14-Day First Brazil Birding: Pantanal and Atlantic Forest with Boute Expeditions
Boute Expeditions’ recommended two-week introduction to Brazil, pairing a week in the Pantanal, Serra das Araras and Chapada dos Guimarães with a week in Itatiaia and Ubatuba.
About this tour
For a first birding trip to Brazil, Boute Expeditions recommends linking two complementary regions: one week in Mato Grosso across the Pantanal, Serra das Araras and Chapada dos Guimarães, followed by one week in the Atlantic Forest at Itatiaia and Ubatuba.
The combination can produce an exceptional range of wetland, Cerrado, montane and coastal-rainforest birds. The source highlights the potential for up to 600 species, strong daily diversity, close Pantanal viewing and signature birds such as Hyacinth Macaw, Helmeted Manakin, Sunbittern, Brazilian Ruby, Frilled Coquette and Red-necked Tanager.
The recommended format is two weeks and has been operated for many years. Current dates, domestic connection, accommodation, meals, inclusions and price are confirmed after inquiry.
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Meet the guide at Cuiabá airport and transfer through Poconé into the Pantanal. Begin with Hyacinth Macaw and Jabiru habitat, then combine a forest walk and boat outing for wetland colonies, sunset and possible potoos and owls.
Bird the lodge grounds and travel slowly along the Transpantaneira, stopping across open wetlands, woodland and waterbird habitat. Continue with a Pixaim River boat trip for kingfishers, herons, Sungrebe, Sunbittern and evening nightbirds.
Use an early boat trip to search for river and forest targets, followed by a forest walk. The afternoon explores marsh, savanna and woodland habitats at a patient birding pace, continuing into dusk for nocturnal species.
Leave the Pantanal with birding stops and continue to Serra das Araras. The program focuses on the Harpy Eagle area and transition habitat between Cerrado and Amazonia, with late birding and an optional search for nightbirds.
Bird Serra das Araras in the morning before transferring to Chapada dos Guimarães with further stops en route. Finish with Cerrado and escarpment birds around Chapada.
Start at sunrise with the morning chorus and Cerrado specialties. After lunch and a break, bird around Bridal Veil waterfall and the macaw roost, with chances for toucans, aracaris and swifts.
Use the final morning for missing specialties and known manakin and raptor sites, then transfer to Cuiabá airport for departure or an onward extension.
Meet at São Paulo international airport and transfer to Itatiaia. Spend the afternoon around gardens and feeders for hummingbirds, guans, toucanets, tanagers and Atlantic Forest understory birds, with optional dusk and owl activity.
Bird the upper national park for high-elevation specialties including Itatiaia Spinetail, cotingas, tyrants, finches and raptors. The program uses a full field day with a box lunch and may continue toward dusk.
Explore Itatiaia trails in the morning and afternoon for endemic antwrens, antbirds, antthrushes, woodpeckers, trogons, tanagers and forest-floor species, with another evening opportunity for owls.
Check out and bird wetlands and roadside habitat en route to Ubatuba. Visit productive feeder habitat for Red-necked Tanager, hermits and coquettes before settling into the coastal rainforest area.
Explore Ubatuba forest and feeder sites for bellbirds, fire-eyes, antwrens, manakins, bristlefronts, toucans and other coastal Atlantic Forest specialties.
Continue through complementary Ubatuba sites to address missing targets, with time for forest understory birds, mixed flocks and an evening search for owls, screech-owls and Pauraque.
Use the final morning for missing species, then transfer toward São Paulo airport. If timing permits, include a final forest stop for additional endemic targets.
Locations & map
- Northern Pantanal - Mato Grosso Brazil (Seasonal wetlands and gallery forest.)
- Pixaim River - Mato Grosso Brazil (Pantanal river birding by boat.)
- Serra das Araras - Mato Grosso Brazil (Cerrado–Amazon transition and Harpy Eagle country.)
- Chapada dos Guimarães National Park - Mato Grosso Brazil (Cerrado, cliffs, forest and waterfall habitat.)
- Itatiaia National Park - Rio de Janeiro Brazil (Montane Atlantic Forest and high-elevation specialties.)
- Ubatuba Atlantic Forest - São Paulo Brazil (Coastal Atlantic Forest, feeders and forest trails.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Custom departures by request; timing is coordinated across Mato Grosso and the Atlantic Forest for current birding condi
Price: Price on request
Included
- Professional Brazil birding guidance - The route and daily priorities are adjusted to current bird activity and conditions.
Not included
- Flights and travel insurance - Confirm all required flights separately and carry suitable travel and medical insurance.
- Services not listed in the confirmed proposal - Final inclusions depend on route, party size and dates.
Transport & stays
- Private road vehicles, motorboats and a domestic c The program combines the two source routes. Exact domestic-flight or overland connection, luggage limits and transfers are confirmed in the proposal. | Meet: Cuiabá airport. | Pickup: Provide international arrival/departure plans and preferred dates when inquiring.