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Brazil - Northeast - Classic

© Ruby-topax Hummingbird by Lev Frid
Brazil - Northeast - Classic 2028

09 Jan 2028 - 26 Jan 2028 (18 days)

BRL51,000 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
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Tour Price (Per person): BRL51,000 (USD9,977 * GBP7,533 * EUR8,615 * AUD14,485)

This tour pairs with: Brazil - Northeast - Endangered Endemics Extension 2028

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Northeast Brazil is a region of striking contrasts, where gleaming white-sand beaches give way to arid, cactus-studded landscapes and cool, forested highlands. This diversity of habitats supports one of South America’s most rewarding birding regions, renowned for its exceptional concentration of range-restricted and endemic species. From dry Caatinga to lush Atlantic Forest, this tour samples the finest birding sites across Ceará and Bahia, delivering an outstanding species list in a compact itinerary.

Our journey begins on the coast near Icapuí before heading inland to the forested slopes of Serra de Baturite, where highlights include Grey-breasted Parakeet, Ceará Gnateater, and Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant. We then continue to the dramatic granite inselbergs of Quixadá, searching for specialties such as Pygmy Nightjar and White-browed Guan. Moving south, we bird the Chapada do Araripe region via Santana do Cariri and Barbalha, positioning ourselves for one of Brazil’s most iconic endemics, the dazzling Araripe Manakin, alongside White-browed Antpitta and Great Xenops. The dry Caatinga around Canudos provides a stark contrast and delivers a major highlight of the tour, the Critically Endangered Lear’s (Indigo) Macaw.

We then transition to the spectacular landscapes of Chapada Diamantina, widely regarded as one of Brazil’s premier birding destinations. This breathtaking plateau hosts several localized endemics including Hooded Visorbearer, Grey-backed Tachuri, Diamantina Tapaculo, and the recently described Sincorá Antwren. From the interior highlands we descend toward the Atlantic Forest foothills at Boa Nova, a biodiversity hotspot where forest and Caatinga meet. With over 430 recorded bird species, the area offers superb birding and chances for Slender Antbird, Narrow-billed Antwren, Bahia Spinetail, and Pin-tailed Manakin. We then spend time in the outstanding Serra Bonita Reserve, home to Pink-legged Graveteiro, Plumbeous Antvireo, Bahia Tyrannulet, and Crescent-chested Puffbird.

The tour concludes along Bahia’s coast, birding the forests and mangroves around Itacaré and Praia do Forte, before finishing in Salvador. This classic itinerary delivers an exceptional cross-section of Northeast Brazil’s most important habitats and endemics in just 18 days.

Combined, the Classic Tour and Endangered Endemics Extension form one of the most comprehensive birding experiences in Northeast Brazil, offering remarkable habitat diversity, scenery, and over 100 endemic bird species.

Top Birds

Lear’s Macaw; Araripe, Kinglet, White-crowned & Blue-backed Manakins; Hooded Visorbearer; Horned Sungem; Brazilian Ruby, Pink-legged Gravateiro; Sincora, Star-throated and Salvadori’s & and Narrow-billed Antwrens; Slender & Scaled Antbirds; Black-cheeked Gnateater; Little Wood Rail; Buff-breasted Tody-Tyrant; Grey-breasted Parakeet; Ceara Gnateater; Pygmy Nightjar; Caatinga Cachalote; Great Xenops; White-browed Antpitta; Bahia Tyrannulet; Striated Softtail; Bahia Spinetail.

Habitats Covered

humid and semi-deciduous forests, chapada, cloud forest, lowland forest, dry forest, scrub, caatinga and cerrado

Expected Climate

warm to hot and humid, cooler in the higher lying areas

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate. Endemic and target focussed trip. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges.

Accommodation

Mostly comfortable, some lodges are simple, not all lodges have enough rooms for Single rooming.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to demanding. Forest species visuals aren’t always of great quality. Forest edge & caatinga birding is more rewarding. Several low density or difficult target species.

Photographic Opportunities

Reasonable to good. Internal forest photography is challenging, several fruit & hummingbird feeders.

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 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 !!!

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 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.

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