Southern Amazonia: Alta Floresta & Cristalino Reserve
The southern Amazon rainforest is fully packed with birds and the town of Alta Floresta is the gateway to this avian galore, even the forest fragments left hold some really good species such as the rare Black-chested Tyrant, which we will look before going to the Cristalino reserve. But there is little doubt that Cristalino Jungle Lodge is the finest birding destination in the Brazilian Amazon. With more than 20 kilometres of well-maintained trails, an uninhabited river, experienced and attentive staff, and two 50-metre canopy towers, it is nearly as an afterthought that we mention its bird list of more than 550 species. With three full days to explore the area, we’ll have time to visit the key birding sites. The showpiece canopy towers provide great views over the treetops and give us good chances of seeing coveted species such as Curl-crested Araçari, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak, Pompadour and Spangled Cotinga along with White-bellied and Red-fan Parrot. Eye-level flyby views of Blue-and-yellow and Scarlet Macaws are common. The extensive trail system at the lodge provides the birder with access to bamboo and vine-rich terra firme forest with sought-after species like Curve-billed Scythebill and Rufous-capped Nunlet. Other trails take us to atop a pair of granitic domes with more semi-deciduos forest and killer views of the surrounding canopy where we may find Pied and Brown-banded Puffbirds. Vast terra firme forests shelter leaftossers in their understorey haunts and are loaded with antbirds like Spot-backed, White-browed, Black-faced, Bare-eyed, and more. An active antswarm in the right place could be attended by Black-spotted Bare-eyes, Spix's Guans and perhaps even a band of the endemic Dark-winged Trumpeter. We’ll visit known leks to look for Snow-capped, Red-headed, Flame-crested and Band-tailed Manakins. The list of avian attractions goes on and on; there will be plenty to keep us busy every minute. To top of it all off, the excellent food, comfortable accommodations, icy cold caipirinhas and sinfully hot showers make it easy to unwind after a long day’s birding.
Our
Services
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Guide and ranger team
During our tours at the Atlantic Rainforest, some State Parks and Reserves require the escort of a local ranger. This local fellow can point out some nesting activity and help the group participants to spot the birds. With our tour leader, each one working at their best and doing what they are supposed to do better.
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Quality of our guides
Our tour leaders are experienced and fully trained professionals who host our guest in a variety of diverse areas. These dedicated people transform an already great safari into one that is out of this world! A guide that hosts you for the duration of your safari provides a consistent, detailed interpretation that is tailored to your specific interests. Our safaris are led by our local naturalist tour leaders, they are equipped with 20-60X spotting telescope for seeing distant animals, recording equipment, shotgun microphone and voice library for luring in rare and hard to see animals that respond to their own call bringing them into view, a spotlight for nocturnal viewing, and the appropriate bird, mammal identification books and updated checklist for your enjoyment.
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Good accommodations
Our tour uses hotels which serve early breakfast and then we can go birding. All lodges offer rooms with private facilities and air-conditioning. We try to use lodges operated by locals because we firmly believe your money must to go to local hands because are those hands who hold the future of the region.
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Private transportation
During the whole tour we will have a private transportation with air-conditioning.
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25 years of Experience
Nearly three decades dedicated to show Brazil to different travelers from all over the world! We know Brazil as we know our backyard.