The Best of Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest

Tour Code: BRA05

A relaxed 10-day birdwatching tour of Brazil's endemic-rich Atlantic rainforests, enjoyed from the comfort of two comfortable eco-lodges.

10 days from
£4,095 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£3,395
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

On this tour we will be staying in two comfortable lodges, both within protected areas of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. Half of the 103 bird species designated as ‘endangered’ in Brazil occur in the Atlantic forests and many other rare species are known only from this area. Our first base, Eco-lodge Itororo, is situated at an altitude of 1,200 metres within the Tres Picos State Park. We will spend the first four days going in search of this area’s dazzling array of bird species before transferring to our second base, the Guapi Assu Bird Lodge which overlooks the Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Assu (REGUA). The reserve provides an excellent contrast in habitats and species from Tres Picos and we’ll explore the wetlands as well as lowland Atlantic forest, together with Serra dos Orgaos National Park in search of owls such as Tawny-browed Owl, cotingas including Shrike-like Cotinga, a dazzling array of hummingbirds and many more species.

  • Explore the stunning Atlantic rainforest
  • Enjoy a host of exotic species, from Toucans to Hummingbirds
  • Over 60 species of endemic birds possible
  • Comfortable lodges, with a flexible programme
  • Unique Atlantic rainforest
  • Expertly guided by Andy Foster

Grading

Grade A/B. Most walks on this tour are undemanding, however, the High Altitude excursion at Pico de Caledonia and the Green Trail at Regua require a little experience in walking in montane and uneven terrain.

The Atlantic rainforests of south-eastern Brazil offer the visiting birder a wealth of species that include a large number of endemics. Less than 7% of the original forest cover now remains in the state of Rio de Janeiro but, thankfully, the majority of this is now protected. Half of the 103 bird species designated as ‘endangered’ in Brazil occur in the Atlantic forests and many other rare species are known only from this area. This rare habitat provides a wonderful base for this new tour, our time here being split between two very comfortable lodges, both situated in protected areas.

Eco-lodge Itororo, located in the Tres Picos State Park, is situated at an altitude of 1200 metres and offers the perfect location from which to observe a whole host of endemic birds. Over 150 species of bird have been recorded in the lodge’s grounds alone and the feeders here offer a quite remarkable opportunity to photograph a stunning mixture of colourful tanagers, parakeets and toucanets. Using the lodge as a base, we will access the higher altitude areas for the first four days of the tour, where we can expect to see a dazzling array of species, with highlights likely to include Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga and the stunning Plovercrest.

The Guapi Assu Bird Lodge is beautifully situated on a small hill overlooking the restored wetland area of the Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Assu (REGUA). The wetlands, together with the surrounding lowland forests, provide the perfect contrast to the higher areas explored earlier in the tour and here we are likely to encounter an exciting variety of new species. Exploring the lowland areas of the Atlantic forest, together with the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, new birds are likely to include Rufous-sided Crake, Giant Snipe, Rufous-capped Motmot, Channel-billed Toucan, Tawny-browed Owl, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and Shrike-like Cotinga.

Based in two very comfortable lodges, with a plethora of birds on their doorsteps, excellent photographic opportunities, and a flexible itinerary that allows you to opt in and out of the daily excursions, this tour is designed for those of you that enjoy birdwatching, but do not want to be tied in to a rigidly fixed programme. 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart UK
Day 2
Ecolodge Itororo
Day 3
Pico de Caladonia
Day 4
Three-toed Jacamar Excursion
Day 5
Portao Azul and Theodoro Trail
Day 6
Ecolodge Itororo
Day 7
Transfer to Regua and explore wetland trails
Day 8
Serra dos Orgaos National Park
Day 9
Regua Wetlands and transfer to Rio
Day 10
Arrive UK
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: All accommodation is provided at Ecolodge Itororo lodge and REGUA lodge. Twin rooms have en suite facilities. There is a natural swimming pool at the lodge.
  • Food: All food is provided. Some of the lunches will be in picnic form.
Reviews
Extensions

Extensions

Giant Anteater Extension - Pantanal

Price on Request
View Details
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 28th Jan – Thu 6th Feb SPACES £4,095
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£490
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Andy Foster
Thumbnail IMG 0595

Tour Leader: Andy Foster

Andy fell in love with Brazil during his first visit there in 1995. After numerous visits over the following years Andy set up Serra dos Tucanos Lodge together with his wife Cristina, basically to be able to continue birding within this endemic rich area! Serra dos Tucanos Lodge remained open for the next 14 years until they moved the whole operation up to their new base Itororo Lodge.

Andy previously worked at a nature reserve on the south coast of England, he was based in the field for the majority of his work and was responsible for bird and botanical surveys, which is how he developed his passion for birding. He was responsible for helping with the establishment of a local wetland reserve and conservation NGO based in the State of Rio de Janeiro. From there he went on to establish Serra dos Tucanos lodge and begun to guide birding tours within the local area.

Having now spent over 20 years birding within the Tres Picos State Park in the state of Rio de Janeiro Andy knows the local area extremely well, and has spent numerous hours in the field guiding birding trips and sharing his knowledge of the local birds with many guests!

Fri 14th Nov – Sun 23rd Nov SPACES £4,095
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£490
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Andy Foster
Thumbnail IMG 0595

Tour Leader: Andy Foster

Andy fell in love with Brazil during his first visit there in 1995. After numerous visits over the following years Andy set up Serra dos Tucanos Lodge together with his wife Cristina, basically to be able to continue birding within this endemic rich area! Serra dos Tucanos Lodge remained open for the next 14 years until they moved the whole operation up to their new base Itororo Lodge.

Andy previously worked at a nature reserve on the south coast of England, he was based in the field for the majority of his work and was responsible for bird and botanical surveys, which is how he developed his passion for birding. He was responsible for helping with the establishment of a local wetland reserve and conservation NGO based in the State of Rio de Janeiro. From there he went on to establish Serra dos Tucanos lodge and begun to guide birding tours within the local area.

Having now spent over 20 years birding within the Tres Picos State Park in the state of Rio de Janeiro Andy knows the local area extremely well, and has spent numerous hours in the field guiding birding trips and sharing his knowledge of the local birds with many guests!

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Bargain Birdwatching Holidays


Our bargain birdwatching tours suit keen birders who want an active, fast-paced birding holiday with a dedicated focus on searching for birds rather than on looking at the area’s other wildlife or cultural highlights.


We offer a wide selection of long-haul holidays to many destinations in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.


What can I expect?


    

  • An expert English-speaking local ornithologist leader
    • 

  • Outstanding value for money
    • 

  • Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interests
    • 

  • Enviable bird lists
    • 

  • Focused searches for endemics and regional specialities
    • 



Who are these tours best suited to?


    

  • Keen & active birders – whether expert or making their first visit to a country or continent
    • 

  • People looking for an action-packed bird-focused tour
    • 



Where can I go?


Naturetrek's selection of birdwatching holidays includes many South and Central American countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.


In Africa our selection includes Malawi, Ethiopia and South Africa, while in India and Nepal we offer a choice of 17 bargain birdwatching tours! Here are a few more choices:



 


 




 


Our specialist recommends...







"I’d recommend our ‘Nepal’ holiday visiting Chitwan National Park and Koshi Tappu Reserve, and ‘India – Bharatpur & Chambal’ within Asia. Try ‘Ecuador – Cock-of-the-rock’ for a superb introduction to Andean birding, while, if you want a bit of luxury, the accommodation we use on our ‘Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park’ tour is top class.” 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




 


All Bargain birdwatching Tours

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!