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Brazil - Madeira & Tapajós endemics of the Rio Aripuanã

© Red-billed Pied Tanager by Forrest Rowland

Nowhere inspires more awe and wonder at the raw beauty of remote nature like the Amazon Basin of South America. Pioneered by Major Candido Rondon de Silva, explorations in this region of Brazil became the stuff of legend, as Rondon enabled the first telegraph line and subsequently the first road, to cross the Brazilian Amazon. He discovered numerous indigenous groups, named several major rivers, and is hailed by many Brazilians as one of the true heroes of Brazil’s native people and lands.

This area of Brazil became most famous with the publication of a biographical work on Theodore Roosevelt’s ill-fated expedition on the Rio de Duvida (River of Doubt). None other than Rondon himself escorted and outfitted the expedition in 1914, that nearly cost the ex-president his life. The mishaps of Roosevelt’s adventure only added to the mystique and draw of the area, which continues to be one of the least-accessible, most remote areas in the World. Luckily for us, the Pousada PiraAçu is a very conveniently located lodge where superb birds and wildlife await, including the near mythical Rondonia Bushbird. We we will focus our efforts on seeking out the numerous special bird species on the lodges many trails and river systems. Fine birding will be had in the Porto Velho and Humaita area, on the West Bank of the Madeira River, where we will have exposure to completely unique habitats, and species, on the other side of the Madeira interfluvium. This will be an unforgettable adventure into the heart of the Amazon!

Top Birds

Rondonia Bushbird; Harpy & Crested Eagles; Cryptic & Slaty-backed Forest Falcons; Brown-banded & Western Striolated Puffbirds; Ivory-billed Aracari; Golden-collared & Gould's Toucanets; Bonaparte’s, Crimson-bellied & Santarem Parakeets; Peruvian Warbling, Rondonia Warbling, Humaita, Black, Sooty, White-throated, Banded, Rufous-faced, Ferruginous-backed, White-breasted, Spot-backed, Dot-backed, Scale-backed & Hairy-crested Antbirds; Black-necked Red Cotinga; Crimson Fruitcrow; Purple-breasted, Spangled, Purple-throated & Pompadour Cotingas; Blue-backed, Black, Snow-capped, Flame-crowned, Band-tailed, Red-headed & Fiery-capped Manakins; Black-spotted & Pale-faced Bare-eyes; Variegated, Alta Floresta, & Thrush-like Antpittas; Predicted, Plain-throated, White-eyed, Madeira, Ornate, Sclater’s, Ihering’s, Rusty-backed & Leaden Antwrens; Saturnine, Glossy, Natterer’s Slaty, White-shouldered, Amazonian & Pearly Antshrikes; Masked Crimson, Red-shouldered, Black-faced, Hooded, Red-billed Pied, Flame-crested, Fulvous-crested, White-winged Shrike, Dotted, Masked, Paradise, Opal-rumped, Green-and-gold, Swallow & White-rumped Tanagers; Small-billed, Grey, White-throated, Brazilian, Variegated & Red-winged Tinamous; Spix’s Guan; Nocturnal & Razor-billed Curassows; Campina Jay; Sunbittern; Sungrebe; Dark-winged Trumpeter; Tawny-bellied Screech, Crested, Spectacled, Amazonian Pygmy & Black-banded Owls; Long-tailed, White-winged & Rufous Potoos; Spot-tailed & Little Nightjars; Crimson Topaz; Needle-billed, Great-billed & Reddish Hermits; Black-eared Fairy; Green-tailed Goldenthroat; Black-bellied Thorntail; Long-billed Starthroat; Grey-breasted Sabrewing; Blue-chinned, Rufous-throated & White-chinned Sapphires; Black-girdled Barbet; Curl-crested & Red-necked Aracaris.

Top Mammals

Lowland Tapir; Tucuxi; Golden-backed Squirrel Monkey; Black-horned Capuchin; Golden-and-white Tassel-ear & Golden-and-white Bare-ear Marmosets; Emperor Tamarin; Red-nosed Bearded Saki; Prince Bernhard's & Chestnut-bellied Titis; Black-faced Spider Monkey; Common Woolly Monkey.

Habitats Covered

varzea forest, Beni savannah, white sand forests, cerrado, small oxbow lakes, seasonally flooded areas, mixed terra firme forest, patches of slender bamboo, wide floodplains, transitional forests, upland terra firme and hilly terra firme forest

Expected Climate

warm to hot and humid, small biting insects

Max Group Size

8 with 1 local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace, some longer walks

Accommodation

good

Ease of Birding

moderate with numerous challenging species

Number of Species Expected

450+

Photographic Opportunities

average to good

What our clients say about us

Tuomas Seimola
RB - Manaus Ext 2022

WOW – this was an entirely different trip than the main trip. The Pousada facility was a little more rustic than some of the other accommodations but nothing we couldn’t handle. It was certainly better than a hammock at the guard headquarters which Bradley indicated was the only thing available prior to Pousada. This portion required what seemed like a lot more walking and climbing over tree falls than anywhere else on the trip. It seemed that more of the birds were skulkers but then we were focusing on “ant-somethings” which are notoriously secretive. Again, it was disappointing there was not a single ant swarm and the mixed flocks were generally small and moved away from the trails fairly quickly. It was also frustrating that the best of the three trails (Capelinha) in the park was not available to us due to an on-going mammal-use survey. But, none of these things were within the control of Tuomas, Bradley, or our local guide. They were pros at adapting and modifying to take advantage of the trails that were available to us. By my count the main trip list was about 446 and we gained 81 sp on the extension, however, 40% of those were lifers, so worth the effort and expense, in my opinion. Our local guide, Gilberto, was indispensable. His recent knowledge was invaluable to know where to go for the target species.

Robert Williams
JH, Brazil 2018

Rob Williams was helpful above and beyond the call by going out of his way to make it an enjoyable tour.

Stephan Lorenz
PM, Brazil 2019

I had the very best time on tour with Stephan. He is an excellent leader and a lovely, kind human being. In terms of his technical ability as a birding leader, his eyesight and hearing skills are excellent, which coupled with his first class fieldcraft and ID skills, meant that we saw/heard over 500 species during our tour. He also gelled well with the local guide Caio , so that in terms of finding, IDing and showing the birds to the group, we were treated to splendid views of our target species plus many many 'bonus birds' too. Stephan was also very patient with group members, some of whom for a variety of personal reasons, were less able to see the birds than the majority of the group-so that wherever possible-every group member who wanted to, had the opportunity to see every bird.

Forrest Rowland
BM, Brazil 2018

A Fantastic experience!! Considerably better than I had expected. Guides were fantastic!! And the inclusion of local Brazilian guide - Leo - was a real plus. He worked great together with Forrest Rowland, and his knowledge of the country and the vegetation was a real plus. The mammals and other critters were a real plus to the tour. The facilities, driver, and van were also great! Overall, this tour ranks among the top of the 7-8 birding tours I have ever taken, and Rockjumper is certainly a company I would highly recommend to others!!!

Robert Wilcox
JG & AS - Pantanal 2022

We really appreciated our trip. Our Rockjumper guide, Bobby Wilcox, and the local guides were awesome; always on the lookout for new birds and other animals, even on the long drives. The organization was flawless, the lodges were great and perfectly located. Our triplist and lifers goals were exceeded! The group was great and always well controlled by Bobby. Very well done! Our long sighting of a female jaguar was certainly the peak of this trip !!!

Brazil - Madeira & Tapajós endemics of the Rio Aripuanã 2025

25 Jun 2025 - 07 Jul 2025 (13 days)

USD5,895 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Local Leader

Tour price (Per person): GBP4,652 * EUR5,424 * AUD8,822 * USD5,895

Single Supplement: GBP647 * EUR755 * AUD1,227 * USD820

Can be linked with: Brazil - Acre Extension 2025

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