Next dates

Day 1: Arrivals at Vitória Airport (VIX) in the morning. Late morning birding for Pygmy Nightjar before transferring to VALE Reserve with stop at Augusto Ruschi Marine Station for Minute Hermit and Geoffrey’s Marmoset. Late afternoon at VALE for first attempts at Red-billed Curassow and Red-browed Amazon. Overnight in Linhares.

Day 2: Full day of birding in the lowland forest at VALE Reserve. We will search for the Critically Endangered endemic Red-billed Curassow, along with East Brazilian Pygmy Owl, Ochre-marked and White-eared Parakeets, Red-browed Amazon, “Reichenowi’s” Blue-headed Parrot, Plumbeous Antvireo, Silvery-flanked Antwren, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Black-headed Berryeater and the recently-split White-bellied Tanager. Other interesting species at VALE include Solitary Tinamou, Yellow-legged Tinamou, “Atlantic Black-breasted” Ringed Woodpecker, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Black-necked Aracari, Blue-winged Macaw, Orange-winged and Southern Mealy Amazons, Southern White-fringed and Rusty-backed Antwrens, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Cinereous Mourner, Black-capped Becard and Yellow-green Grosbeak. Overnight in Linhares.

Day 3: Early transfer south to the hills of Santa Teresa. Rest of the morning in hilly forest looking for the endemics like Wied’s Tyrant-Manakin, Serra Antwren, White-bibbed Antbird, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Grey-hooded Attila, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Pin-tailed Manakin, Gilt-edged Tanager and several other Atlantic Forest specialties such as Mantled Hawk, Spot-billed Toucanet, Blue Manakin, Bare-throated Bellbird and the rare Russet-winged Spadebill. This site is still quite good for sightings of both Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, and sometimes Golden-tailed Parrotlet. Then we’ll check-in at our lovely guesthouse for a feast of hummingbirds. Over ten species are usually on the feeders, including the amazing Frilled Coquette, Amethyst Woodstar, Planalto Hermit, Scale-throated Hermit and White-vented Violetear.

Day 4: Breakfast at Vita Verde to enjoy some more hummingbirds, plus hopefully both East Brazilian Chachalaca and Slaty-breasted Wood Rail visiting the garden. We will then drive south to Águia Branca Reserve and Natureza Eco Lodge, where we will be birding for the rest of the day. Here we hope to find the most-wanted Swallow-tailed Cotinga and several other Atlantic Forest specialties like Saffron Toucanet, Robust Woodpecker, White-throated and Scaled Woodcreepers, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Ferruginous Antbird, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Cryptic Antthrush, Spotted Bamboowren, White-breasted Tapaculo, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Half-collared Sparrow, and some chances to find the rare Rio de Janeiro Antbird, the uncommon Long-tailed Potoo, and our first shot at the superb Giant Antshrike. Overnight at Natureza Eco Lodge.

Day 5: Day visit to Reserva Kaetés, the newly acquired area to protect the Critically Endangered Cherry-throated Tanager. We will be accompanying the ornithologists involved in the successful conservation project with the species, having great chances during that day to see the resident family group or even a nest. Other species to look for at Kaetés include Hooded Berryeater, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Ochre-rumped Antbird, Cryptic Antthrush, Spot-billed Toucanet, Oustalet’s Tyrannulet, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Brassy-breasted Tanager and others. In the evening, we will wait for the impressive Long-trained Nightjar to show up and fingers crossed for breath-taking views. We also have chances for Rusty-barred Owl. Overnight at Natureza Eco Lodge.

Day 6: We can make repeat visit to either Kaetés or Águia Branca in the early morning if necessary before continuing on to Guapiaçu Reserve (REGUA) in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In some nearby open habitat we can look for Ash-throated Crake and the adorable Streamer-tailed Tyrant, then as dusk falls we stand an excellent chance of seeing the stupendous Giant Snipe. Overnight at REGUA.

Day 7: Morning on REGUA’s forest trail in the beautiful foothill forest of Serra dos Órgãos. Here at lower elevation we hope to find the uncommon White-necked Hawk, Rufous-capped Motmot, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Pale-browed Treehunter, Unicolored and Salvadori’s Antwrens, Scaled Antbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Southern Antpipit, Grey-hooded and Ochre-bellied Flycatchers, Pin-tailed Manakin, and hopefully the rare endemic Brazilian Laniisoma (REGUA being probably the best site for this species). In the afternoon, we will move uphill to the town of Nova Friburgo, where we should bird different forest sites over a thousand meters above sea level, having more chances for Braziliam Laniisoma and also to find more Atlantic Forest jewels like Scale-throated Hermit, Brazilian Ruby, Mantled Hawk, the uncommon White-bearded Antshrike, Bertoni’s Antbird, White-browed Foliage-gleaner, Slaty Bristlefront, Bare-throated Bellbird, Brassy-breasted Tanager, chances of Chestnut-headed Tanager and others. Overnight in Nova Friburgo.

Day 8: This morning in Nova Friburgo we will bird at Pico da Caledônia, the famous site to look for the rare and localised endemic Grey-winged Cotinga. Birding at Caledônia is usually very productive as we expect to see several endemics and other amazing species such as Black-and-gold Cotinga, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Blue-billed and Velvety Black Tyrants, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Cinnamon Tanager, the stunning Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Thick-billed Saltator, more chances of Swallow-tailed Cotinga and our first shot at Green-crowned Plovercrest. In the afternoon we will make a round trip out to the town of Carmo, where great views of Three-toed Jacamar might be another good candidate for the bird of the day. We may also see Serra Antwren, Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Grey-eyed Greenlet before returning for overnight in Nova Friburgo.

Day 9: We will have another chance for Brazilian Laniisoma before departing south towards the famous Itatiaia National Park, the first national park in Brazil. In the yard and feeders of the very nice Hotel do Ypê, we should see Dusky-legged Guan (loads of them!), Brazilian Ruby, White-throated Hummingbird, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Plain and Maroon-bellied Parakeets, Green-headed, Golden-chevroned and Olive-green Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, plus chances for large raptors like Black Hawk Eagle and Mantled Hawk. It is great birding walking the beautiful forest of Itatiaia; here we hope to find Blue-winged Macaw, Scaly-headed Parrot, Green-billed Toucan, Saffron Toucanet, Orange-eyed Thornbird, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Scaled Woodcreeper, Tufted Antshrike, White-shouldered Fire-eye, White-bibbed, Ferruginous and Ochre-rumped Antbirds, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Star-throated Antwren, Rufous Gnateater, Slaty Bristlefront, Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-crowned Greenlet, Brown Tanager, and depending on bamboo seeds, chances for Buffy-fronted and Temminck’s Seedeaters. In the evening, we can look for the impressive Tawny-browed Owl. Overnight at Hotel do Ypê.

Day 10: Day trip to another splendid birding site, the Agulhas Negras Road on the top of Itatiaia National Park. We will be birding humid montane forest from 1600-2450m, including some paramo-like habitat. Our focus will be on the rare Black-capped Piprites, and endemics like Green-crowned Plovercrest, Itatiaia Spinetail, Speckle-breasted Antpitta (this form a potential split), Buff-throated Warbling Finch and the tiny Grey-backed Tachuri, but the birding there should also deliver more chances for Rufous-tailed Antbird, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Large-tailed Antshirke, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Serra do Mar Tyrant Manakin, Velvety Black Tyrant, the tricky Brown-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Olivaceous Elaenia, Greenish Tyrannulet, Bay-chested Warbling Finch, Thick-billed Saltator, Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers and others. Doing well at Agulhas Negras, we might finish the day at lower Itatiaia for a first attempt at Atlantic Royal Flycatcher, and more chances for tough ones like Cryptic Antthrush and Fork-tailed Tody-Tyrant. Owling after dusk can target Black-capped Screech Owl and Tawny-browed Owl again if required. Overnight at Hotel do Ypê.

Day 11: Early morning drive to the southern coast of Rio to bird the rich valley of Mambucaba, home of the restricted and Endangered Black-hooded Antwren. Besides the Antwren, a couple hours birding in this area will offer good chances for other uncommon species: Buff-bellied Puffbird, the rare endemic Buff-throated Purpletuft and Sao Paulo Tyrannulet are important to see here. Several other targets include Saw-billed Hermit, Yellow-fronted, Yellow-throated and Yellow-eared Woodpeckers, Pale-browed Treehunter, Unicolored Antwren, Scaled and Squamate Antbird, Spot-backed Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antthrush, White-bearded Manakin, Riverbank Warbler, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Brazilian and Red-necked Tanagers, Violaceous Euphonia and more. From Mambucaba we keep our way south towards Ubatuba, stopping again for more chances at Buff-bellied Puffbird, Buff-throated Purpletuft, the rare Salvadori’s Antwren, and “Bahia” Dusky Leaftosser. Overnight in Ubatuba.

Day 12: Full day of lowland forest birding in Ubatuba. In the morning, we will visit the nice Fazenda Angelim, another good area to look for the endemics Buff-throated Purpletuft and Salvadori’s Antwren. Bamboo clumps here contain Spotted Bamboowren, Ochre-rumped and Bertoni’s Antbirds, Uniform Finch, Sooty Grassquit and the uncommon Temminck’s and Buffy-fronted Seedeaters (depending on seeds for the finches and seedeaters). We can also expect more chances for White-necked Hawk, Spot-backed Antshrike, Rufous-margined and Unicolored Antwrens, Squamate Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Slaty Bristlefront, Eye-ringed Tody-Tyrant, Sao Paulo Tyrannulet, Riverbank Warbler, Red-necked Tanager and many others. In the afternoon, it is time to enjoy the amazing Sitio Folha Seca with some of the best hummingbird and fruit feeders in the world. We will see here a high density of hummers, including many of the large Saw-billed Hermit, stunning Festive Coquette, Brazilian Ruby, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Black Jacobin, Versicolored Emerald, Glittering-throated Emerald, White-chinned Sapphire and Black-throated Mango. Ther fruit feeder usually brings Violaceous and Chestnut-bellied Euphonias, Green-headed, Red-necked, Brazilian, Ruby-crowned and Azure-shouldered Tanagers, and eventually Blond-crested Woodpecker with patience! At dusk we can try Black-capped Screech Owl if it is still necessary. Overnight in Ubatuba.

Day 13: Day transfer to Campos do Jordão in the Serra da Mantiqueira. In the early morning up the hills next to Ubatuba, we will look for Orange-breasted Thornbird, Dusky-tailed Antbird and Bare-throated Bellbird. Then by mid-morning we will arrive at São José dos Campos for the endemic “Sao Paulo” Marsh Antwren before a two hour drive to reach the Araucaria-filled montane forest in Campos do Jordão for an afternoon session. Our main target species, the threatened Vinaceous-breasted Amazon, will be coming to roost, so we hope to see them well! This is also a good backup for Black-capped Piprites, Green-crowned Plovercrest, Rufous-tailed Antthrush and Black-and-gold Cotinga. The evening includes an attempt for unpredictable Buff-fronted Owl, with more chances for Rusty-barred Owl and Long-trained Nightjar. Overnight in Campos do Jordão.

Day 14: Day transfer to the Guaraú, on the coast south of São Paulo. Down the hills in the early morning, we will spend some time birding the rice paddies of Tremembé, an area that gathers many aquatic birds, migrants and uncommon species. There we can look for Comb Duck, Southern and Rosy-billed Pochards, Snail Kite, Pinnated Bittern, Spotted and Plumbeous Rails, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Yellow-rumped Marshbird, Unicolored Blackbird, Lined and White-bellied Seedeaters and with luck, even some chances for Bearded Tachuri. Then we will drive about four hours to reach good lowland forest near Itanhaém. Here in the coastal zone, we will look for another threatened parrot, the endemic Red-tailed Amazon, which should show up later when going to roost. Others to search in this lowland forest include “Ariel” Channel-billed Toucan, White-necked Hawk, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Unicolored Antwren, the uncommon Black-headed Berryeater, Azure Jay, Long-billed Wren and stunning Black-backed Tanager. Overnight in guesthouse in Guaraú.

Day 15: Most of morning in the lowland forests of Guaraú  to search for any remaining targets, while a nearby mangrove site gives us an excellent chance for the uncommon Little Wood Rail.  Then from Guaraú we drive up to our last destination, the fantastic and well-known Intervales State Park. Arriving for some late-afternoon birding, the park headquarters offers excellent chances of beauties like Red-and-white Crake, Solitary Tinamou, and Spot-winged Wood Quail (these three desirable species usually clockwork at their respective feeders!), along with chances for Grey-throated Warbling Finch, the rare Black-legged Dacnis, Chestnut-backed Tanager and Green-chinned Euphonia. Overnight at Intervales State Park.

Day 16-17: We will have two full days to explore this Atlantic Forest paradise with numerous perfect trails and dirt roads for birding. We should spend a good time along the famous Carmo Road and the beautiful Lajeado Trail to ensure the best use of our time to find our remaining target species, including some rarities like the much-wanted Helmeted Woodpecker. We will hope to see Brown Tinamou, Black-fronted Piping Guan, Purple-crowned Plovercrest, Dusky-throated Hermit, Sooty Swift, Long-trained Nightjar, Long-tufted Screech Owl, Rusty-barred Owl, Mantled Hawk, Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, maybe the rare Grey-bellied Hawk, Rufous-capped Motmot, Pavonine Cuckoo, Surucua and Black-throated Trogons, Green-billed Toucan, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets, Rusty-breasted Nunlet, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Robust and Yellow-browed Woodpeckers (besides Helmeted, of course), Blue-bellied and Pileated Parrots, Scalloped Woodcreeper, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail, Grey-bellied Spinetail, Giant Antshrike, White-bearded Antshrikes, Short-tailed Antthrush, White-breasted Tapaculo, Slaty Bristlefront, Spotted Bamboowren, Atlantic Royal Flycatcher, Sao Paulo, Oustalet’s, Bay-ringed, Greenish and Grey-capped Tyrannulets, Brown-breasted Bamboo Tyrant, Southern Bristle Tyrant, Three-striped Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Attila, Russet-winged Spadebill, Sharpbill (one of the best places in the world to see this scarce oddity), Hooded Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Cinnamon-vented Piha, Brown, Olive-green, Diademed and Chestnut-backed Tanagers, Green-chinned Euphonia, Uniform Finch, Temminck’s and Buffy-fronted Seedeaters. Intervales is a true paradise for birding!

Day 18: We still have the whole morning of birding in Intervales on our last day before leaving the park after lunch for dropoff at Sao Paulo International Airport (GRU) where the tour ends this evening.

Tour details