Brazil - Wild Amazon and Harpy Eagle

Embark on our adventure in search of the majestic Harpy Eagle with a one-hour flight from Cuiabá to Alta Floresta. Upon arrival, our dedicated driver and comfortable vehicle will be waiting for us. We will then stop at a local restaurant for lunch, a restroom break, and some time to relax. The journey from the airport takes approximately three hours, taking us to the banks of the Juruena River, one of the region’s most impressive waterways. From there, we will cross the river by speedboat, to reach SouthWild Amazon Lodge.

Along the way, we will have opportunities to observe a variety of bird species, including Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Turquoise-fronted Parrots, Greater Yellow-headed Vultures, Blue-gray Tanagers, White-winged Swallows, Ringed Kingfishers, Yellow-headed Caracaras, and many more.

We will arrive at the lodge and check in before enjoying dinner. Later, we will review the day’s birding checklist and have a brief orientation about the exciting activities planned for the following day. (L, D)

Begin the day with an early breakfast and a birding excursion around camp, looking for species such as Güira Cuckoo, Turquoise Tanager, Silver-beaked Tanager, and Swallow Tanager. We will then travel by safari truck to the area where viewing towers are strategically positioned near active Harpy Eagle nests.

The magnificent Harpy Eagle is one of the region’s most important symbols of a healthy Amazonian forest. We will visit an active nest, with the tower offering an exceptional eye-level view. A fully grown juvenile is highly likely, and depending on the breeding stage, we may also see an adult. Juveniles can remain near the nest for up to 12 months after fledging, while their parents continue to provide prey such as sloths and primates. The spacious viewing platform is easily accessible by steps, and the nest, typically more than 27 meters above the ground, can be observed from an excellent vantage point. We will visit an active nest at least once during our stay, with additional visits depending on its proximity to the lodge and current conditions.

After this memorable experience, we will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax while enjoying the birds around camp. In the afternoon, we will explore nearby trails and roads in search of Amazonian wildlife, including peccaries, coatis, tapirs, and several monkey species. Among the highlights are the Endangered Gray Woolly Monkey and White-nosed Saki, both characteristic primates of the central-southern Amazon. We may also encounter Black-faced Black Spider Monkey, Black-tailed Marmoset, Red Howler Monkey, Brown Capuchin, Common Squirrel Monkey, and Dusky Titi. Ocelots are occasionally seen near the river, while night drives can reveal nocturnal species.

Birding remains a major focus, with opportunities for toucans, trogons, manakins, jacamars, woodpeckers, cotingas, tanagers, antbirds, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. Blue Dacnis is relatively common, while Rufous-tailed, Bronzy, and Paradise Jacamars are among the species we may encounter. Around the lodge, we may also find Spangled Cotinga, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Masked Tityra, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, and Black-throated Mango. Tropical Screech Owl, Common Potoo, and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl are among the nocturnal highlights.

As night falls, we will return to the lodge for dinner and a brief orientation on the following day’s activities. Overnight at the camp. (B, L, D)

We will start the day with an early breakfast before embarking on an exploration of the Juruena River, located within one of Brazil’s largest national parks, spanning approximately 1,958,000 hectares. This vast protected area safeguards unique Amazonian forests as well as portions of the xerophytic biome, creating a remarkable mosaic of habitats. These include extensive areas of primary forest, mature secondary forest, reforested areas resulting from ongoing conservation efforts, open grasslands, lagoons, and lakes.

Boat trips along the Juruena River are particularly scenic and offer excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. Along the riverside vegetation, we may encounter Black-collared Swallow, White-banded and White-winged Swallows, Red-throated Piping Guan, Hoatzin, Yellow-billed and Large-billed Terns, and Black Skimmer.

Venturing deeper into the area, we will explore the corixos, narrow channels that provide access to different habitats and can reveal species such as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Ringed, Amazon, and Green Kingfishers, Razor-billed Curassow, Red-capped Cardinal, Sunbittern, and White-throated Toucan. Neotropical and Giant Otters may be seen along the waterways, and we may even encounter a troop of Black-capped Capuchins. Peccaries often cross the channels, while jaguar is possible, although sightings are rare in this area.

The birdlife may also include raptors such as Great Black Hawk, Bat Falcon, and Plumbeous Harrier, while the riverside trees can hold Band-tailed Antbird, the remarkable Umbrellabird, Striped Cuckoo, and other species.

The forest understory may reveal smaller species such as Spotted Tody-Flycatcher and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. As the day draws to a close, we will enjoy a spectacular sunset before returning to the lodge for dinner, followed by a briefing and some time to relax and socialize. (B, L, D)

Following an early breakfast, we will revisit the Harpy Eagle nest area for another opportunity to observe this magnificent species and enjoy the diverse birdlife inhabiting the reserve. Around the pools and lagoons, we may encounter Capped, Rufescent Tiger, and Striated Herons, Snowy Egret, Green Ibis, and Swallow-winged Puffbirds, as well as Blue-black Grassquit and Smooth-billed Ani in the surrounding vegetation. Flocks of Red-bellied Macaws often roost around these lagoons, and there is always a chance of mammals coming to drink or bathe, with Tapirs regularly seen in the area.

Between the lagoons and the river, we may encounter several kingfisher species, including Amazon, Green, Green-and-rufous, American Pygmy, and Ringed Kingfishers. Other notable birds we may encounter include Black-fronted Nunbird, Amazonian Trogon, Gould’s Toucanet, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Lineated Woodpecker, Swallow-winged Puffbird, and a variety of antbirds.

After an exciting morning of birdwatching, we will return to camp for lunch before beginning our journey back to Alta Floresta. We will spend our final evening in the area at Fazenda Anaca, a charming property where we will enjoy dinner and our last night surrounded by the region’s rich wildlife. (B, L, D)

We will start with an early breakfast before enjoying one last morning of birding around the beautiful grounds of the fazenda. This outing will offer opportunities to spot species such as Red-bellied Macaw, Red-fan Parrot, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Chestnut Woodpecker, Wattled Jacana, Scaled Dove, and many other birds of the area.

Following this final birding excursion, we will transfer to Alta Floresta Airport in time for our flight to Cuiabá. (B)

Departs: All year round. Arrival and Departure Airport is Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) in Cuiabá.

Due to the current flight availability between Cuiabá and Alta Floresta, this tour operates as a private service from Wednesday to Sunday. If you prefer a shorter four-day version, it is also possible to arrange the tour from Sunday to Wednesday. Please contact us for availability and further details.

Pre-holiday: For those who prefer a more relaxed start to the trip, we recommend arriving in Cuiabá one day before the tour begins and spending the night there. This will allow you to have a good night’s rest before your flight to Alta Floresta and the onward journey into the Amazon the following day. Please let us know if you would like to add this extra night in Cuiabá, and we will be happy to make the necessary arrangements at an additional cost