Overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, we will transfer into our private air-conditioned transport for the 3-hour drive to the fabulous Itatiaia National Park. Here we stay at a wonderful place, now famous amongst birders. It is a well-run family hotel located in pristine mountainous Atlantic forest at about 3500 feet, with a fantastic view of the wooded valley. The lovely forested grounds abound with birds such as Dusky-legged Guan and a resident pair of both Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Tawny-browed Owl. Hummingbird feeders provide non-stop entertainment of spectacular gems - - Brazilian Ruby, Frilled Coquette, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Black Jacobin, Versicolored Emerald, and White-throated Hummingbird. The striking Saffron Toucanet, Golden-chevroned, and Green-headed Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, and Blue-naped Chlorophonia often visit the fruit feeders near the hotel veranda. The hotel offers two large swimming pools (one inside and heated), a sauna, great Brazilian food, and first-rate service. We have five nights at this charming hotel.

We'll have four full days to explore Brazil's foremost national park, where we will visit the highlands for several high altitude specialists including the stunning Plovercrest, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Itatiaia (Thistletail) Spinetail, Gray-bellied and Pallid Spinetails, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Giant, Large-tailed, and Variable Antshrikes, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Greenish Tyrannulet, Velvety-black Tyrant, Brown-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Black-capped Piprites, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Thick-billed Saltator, Bay-chested and Rufous(Red)-rumped Warbling Finch, Brassy-breasted, Diademed, and Fawn-breasted Tanagers, and Golden-winged Cacique. Lower down in the park we will walk lovely trails and traffic-free roads festooned with bromeliads and native bamboo. Here we will search for Spot-winged Wood-Quail, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Red-capped and Scaly-headed Parrots, Rufous-capped Motmot, Red-breasted and Arial (Channel-billed) Toucans, Spot-billed Toucanet, Yellow-browed and Robust Woodpeckers, White-barred Piculet, Planalto and White-throated Woodcreepers, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Pale-browed Treehunter, White-browed and Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaners, Star-throated Antwren, Ferruginous, White-bibbed, Ochre-rumped, and Bertoni's Antbirds, the rare and endangered White-bearded Antshrike, Cryptic Antthrush, Variegated Antpitta, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Gray-capped and White-crested Tyrannulets, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Atlantic Royal Flycatcher, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Gray-hooded and Rufous-tailed Attilas, Blue (Swallow-tailed) Manakin, Sharpbill, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Rufous-headed, Gilt-edged, Ruby-crowned, Green-headed and Chestnut-headed Tanagers, the odd-looking endemic Brown Tanager, Black-legged Dacnis (rare and nomadic), Green-winged Saltator, and many more. The bizarre duets of Masked Titi Monkeys ring out around the valleys and we may see a Tayra crossing the trail. We will drink our Caipirinhas, the Brazilian national drink, to a wonderful sunset as Chestnut-banded Nighthawks hunt insects over the pool, while the resident Tawny-browed and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls start their territorial songs.

After a last morning's birding and a good lunch at the hotel, we will drive to Rio to the International Airport for our connections to Iguacu. Upon our arrival we'll transfer to the Hotel Cataratas within the National Park. We'll bird near the falls in the afternoon with the ever-present swirling clouds of Great Dusky Swifts. Other birds of interest include Reddish-bellied Parakeet, Toco Toucan, Plush-crested Jay, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Green-headed and Swallow Tanagers, and the chance to see the endangered Black-throated Piping Guan.

We will spend the entire day birding on the private Poco Preto road with a park guard. This semi-tropical forest holds many goodies including Solitary Tinamou, Rusty-margined Guan, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Black-throated and Surucua Trogons, Rufous-capped Motmot, Rusty-breasted Nunlet, Robust, Yellow-fronted and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, with a chance for the rare Helmeted Woodpecker! Also found in this habitat are Ochre-collared Piculet, White-throated and Lesser Woodcreepers, White-eyed and Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaners, Rufous-breasted Leaftosser, Gray-bellied Spinetail, Short-tailed Antthrush, Sao Paulo Tyrannulet, Southern Bristle-Tyrant, Southern Antpipit, Three-striped Flycatcher, Russet-winged Spadebill, Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Swallow-tailed Manakin, Greenish Shiffornis, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Eastern Slaty Thrush, Neotropical River Warbler, Black-goggled and Hooded Tanagers, Chestnut-vented Conebill, and Saffron-billed Sparrow. Our second night at Hotel Cataratas.

After an early morning flight to Sao Paulo we will connect with our flight to Cuiaba. Upon arrival we will go to the best Churrascaria (Brazilian barbecue) in town. Here the wonderful food and friendly Brazilian atmosphere offer a perfect addition to our tour. After lunch we'll drive to Pocone and enter the famous Transpantaneiro dirt road and commence our adventure! Birding en route as we enter the vast Pantanal will introduce us to this world-class waterbird stronghold. Highlights will include the massive 747 of the bird world, the stately Jabiru. Shrinking pools are alive with life including Wood and Maguari Storks, White-necked, Whistling, and Capped Herons, Roseate Spoonbill, Plumbeous, Bare-faced, Green, and Buff-necked Ibis, Southern Screamer, Sunbittern, and Gray-necked Wood-Rail. Snail Kites, so endangered in Florida, are perhaps the most common raptor here and feed on both Apple Snails (Pomacea) and freshwater crabs. Other common raptors include Great Black, Crane, Black-collared, and Savannah Hawks. The Pantanal is home to one of the most spectacular members of the parrot family and one of our many big target species, the endangered Hyacinth Macaw. Banks are lined with staggering numbers of Yellow Caiman along with herds of the world's largest rodent, the Capybara, grazing the grasslands. Possibilities also include one of the world's largest snakes, the spectacular Yellow Anaconda that often is observed sunning itself or crossing the road! We will arrive around dusk at our lovely family run Pousada nestled beside the wonderfully rich, picturesque Pixiam River. We'll have two nights here where the lodge offers rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and great home cooking.

A tremendous chorus comprising a cacophony of Limpkin, Chaco Chachalaca, Plumbeous Ibis, Pauraque, and flocks of noisy Turquoise-fronted Parrots greets us as dawn breaks. Today we will explore this amazingly rich area by foot and also along the road. The nearby river and gallery forest abound with life and we can regularly observe 150-180 different bird species in a single day! The gallery forest holds such gems as Pale-crested Woodpecker, Rusty-backed Spinetail, Band-tailed and Mato Grosso Antbirds, Large-billed Antwren, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Helmeted Manakin, Masked Gnatcatcher, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Fawn-breasted Wren, and Flavescent Warbler. Around the lodge we should see Greater Rhea, Whistling Heron, Toco Toucan, Purplish Jay, Yellow-billed and Red-crested Cardinals, Saffron Finch, and Bay-winged Cowbird, while kingfishers abound along the Pixiam River. After lunch we can take a siesta or a dip in the pousada's pool. Later in the afternoon as the temperature starts to drop we will take a fantastic boat trip along the rich Pixiam River. Here ALL FIVE KINGFISHER SPECIES are possible, as are Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Sungrebe and Sunbittern, and often the strange frog-eating Boat-billed Heron. We will search for the endangered Chestnut-bellied Guan and Black-hooded Parakeet; even the rare Agami Heron in all its splendor is possible! Mammals abound and the rare opportunity of a close encounter with resident families of Giant River Otters is a true highlight. Both Black Howler and Black-capped Capuchin Monkeys are regularly seen along the forested riverbanks. As night falls, Band-tailed and Nacunda Nighthawks grace the air as they leave their daytime roosts to hunt insects. We will have dinner and spend the night at the lodge.

After a hearty breakfast we will explore further into the Pantanal, birding our way to our encounter with the world's largest and most spectacular parrot, the Hyacinth Macaw. En route we will be looking for Bare-faced Curassow, Southern Lapwing, Wattled Jacana, Large-billed Tern, Brazilian Teal, Campo Flicker, Golden-green and Little Woodpeckers, Yellow-chevroned and Peach-fronted Parakeets, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Great Antshrike, Rust-backed Antwren, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Thrush-like Wren, and the exotic Chotoy Spinetail. Mammal possibilities include Silvery Marmoset, Collared Anteater, and the endangered Marsh (Pampas) Deer. We will arrive for lunch. The owners are proud to protect a healthy wild population of the magnificent Hyacinth Macaws that are resident and breeding on the grounds of the lodge. This allows us a unique opportunity to enjoy these truly magnificent creatures in their full glory! This afternoon we may push deeper into the Pantanal to explore some interesting large grasslands and marshes. Dinner and our night are at the simple but clean, well-run family lodge. A night excursion with spotlighting will be a highlight and our best chance to look for the rarely seen king of the food chain, the magnificent Jaguar! Other possibilities include Ocelot, Crab-eating Raccoon, Crab-eating Fox, or even a huge Brazilian Tapir. Nightbirds here include Gray (Common) Potoo, Pauraque, and Little, Spot-tailed, and Scissor-tailed Nightjars.

Today we'll explore the gallery forest reserve that holds Blue-throated Piping Guan, Golden-collared Macaw, Scaly-headed Parrot, Bare-faced Curassow, Undulated Tinamou, Guira Cuckoo, White and Green-barred Woodpeckers, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Blue-crowned Trogon, Black-fronted Nunbird, White-lored Spinetail, Rufous Casiornis, Guira, Hooded and Gray-headed Tanagers, Chestnut-vented Conebill, and much more. After lunch we will bird our way back to the lovely family run Pousada, where we spend the next two nights.

We have another full day to explore this wonderful area, look for anything we may have missed, and enjoy the abundant natural life. Another pleasant afternoon boat trip is included.

After breakfast we will say good-bye to this paradise and bird our way out of the Pantanal en route to Cuiaba, for lunch at the Brazilian churrascaria. After a good meal we drive 40 miles of paved road to Chapada National Park. The canyon lands of the "Chapada dos Guimaraes" form part of the Brazilian Planalto Central. These magnificent red sandstone formations are reminiscent of the northeastern Arizona landscape. Chapada National Park protects rich, specialized cerrado vegetation with its unique fauna and flora. As we ascend the plateau we wind through strange rock formations and patches of rich cerrado and gallery forest. A spectacular view greets us as we arrive at our new Pousada home for two nights. Each room has a private bathroom and air-conditioning and a breathtaking balcony view! After checking in we drive just a short distance to a spectacular sandstone canyon where a 270-foot waterfall plunges into a wooded gallery forest. Here we expect to have a great spectacle as roosting parrots arrive, including the rare and endangered Blue-winged Macaw, Red-and-green Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, and Blue-headed Parrot. On occasion great spiraling flocks of Great Dusky Swifts swirl in to roost behind the waterfalls. Night and dinner at our Pousada.

Awakening to the cooler climate, we will explore the fascinating cerrado and its abundant and unique avifauna. The haunting calls of Red-legged Seriema (bizarre, looking like an African Secretary-bird) and Red-winged Tinamou fill the fresh morning air. Specialties include Aplomado Falcon, Horned Sungem, White-vented Violet-ear, White-eared Puffbird, Checkered Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Collared Crescentchest, the newly-described Chapada Flycatcher, Curl-crested Jay, both White-rumped and White-banded Tanagers, Blue and Coal-crested Finches, Black-throated Saltator, Plumbeous Seedeater, and possibly the rare Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant. Later, as temperatures rise, the exploration of rich gallery forest may produce Rusty-margined Guan, Pavonnine and Pheasant Cuckoos, Planalto and Cinnamon-throated Hermits, Dot-eared Coquette, White-bellied Warbler, Swallow Tanager, Saffron-billed Sparrow, and Band-tailed Manakin. An afternoon visit to the geodesic center of South America may produce good raptors. Harpy and Crowned Eagles are both possible, as is a kettle of elegant Plumbeous and Swallow-tailed Kites. Dinner and night at the same Pousada.

After another morning exploring this magical area, we will have lunch and return to Cuiaba to catch our afternoon connections to Sao Paulo and prepare for the return flights home, the finale of an incredible Brazilian Adventure!

Arrive home after an overnight flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Barry Walker, the owner of Manu Expeditions will lead this tour. Barry's goal will be to give you the most bird-filled, worry-free, birding experience possible. He is highly experienced with the birds of Brazil. Local guides will also assist you along the way.

The tour fee is approximately $5395 per person based upon double occupancy and a minimum of five participants. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge of $535. If single accommodations are unavailable at a particular location, as sometimes occurs, you will be refunded that portion of your extra charge.

Expert guide service, all ground, air, and boat transportation within Brazil, entrance fees, ALL MEALS, and lodging each night of the tour. ALL TIPS are also included, except for anything that you wish to give to your leader and guides.
Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, departure tax, or international airfare to and from Brazil. Upon request, BIRD TREKS' travel agent will obtain the best possible airfare and coordinate your flight into Rio de Janeiro.

A $1300 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 20 June 2008. Send your deposit SOON so that we can secure the least expensive airfare to Rio and guarantee your spot on the tour.

We offer the services of our exclusive BIRD TREKS travel agent, Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 years of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail lori@baileytravel.com. By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.

With written notice more than 90 days prior to the first day of the tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 service fee. With 30-90 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your spot on the tour. No partial refund can be give once a tour begins. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the following link to Access America or contact BIRD TREKS for information on obtaining this coverage.