BRAZILIAN PANTANAL ECOTOUR
August 23 - August 31, 2018
$3,340 per person
Extension through Sept 4, see below
Our next ecotour to Brazil will include some favorites. This 8 night/9 day tour will take us to some exceptional sites. After landing in Sau Paulo, we'll fly on to Campo Grande where we will spend time with Neiva Guedes, the scientist that led the effort to preserve the hyacinth macaw. Next we will head to Posada Aquape for a couple of days where we will see plenty of hyacinth macaws, toucans, Amazons, conures and some quakers and pionus parrots. The next stop will be the San Francisco lodge  where there are often an abundance of nanday conures, Amazons and a variety of macaws.  The final destination is the magical Buracas das Arara (the "hole of the macaws") where we will see greenwing macaws in great numbers.
​ Our last stop will be Baia das Pedras, a lodge in the outer reach of the Patanal where you can rest in a hammock while parrots shear off mangos in the tree above you, or take a hike to watch the hyacinths nest or drink in the marshes. Wildlife in this part of the Patanal has remained completely natural and without human interference - a beautiful sight to see. Watching parrots in a totally natural habitat is unforgettable, and we hope you will join us. Due to lodge limitations, this trip will be limited to 10 people. Click here for a detailed itinerary. If you are interested in our Brazilian ecotour, contact us at phoenixlanding@earthlink.net for more information.
Photos courtesy of Kevin Blaylock from the 2015 Phoenix Landing tour


​PARROTS OF THE PANTANAL, BRAZIL

Ever wonder what parrots do all day in the wild?  Phoenix Landing invites you to explore the Parrots of the Pantanal. An exciting yet low impact 11 day/10 night adventure that takes you deep into the Pantanal where we will experience over a dozen different species of parrots in the wild. This tour will take us farther off the beaten path than our prior tours.  From the smaller conures to the largest and most graceful Hyacinth Macaw, you'll be able to observe wild parrots up close and marvel at their beauty, ingenuity and social dynamics. If you ever wondered why your parrot was acting a certain way, come to see them in the wild and understand why first hand!

September 24th - October 6th, 2016
$3,360 per person
Does not include airfare to Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
For questions, reservations or more information please contact us at phoenixlanding@earthlink.net.  

Sept 25, Day One
Campo Grande

After arriving on an early flight from the U.S., we’ll hop on another plane to Campo Grande where our Brazilian adventure properly begins. Known as the gateway to the Pantanal, the bustling city of Campo Grande features nearly a million inhabitants and is home to a thriving population of macaws. This afternoon we will meet with Dr. Neiva Guedes, founder of the Hyacinth Macaw Project at her new research headquarters. Dr. Guedes is renowned in the world of parrot conservation and is credited with saving the Hyacinth Macaw from extinction. After an informative presentation about the macaws, we will overnight in a western style hotel in the city. (Meals Included: None)

Sept 26, Day Two
Campo Grande and Bonito

This morning we will explore the parrots of Campo Grande with Dr. Guedes and her research team. They are currently monitoring the reproduction and nesting success of the Blue and Gold Macaws within the urban environment.  We’ll get to visit several macaw nests scattered throughout the city where we’ll get up-close looks at the chicks.  After an exciting morning we’ll finish out our Campo Grande visit by eating lunch at an authentic Brazilian steakhouse. After lunch, we'll travel by private tour-bus to the quaint town of Bonito. Here we’ll stay in the Olho D'aqua Lodge where we can enjoy the antics of agouti, lizards and several bird species of the Cerrado plateau. (Meals B, L, D)

Sept 27, Day Three
​Bonito

A truly awe inspiring location for parrot lovers, Buraco da Araras (Hole of the Macaws), is a collapsed sandstone cavern which left a sinkhole a third of a mile across and over 400 feet deep. While perched on platforms overlooking the sheer cliffs you will enjoy a rare and truly magical sight of dozens of greenwing macaws flying below you. You will witness them foraging, playing, building nests in the rock crevices and raising their young. We’ll also have the optional opportunity to snorkel in the nearby river Rio da Prata where you’ll get to enjoy many great species of fish in the crystal clear water of this jungle river, and enjoy a hearty lunch.  Then we'll return to the Olho D'aqua for a pleasant dinner and relaxation.  (Meals B, L, D)

Sept 28, Day Four
Bonito to the Pantanal

After breakfast at the Olho D'aqua Lodge, we will travel by mini van about 2.5 hours to Aquidauana, where we will catch a small charter plane and head to the Barra Mansa Lodge, deep into the Pantanal. Accompanied by our extraordinary guide, Luiz, we will begin to explore the more natural and untouched habitats of the Brazilian parrots and other wildlife. Luiz has told us that Barra Mansa is one of his favorite lodges, and we're looking forward to exploring it for the first time. Our host is the land owner family who has been living in the Pantanal since end of the nineteenth century. Barra Mansa is unique in its location because it is where the vazante meets the Negro River and tranquil waters flow.  (Meals B,L,D)

Sept 29 - Oct 1st, Days Five to Seven at Barra Mansa, Pantanal

The Pantanal is an exceptional place to readily see parrots of all varieties, from the smallest parakeet to the largest macaws.  Because of the wide open spaces, it's not unusual to see groups of parrots flying overhead, foraging in mango trees, drinking and bathing in the grounds waters, or nesting in the small tree groves. You will not be disappointed with the abundance of wildlife, including several species of parrots. Barra Mansa offers many activity opportunities to include - canoeing, fishing, bird watching, safari, hiking and horseback riding. We will be able to choose what we want to do, what time to leave and what time to return. At the end of the day, it is a perfect spot to watch the sunset and have relaxing encounters with nature.  (Meals B,L,D)

Oct 1 - Oct 5, Days Seven to Eleven at Baia das Pedras

After 3 nights at Barra Mansa, we'll take a ride via safari truck to the next exceptional lodge, Baia das Pedras. This is another place where parrots continue to thrive without interference, and it's not unusual to see large groups gathering around the lodge to roost at night.  Hyacinths, Greenwing, Blue and Gold, Golden-collar and Severe macaws are a common sight along with Blue-front Amazons, Quakers, Pionus and several types of Conures.  Baia das Pedras is often frequented by the rare Yellow-face Parrot, a truly special experience.  While the parrots are spectacular here, other wildlife is abundant including peccary, capybara, feral pig, deer and the magnificent Jabaru Stork.  Baia das Pedras is a family home with exceptional meals and hospitality!   (Meals B,L,D)

Oct 5, Day Eleven
Travel back to Sao Paulo

Unfortunately, it's time to leave the amazing and wonderous world of the Pantanal and head back to the U.S. After breakfast at Baia das Pedras, we'll take a small plane back to Aquidauana City, and then a 2 hour bus trip to Campo Grande. From Campo Grande, we'll fly back to Sao Paulo, where you can catch your flight back to the states. (Meals B)
Hyacinth Nest seen
​at Baia Das Pedras

All photos courtesy of Kevin Blaylock