Birdwatching in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

You’ll be picked up at Alta Floresta Airport and safely taken to the jungle lodge. Remember that the accommodation is nestled in an exclusive and remote area in the Amazon, so a boat ride through the Cristalino River is necessary to reach your final destination.

Either way, this is already your first chance to experience this remarkable place’s beauty and incomparable atmosphere.

You should arrive at the lodge at 3 p.m. Take your time to settle in, rest after the long trip, and get to know Cristalino’s beautiful facilities. If you’re up for it, you can go hiking on a short, easy trail to start looking for birds right on the first day.

In the evening, don’t hesitate to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere that surrounds you. After a fantastic dinner, grab a drink at the bar and admire the forest and Cristalino River on the lodge’s floating deck, where a bonfire is lit as the night falls.

You’ll be amazed by how magical the Amazon is at night, with the dark sky full of stars and the sounds of nature. Take everything in and get ready for the next few days of adventure.

Birdwatching in the Amazon Rainforest requires that you wake up very early. Our activities kick off before dawn, right as the birds come to life. With the help of expert guides who know the area like the back of their hands, go hiking on the Dr. Haffer Trail – named after German ornithologist Jürgen Haffer, mostly remembered for his theory of Amazonian forest refugia during the Pleistocene.

You’ll walk for 3-4 hours in this low difficulty hiking trail while looking for fascinating native species, like Ornate Antwren (Epinecrophylla ornata), Tapajós Fire-eye (Pyriglena similis), Fufous-capped Nunlet (Nonnula ruficapilla), Striated Antbird (Drymophila devillei) and Dusky-cheeked Foliage Gleaner (Anabazenops dorsalis).

In the afternoon, enjoy a delicious lunch made by the lodge’s talented cooks and try to get some rest. But don’t rest too much! Shortly after, shall we get our fill of adventure by canoeing in Cristalino River?

After such a full day, it’s time to slow down. Savor dinner at the restaurant on the external deck while cherishing the spectacle of the forest after dark. Relax on one of the loungers, enjoy your family and friend’s company, feel the gentle breeze, listen to the harmonious tune of nocturnal animals roaming around the jungle, and simply try to engrave this unrivaled experience into your heart.

Kick off the third day by hiking on the Manakin Trail, named after the beautiful White-crowned Manakin (Pseudopipra pipra). This is only accessible by water, so you’ll go on a short boat ride that takes you near a lake. Guests usually spend over 4 hours on this trail looking for birds.

Aside from the Manakin, you might encounter Bronzy Jacamar (Galbula leucogastra), Brown-banded Puffbird (Notharchus ordii), Cryptic Forest Falcon (Micrastur mintoni), etc.

After lunch, you can choose to either go canoeing again or join a relaxing boat trip in Teles Pires River. Whatever you decide, make sure to keep your eyes open for more birds and other Amazonian animals, like tapirs, deer, ocelots, and a few species of native fish (Brazilian tiger fish, redtail catfish, piraiba catfish, etc).

In the evening, have dinner, get a drink at the bar and simply relax at Cristalino’s charming facilities.

Another early day begins at Cristalino Jungle Lodge! To get the most fantastic view of the Amazon Rainforest, watch the sunrise on the top of the observation towers.

Seeing the sunshine peeking through the clouds and painting the sky orange might just bring tears to your eyes, but this is also a great opportunity to spot birds flying around to get food and supplies to build their nests.

After lunch, a nice jungle hike allows for a deeper immersion in the Amazon. Cristalino’s guides will accompany the groups and share their wisdom about the vegetation, animals, and even the local culture. This, of course, is also an amazing chance to look for birds.

After breakfast, walk in the uplands of the Cristalino Reserve, which range from 250 to 450 meters above sea level. A boat ride is required to reach the Sierra Trails, but the journey is absolutely worth it.

You’ll see different types of trees and flowers, as well as valleys, rock formations, insects, small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Talk to the guides to choose your preferred trail (Sierra Trail I, Cocoa Sierra Trail, Sierra Trail II, and Valley Trail).

Back at Cristalino Jungle Lodge, eat a delicious lunch and get ready for another activity dedicated to birdwatching in the Amazon Rainforest. Covering an area of 567 ha, the Ariosto Island Trail, in the middle of River Teles Pires, is inhabited by incredible birds, such as the Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus).

In the late afternoon, watching the sunset on the river while you’re still on the island is an unforgettable attraction in itself.

On the sixth day, watch the sunrise on one of the observation towers for the last time. Make sure to appreciate the view, take more pictures, and say your goodbyes to this natural paradise.

After a final, delicious breakfast at Cristalino, get ready to return to Alta Floresta.