ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Arrival Day – Cuiaba – 01st June
Plan to arrive in Cuiaba airport (code CGB) today where you will go to a nearby hotel and then meet for dinner in the evening.
Night at Taina Hotel, Cuiaba, Brazil. (D)

Day 2 – Cuiaba – Pousada do Parque/Chapada dos Guimaraes
After breakfast we will start making our way towards the dry Chapada dos Guimaraes for a three-night stay. Here, the high plains of central Brazil abruptly come to an end, with the habitat changing to reveal red rocky outcrops, canyons, riverine and cerrado forest with ferns, orchids and bromeliads. This stunning area offers excellent birding amidst spectacular scenery. A whole range of bird species await us and from our well positioned lodge within the park, where we will have birds and wildlife right on our doorstep.  Just a short distances away amongst the dry Chapada we will look for a variety of species such as Red-winged Tinamou, Channel-billed Toucan, King Vulture, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Black-Tyrant, Peach-fronted and White-eyed Parakeets, Curl-crested Jay, Red-and-Green Macaw, Blue-headed Parrot,  Horned Sungem, Dot-eared Coquette, Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Blue-crowned Motmot, the endemic Rufous-winged Antshrike, Chapadas Flycatcher, Plain-crested Elaenia, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, White-eared and Spot-backed Puffbird, Large-billed Antwren, Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Masked Tityra, Band-tailed and Helmeted Manakins, White-bellied Warbler, Campo Flicker, Thick-billed Euphonia, Guira, Black-faced, Grey-headed, White-banded, Cinnamon, White-rumped and Swallow Tanagers, Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Coal-crested Finches, Collared Crescentchest and possibly the mighty Crowned Eagle amongst a host of other species. After Lunch the afternoon will be spent birding the lodge grounds.
Nights Pousada do Parque (B,L,D)

Day 3 & 4 – Pousada do Parque/Chapada dos Guimaraes
We have two full days to explore this fabulous area where we could find such species as Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Channel-billed Toucan, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Green-barred Woodpecker, Masked Tityra, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Rusty-backed Spinetail, White-backed Fire-Eye and the fantastic Horned Sungem. Pheasant Cuckoos are also in the area but are incredibly difficult to see so we would need luck on our side to actually see one. Beside a wonderful waterfall we can see Biscutate and Great Sooty Swifts as well as White-eared Puffbird, Blue-shouldered Macaw and with luck the elusive Blue Finch. Another great area we plan to visit one evening holds the rare Yellow-faced Parrot, plus Chapada Flycatcher, Swallow-wing and both Least Nighthawk and Little Nightjar towards dusk. This is also a super place to see Red-legged Seriema. In another patch of woodland we plan to visit we have chances to see Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins as well as White-backed Fire-eye, Channel-billed Toucan and Amazonian Motmot. Our beautiful lodge is a pleasure to come back to each day and the food is simply fantastic. Hummingbirds often visit the flowers around the small swimming pool and Tropical Screech-Owl can often be found roosting nearby.
Nights at Pousada do Parque (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Transfer to Pousada Alegre – Pantanal
After breakfast we will leave Pousada do Parque and drive to the first part of the 120km long Transpantaneira, a dirt road that goes into the heart of this magnificent wetland. We should get our first taste of this truly magical area and will soon be able to see patches of natural forest surrounded by dry floodplain and savannas. Here we will keep a look out for Greater Rhea, Red-legged Seriema plus Buff-necked Ibis, Plumbeous Ibis, and the huge Jabiru, as well as Golden-collared Macaws, Long-tailed Ground-Dove and Guira Cuckoos. As we progress further the scrubby forest and surrounding area should hold Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Rufous Cachalote, Chaco Chachalaca, Chestnut-eared Aracari, White Woodpecker, Masked Gnatcatcher, Black-fronted Nunbird, Planalto and Matto Grosso Antshrikes, Yellow-billed and Red-crested Cardinals plus a host of other species. The many roadside ponds hold numerous Yacare Caimen and we can search for smart looking Capped and Whistling Herons and possibly our first Southern Screamers. It is then just a short distance to our first lodge where mammals and birds abound. We will explore the grounds and a small boardwalk where we could see Scarlet-headed Blackbirds, Pale-crested, Crimson-crested, and Golden-green Woodpeckers, plus Rufous Casiornis, Rufous Cacholote and Black-collared Hawk. Many species of dragonfly and butterfly frequent the area while mammals are never predictable but this is one of the most reliable sites in the Pantanal for Brazilian Tapir. Over years we have also connected with Giant Anteater, Puma and Ocelot, while a night drive could also add Common Potoo.  
Night at Pousada Alegre Lodge  (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Pousada Alegre – Rio Claro
After an early morning walk around the lodge grounds we will have breakfast and continue on our journey, once again we will have a number of opportunities to stop the vehicle and photograph close species like Snail Kite, Capped Heron and Sunbittern. After a fairly short drive we will arrive at Rio Claro Lodge in time for lunch. The feeders beside the rooms attract both Nanday and Blue-crowned Parakeets as well a few tanagers and within the grounds both Chaco Chachalaca and  Chestnut-bellied Guan. Later in the afternoon we will take a boat trip in search of many fascinating birds.that may include the shy Agami Heron, plus Rufescent Tiger-heron, Sunbittern, Buff-necked and Green Ibis, Capped and Cocoi Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Toco Toucan, Blue-crowned Trogon, Bat Falcon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Pale-legged Hornero, Black-capped Donacobius and Yellow-chinned Spinetail. As it gets towards dusk we try for the highly elusive Zigzag Heron a bird that our guide Eduardo has seen here a few times. It will be difficult but we are in the right place and with the best guide. Fingers crossed!
Night at Rio Claro Lodge  (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Rio Claro – Pantanal Norte (Porto Jofre)
After breakfast we will continue along the transpantaneira heading towards the Pixiam River which is basically the end of this long dusty road.  There will be a lot of stops along the way and certainly a lot of photo opportunities. Birds are literally everywhere, and  we may find  Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Aplomado and Bat Falcons, Pearl and Snail Kites, Crane and Black-collared Hawks, Sungrebe, Buff-necked, Plumbeous and Green Ibises, Southern Screamer, Brazilian Teal, Capped and Cocoi Herons, Maguari Stork, Great Horned Owl, Red-and-Green Macaw, Peach-fronted, Yellow-chevroned and Monk Parakeets, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Red-billed Scythebill, White Monjita, Gilded Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Hermit, Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellowish Pipit, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-crowned Trogon, Solitary Black Cacique, Thrush like Wren, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Purplish Jay, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Unicoloured and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds, Greater Thornbird, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Striped Cuckoo, Lesser Seed-Finch, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Crested Oropendola, Fuscous Flycatcher and Green-barred Woodpecker, Band-tailed Antbird, Little Woodpecker, Rusty-collared Seedeater, Masked Gnatcatcher, Large Elaenia, Wattled Jacana, White-wedged Piculet, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Red-pileated Finch, and with luck both Subtropical Doradito or Bearded Tachuri. After we arrive at our lodge we can spend the rest of the afternoon looking around the grounds where the star bird is the Hyacinth Macaw the largest parrot in the world. There will be plenty of other birds to look for including close views of Toco Toucan, Red-billed Scythebill  and maybe a perched Nacunda Nighthawk. Our excellent hotel will no doubt be full as this is the place to take boat trips on the river to search for the magnificent Jaguar. And that’s what we will be doing tomorrow.! 
Night Porto Jofre  (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Porto Jofre
Our well positioned base allows us ample opportunities to find some of the areas best birds including the world’s largest parrot, the fantastic and noisy Hyacinth Macaw, which is often in the palm trees just outside our rooms. This is sure to be a memorable experience and one of the major highlights of the tour, as we watch these spectacular birds feeding and flying to and from their roosting trees. The main focus of today however, will be to embark on a boat trip onto the Cuiaba River where our primary target species is the magnificent Jaguar, and absolutely awesome predator that is on most wildlife watchers wanted list. In the heat of the day these animals come down to the river banks to rest in the cool breeze that comes off the water’s surface. The success rate of seeing Jaguars here has improved enormously over the last few years as the local guides knowledge on how to find them has also improved. We stand a very good chance, but no guarantees as it is nature and not a zoo! There will be plenty of avian distractions as we search for Jaguars and we can expect species such as Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns, Black Skimmer, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Wattled Jacana, Pied Lapwing, Azure Gallinule and Collared Plover. We could also come across Giant River Otters or maybe Yellow Anaconda. Depending on how well we are doing in our search for Jaguar we will probably return to the lodge for lunch and the go out again in the afternoon for more chances of Jaguar and other creatures. As it gets towards dusk we will use our spotlights as there is better chances of Brazilian Tapir and Crab-eating Racoon and Band-tailed Nighthawks will appear over the river along with Greater and Lesser Fishing Bats. 
Night Porte Jofre  (B,L,D) 

Day 9 –  Porto Jofre – Pantanal Mato Grosso
After breakfast we will spend some of the morning birding the lodge grounds or a nearby area of forest, depending on what we have already seen and need to see. We will then pack up and head towards Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso. Once again there will be plenty to see on the way as we slowly drive towards the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we will walk a trail close to the lodge to look for more interesting bird species including Helmeted Manakin and Rufous-tailed Jacamar and we will also spend some time looking for some of the regions endemics including the Mato Grosso Antbird and Planalto Slaty Antshrike. We should also get some close views and photos of the Capybara that spend their time around the lodge, they’ve become fairly tame due to the amount of human activity and are quite approachable. During the walk we should also see Toco Toucan, Rusty-backed Spinetail, White-lored Spinetail, Fuscous Flycatcher and Black-tailed Marmoset. The lodge feeders often have Orange-backed Troupial, Bay-winged Cowbirds, Purplish Jay and Saffron Finches that will entertain us and sometimes even Ferruginous Pygmy Owl can be seen around the restaurant. We have also seen Brazilian Tapir in the fields behind the lodge.
Night Pantanal Mato Grosso (B,L,D)

Day 10 – Pantanal Mato Grosso – Piuval Lodge
This morning we will take a pre-breakfast boat ride on the river here. Along weedy river edges and floating vegetation we can hope to get close and personal with many wonderful species. Sunbitterns are often absurdly approachable, Agami Herons incredibly shy and the Sungrebe always a challenge to spot. Our tranquil hours spent on the river should produce other excellent species such as Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Boat-billed Heron, Pale-legged Hornero, huge Jabiru, Grey-cowled Wood-Rail, American Pygmy Kingfisher, the difficult Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Green Ibis, Black-collared Hawk, Blue-crowned Trogon, Cocoi Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and a few other creatures such as Caiman, Capybara, Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys and if were lucky the superb Giant River Otter. Returning for a late breakfast we will then search some of the nearby forests and open wetland habitat for a multitude of species such as Whistling Heron, Plumbeous Ibis, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Campo Oriole, Greater Thornbird, Rufous Cacholote, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Mato Grosso Antbird, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Dull-capped Attila, Forest Elaenia, Pale-crested and Golden-green Woodpeckers, Campo Flicker, Rusty-backed Spinetail and the gorgeous Helmeted Manakin. From here we will then transfer to Piuval Lodge. This excellent lodge is a wonderful end to our tour and offers some really good chances for Giant Anteater. Depending how much time we have we can search the lodge grounds or adjacent areas for waterbirds, raptors and as the eveing starts to cool down we will look for a few mammals to become active. 
Night Piuval Lodge  (B,L,D)

Day 11 –  Piuval Lodge – Cuiaba – End of Main Tour – 11th June
This morning we have a short time to look at any birs or mammals close to the lodge before setting off to Cuiaba Airport where those finishing the main tour will be dropped ready for their afternoon departures. Those continuing on to Jardim de Amazonia we will set off on our 3hr drive to this excellent jungle lodge.  (B)

Jardim de Amazonia: Extension  11th – 15th June
Day 11 –  Jardim de Amazonia – Extension
For those going on our fabulous extension to the tropical lodge of Jardim de Amazonia we will depart Pousada do Parque after breakfast and head for Cuiaba international airport where we will say our goodbye’s to those leaving us.  We will then continue our 3hr journey through the afternoon to arrive at our wonderful lodge for the next 3 nights. There are certain to be stops along the way including a fabulous lake on the entrance road to the lodge. Here in stands of Palm Trees we can see Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Blue-headed Parrot, Scaled Pigeon and with a lot of luck maybe a Small-billed Tinamou. At the lodge we can settle into our rooms and if time allows take a look around the grounds or walk along the approach road.  There is a river on one side, streams and ponds within the grounds and even a natural water swimming pool.  Birds we could see include Bare-necked Fruit Crow, Brown Jacamar, Natterer’s Slaty Antshrike, Black-faced Dacnis, Blue Dacnis, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Black-throated Mango and Hooded Tanager.  The grounds can also be a good place to see the strange looking Gray’s Monk Saki Monkey.
Night Jardim de Amazonia (B,L,D)

Days 12 & 13 – Jardim de Amazonia 
Now we have 2 full days to explore this fabulous area, and believe me there is a lot to see. On one day we will take a boat trip up river to reach an area of oxbow lakes where the critically endangered Cone-billed Tanager will be our main target. After its discovery in 1938 based on a single male specimen collected in Mato Grosso, Brazil, no other individuals were collected or seen until 2003. And then In 2006 another population, of about a 100 individuals, was found 900 km away along the Alto Rio Juruena, Mato Grosso. We will visit the only really accessible site to see this very rare bird in the world. There should be plenty of other things to distract us from our task including Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Red-necked Aracari, Spotted Puffbird, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Black-fronted Nunbird, White-banded Swallow, Red-necked Woodpecker, American Pygmy Kingfisher and even Greater Yellow-headed Vultures drifting slowly overhead. With the lodge situated in a diverse ecozone area beside a beautiful river we have ample time to check several trails that will produce a whole range of new species. We will be looking for Crested Eagle, Zigzag Heron (at dusk), Amazonian Pygmy-Owl, Black-bellied Thorntail, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Black-throated Mango, Black-girdled Barbet, Gould’s Toucanet, Large-billed Antwren, Tooth-billed wren, Pink-throated Becard, White-browed Purpletuft, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Blue-cheeked Jacamar, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Snow-capped and Fiery-capped Manakin, Blue-necked and Dotted Tanager, Slaty-capped Shrike Vireo, and the recently described Cryptic Forest Falcon. Many of the species here are not available on the main Pantanal trip so almost everything we see will be new. On the trails beside the lodge we can add Black-faced Antbird, Amazonian Antshrike, Elegant Woodcreeper, Gould’s Toucanet, White-bearded and Flame-crested Manakins, Wing-barred Piprites, Rufous-winged Antwren, Zimmer’s Tody-Tyrant and if we find a fruiting tree there could be Blue-necked and Masked Tanagers, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Bronzy Jacamar, White-browed Purpletufts, and maybe Pompadour Cotinga or some Gilded barbets.  There are a few skulkers that we will need to work on such as Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird and Little Tinamou, and in the evening we can look for Blackish Nightjar and maybe an owl or two.
2 Nights Jardim de Amazonia (B,L,D)

Day 14 – Jardim de Amazonia – Cuiaba – Sao Paulo
After a morning birding the nearby trails we will have lunch and then depart mid afternoon for Cuiaba. Note that the new flight schedules will see us departing Cuiaba (CGB) at 20.20pm for the flight to Sao Paulo. You will then overnight in Sao Paulo ready for your international departure the following day June 15th. (B,L,D)

Day 15 – Sao Paulo – Madrid – UK – End of Tour – 15th – 16th June
This morning we will leave our hotel early for the departing flight from Cuiaba (CGB) to Sao Paulo (GRU). (B).