Photo Gallery
Photos by Rich Hoyer
![We begin in the Chapada dos Guimarães, an area of spectacular scenery and intriguing bird life.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4423%2F35571926944_806c22457c_o.jpg?)
We begin in the Chapada dos Guimarães, an area of spectacular scenery and intriguing bird life.
![Our lodge is located in an ideal location, with great habitat and wildlife right outside our rooms.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7116%2F7537200288_9b89969028_b.jpg?)
Our lodge is located in an ideal location, with great habitat and wildlife right outside our rooms.
![Some of the birds we hope to see include the astonishing Swallow-tailed Hummingbird... (Image: Skyler Streich)](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3891%2F15273564925_d5083b49fc_o.jpg?)
Some of the birds we hope to see include the astonishing Swallow-tailed Hummingbird… (Image: Skyler Streich)
![…while the secretive Collared Crescentchest is a bit trickier to see.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F5563%2F15270284971_5621e94257_o.jpg?)
…while the secretive Collared Crescentchest is a bit trickier to see.
![We’ll begin the second stage of the tour with a one hour flight to Alta Floresta in the southeastern Amazon Basin…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7125%2F7537199468_6c6225d612_b.jpg?)
We’ll begin the second stage of the tour with a one hour flight to Alta Floresta in the southeastern Amazon Basin…
![…continuing by road, with stops for anything interesting…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7259%2F7556155876_0519c9dd82_b.jpg?)
…continuing by road, with stops for anything interesting…
![…to a river dock and our short boat ride to Cristalino Jungle Lodge.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F5567%2F15086838557_20e33f618a_o.jpg?)
…to a river dock and our short boat ride to Cristalino Jungle Lodge.
![Arriving at Cristalino Jungle Lodge, we’ll be treated like the most welcome of guests.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7110%2F7537198628_a8eaea2f1b_b.jpg?)
Arriving at Cristalino Jungle Lodge, we’ll be treated like the most welcome of guests.
![The lodge is a marvel of comfort in an immense wilderness...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3868%2F15086652739_08fda9cb56_o.jpg?)
The lodge is a marvel of comfort in an immense wilderness…
![…and delicious meals.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3837%2F15086699050_1aea1a0dd9_o.jpg?)
…and delicious meals.
![The newly remodeled rooms are spacious and elegant.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4378%2F35598431703_1697205c4d_o.jpg?)
The newly remodeled rooms are spacious and elegant.
![The most enjoyable hours will be spent birding by boat along several miles of the pristine Cristalino River.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4387%2F35598434563_3f91ec2ffb_o.jpg?)
The most enjoyable hours will be spent birding by boat along several miles of the pristine Cristalino River.
![Our local guides are expert at spotting wildlife, increasing our chances of seeing Red-throated Piping Guan.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7268%2F7537195870_3f99050ae7_b.jpg?)
Our local guides are expert at spotting wildlife, increasing our chances of seeing Red-throated Piping Guan.
![If we flush a Sunbittern, the “wingburst” never fails to elicit oohs and aahs.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7133%2F7537198838_41957316dd_b.jpg?)
If we flush a Sunbittern, the “wingburst” never fails to elicit oohs and aahs.
![Capped Heron often allows close approach.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8159%2F7537196074_cf9a0da269_o.jpg?)
Capped Heron often allows close approach.
![We'll have at least one morning atop one of the lodge's two 52-meter tall canopy towers.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4442%2F35570924644_fea90a67ac_b.jpg?)
We’ll have at least one morning atop one of the lodge’s two 52-meter tall canopy towers.
![The views of the canopy are breathtaking...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4361%2F35598433383_9e585ea303_o.jpg?)
The views of the canopy are breathtaking…
![...and a whole new world opens up before us…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7255%2F7537198170_0778af5c52_b.jpg?)
…and a whole new world opens up before us…
![…no more neck-straining to see the likes of Curl-crested Aracari…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8026%2F7537197914_8679bb1c60_b.jpg?)
…no more neck-straining to see the likes of Curl-crested Aracari…
![...Red-billed Pied Tanager...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4394%2F35598429603_a45b95d1ac_o.jpg?)
…Red-billed Pied Tanager…
![…or Black-bellied Cuckoo, among many other birds at home only in the canopy.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3912%2F15273397555_62b2ae0213_o.jpg?)
…or Black-bellied Cuckoo, among many other birds at home only in the canopy.
![Every morning is different on the towers, some days with a close fly-by of Scarlet Macaws...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8152%2F7537197436_7da46947cc_b.jpg?)
Every morning is different on the towers, some days with a close fly-by of Scarlet Macaws…
![...or on others with a pair of Blue-headed Parrots perched even closer.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4420%2F35598434163_836500db18_o.jpg?)
…or on others with a pair of Blue-headed Parrots perched even closer.
![We’ll walk several trails where mixed flocks could include Long-winged Antwren…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7107%2F7537196896_576ba8c2a0_b.jpg?)
We’ll walk several trails where mixed flocks could include Long-winged Antwren…
![…or the eye-popping Rose-breasted Chat.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8286%2F7537196792_06cf392fa0_b.jpg?)
…or the eye-popping Rose-breasted Chat.
![While the rare Pavonine Quetzal might be lurking quietly overhead almost anywhere.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4365%2F35598430963_49060f224c_o.jpg?)
While the rare Pavonine Quetzal might be lurking quietly overhead almost anywhere.
![We may get lucky to find a virtually invisible Common Potoo on a day roost or nest.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4428%2F35598433853_8cbe7f788e_o.jpg?)
We may get lucky to find a virtually invisible Common Potoo on a day roost or nest.
![We pause to admire all forms of life, such as this amazing robberfly, mimicking a wasp.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3878%2F15086838628_96cc082824_o.jpg?)
We pause to admire all forms of life, such as this amazing robberfly, mimicking a wasp.
![The spectacle of a puddle party on the river's beach never fails captures one's imagination.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8428%2F7537194144_72b65d3911_b.jpg?)
The spectacle of a puddle party on the river’s beach never fails captures one’s imagination.
![Cristalino is in the best region in Brazil for seeing a variety of approachable monkeys; here White-cheeked Spider Monkey, one of seven species.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7250%2F7537191454_abcfa1e097_b.jpg?)
Cristalino is in the best region in Brazil for seeing a variety of approachable monkeys; here White-cheeked Spider Monkey, one of seven species.
![There'll be a drastic change of scenery as we transfer via flight and bus ride to our ranch lodgings in the Pantanal – all the while remaining in the state of Mato Grosso.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8423%2F7537192514_0a344456da_b.jpg?)
There’ll be a drastic change of scenery as we transfer via flight and bus ride to our ranch lodgings in the Pantanal – all the while remaining in the state of Mato Grosso.
![Here we'll see the unforgettable Hyacinth Macaws, perhaps right outside our rooms.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F5594%2F15086839438_ac62b81b00_o.jpg?)
Here we’ll see the unforgettable Hyacinth Macaws, perhaps right outside our rooms.
![The iconic Toco Toucan will add to the color of our morning walk here.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7129%2F7537191818_4871072290_b.jpg?)
The iconic Toco Toucan will add to the color of our morning walk here.
![One of the world's largest storks, the Jabiru is an impressive sight in the Pantanal.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4389%2F35598432343_9dab7a1d60_o.jpg?)
One of the world’s largest storks, the Jabiru is an impressive sight in the Pantanal.
![We might get lucky on one of our night drives and spot a South American Tapir.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8423%2F7580320668_e22d7e1053_b.jpg?)
We might get lucky on one of our night drives and spot a South American Tapir.
![Argentine Black-and-white Tegus also call our lodge's yard home.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4389%2F35570934374_fa365a864e_o.jpg?)
Argentine Black-and-white Tegus also call our lodge’s yard home.
![We drive the length of the Transpantaneira Highway, a dirt road with about 120 bridges, this one with a family of Capabaras collecting the toll.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8016%2F7537193930_1b4f892dc6_b.jpg?)
We drive the length of the Transpantaneira Highway, a dirt road with about 120 bridges, this one with a family of Capabaras collecting the toll.
![Many birds will be abundant, but we'll need luck to find a Scarlet-headed Blackbird in the roadside marshes.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8431%2F7537193608_197e2f27d3_b.jpg?)
Many birds will be abundant, but we’ll need luck to find a Scarlet-headed Blackbird in the roadside marshes.
![We plan to take at least three boat rides up the Rio Cuiabá from our comfortable hotel…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F3858%2F15270285111_0199169773_o.jpg?)
We plan to take at least three boat rides up the Rio Cuiabá from our comfortable hotel…
![…where the Black-capped Donacobius sings from the riverside vegetation, showing its grouse-like inflatable neck sacs…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F8285%2F7537193750_97ff3cd155_b.jpg?)
…where the Black-capped Donacobius sings from the riverside vegetation, showing its grouse-like inflatable neck sacs…
![…and the secretive Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, the most attractive of the four that occur, lurks in the shadows.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7265%2F7537192624_c89eb18139_b.jpg?)
…and the secretive Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, the most attractive of the four that occur, lurks in the shadows.
![But our main target here is the magnificent Jaguar, occurring here in a greater density than anywhere else, and our chance of seeing one or even a few is very high.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4420%2F35598431413_a44ac55932_o.jpg?)
But our main target here is the magnificent Jaguar, occurring here in a greater density than anywhere else, and our chance of seeing one or even a few is very high.
![Our final night's lodging at Pousada Piuval is a relaxing place to contemplate our rich experience...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4395%2F35598430533_edf776a1f7_o.jpg?)
Our final night’s lodging at Pousada Piuval is a relaxing place to contemplate our rich experience…
![...while appreciating the Greater Rheas that roam the ranch grounds.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4425%2F35598432963_e4403a0d7a_o.jpg?)
…while appreciating the Greater Rheas that roam the ranch grounds.
![For those continuing on the short extension, we do some fun birding while spending much of one day viewing Iguazú Falls from several vantage points.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F4255%2F35910730405_53e81c366c_b.jpg?)
For those continuing on the short extension, we do some fun birding while spending much of one day viewing Iguazú Falls from several vantage points.