed Antbird, Spotted Antpitta, Cinnamon-crested
    Spadebill, Spangled Cotinga, Flame-crowned Manakin, Red-headed Manakin,
    Blue-backed Manakin, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak, White-winged Shrike-
    Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, the extremely rare White-bellied Dacnis and the
    Rose-breasted Chat.  A list of birds found on similar trips is available upon request.

See more on our trip as we continue for few more days of bird watching in the Amazonian
Rainforest.  The itinerary is continued below and under the Black-girdled Barbet.
Chapada dos Guimaraes Extension:  Three Days with Lelis Navarrete

Note:  All participants to date have reviewed the trip report from this fantastic area with beautiful water falls and
protected Cerrado habitat.  With the promise of new species and productive birding with Lelis, all have signed up
for this extension opportunity.

Monday, November 2:  After getting in from Cuiaba, the extension group will depart from the main trip participants for
Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park at pleasant local hotel in that area.  

Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4:  
  • Each morning, we will leave the charming Posada Penhasco hotel for an opportunity for early morning bird
    watching.  
  • Throughout the day, we will enjoy the steep canyons and waterfalls and eye-level views of several high flying
    species.  With plenty of good roads and trails inside the forest, these will continue to be a few more days of
    great birding.
  • The nice temperature and the mild winds blowing through Chapada usually create the right conditions for a
    pleasant afternoon of bird watching, as well.
  • The Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is located in the State of Mato Grosso and was created to protect
    the Cerrado habitat in an uplifted plateau.
  • The area is dominated by the Cerrado habitat with a few patches of forest.  This mix creates additional
    opportunities to find new bird species for the trip.  Some of the species we may see include the Red-winged
    Tinamou, Rusty-margined Guan, Red-legged Seriema, Scaled Pigeon, Blue-winged Macaw, Pearly-breasted
    Cuckoo, Great Dusky Swift, Biscutate Swift, Planalto Hermit, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, White-vented Violet-
    ear, Dot-eared Coquette, Frilled Coquette, Horned Sungem, Amethyst Woodstar, Toco Toucan, Green-barred
    Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Large-billed Antwren, Collared Crescent-Chest, Planalto Tyrannulet,
    Chapada Suiriri, Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant, Southern Antpipit, Cliff Flycatcher, Helmeted Manakin, Fiery-
    capped Manakin, Band-tailed Manakin, Curl-crested Jay, Coal-crested Finch, Green-winged Saltator, Black-
    throated Saltator, Yellow-billed Blue-Finch, White-banded Tanager and White-rumped Tanager.

Thursday, November 5:  After some early morning birding with Lelis, the group will head to the Cuiaba airport for an
11:30 PM flight to Sao Paolo (arriving at about 4 PM).  Nearly all participants should be able to catch a late night flight
home that night.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Photo by Lelis Navarrete.
Brazil 2009
Departing Brazil or Better Yet Trip Extension

Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2:  Rio Cristalino, Alta Floresta and Points Home

  • On Sunday after a morning birding in Rio Cristalino and after lunch, we will transfer to the Alta Floresta Hotel in
    the later afternoon.  The Hotel not only offers a beautiful place to spend the night, but also offers some good
    birding in the late afternoon in the big forest patch just behind the Hotel.  Each trip adds a number of new
    species after birding in this patch.  The patch is reliable for Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Black-girdled Barbet
    and at times Rufous-necked Puffbird, and Collared Puffbird.  The patch has recently had a nesting Harpy Eagle.


  • On Monday morning, we will offer another early birding opportunity at the forest patch behind the Hotel.  After
    lunch, we will leave the hotel and catch our flight back to Cuiaba.
  • From Cuiaba, most participants will be extending the trip (see below).  For those wishing to return home, an
    evening's stay in Cuiaba will likely be required with flights home from Sao Paola the following evening.