Suggested itinerary · August to mid-October
Brazil
Photography Expedition
Three extraordinary regions.
One complete 14-day journey.
Explore the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães in one carefully planned expedition. From forest birds to Pantanal jaguars and Chapada’s landscapes, make the most of Brazil’s wildlife and photography opportunities with experienced leadership and personal attention.
- Duration
- 14 days · 13 nights
- Start & finish
- São Paulo–Guarulhos · GRU
- Activity level
- Moderate · walking on uneven terrain
- Travel window
- August through mid-October
Meals: Day 1: none. Days 2–5 and 7–12: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Days 6, 13 and 14: breakfast only.
Atlantic Forest · Pantanal · Chapada dos Guimarães
Three regions.
All part of the expedition.
Both domestic flights and two Pantanal jaguar boat excursions are included in this program.
View full-size route map
- 01São Paulo–Guarulhos · GRU arrivalDay 1
- 02Tapiraí · Atlantic ForestDays 2–5
- 03VCP–CGB flight · Poconé & TranspantaneiraDays 6–7
- 04Porto Jofre · Pantanal jaguar boat excursionsDays 8–10
- 05Return to PoconéDay 10
- 06Chapada dos GuimarãesDays 11–12
- 07CGB–GRU flight · São Paulo & international departureDays 13–14
Your suggested program
Day by day in Brazil.
This itinerary is a starting point. Dates, photography priorities and arrangements can be adapted to your group’s needs and confirmed before booking.
Day 01Arrival in São Paulo
Arrive at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). Transfer to the airport hotel for check-in and an expedition orientation with your trip leader.
- Overnight
- Hampton Inn Guarulhos Airport or similar
- Meals included
- No meals included
Day 02São Paulo to Tapiraí
Depart at 7:30 am, with breakfast at 6:00 am. Arrive at Trilha dos Tucanos Lodge a bit before noon, check in and enjoy lunch at 12:00 pm. Spend the afternoon photographing birds in the lodge gardens and from the deck. Dinner at 6:30 pm.
- Overnight
- Trilha dos Tucanos Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 03Tapiraí · A Full Day at Trilha dos Tucanos
Begin at the moth trap at 6:00 am, then photograph hummingbirds at the feeders. Expect toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and other birds at this outstanding birding site.
- Overnight
- Trilha dos Tucanos Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 04Full day visit to Salve Foresta lodge
After breakfast at 7:30 am, visit the Salve Foresta lodge feeders for bird photography. Lunch is at 1:00 pm, followed by afternoon photographs around the lodge. Return to Trilha dos Tucanos for dinner at 6:30 pm. The visit is subject to host availability.
- Overnight
- Trilha dos Tucanos Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 05Moth Trap and Lago 7 Cores
Start with another early-morning session at the highly productive moth trap, followed by breakfast at 8:00 am. Then spend the rest of the day at beautiful Lago 7 Cores, looking for target species such as Brazilian Tanager, Blue-headed Trogon and other birds.
- Overnight
- Trilha dos Tucanos Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 06Viracopos to Cuiabá and Poconé
Enjoy a morning photo session or time at leisure and breakfast at 8:00 am. Transfer to Viracopos Airport (VCP), in Campinas, for the flight to Cuiabá (CGB), Mato Grosso at 3:20 pm. A lunch stop is planned upon arrival at Viracopos International Airport. On arrival, continue by road to Pousada Pantaneira in the Poconé area. Dinner is planned for 6:30 pm, subject to flight and transfer times. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Departure time: 10:00 am (luggage outside your rooms at 9:30 am)
- Overnight
- Pousada Pantaneira in Poconé
- Meals included
- Breakfast only
Day 07Cercado Road and Transpantaneira
Breakfast at 6:30 am. Spend the morning photographing birds and other wildlife along Cercado Road and the Transpantaneira. Lunch is at 12:30 pm, followed by an afternoon wildlife photography session. Dinner is included.
- Overnight
- Pousada Pantaneira
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 08Journey to Porto Jofre
After breakfast at 6:30 am, travel overland along the Transpantaneira toward Porto Jofre. Lunch is scheduled for 12:30 pm upon arrival at Onça Pintada Lodge. Spend the afternoon photographing wildlife around the lodge grounds, followed by dinner at 6:15 pm.
- Overnight
- Onça Pintada Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 09First jaguar boat excursion
After breakfast (5:00 am), depart at 5:30 am for the first included Pantanal boat excursion. Search for jaguars and photograph birds and other riverside wildlife as opportunities arise. Enjoy a box lunch on the boat. Return to the lodge by approximately 5:00 pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm.
- Overnight
- Onça Pintada Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Day 10Second boat excursion and Poconé
Breakfast at 5:00 am, followed by the second included jaguar boat excursion (departing at 5:30 am). Lunch is included, return to the lodge by approximately 2:00 pm. Travel back to Pousada Pantaneira in the Poconé area; target a 5:30 pm arrival, which remains subject to the boat schedule and road conditions. Dinner at 6:30 pm.
- Overnight
- Pousada Pantaneira
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11Poconé to Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
Breakfast at 6:30 am, then depart for Chapada dos Guimarães. Allow approximately 3.5 hours for the overland journey. Lunch is at 12:30 pm. Spend the afternoon birding around the waterfall in Chapada for macaws and other species, with dinner at 6:30 pm.
- Overnight
- Chapada dos Guimarães; hotel Vento Sul
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12Chapada dos Guimarães – Jamaca dos Araras
After breakfast at 5:30 am, explore Jamaca dos Araras for bird photography. Enjoy lunch in town and continue with afternoon field activities. Dinner at 6:30 pm.
- Overnight
- Chapada dos Guimarães; hotel Vento Sul
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13Cuiabá to São Paulo GRU
Early breakfast at 6:30 am and a final morning photo session, time permitting at Mirador Morro dos Ventos. Transfer to Cuiabá Airport for the flight to São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU), planned for 5:30 pm. Transfer to the airport hotel for the final overnight stay. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
- Overnight
- Hampton Inn Guarulhos Airport or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast only
Day 14International departure
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by your transfer and assistance for international departure from GRU. Please provide your flight schedule in advance so we can arrange your transfer. The expedition ends at the airport.
- Overnight
- No overnight included; departure day
- Meals included
- Breakfast only
Know what to expect
What your expedition covers.
Three regions in one itinerary, with the listed activities and meal arrangements clearly defined.
Included
- The Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães in one complete itinerary, rather than separate optional extensions at an additional cost.
- Leadership by Freddy Madrigal, Certified International Tour Manager and birding expert, or another highly trained expedition leader. Local guides as available.
- 13 nights of accommodation on Days 1–13, in double occupancy.
- Domestic flights from Viracopos (VCP) to Cuiabá (CGB), and from Cuiabá (CGB) to São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU).
- Private ground transportation and the airport transfers described in the program.
- Entrance fees for the listed activities and national park visits.
- Two jaguar boat excursions in the Pantanal, on Days 9 and 10.
- Meals exactly as shown each day: breakfast on Days 2–14; lunch and dinner on Days 2–5 and 7–12. Day 9 includes a picnic lunch on the boat.
- One bottle of drinking water per person per day.
Not included
- International airfare and pre- or post-expedition accommodation.
- Meals on Day 1; lunch and dinner on Days 6, 13 and 14; and additional meals outside the stated program.
- Individual travel insurance and any applicable visa or vaccination costs.
- Alcoholic drinks and bottled soft drinks.
- Gratuities for staff, guides and drivers.
Checked-baggage allowances and any applicable charges will be confirmed with your final flight arrangements.
Photography & field preparation
From forest decks
to Pantanal boats.
A moderate fitness level is required for walking on uneven terrain. The program combines lodge gardens and feeders, birding locations, overland travel and two jaguar boat excursions.
Expect early starts for the moth trap and boat sessions. On Days 9 and 10, the planned boat departure is 5:30 am after breakfast. Day 9 includes a box lunch on the boat.
Please share dietary requirements and specific requests before departure. Send your international flight schedule in advance so we can coordinate your airport transfers.
Plan your Brazil expedition
Your dates. Your group.
Your personalized quotation.
Contact Freddy to confirm departure dates, availability and the arrangements for your group.
- Price per person
- To be quoted for your group and confirmed itinerary, in double occupancy.
- Single-room arrangements
- Availability and any supplement will be confirmed on request.
- Deposit & remaining balance
- The amounts and payment schedule will be specified in your quotation.
- Domestic flights
- VCP–CGB and CGB–GRU are included. Final flight times and baggage conditions will be confirmed before travel.
General cancellation policy
Unless different terms are specified in your confirmed quotation, the following refunds apply to cancellations received before departure. Percentages are calculated on the amount paid.
| Before departure | Refund |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | Full refund of the amount paid, less a 15% administrative fee |
| 60–89 days | 75% |
| 30–59 days | 50% |
| 29 days or fewer | No refund |
Review the complete written booking and cancellation terms before confirming your reservation. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Your expedition team
Experience in the field.
Personal attention throughout.
Your expedition is led by Freddy Madrigal, Certified International Tour Manager and birding expert, or another trip leader from the team he has personally trained. Local guides support the program as available.
Freddy brings 38 years of guiding and photography experience to the planning of each journey.
Meet our expedition teamLet’s plan your next experience
Tell us what you hope to discover.
Tell Freddy your Brazil travel dates, target birds and wildlife, and group size. We will help personalize this 14-day itinerary and prepare your quotation.