birdtours.co.uk - Swallows and Amazons, brazil

"Swallows and Amazons" is an independently operated, professional river and jungle tour company run by the husband and wife team Tania and Mark Aitchison based in Manaus, Brazil. (Request a Brochure)

DAY 00

Arrival and Transfer IN to hotel
Welcome dinner at Bufalo BarBQ restaurant

Overnight at Taj Mahal 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 3 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 Taj Mahal 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

Our naturalist guides are NOT trained Ornithologists. And while they do know a great number of Amazonian birds by local name we encourage guests to work with our guides to insure the best possible tour experience.
Besides birds you should also expect to see wildlife such as Dolphins, Monkeys, Iguanas, Alligators, Snakes, and Treesloths.
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.
Bird lists and field guidebooks will be provided to guests…but bring your own binoculars and journals.
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)- depending on availability.
more customized birding and cavern tours to Presidente Figuereido may also be arranged with 2 persons minimum
Recommended guidebook are Birds of Brazil by Helmut Sick and Birds of Venezuela (2^nd edition) by Steve Hilty .