Brazil – Iguazú: Falls, Forest & Birdlife

Upon arrival at Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU), you will be greeted by your guide and set out toward Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side. Here, the panoramic walkway offers a truly breathtaking introduction to Iguazú Falls, one of the world’s largest and most awe-inspiring waterfall systems. Surrounded by the roar of cascading water and the lush embrace of the Atlantic rainforest, you’ll pause to marvel at the spectacle while watching Great Dusky Swifts darting in and out of their nesting sites behind the curtains of water. With luck, we may also spot the vibrant Toco Toucan, the colorful Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, the striking Surucua Trogon, or the energetic White-bearded Manakin.

After soaking in these views, we’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch in a comfortable local setting before crossing into Argentina. As the day winds down, we check in at our hotel in Puerto Iguazú, where a welcoming dinner awaits, an ideal way to end our first day at the falls. Overnight at Cataratas Village Hotel. (L, D)

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a full-day expedition into the lush Atlantic Forest of Iguazú National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning scenery and extraordinary biodiversity. Along winding forest trails and from canopy lookouts, we’ll immerse ourselves in the sounds and colors of the rainforest, encountering flocks of dazzling tanagers, elusive antbirds, and the graceful silhouettes of trogons. Among the many highlights are frequent sightings of Black-throated Trogon, Green-headed Tanager, Rufous Gnateater, Plush-crested Jay, Violaceous Euphonia, Southern Antpipit, and Spot-backed Antshrike.

Midday, we pause to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant surrounded by the atmosphere of the forest, before continuing our explorations. In the afternoon, we visit the enchanting Hummingbird Garden, where feeders attract a kaleidoscope of jewels on the wing, including Versicolored Emerald, Black Jacobin, and Swallow-tailed Hummingbird. As evening approaches, we return to the hotel, where a relaxing dinner rounds off a day rich in discovery and unforgettable encounters with the wildlife of Iguazú. Overnight at Cataratas Village Hotel. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we set out northeast toward Urugua-í Provincial Park or the forested landscapes near the town of Andresito, a region that shelters some of the Atlantic Forest’s most sought-after specialties. With patience and luck, we may encounter the endangered Black-fronted Piping-Guan, the tiny Ochre-collared Piculet, the elusive Southern Bristle-Tyrant, and forest skulkers such as the White-shouldered Fire-eye and Large-tailed Antshrike. Surrounded by the calls of the forest, each sighting feels like a hidden treasure revealed.

Around midday, we pause for lunch before continuing to Karadya Birding Lodge, a private biological reserve nestled within the Urugua-í – Foerster Corridor. This remarkable conservation area safeguards mature tracts of Atlantic Forest, providing a sanctuary for more than 300 bird species. Here, we search for rarities such as the Spot-billed Toucanet, the dazzling Blue Manakin, the impressive Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, and an array of woodcreepers and foliage-gleaners that thrive in this pristine habitat.

As the forest begins to quiet with the approach of dusk, we make our way back to Puerto Iguazú, arriving after sunset. A well-deserved dinner at the hotel closes another rewarding day in the heart of the Atlantic Forest. Overnight at Cataratas Village Hotel. (B, L, D)

On our final morning, after breakfast, we dedicate our last birding hours to exploring Route 101 and the Iriapú Reserve, two areas that offer wonderful opportunities for close encounters with some of the region’s characteristic species. Here, we may delight in the colorful Chestnut-eared Aracari, scan the wetlands for the shy Least Grebe, and listen for the resonant calls of the Rufous-capped Motmot and the lively Short-crested Flycatcher. Surrounded by the vibrant sounds of the forest, this outing provides a fitting conclusion to our time in Iguazú.

We then gather for a farewell lunch in town, sharing final impressions of the journey, before transferring to Foz do Iguaçu Airport for departures. (B, L)