Tour Destinations

Itatiaia National Park
Kicking our tour off with this global birding destination, we will enjoy two nights in Itatiaia (ee-tah-tchee-AIE-ah) getting acquainted with a whole host of magnificent birds endemic to the “atlantic rainforest” of Southeast Brazil, the focus of this whole tour.
The nation’s oldest national park, created in 1937, it spans parts of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, and is about a 4-hour drive from Sao Paulo.  Ranging in altitude from 1800 to 9000 feet, the altitudinal gradient in the park provides a diverse variety of habitats, from humid Atlantic Forest in lower elevations to Mountaintop Grasslands in higher elevations, resulting in a shockingly diverse avifauna with over 350 species recorded. Based at Hotel do Ypê within the National Park, we will explore the various nearby trails on the lower reaches of the park as well as the cool and humid highlands. Itiatiaia Spinetail is a local endemic, and the most range-restricted species in the area. Other highlights include Gilt-edged Tanager, Magpie Tanager, Olive-green Tanager, Star-throated Antwren, Velvety Black-Tyrant, Swallow-tailed Manakin, and Frilled Coquette, Red-breasted Toucan, and Maroon-tailed Parakeet.

Ubatuba & Paraty
More than just a fun word to say, Ubatuba is a rich area of rainforest along the coast that hosts a number of great, small protected properties full of birds. Birding trails in the forest, we hope to see the adorable Black-cheeked Gnateater, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Blond-crested Woodpecker, and perhaps the rare Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle. At some of the famous bird feeders in the area, we will enjoy smashing looks at the dazzling Red-necked and Green-headed Tanager, as well as the smart Chestnut-bellied Euphonia. Hummingbirds feature prominently here with Black Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, alongside the incredibly unique Saw-billed Hermit and Festive Coquette.

Campos do Jordão
The highest city in Brazil, Campos do Jordão sits at 5,340 feet (1,628m) above sea level in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range. The temperatures are comfortable, with highs in the 70s F, and cool nights. This range is home to a whole suite of unique species only found in the highest reaches of Southeast Brazil. Some key species we will search for are the stunning Black-and-Gold Cotinga, Black-capped Piprites, Pileated Parrot, Green-crowned Plovercrest, and Swallow-tailed Cotinga. The fantastical Araucaria trees, an ancient lineage of trees dating back hundreds of millions of years, form a special forest where rare endemics like the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon, and Araucaria Tit-spinetail are found.

Sítio Macuquinho - Salesópolis
This privately-owned preserve serves as a safe haven for some vulnerable species, and complete with a great feeder setup, good trails, and a few special species, makes for an unforgettable stop on this action-packed trip. More than a dozen hummingbird species visit the feeders, including Amethyst Woodstar, White-throated Hummingbird, and Sapphire-spangled Emerald. Some stars of the area include Great Antshrike, Red-and-White Crake, and White-breasted Tapaculo for which the preserve is named after (Macuquinho is the local name for the Tapaculo).

Intervales State Park
This massive state park was officially founded in 1995, and has since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site to recognize and protect the immense biodiversity of the expansive Atlantic Forest within its boundaries. We have the unique opportunity to spend 3 nights here, exploring all the trails and hidden gems of this verdant rainforest, seeking out some truly spectacular species. Black-fronted Piping-Guan, an endangered species, is a focal bird for us, with its stunning black plumage, red throat wattle, and white face. Hooded Berryeater, Purple-crowned Plovercrest, Long-tufted Screech-Owl, Saffron Toucanet, Bare-throated Bellbird, White-beared Antshrike, and Squamate Antbird are just a few of the dozens of species we will seek out here.