PACKAGES

The heartland of Brazil covers an area equal to Western Europe (2,000,000 sq km), and its original vegetation is called “CERRADO”, considered the richest savanna in the world, due to its high plant diversity and endemism. Most of Brazil’s big rivers find their sources here. It’s an area of enormous ecological importance with many areas of spectacular beauty, as the National Park of “Chapada dos Guimarães”, only 55km North East from Cuiabá airport. Its biodiversity includes: 837 birds spices, 161 mammals, 120 reptiles and over 10.000 vascular plants from witch 44% are endemic.

The Pantanal, one of the last great wildernesses, is the largest contiguous wetland on the planet, declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is South America’s primary wildlife sanctuary. With a total area of 240,000 sq km located in the center of the continent, the Pantanal is a biogeography mixing bowl, containing elements of the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforests, the Brazilian Savannah and the Paraguayan Chaco. This fantastic biodiversity includes: 698 birds species, 100 mammals, 177 reptiles, 40 amphibians and over 250 fish species.

Arrival at Cuiabá / Várzea Grande Airport, reception and immediate transfer to the lowlands of Pantanal, passing by the town of Poconé (105 Km), and following on the Transpantaneira Park Road, with several stops to observe birds along the way up to Passo da Ema Ranch Lodge (32 Km).

Welcome drink and check in your accommodation. Light trek in its surroundings for some birding of locals as the Xolomis velatus, Zenaida auriculata and others. Dinner and overnight at Lodge.

Early morning birding at the “Arapaçu “ Trail with great chances to see Campylorhamphus trchilirostris, Xiphocolaptes major, Dryocopus lineatus, Monasa nigrifrons among others.

Lunch at Araras Lodge, followed by a visit to its 25m high tower, above canopy, with possibility to meet Synallaxis albilora, Pseudosseisura unirufa, Galbula ruficauda, Cercomacra melanaria, Attila bolivianus, Thryothorus genibarbis, Tityra cayana and others.

Return to your Lodge in adapted open car ideal for birding, with additional possibilities to see Herpetotheres cachinnans, Sporophila.

After early breakfast, departure towards Pixaim River (34 Km) in open car. Birding along the Transpantaneira (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus, Amblyramphus holosericeus, among others.

Lunch at local lodge, birding in the gallery woods searching for species like Crax fasciolata, Basileuterus flaveolus, Hypocnemoides maculicauda among others.

Than by motor boat along the Pixaim River for the Heliornis fulica, Chloroceryle aenea and many others.

Dinner at local lodge then return doing a nocturnal birding along the Transpantaneira road (Bubo virginianus, Cochlearius cochlearius, Nyctibius griseus, Nyctidromus albicollis and others) return to the lodge for overnight. (B, L, D)

After breakfast trip in open car to the “Sentinela-camp” by the margins of Clarinho river , on the way look for the Sturnella superciliaris, Polistictus pectoralis, Psarocolius decumanus, etc.).

Upon arrival, further birding in kayaks looking for Cranioleuca vulpina, Furnarius leucopus, Trogon curucui and the rare Agamia agami.

Lunch by the campfire than along gallery woods for Antilophia galeata, Hylophilus pectoralis, Conirostrum speciosum, Arremon flavirostris.

Further birding on the savannah on the way back to the lodge. Dinner.

Night tour to look for the night birds (black-crowned night-heron, nacunda nightjar, pauraquee, great horned owl, common potoo, etc.); return and overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

Early morning birding at the lodge ground. After breakfast departure to Chapada dos Guimarães Tablelands, birding on the way, chances for Cyanocorax cyanomelas, Ara chloropterus.

Lunch at local restaurante in front of a beautiful high waterfall. Birding in its surroundings Primolius maracana, Falco rufigularis e Tangara cayana. Ending at the charming Park Eco Lodge. Dinner and Overnight.

Early morning birding at the lodge ground. After breakfast departure by car for a great location for Melanopareia torquata, Nystalus chacuru, Thamnophilus torquatus, Schistchlamys ruficapillus and others.

Lunch at “Morro dos Ventos” local restaurant , followed by a visit to South America’s Geodesic Center, with an amazing view down the plain.

Than visit to another great site for Momotus momota, Eucometis penicillata e Cyanerpes cyaneus. Returning to the Lodge for dinner, after we’ll go for nocturnal birds. Overnight at Lodge.