Day 1: After meeting in Sao Paulo, we will board an afternoon flight to Porto Velho, and hopefully have time to spend the late afternoon birding on the right bank of Madeira. Here we will have our first chances for Campina Jay, along with Predicted Antwren, Bronzy Jacamar, Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Pale-bellied Mourner, Fulvous-chinned Nunlet, Brown-banded Puffbird, Curl-crested and Brown-mandibled Aracaris, Humaita Antbird, Peruvian Warbling Antbird, chances of Hairy-crested Antbird, Gilded Barbet and more.
Day 2: Continuing our exploration of the Madeira forest, this morning we may add Undulated Antshrike, Sooty and White-throated Antbirds, small chances of Black Bushbird, Western Striolated Puffbird, Blue-necked Jacamar, Golden-collared Toucanet, Bonaparte’s Parakeet, Inambari and Bar-bellied Woodcreepers, Black Antbird, Southern Mealy Amazon, Inambari Gnatcatcher, Glossy-backed Becard and more.
Day 3: Driving early towards Humaitá, with a birding stop at Ramal das Campinas in the early morning for Ocellated Crake, Black-masked Finch, Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant, possible Dark-throated Seedeater, more chances for Bonaparte’s Parakeet, White-browed Purpletuft, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Red- billed Pied Tanager and others. Transfer to Humaitá, check in and birding for more chances of Campina Jay.
Day 4: We should visit some excellent terra firme where we will be looking for several goodies like White-browed Hawk, Lined Forest Falcon, Olive-backed Foliage-gleaner, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Hairy-crested Antbird, Reddish-winged Bare-eye, Undulated Antshrike, Humaita Antbird, Citron-bellied Attila, Madeira Stipplethroat and so many others. In the afternoon we will cover more terra firme to find Bonaparte’s Parakeet and Inambari Gnatcatcher. Back to hotel before sunset to watch Short-tailed Parrots coming to roost.
Day 5: An early ferry to the right bank will see us birding in varzea looking for Slender-billed Kite, Tui Parakeet, Festive Amazon, Glossy Antshrike, Plain Softtail, Masked Crimson Tanager, Leaden Antwren, Black-chinned Antbird, Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Varzea Schiffornis, Amazonian Black Tyrant and others. Then long drive along the Transamazonica Highway to reach thr bank of Aripuanã. We should make stop to try Aripuana Antwren and Manicore Warbling Antbird. Then by boat we go up the Aripuanã deep into the wilderness. We should get some birds from the boat, Kawall’s Amazon, Red-throated Piping Guan and others. Overnight at PiraAçu Lodge.
Day 6-7-8-9: Four full days to explore this magnificent and newly-opened area where we can explore vast untouched tracts of Amazonian forest. Here we hope to find the rare Rondonia Bushbird, Zigzag Heron, Uniform Woodcreeper, Pavonine Quetzal, Pearly Antshrike, White-breasted Antbird, the rare Pale-faced Bare-Eye, Black-necked Red Cotinga, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Buff-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Cryptic Forest Falcon, Chico’s Tyrannulet, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Red-and-black Grosbeak and so many other possible birds (hundreds and hundreds of species!).
Day 10: Return day to Humaitá, birding if time allows, for an overnight at Humaitá.
Day 11: Transfer to Jaci-Paraná, birding in forest fragments that afternoon, giving more chances for Hoffmann’s Woodcreeper, Rufous-necked Puffbird and more. Overnight Hotel Fama, Jaci-Paraná
Day 12: Early morning boat trip to Ilha dos Búfalos, looking for Parker’s and White-bellied Spinetails, Black-and-white Antbird, Riverside Tyrant, Lesser Hornero, Brownish Elaenia, Cinereous Becard and other river island specialists. Then drive to Rio Branco, Acre. Possible birding stop in Rio Branco for Purus Jacamar, Fine-barred Piculet and Blue-headed Macaw. Overnight Ibis Rio Branco.
Day 13-14-15: Three full days to enjoy the impressive Ramal do Noca near Rio Branco. Bamboo specialists, chances to find Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Peruvian Recurvebill, Goeldi’s, Manu and Striated Antbirds, Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-breasted Piculet, Rufous Twistwing, Acre Tody-Tyrant and many others like Harpy Eagle, Black-faced and Purpre-throated Cotingas, Plumbeous Antbird, Manu Parrotlet, Lemon-throated Barbet, and more.
Day 16: The tour concludes this morning with an early morning flight to Sao Paulo. NOTE: Any participants who might wish to take different flights to Porto Velho at the start or from Rio Branco at the end should let us know at the time of booking, so that we can deduct these from your tour cost!
Cost: $ TBC
Deposit: $ 750
Single room supplement: $ TBC
Accommodation: Comfortable hotels and lodges throughout. Please note that the entire tour will be conducted in two comfortable SUV vehicles, rather than a minibus or van.
Walking difficulty: Mostly easy roadside and trail birding, with several excellent river cruises.
Tour cost includes: All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, internal flights (as stated in itinerary), overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.
Tour cost excludes: Flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks and other items of a personal nature.