7 Days 6 nights Bird Watchers program at Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro

Resume:
3 nights Caiman Lodge (Pantanal)
1 night Ipanema Plaza in Rio de Janeiro + City Tour
2 nigths at Serra dos Tucanos (toucan mountain) Lodge.

Caiman Ecologic Refuge – Southern Pantanal – 3 nights

The Refúgio Ecológico "ecologic refuge" Caiman is located approximately 140 miles from Campo Grande in a 53,000 hectare farm, of which 7,000 constitute an isolated reserve with very rich flora and fauna. It has a diverse landscape of savanna lowlands, seasonal wetlands and rich forest areas.

The region is one of the world's richest natural reserve and a migratory stopover for ibus, ducks, storks, herons, egrets and many other species. There over 300 species of birds scientifically identified.

The outings are accompanied by bilingual guides and are determined according to weather conditions. Observation varies according to the season. During the dry season, from August to November, mammals can be seen, while during wet season, from December to July, mostly birds. These are the activities offered to guests of Caiman:

Trekking around the lodge for observation of animals and vegetation; At night, one can observe caimans and other nocturnal animals; Horse Back riding, which is the best way to get into the heart of the Pantanal, getting to places which normally could not be reached by regular means of transportation; Rides on specially adapted vehicles to distant places where a wider variety of animals and, sometimes, thousands of birds can be observed.; Row boat rides on the lakes near the lodges.Such rides are very peaceful and one can enjoy the sounds of nature.

Included in package: Round trip Transfer from Campo Grande to Caiman; Welcoming orientation lecture and audio visual presentation; All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner (drinks not included); Truck ride; horseback; row and/or motor-boat excursions; nature observation and photographic hikes and nocturnal animal spotting. Bilingual (English/Portuguese) guide skilled in the local fauna and flora.

Rio de Janeiro – 1 night
Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Half day tour of Corcovado Mountain in Rio and and Tijuca Forest
One night accommodation at Ipanema Plaza Hotel (4 stars) with breakfast

Serra dos Tucanos Lodge – Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro – 2 nights

Included in package: RT transfer from Rio to lodge; 2 nights accommodation on double room; all meals (B,L,D), full day excursion, one half day excursion; guide.

The Atlantic rainforest of south-east Brazil is considered by many to be one of the most threatened habitats left in the world today. Some reports state that as little as 6% of the original forest is still intact. The remaining forested areas are incredibly rich in the diversity of wildlife that they support. Serra dos Tucanos is situated only 1½ hours drive from the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro and offers the perfect base to explore the wealth of flora and fauna that this stunning rainforest supports.

Serra dos Tucanos is a small Lodge within the "Tres Picos" State Park in the heart of the Atlantic rainforest, south-east Brazil. Catering specifically for birdwatchers, naturalists and those who just want a peaceful break away we offer very comfortable accommodation in a most beautiful location within the Serra do Mar mountains, approximately 100km north-east of Rio de Janeiro.

Surrounded by Atlantic rainforest, Serra dos Tucanos was previously a family home but has now been converted into a guesthouse, together with large landscaped gardens, the Lodge has 2 rivers winding through the grounds, these not only offer a soothing place to sit and unwind next to after a hard days birding in the field, but also offer great natural pools to swim in and cool down during the heat of the day! The gardens also attract a wealth of fauna as it is specifically planted up with fruiting and flowering tree species.

The forests surrounding Serra dos Tucanos support an abundance of flora and fauna. To date we have recorded 396 species of bird, this represents species from 53 different families. 100 of the recorded species are endemic to the Atlantic forest.

Because of the excellent location of the Lodge and the fact that we are surrounded by forest we are lucky enough to attract a vast number of bird species into the gardens, we also have a good number of breeding birds utilizing the gardens.