Birding in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil 10 days

White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus) © Regua

* Price per person in double occupancy
* Land only

The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots. Having evolved in geographical isolation from other forest regions such as the Amazon, the Atlantic Forest is a unique ecosystem with high biodiversity and extremely high levels of endemism. In all some 682 species of birds are found in the Atlantic Forest biome and 199 (29%) of these are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. This tour will allow you to enjoy some of the best birding sites and support conservation efforts.

To introduce you to the wonders of the Altantic Rainforest, we spend Days 1 -5 at REGUA, a reserve in the mountains of the State of Rio de Janeiro, where 436 species of birds have been recorded. REGUA’s habitat ranges from lowland humid evergreen forest and restored wetlands to montane eflin forest 2,000 m above sea level. You will be led by expert guides and enjoy home-cooked meals and warm hospitality.

On Days 6 and 7, we will stop to see the Golden Lion Tamarin and the remarkable habitat restoration work that has done to recover its population; do birding nearby; and, in the city of Rio, see Corcovado, Rio’s famous Botanic Gardens, and the world’s largest urban forest. On Days 8, 9 and 10, we visit the State’s scenic “Costa Verde” (Green Coast) and stay at a lodge in the charming colonial port town of Paraty, with daily excursions to surrounding areas for outstanding birding.

Notes: - Depart USA for Rio de Janeiro (on a Thursday night).

ITINERARY (Land only)

DAY 1 – Arrive City of Rio de Janeiro - Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (Friday)
8:00 am:  Transfer to Guapi Assu Bird Lodge at REGUA(Reserva Ecologica Guapi Assu) – 2 hours drive.
10:15 am:  Meet hosts Nicholas Locke and his wife Raquel.  Birder lodge offers comfortable, clean rooms with air conditioning and private baths. Spectacular views.
12:00 pm:  Home-cooked lunch at the Lodge.
2 p.m. Walking around the wetland , this recently created habitat of 12 hectares , home to caimans , capivaras  you will be able to see innumerous birds.
Key species: Least Grebe, Capped, Cocoi and Striated Herons, White-faced Whisting-Duck, Masked Duck, Snail Kite, Aplomado Falcon, Limpkin, Ash-throated Crake, Giant Snipe ( early morning species) , Orange-winged Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Biscutate Swift, Ringed, Amazon and Green Kingfishers, White Woodpecker, Tail-banded Hornero, Common Thornbird, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Sooty Tyrannulet, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Yellowish Pipit, Long-billed Wren, Brazilian Tanager, White-bellied Seedeater and Chestnut-capped Blackbird.         

Day 2 - Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (Saturday)
Either a day walk or a morning walk on the REGUA green trail to the waterfall. This starts in the 60 year old lowland Atlantic Rainforest that has grown over the scars of past progress. We shall take you to the primevil forest at the waterfall so that you can see for yourself the principles of forest dynamics. Over 80 species recorded so far on this trail and you will be able to see inumerpous speceis.
Key Species: Saw-billed Hermit, Black Jacobin, Brazilian Ruby, Spot-billed Toucanet, Pale-browed Treehunter, Black-capped Foliage-Gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Star-throated Antwren, Unicolored Antwren, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Slaty Bristlefront, Sharpbill, Bare-throated Bellbird, Pin-tailed Manakin, Southern Antpipit, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Elegant Mourner and Golden-chevroned Tanager.

For those choosing a morning walk, the afternoon is used to see some more wetland species. If its dry, a drive to Casa Anibal is a must with its
Key species: Mantled Hawk, Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Plain Parakeet, Channel-billed Toucan, Bare-throated Bellbird, Long-tailed Tyrant, Black-tailed Tityra, Long-billed Wren, White-necked Thrush, Brazilian Tanager, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Crescent chested Puffbird, Eastern striped Manakin and Yellow-green Grosbeak. In the evening, REGUA produces a slide show explaining the history of the REGUA project, its mission and its accomplishments to date. Owls are heard and the garden has its enigmatic visior, the Tawny browed owl

Day 3 - Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (Sunday)
We leave REGUA early morning for Macaé de Cima which lies near the city of Nova Friburgo and comprises an area of montane forest reaching an altitude of c.1,400 m. On this excursion we visit several areas at different altitudes, with most of our time spent at a private orchid reserve at the top of the mountain, owned by renowned orchid expert David Miller. The forest here offers some of the easiest access to high altitude Atlantic Forest specialties, with most of the birding done from the dirt road. David Miller's Orchid Reserve also has hummingbird feeders that provide excellent photographic opportunities.
Key species: Black Hawk-Eagle, Barred Forest-Falcon, Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst Woodstar, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Bertonis, Ochre-rumped and Dusky-tailed Antbirds, Rufous Gnateater, Rufous-tailed (Brazilian) Antthrush,  Rufous-capped and Pallid Spinetails, Red-eyed Thornbird, White-browed Foliage-gleaners, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Drab-breasted Bamboo-Tyrant, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed Grey-Tyrant, Sharpbill, Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin,  Greenish Schiffornis, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Chestnut-headed and Azure-shouldered Tanagers, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, Green-winged Saltator and White-browed Warbler.

Day 4 - Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (Monday)
In the morning we would offer you a walk to Waldenoor, with mid elevation montane forests with over 80 bird species present including.
Key species: Saffron Toucanet, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Frilled coquette 
The afternoon can be used for either the Casa Anibal trail or the wetland trail and walking short trails around the lodge. The nursery where over 50 000 trees have been grown for planting is a must!!

Day 5 - Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (Tuesday)
Once again we shall leave REGUA for another full day excursion for Pico da Caledonia is one of the highest peaks in the Serra dos Orgãos mountains reaching 2,219 m above sea level. 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 Grey-winged Cotinga may be found. This site is also known for it's isolated population of Itatiaia Thistletail as well as the high altitude.
Key species: Red-legged Seriema, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed and Dusky-tailed Antbirds, Rufous Gnateater, Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Itatiaia Thistletail, Pallid Spinetail, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Highland Elaenia, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Grey-winged Cotinga, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch, Green-winged Saltator and White-browed Warbler.

DAY 6 – Poço das Antas Biological Reserve (Wednesday)
7:00 am:  Depart REGUA for the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve
9:00 am:   Arrive Poço das Antas / Watch the Golden Lion Tamarins (GLT)
11:00 am:  Talk on habitat restoration and reintroduction of GLT into the wild
12:15 pm:  Lunch at local restaurant
3:30 pm:   Visit to ‘restinga’ habitat to see rare Formicivora litoralis
7:00 pm:   Arrive at hotel in Rio de Janeiro / evening free
Key species: Golden Lion Tamarin

DAY 7 –Rio de Janeiro (Thursday) 
7:00 am - Breakfast
8:00 am – Leave for tour of Rio’s Botanic Garden 
12:00 pm – Lunch downtown at Colombo’s
2:00 pm – Jeep Tour of Corcovado and Tijuca Forest
7:30 pm -  Rio Scenarium: live music.
Key species: Channel-billed toucan, Slaty-breasted woodrail, Flame-crested tanager, Red-necked tanager, Red-shouldered macaw among others.
 
Day 8 – Rio de Janeiro - Costa Verde (Friday)
7:00 am – Breakfast / Check out from Hotel Ipanema Plaza
8:30 am – Transfer to Costa Verde / Pousada do Corsário (Paraty)
12:00 pm: Check in Pousada do Corsário
12:30 pm: Lunch and beach (Pousada do Corsário)
 3:30 pm:  Birding nearby to see Formicivora erythronotos
Key species: Black-hooded antwren, Buff-throated purpletuft, Bare-throated bellbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Fork-tailed tody flycatcher, Spot-backed antshrike, Squamate antbird and much more.
 
Day 9 – Paraty (Saturday)
7:00 am – Breakfast
 8:00 am – Leave for Birding near colonial port town of Paraty
 12:45 pm: Lunch at Margarida Café restaurant
2:00 pm:  Walking tour of Paraty
Key species: Tufted antshrike, Lined seedeater, Rufous-bellied puffbird, Blond-crested woodpecker.

 Day 10 – Paraty - Ubatuba (Sunday)
a.m. Morning birding at Fazenda Angelim
Lunch
p.m. Afternoon birding at Sitio Folha seca
Key species: Spotted bamboo wren, Sharpbill, Slaty bristlefront, Sombre hummingbird, Festive coquette, Redish Hermit, Saw billed hermit.
  
Day 11 – Paraty - Rio de Janeiro (Monday)
a.m. Morning birding
10:00 am - Transfer to Rio de Janeiro for flight to Extension or back to USA.

SUGGESTED EXTENSIONS:
Birdwatching in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands - 5 days
Birdwatching in Iguassu National Park - 4 days

General Information

Capacity:	Minimum of 7 / Maximum of 12
Guide Language:	English. Other language upon request
Level:	Easy Level Program
Not Included:	Medical expenses and hospitalization. Beverages. Any type of insurance. Drinks, tours not mentioned above, and extras expenses
Personal Gear:	T-shirts, cap, shorts, hiking shoes, jeans or tracksuit, swimsuit, sunscreen and mosquito repellent and binoculars.

The price includes:

1) TRANSFERS (Ground transportation)
- Rio de Janeiro Int'l Airport to the Guapi Assu Lodge
- Guapi Assu Lodge to the Golden Lion Tamarin reserve, continuing to Rio ( Ipanema Plaza Hotel)
- Rio de Janeiro to Parati on the 'Costa Verde'
- Parati back to the Rio de Janeiro Int'l Airport

2) TOURS / EXCURSIONS with English-speaking guides
a. At Guapi Assu Lodge, daily outings with its guides (3 days)
b. From Guapi Assu Lodge, two full-day guided tours, respectively, to Macae de Cima and Pico da Caledonia (2 days)
c. At Golden Lion Tamarin Association, a guided tour to see Golden Lion Tamarins and a talk on their conservation work
d. In the city of Rio de Janeiro,
- a tour of Rio's famous Botanic Garden;
- a jeep tour of the Tijuca Forest (the world's largest urban forest) and Corcovado and its Christ the Redeemer statue
- a walking tour (with lunch) in Rio's historic center.
e. Also in Rio, an evening of Brazilian music at Rio Scenarium in the city's historic center
f. In Parati, a walking tour of the colonial port town (which attracts people from around the world)
g. From Parati, excursions with expert birder Rick Simpson to see local wildlife (2 days)

3) LODGING
a. 5 nights at Guapi Assu Bird Lodge
b. 2 nights at the four-star Ipanema Plaza Hotel
c. 3 nights at the Pousada do Corsario

4) MEALS - all the meals indicated in the detailed itinerary.
To recap, this means:
- 10 Breakfasts (Days 2 - 11). Brazilian breakfasts are famous with their abundance including tropical fruits and juices
- Lunch (typically the main meal of the day in Brazil) - all ten days
- Dinner - the five days at the Guapi Assu Lodge