Bird Watching Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest, Pantanal & REGUA — 20-day itinerary

BW20 · 20 days / 19 nights

Rio de Janeiro (GIG) – Vila Mont Lodge (Paraty) – Ubatuba – São Paulo (GRU) – Cuiabá – Porto Jofre – SouthWild Pantanal Lodge – Cuiabá – Rio de Janeiro – REGUA (Cachoeiras de Macacu) – Eco Lodge Itororó – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

Group of friends Tourist class Paraty Ubatuba Pantanal — Porto Jofre (jaguar region)Northern Pantanal Serra dos Órgãos

A 20-day bird-watching itinerary through three of the richest bird regions of Brazil: the Atlantic Rainforest of the Costa Verde, the Northern Pantanal with Porto Jofre, and the REGUA reserve and Itororó valley in the Serra dos Órgãos. It starts with a self-drive from Rio de Janeiro to Vila Mont Lodge near Paraty, where a local bird guide is included, and to the birding lodge Ninho da Cambacica in Ubatuba. After a flight to Cuiabá you spend three nights at Porto Jofre for jaguars and river birds and three nights at SouthWild Pantanal Lodge on the Pixaim river. The trip ends with three nights at Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA) and four nights at Eco Lodge Itororó, known for its hummingbird feeders and Atlantic Forest endemics. Pantanal and Serra dos Órgãos stays are full board with excursions; the start date is free and the programme is tailored to your interests.

Private bird guide and driver during three nights at Vila Mont Lodge, Atlantic Rainforest near Paraty
Ninho da Cambacica: a birding lodge run by two biologists, with feeders visited year-round
Two full-day jaguar boat safaris around the Encontro das Águas State Park, Porto Jofre
SouthWild Pantanal Lodge: ocelot observatory, jabiru nest tower and daily boat trips on the Pixaim river
REGUA: more than 400 bird species, 100 of them Atlantic Forest endemics, with specialised guides
Eco Lodge Itororó at 1,200 m: hummingbirds at the feeders and an optional golden lion tamarin visit

Day by day

20 days

Day 1Paraty

Rio de Janeiro — Vila Mont Lodge, Paraty region (start self-drive)

The self-drive along the Costa Verde starts today. The rental car is delivered at Rio de Janeiro airport, followed by the drive to the Paraty region, about 3 hours. You stay the next three nights in Vila Mont, a lodge in the Atlantic Rainforest 20 minutes from colonial Paraty. A local nature guide accompanies you on the coming days, and there is time to visit Paraty and the beaches nearby. Half board.

Night: Vila Mont Lodge
Day 2Paraty

Paraty region — bird watching around Vila Mont

A full day with your local nature and bird guide (for example Chico, who is also your driver). He knows the best spots for forest walks in the Atlantic Rainforest and also offers kayaking, rafting, hidden waterfalls and remote beaches, if wanted by boat. The programme is agreed with you on the spot. The lodge has a bird-rich garden with feeders and a forest area behind it.

Night: Vila Mont Lodge
Day 3Paraty

Paraty region — bird watching around Vila Mont

Second day with the guide. Options include the higher parts of the Mata Atlântica, a hummingbird garden where 6 to 9 species can be seen at close range, a walk of about 3 hours followed by a boat trip along the beaches of Saco do Mamanguá (included), or a visit to the historic centre of Paraty.

Night: Vila Mont Lodge
Day 4Ubatuba

Paraty — Ubatuba (self-drive)

Today you drive on to the next destination on the Costa Verde. In a few hours you reach Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo, and check in at the birding lodge Ninho da Cambacica for three nights.

Night: Ninho da Cambacica
Day 5Ubatuba

Ubatuba — free day at Ninho da Cambacica

Free day at your own pace. The lodge, run by two biologists, has fruit and grain feeders that are visited by birds all year round, with seasonal and rarer species depending on the time of year. The beaches and the Serra do Mar forest of Ubatuba are nearby.

Night: Ninho da Cambacica
Day 6Ubatuba

Ubatuba — free day at Ninho da Cambacica

Second free day in Ubatuba for bird watching at the lodge or along the coast.

Night: Ninho da Cambacica
Day 7Porto Jofre

Ubatuba — São Paulo (end self-drive) — flight to Cuiabá — Porto Jofre

A long travel day. You drive to São Paulo airport (GRU), about 4.5 hours, and return the rental car. Then the domestic flight to Cuiabá. On arrival you are met at the airport and driven to Porto Jofre (about 5 hours), largely on the unpaved Transpantaneira road, with photo stops for wildlife along the way. Full board for the next three nights.

Night: Pousada Berço Pantaneiro
Day 8Porto Jofre

Porto Jofre — full-day jaguar boat safari

A full day of jaguar spotting and other Pantanal wildlife. Pousada Berço Pantaneiro operates its own boats with comfortable seats and 40 to 50 hp engines. The boat excursion lasts about 8 to 9 hours, from 7:30 until 17:00, with a packed lunch on board. The route explores the rivers around the Encontro das Águas State Park, the area with the highest concentration of jaguars in the world. From July to October a jaguar sighting is almost guaranteed. Bring sun cream, insect repellent, camera and binoculars.

Night: Pousada Berço Pantaneiro
Day 9Porto Jofre

Porto Jofre — full-day jaguar boat safari

Second full-day boat safari on the rivers of the jaguar region, with the same experienced boatmen. Besides jaguars, look out for giant otters, caimans, capybaras and river birds such as kingfishers and herons.

Night: Pousada Berço Pantaneiro
Day 10Northern Pantanal

Porto Jofre — SouthWild Pantanal Lodge

The jaguar programme ends today and you transfer to SouthWild Pantanal Lodge on the Pixaim river. You stay here on a full-board basis with daily wildlife activities; the elusive ocelot is regularly seen in this part of the Pantanal.

Night: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge
Day 11Northern Pantanal

SouthWild Pantanal — lodge programme

A day dedicated to the Pantanal. Included: full board, access to the Ocelot Observatory, the walking trails and two observation towers (one 16 m from a jabiru nest, the other on the Pixaim river bank), and a two-hour boat trip per day. Guests staying three nights also get a two-hour truck safari. Lodge staff assist in Portuguese; a bilingual nature guide is available at extra cost.

Night: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge
Day 12Northern Pantanal

SouthWild Pantanal — lodge programme

Second full day at the lodge with the same activity programme: boat trips on the Pixaim river, the trail network in the gallery forest, the observation towers and the evening ocelot experience.

Night: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge
Day 13Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Northern Pantanal — Cuiabá — flight to Rio de Janeiro — REGUA

The Pantanal programme ends today. Pick-up at the lodge and transfer to Cuiabá airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival you are met and driven to Cachoeiras de Macacu, 100 km from Rio. This part of the Atlantic Rainforest on the slopes of the Serra do Mar has one of the highest numbers of endemic birds of any habitat on earth. Three nights at Guapi Assu Bird Lodge in the REGUA reserve, full board.

Night: Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA)
Day 14Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

REGUA — full-day birding with a local guide

A full day of bird watching with an experienced local REGUA guide. More than 400 species have been recorded here, 100 of them found only in the Atlantic Forest. The route visits different habitats along forest trails, with a packed lunch from the lodge. In the afternoon you continue exploring the trails with the guide.

Night: Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA)
Day 15Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

REGUA — full-day birding with a local guide

Second full day with the REGUA guide in the lowland and upland forest and the restored wetlands of the reserve.

Night: Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA)
Day 16Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

REGUA — Eco Lodge Itororó (start lodge programme)

The next nature programme in the Atlantic Rainforest starts today. Pick-up at REGUA and transfer to Eco Lodge Itororó. After check-in you can watch the bird activity at the feeders on the lodge terrace. After a typical Brazilian meal there is a walk through the orchid and bromeliad garden as a first impression of the forest, with attention to the lodge's environmental project. Four nights, full board with daily excursions.

Night: Eco Lodge Itororó
Day 17Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Itororó — walk to the Porcelet viewpoint

After breakfast a guided walk to the Porcelet, 5.5 km away and 250 m higher, with a wide view over the surroundings. Back at the lodge in the early afternoon there is time to swim, sit under the waterfall or walk the trails; the evening ends around the campfire. A normal level of fitness is required. Another excursion can be planned instead if you have specific target birds — let us know in advance.

Night: Eco Lodge Itororó
Day 18Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Itororó — golden lion tamarin visit (optional)

Early breakfast and transfer to the golden lion tamarin project. Visits take place early in the morning, when the tamarins come closer to the ground; after 10:00 they withdraw to the higher canopy. This endangered small primate of the Atlantic Forest has a wild population of just over 2,000 animals, and the project is crucial for its protection. Back at the lodge the rest of the day is planned with your nature guide. Note: on the BRS page the tamarin visit is listed as an optional add-on to the lodge programme — confirm in advance.

Night: Eco Lodge Itororó
Day 19Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Itororó — trails and bird watching at the lodge

A day to enjoy the Atlantic Rainforest around the lodge. Five marked and mapped trails on the grounds can be explored independently: a viewpoint, the natural orchid and bromeliad garden with tree ferns, a pond full of amphibians and more. With luck you may see tayra, spot-billed and saffron toucanets, a wood quail, an oncilla or a sloth. An extra excursion can be arranged with your guide.

Night: Eco Lodge Itororó
Day 20Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Eco Lodge Itororó — Rio de Janeiro airport (end of programme)

The programme ends today. Transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport (about 2.5 hours). End of the land arrangement.

Destinations

5 destinations

Paraty3 nights

Paraty is a preserved colonial port town on the Costa Verde, about three hours by road from Rio and midway between Rio and São Paulo. It was one of Brazil’s richest towns before Rio’s rise, then stagnated — which is why the 17th-century centre, with its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, survived intact.

The historic centre is pedestrian, with a good density of restaurants and bars. Excursions cover the bay (schooner or speedboat trips to islands and beaches, kayaking), the surrounding rainforest and waterfalls (jeep tours, hikes, horse riding) and the cachaça distilleries.

Practical: usually combined with Ilha Grande; road transfers from Rio, Ilha Grande (via Angra) and São Paulo. Works well as a self-drive stop on a Rio–São Paulo route.

Ubatuba3 nights

Ubatuba lies on the Costa Verde in the state of São Paulo, one hour from Paraty, with more than 100 beaches between the Atlantic Rainforest and the sea, the islands Anchieta and Ilha das Couves and the Tamar sea-turtle project. It is the rainiest town of Brazil and one of the greenest: 80 percent of the municipality is protected forest of the Serra do Mar State Park. Beaches range from surf beaches such as Itamambuca and Félix to calm bays like Lázaro and Domingas Dias. Ubatuba is 3.5 hours from São Paulo and 5 hours from Rio; a car is useful, as the beaches lie 5 to 40 km from the centre. Best season April to October.

Porto Jofre3 nights

Porto Jofre, at the end of the Transpantaneira, is the jaguar capital of the world. Where the Cuiabá river meets other waterways, low water in the dry season forces jaguars to hunt along the exposed riverbanks, where they are easily observed from boats without disturbing them. Safaris run in the cooler morning and late-afternoon hours with specialised guides. Besides jaguars: giant otters, capybaras, caimans and birds such as kingfishers, herons and jabiru storks. Accommodation ranges from the authentic Pousada Porto Jofre (with renovated suites) and the comfortable Santa Rosa and Hotel Porto Jofre to the floating Jaguar Suites and Flotel in the middle of jaguar territory.

Northern Pantanal3 nights

The North Pantanal, reached via Cuiabá and the unpaved Transpantaneira road, is the world’s best place to see jaguars in the wild, especially around Porto Jofre. Lodges along the Transpantaneira offer full-board packages with walks, horseback rides, boat trips and vehicle safaris. The dry season (July–October) is the top period for wildlife and jaguar safaris; the wet season brings green landscapes and abundant water birds. The region combines well with the red cliffs and waterfalls of Chapada dos Guimarães and the crystal-clear rivers of Nobres.

Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)7 nights

The Serra dos Órgãos and Serra do Mar mountains rise behind the coast north-east of Rio de Janeiro. Their slopes hold one of the largest remaining tracts of Atlantic Rainforest and one of the highest numbers of endemic birds of any habitat on earth. Two lodges make the region a classic birding stop: Guapi Assu Bird Lodge in the REGUA reserve near Cachoeiras de Macacu, with lowland forest, restored wetlands and more than 400 recorded species, and Eco Lodge Itororó in a private valley at 1,200 m, with feeders, marked trails and access to the Três Picos park and the golden lion tamarin project. Both are about 2 to 2.5 hours from Rio airport and work with specialised bird guides.

Hotels

6 hotels in 2 classes

Hotels are shown per class; a mix of classes is possible. Jump to: Tourist class Mid-range

Tourist class

Ninho da CambacicaUbatuba

Ubatuba, Atlantic Rainforest

Ninho da Cambacica Birdwatching grew out of the dream of two biologists to live in a place where they could witness nature in an untouched setting. The lodge works with ecotourism, bird observation and environmental education to support the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. Fruit and grain feeders are visited by birds all year round, with seasonal and rarer species depending on the time of year. Breakfast is included, with home-made bread, pastries and cheese bread. Standard double rooms.

Breakfast included · bird feeders · deck · forest surroundings

Pousada Berço PantaneiroPorto Jofre

Porto Jofre, close to the river

Pousada Berço Pantaneiro lies in Porto Jofre in the middle of the wild Pantanal, close to the river. With personal service and a very hospitable approach guests get a true Pantaneiro experience. The pousada has 11 apartments and works on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Rooms have air conditioning, electric shower and comfortable beds; there is fast Starlink Wi-Fi, a common room where guests gather at the end of the day, a TV room, a barbecue area and a dining room. The pousada runs its own wildlife boat safaris with more than 8 boats, comfortable seats and 40 to 50 hp engines; excursions last about 9 hours with a packed lunch on board, exploring the rivers around the Encontro das Águas State Park.

Full board · air conditioning · Wi-Fi (Starlink) · own safari boats · common room · TV room · barbecue area

SouthWild Pantanal LodgeNorthern Pantanal

Pixaim river, 2.5 km from the Transpantaneira (former Fazenda Santa Tereza)

SouthWild Pantanal Lodge sits 2.5 km from the Transpantaneira on the wooded bank of the Pixaim river, one of the most wildlife-rich stretches of the Northern Pantanal. The twelve screened rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers, ceiling fans, air conditioning and a queen-size bed or two singles; the large screened dining room looks out on the river and the bird feeders. Activities include two-hour boat trips morning and late afternoon, the evening Ocelot Experience, four kilometres of trails in the gallery forest, observation towers (one at a jabiru nest), horse riding and night spotlighting by truck. Jaguars are seen on the river about every six days. Meals are buffet style with vegetarian options; there is a small pool. Best months: May to December.

Air conditioning · private bathroom · screened dining room · pool · boat trips · observation towers · trails · ocelot observatory · full board

Mid-range

Vila Mont LodgeParaty

Atlantic Rainforest, Juatinga peninsula, 20 min from Paraty

Vila Mont is set on a hilly estate of about 40 hectares in the Atlantic Rainforest, twenty minutes by car from colonial Paraty, halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on the Costa Verde. The lodge takes about 18 guests in detached two-person lodges around a central main house with kitchen and living area. The garden and the forest behind it are very rich in birds. The stay is half board (breakfast and dinner); guests may also cook. Two natural pools with small waterfalls are fed by a clear stream. Saco do Mamanguá, the largest fjord of Brazil, is a two-hour walk over the hill. A nature guide with car is included in the programme.

Half board · detached lodges · natural pools · bird-rich garden · vegetable garden · fireplaces · verandas · guide with car included

Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA)Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

REGUA reserve, Cachoeiras de Macacu, 100 km from Rio

Guapi Assu Bird Lodge lies in the heart of the Atlantic Forest in south-east Brazil. It was opened in 2004 as part of the REGUA project to offer visitors to the reserve high-quality accommodation and is run on a non-profit basis. The lodge stands on a small hill at the edge of the restored wetlands, looking out on the forested Serra dos Órgãos. Guests have access to the lowland and upland forest and the wetlands of the reserve, and excursions are organised to other habitats for species not found at REGUA. The lodge is small and informal, with a comfortable lounge, a large dining area, a good library, a small pool, 24-hour electricity, solar hot water and internet near the reserve office. Six double rooms, two twin rooms and two single rooms for up to 18 guests, all en suite; some with private balcony.

Full board · pool · library · lounge · 24-hour electricity · solar hot water · internet · laundry service (fee)

Eco Lodge ItororóSerra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó)

Private valley at 1,200 m, Serra do Mar, 2.5 hours from Rio

Eco Lodge Itororó lies in a quiet private valley with views of the mountains and the surrounding untouched rainforest. Its own network of trails makes it possible to see many tropical species of flora and fauna within a short walk of the lodge. At 1,200 m the climate is pleasant, without air conditioning or mosquitoes in the rooms. The lodge has 8 suites and 2 cabins, a dining room, veranda and terrace overlooking the bird feeders, Wi-Fi throughout and a fire bowl on the terrace for the evenings. More than 200 bird species have been recorded on the grounds, 60 of them endemic to the Atlantic Forest. The programme is full board with excursions led by an experienced nature guide; the selection of excursions is agreed in advance.

Full board · suites and cabins · feeders · marked trails · Wi-Fi · terrace with fire bowl · nature guide

Excursions

5 included, 1 optional

Included

Bird watching with a local guide, Vila Mont Lodgeprivate

Day 2 · Paraty · 3 days

During the stay at Vila Mont a very good nature and bird guide, such as Chico, is at your disposal and is also your driver. He knows the best spots and agrees the excursion goals with you for the coming days. Choices include several good forest areas, a hummingbird garden where 6 to 9 species can be seen and photographed at close range, higher parts of the Mata Atlântica, and a walk of about 3 hours followed by a boat trip along the beaches of Saco do Mamanguá. More than 400 species have been recorded in the region, 100 of them Atlantic Forest endemics, among them jacamars, puffbirds, aracaris, toucans, trogons, motmots and many hummingbirds. Feeders at the lodge bring species close to your room. A reserve visit combined with relaxed rafting can be booked locally at extra cost.

Included: Guide with car for the days at Vila Mont, Boat trip Saco do Mamanguá
Not included: Reserve visit with rafting (bookable locally), Hummingbird garden entrance fee (small), Multi-day Juatinga trekking

Porto Jofre: full-day jaguar safari by boatshared

Day 8 · Porto Jofre · 8–9 hours

A full day devoted to jaguars and the other wildlife of the Pantanal. Pousada Porto Jofre’s own boats, with comfortable seats and 40–50 hp engines, navigate the rivers around the Encontro das Águas State Park, the place with the highest concentration of jaguars in the world. The excursion lasts 8–9 hours from morning to late afternoon; from July to October a jaguar sighting is almost guaranteed. Included on days 8 and 9. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, camera and binoculars.

Included: Boat with local guide, Full-day excursion, Lunch on board or at the lodge
Not included: Drinks, Tips

SouthWild Pantanal Lodge activity programmeshared

Day 10 · Northern Pantanal · 3 nights

Included with the stay: full board, access to the Ocelot Observatory, the walking trails and two observation towers (one 16 m from a jabiru nest, the other on the Pixaim river), a two-hour boat trip per day and, for three-night stays, a two-hour truck safari. The most popular activities are the boat trips in the early morning and late afternoon on the 70 m wide Pixaim river, with tame kingfishers and hawks, and the ocelot experience in the early evening. Bird feeders 5 to 10 m from the lodge attract songbirds, hummingbirds and toco toucans; four kilometres of trails cross the gallery forest, the richest habitat of the Pantanal for birds and monkeys. Staff assist in Portuguese; a bilingual nature guide can be arranged at extra cost.

Included: Full board, Daily 2-hour boat trip, Ocelot Observatory, Trails and observation towers, Truck safari (3-night stays), Chilled drinking water
Not included: Bilingual nature guide (supplement), Drinks, Tips

Full-day birding at REGUA with a local guideprivate

Day 14 · Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó) · 2 full days

Two full days of bird watching with an experienced local REGUA guide. More than 400 species have been recorded in the reserve, 100 of them found only in the Atlantic Forest. The routes visit different habitats along forest trails — lowland forest, upland forest and the restored wetlands — with the chance to see a large number of species. A packed lunch is provided by the lodge; in the afternoon you continue on the trails with the guide.

Included: REGUA bird guide on days 14 and 15, Packed lunch, Full board at the lodge
Not included: Drinks, Tips

Eco Lodge Itororó activity programmeprivate

Day 16 · Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó) · 4 nights

Eco Lodge Itororó includes a range of activities in the programme for an active stay in the rainforest and the mountains: bird watching, hiking, wildlife and bird and landscape photography. Activities include “Rainforest Impressions”, walks to the Porcelet viewpoint and the Três Picos State Park, and bird-watching tours. The experienced nature guide discusses the exact order of excursions on arrival and adapts it to your wishes, for example if you want to see specific birds — let us know in advance. The trails on the grounds can also be explored independently, including a viewpoint and the orchid and bromeliad garden. Less suitable for guests with limited mobility.

Included: Full board, Daily guided excursion, Nature guide, Use of the trails
Not included: Golden lion tamarin visit (optional, see below), Drinks, Tips

Optional

Golden lion tamarin project visitprivate

Day 18 · Serra dos Órgãos (REGUA and Itororó) · Half day (early morning)

Early breakfast and transfer to the golden lion tamarin project. Visits take place early in the morning, when the tamarins come closer to the ground; after 10:00 they withdraw to the higher canopy and are hard to see. The endangered golden lion tamarin, a small primate of the Atlantic Forest, has a wild population of just over 2,000 animals in a few areas of south-east Brazil; the project is crucial for its protection. Back at the lodge the rest of the day is planned with your guide. To be requested in advance.

Included: Transfer to the project, Guide
Not included: Drinks, Tips

Transfers

11 transfers

Day	Transfer	Type
1	Rio de Janeiro airport (GIG) – Vila Mont LodgeCar delivered at GIG; GM Spin 1.8 or similar, automatic, A/C, unlimited km, standard insurance; days 1–7, drop-off São Paulo (GRU)	Rental car (self-drive), approx. 3 hours
4	Vila Mont Lodge – Ubatuba	Rental car (self-drive), approx. 1–2 hours
7	Ubatuba – São Paulo airport (GRU)Return of the rental car at GRU; leave early	Rental car (self-drive), approx. 4.5 hours
7	São Paulo (GRU) – CuiabáNot included	Domestic flight
7	Cuiabá airport – Pousada Berço Pantaneiro, Porto JofrePhoto stops for wildlife along the way	Private transfer, approx. 5 hours (Transpantaneira)
10	Pousada Berço Pantaneiro – SouthWild Pantanal Lodge	Road transfer, Transpantaneira
13	SouthWild Pantanal Lodge – Cuiabá airport	Private transfer
13	Cuiabá – Rio de JaneiroNot included	Domestic flight
13	Rio de Janeiro airport – Guapi Assu Bird Lodge (REGUA)	Private transfer, approx. 100 km
16	REGUA – Eco Lodge Itororó	Private transfer
20	Eco Lodge Itororó – Rio de Janeiro airport (GIG)	Private transfer, approx. 2.5 hours

Good to know

Meals. Vila Mont Lodge is half board (breakfast and dinner), Ninho da Cambacica bed and breakfast. The Pantanal lodges, Guapi Assu Bird Lodge and Eco Lodge Itororó are full board with all meals included.

Guides. A local nature and bird guide with car is included at Vila Mont (days 1–3), a REGUA guide on days 14–15 and the Itororó nature guide on days 16–19. At SouthWild Pantanal Lodge staff assist in Portuguese; a bilingual guide is a supplement. Guides at the lodges usually work in English and Portuguese.

Rental car. Self-drive days 1–7: GM Spin 1.8 or similar (spacious, large boot), automatic, air conditioning, unlimited kilometres and standard collision insurance. Pick-up Rio de Janeiro airport (GIG), drop-off São Paulo airport (GRU). The excess can be reduced or bought off locally.

Flights. International flights and the domestic flights São Paulo – Cuiabá (day 7) and Cuiabá – Rio de Janeiro (day 13) are not included and are quoted separately.

Best season. The Pantanal jaguar season runs from July to October, with the highest chances in August and September; the Atlantic Forest lodges can be visited all year, with the drier months April to October most comfortable. The start date is free.

Group size. The BRS sample is based on four travellers sharing two double rooms; the programme can be quoted for two or more.

Fitness. The Porcelet walk at Itororó (5.5 km, +250 m) and the REGUA trails require a normal level of fitness; the Itororó programme is less suitable for guests with limited mobility.

What to bring. Binoculars, camera with telephoto lens (300 mm or more for jaguars), sun cream, insect repellent, hat and light long-sleeved clothing for the boat days.

Tailor-made. Destinations can be shortened, extended or replaced; excursions are selected to match your interests. Target species for the Itororó and Vila Mont days should be passed on in advance.

Southeast — Rio & Costa Verde Central-West — Pantanal & Cerrado Wildlife Nature & ecotourism Self-drive

Bird Watching Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest, Pantanal & REGUA — 20-day itinerary

Day by day

Rio de Janeiro — Vila Mont Lodge, Paraty region (start self-drive)

Paraty region — bird watching around Vila Mont

Paraty region — bird watching around Vila Mont

Paraty — Ubatuba (self-drive)

Ubatuba — free day at Ninho da Cambacica