Cristalino Jungle Lodge

BIRDWATCHING

NEWS: A new raptor species - Cryptic Forest Falcon - Falconidae: Micrastur mintonii was recently described by Andrew Whittaker based on his studies at Cristalino lodge!

Alta Floresta is considered by many ornithologists as one of the most diverse destinations for bird watching in the entire Amazon. With a bird list of 570+ species and new species found every year, the region of Alta Floresta and Cristalino River Basin have been visited by leading ornithologists and birders from all over the world. First visited by Ted Parker and Mort and Phyllis Isler in 1989, the region has attracted the visits of Dr. Yürgen Haffer, Dr. Robert Ridgley, Guy Tudor, Dr. Kevin Zimmer, and Bret Whitney to mention a few.

Due to the barrier effect of rivers like the Madera, Xingu and Teles Pires which inhibit the dispersion of some species, the Cristalino Reserve has a high incidence of endemism. Differing soil types from the drainages of the " White water" Rio Teles Pires and the "Black water" Rio Cristalino enhance the overall diversity of flora and fauna. Clients can choose from a set of trails with different habitats, go by boat on the river in search of Red-throated Piping Guan, Razor-billed and Bare-faced Curassow or they can relax in the Lodge clearing where many species of toucan, macaw, parrots, cotinga, barbet, trogon, and other frugivores visit the Cecropia trees for their tasty fruit.

In addition to the Cristalino Lodge, the Hotel Floresta Amazonica, which is located in a 100 acre fragment of primary forest in the center of the city of Alta Floresta, has unique attractions not to be missed. Visitors often spend a night at the Hotel upon arrival and before departure home. Endemics such as Crimson-bellied Parakeet, Black-girdled Barbet and Cryptic Forest Falcon as well as rarities such as Rufous-necked and Collared Puffbird are all found within 5 minutes walk of the breakfast buffet.

"Cristalino Jungle Lodge is simply one of the best places in all of Amazonia to immerse yourself in the forest and the greatest avifauna on earth."
Bret Whitney - Field Guides

"Despite the fact it was the raining season, the rain was not a problem at all. [during three months I found] no less than 412 different species of birds, among which was a bunch of rare species and still some breeding species on their nests, such as a pair of Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak"
Frédéric Vanhove - Volunteer Guide

RECOMMENDED READING

1) The Wilson Bulletin - Vol. 114 - No. 4, December 2002; pp.421-445; by Wilson Ornithological Society: "A new species of forest-falcon (Flaconidae: Micrastur) By Andrew Whittaker.

One must be a member of the Wilson Ornithological Society in order to download the article using the internet. [Available in the lodge library]

2) Ornithological Monographs - Nº48 - American Ornithologists' Union, 1997 - pp. 887-918: "Survey Of a Southern Amazonian Avifauna": The Alta Floresta region, Mato Grosso, Brazil. By: Kevin J. Zimmer, Theodore A . Parker III, Morton L. Isler, Phyllis R. Isler. www.aou.org/aou/PUBS.HTML#MONOGRAPHS

3) "Birds of the Reserva Florestal Cristalino" - Alta Floresta - Brasil. By: Dr. Yürgen Haffer - Museu Emilio Göeldi.

4) "Birding the Alta Floresta region", Northern Mato Grosso, Brasil. "Cotinga" - Journal of the Neotropical Bird Club - Number 7 - April 1997- pg. 64 By: Bret M.Whitney-. To order Back Issues, please go to : www.neotropicalbirdclub.org; Choose: Cotingas / 7 / Sales / sales@neotropicalbirdclub.org

5) Mato Grosso ; Alta Floresta & vicinity - 3 October 1997 - 5 January 1998 - Observations by Curtis Marantz.

6) Trip reports by volunteer guides posted in our web site. Also available in the lodge library.

BIRDWATCHING ITINERARY - Harpy Eagle Package - 8 days/ 7 nights:

This is a suggested itinerary. Local guides can customize and coordinate birding activities so that all clients are able visit the most desired trails or tower. We can also customize your trip with more or fewer days in the region. Other activities include butterflying in the sunny hours, relaxing by the deck, photography, swimming in the pristine Cristalino River and canoeing.

Optional Day 1: After lunch at the Hotel Floresta Amazonica, transfer to the Cristalino Lodge, accommodation and overnight.

	MORNING	AFTERNOON
D1		Arrival , welcome drink at Hotel Floresta Amazônica (FAH) and accommodation. Birding on the hotel grounds for endemics such as Crimson bellied Parakeet and Black-girdled Barbet. Delicious international and local cuisine for dinner. Overnight at the Hotel. Blackish Nightjars in the clearing.
D2	Early morning birding at the Hotel where Cinnamon-throated Woodcreepers roost just a few meters from the breakfast buffet. After breakfast , drive to the Cristalino Jungle Lodge, birding along the way . Stops for Sulphury Flycatcher and Point-tailed Palmcreeper in the "buriti" [Mauritia palm swamp ] and any others along the forest road and Cristalino river. Arrival and accommodation.	After lunch: hike the Taboca and Ficus trail, for observation of bamboo specialties such as Xingu Antwren, Striated (Emilia´s) Antbird, Dusky-tailed and Large-headed Flatbill and the newly discovered Cryptic Forest Falcon. Overnight at the lodge.
D3	Daybreak visit to the 50 meter observation tower where one can literally Bird as far as the horizon. Birds frequently seen include White bellied, Red-fan and Kawall's parrots, 8 species of toucan, White-necked Puffbird, Pompadour Cotinga as well as several primates. After breakfast, hike the Rocky trail up to "Saleiro", a natural salt-lick in the forest. Birds include Musician wren, Lawrence's Thrush, Curve-billed Scythebill among others.	Lunch. Travel up the Cristalino River by motor boat and walk the tall, lush rainforest of the Brazil Nut Trail: Specialties include the Pavonine Quetzal. About 10 min. further up river we will stop at "Corredeira do Limao", where 100's of Painted Parakeets can often be seen. Return with the engines turned off for observation of the wildlife at sunset. River and Giant Otter and Tapir possible. Overnight at the lodge.
D4	After an early breakfast,boat up river to the Sierra Trail: a site with a low, deciduous type forest isolated in the midst of Cristalino's lowland rainforest. Birds often seen here include Natterer's Slaty Antshrike, Brown-banded Puffbird, Xenopsaris and Rufous Casiornis. Beautiful view of the Cristalino Park.	Lunch. Birding the "Caja" Trail near the lodge grounds. Check nearby leks of Flame-crested Manakin. Afternoon visit to the tower for canopy flock members such as Tooth-billed Wren, White-lored Tyrranulet and Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo. Overnight at the lodge.
D5	Early breakfast. Birding at the tower and walking the newly cut Teles Pires Trail down to Teles Pires river: Noble Antthrush, Snow-capped Manakin, Dark-winged Trumpeter. Return by motor boat.	Afternoon : down river to Teles Pires river island. Amazonia Umbrellabird are frequent, parakeets, parrots & macaws, 100's of nesting wood storks during their breeding season, Sunset photo ops on the Teles Pires river.
D6	After an early breakfast, walk the "Cacao trail" across the river . Active Antswarms with attendant Antbirds possible. Return by motor boat or canoeing down river.	After lunch, a trip down river for the "Butterfly trail" at left margin of the Teles Pires river. Several Hummers possible, Cryptic Forest Falcon, White-lipped Peccary wallow. Return by boat.
D7	After early morning visit to the tower, trip up river to Dr. Haffer's and Kawall´s parrot trail. Haffer Trail great for mixed species flocks : Gould's Toucanet, Kawall's parrot.	After lunch, transfer to the Teles Pires river bank. Birding along the access road in the afternoon, where Harpy Eagle was seen twice in 2003 and trumpeters are often seen.. Transfer to Alta Floresta late afternoon. Overnight at the FAH in Alta Floresta. Night birding for Crested Owl at the hotel.
D8	Birding in the Floresta Amazönica Hotel grounds, followed by breakfast. Packing, Lunch and departure to Cuiabã. End of our services.

For full explanation of the trails and activities, please go to "ACTIVITIES > Trails & Attractions"