Birdwatching Tours

We offer two 1 week all-inclusive (except air) birding programs here in the Brazilian Amazon: one is a classic riverboat based tour and takes birders onto the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers beyond the city of Manaus (itinerary below), the second is operated around the town of Presidente Figuereido (120 kms north of Manaus) and is a van supported walking tour- w/ camping and hotel- of the caverns and waterfalls this region is famous for (itineray also below). Both tours feature the guide services of noted Amazon "birder" Dr. Reynier Omena and a 2nd translator/guide. Bird lists available upon request.

Manaus Area by Boat

DAY 00 Arrival and Transfer IN to hotel. Welcome dinner at Bufalo BarBQ restaurant.
Overnight at Lord Hotel

DAY 01 After an early breakfast the group will be taken to bird the rich grounds of the Tropical Hotel where we will search for the Turquoise, Opal-rumped and Silver-beaked Tanager, Green Aracari, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Rufus-throated Sapphire, Fork-tailed Woodnymph and other birds. Before lunch the group will board our boat and travel three hours up the Rio Negro River to the Ariau River just before the Anavilhanas Archipelago (one of the largest groups of fresh water islands in the world and an ecological reserve). Late afternoon birding at Ariau River and Lake Acajatuba

DAY 02 Wake up to the beautiful scenery of the Anavilhanas Islands. Here we hope to see the Blue and Yellow Macaw, Festive Parrot, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Black-chinned and Ash-breasted Antbird, along with other rare island specialists. Day spent exploring the islands always looking for larger birds such as Parrots, Macaws, Cream-colored Woodpeckers, Herons, Hawks and possibly Eagles. Daily canoeing and walking tours to find birds.

DAY 03 Wake up on the east bank of the Rio Cuieiras (Rio Negro tributary, mid islands) where we will bird the terra firma forest (deep highland jungle). Each morning there will be small boat excursions looking for the White-throated and Channel-billed Toucan, Red and Green Macaw, Red Fan, Red-loared and Mealy Parrots, Black Nunbirds, Green and Amazon Kingfisher, Lineated and Crimson-crested Woodpeckers, Bat Falcon and the recently re-discovered Pelzeln's Tody-tyrant. We will also explore for other local specialists such as the Yellow-crowned Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant Manakin, Bronzy and Paradise Jacamar, Green and Olive Oropendola, and Banded-tailed Nighthawk. We will spend two days birding on the Rio Negro River before heading back downriver to the Amazon River. Canoeing and walking excursions.

DAY 04 Wake up at Marchantaria Island on the Amazon River where we search for such rare birds as several varieties of Spinetail, Riverside Tyrant, Black and White Antbird, Lesser Hornero, Bicolored Conebill, Ladder-tailed Nightjar and Oriole Blackbird. Later we will bird near the community of Carreiro for the White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Masked-crimson Tanager, Lettered Aracari, Snail Kite, Barred Antshrike, Troupial, Black-capped Donacobius, Capped Heron, Wattled Jacana, Black-collared and Savannah Hawk, Spot-breasted Woodpecker. Canoeing and walking excursions.

DAY 05 Wake up on Januaca Lake. Morning birding in search of the Tui Parakeet, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Green Ibis, Greater Ani, Striated Heron, Scarlet Macaw, Orange-winged Parrot, Black-tailed and Blue-crowned Trogon, and Green and Rufus Kingfisher. In these lakes we will also see an abundance of nesting Herons and Egrets. Canoeing and walking excursions.

DAY 06 Wake up at Lake Janauari in the peninsular between the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers. Photograph giant Amazon Waterlilies and look for Pink & Grey River Dolphins. The tour ends with a sunset visit to the famous "meeting of the waters" (the black Negro and brown Amazon).
Return to Manaus Overnight at Lord Hotel

DAY 07 Guided drive to bird at Manaus' Reserva Ducke tower at KM 20 (AM 010), visit the Amazonas Opera House for lunch and, time permitting, bird at the INPA tower located at KM 50 (BR-174). Transfer OUT to Airport for Departure.

11 and 15 Day Birding tours are also available. The core of these tours is as above, with additional days spent at each destination as well as travel farther up the Rio Negro and Amazon (Solimoes) rivers.
These tours are operated in one of our classic riverboats (hammocks). For 25% more above the list price travelers may tour aboard our 6 cabin a/c houseboat (beds).

Price is $1710 per person, minimum of 2 people.
Includes 2 hotel nights, all meals, all tours, transfers, all drinks, except for beer.

The Caverns of Presidente Figueredo

This tour features birdwatching amongst the caves, caverns and rainforest of the municipality of Presidente Figueredo located 120 kilometres north of the historic city of Manaus, Brazil. Accommodations in Presidente Figueredo are a rustic hotel called the Pousada Cuca Legal. This tour also includes a one day Amazon River tour plus a one day Manaus tour plus hotel, dinners and airport transfers in Manaus.

DAY 00 Arrival and Transfer IN to Hotel. Welcome dinner at Bufalo BarBQ restaurant.
Overnight at Lord Hotel

DAY 01 After breakfast the group will enjoy a 6 hour boat trip to visit the Amazon River and see the sights (the meeting of the waters, Amazon waterlilies, piranha fishing, Caboclo river people etc). In the late afternoon the group will drive three hours north of Manaus to the town of President Figueredo and to the Pousada Cuca Legal. Overnight at Pousada Cuca Legal

DAY 02-06 Over the course of 5 days one of our naturalist guides will lead the group to different cave, waterfall and rainforest locations in search of the amazing variety of avifauna found in this region. All meals and nightly accommodations at Pousada Cuca Legal are included. Return to Manaus. Overnight at Lord Hotel

DAY 07 Guided drive to bird at Manaus' Reserva Ducke tower at KM 20 (AM 010), visit the Amazonas Opera House for lunch and, time permitting, bird at the INPA tower at KM 50 (BR 174). Transfer OUT to Airport for Departure

Price is $ per person, minimum of 2 people.
Includes 2 hotel nights, all meals, all tours, transfers, all drinks, except for beer.

On both of these tours:

Besides birds you should also expect to see wildlife such as Dolphins, Monkeys, Iguanas, Alligators, Snakes, and Treesloths.
Bird lists will be provided to guests…but bring your own binoculars and journals.
Recommended guidebook are Birds of Brazil by Helmut Sick and Birds of Venezuela (2nd edition) by Steve Hilty .
Each traveler will receive a complimentary copy of Aves do Amazonia (Birds of Amazonia) by guide-ornithologist, Reynier Omena (or someone similar)