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The Atlantic Rainforest, located all along the Southeastern coast of Brazil, just happens to be one of the best places on Earth to see hummingbirds. And lucky for us, it’s one of the most accessible places to see these amazingly colorful hummers, some of which are endemic or endangered. Although this once neglected forest used to be much larger, it is now a high-priority hotspot for preservation by Brazilian and Global organizations. It’s no where near as famous as the Amazon yet it’s still among the richest and most biologically diverse forests in the world. It is home to overall around 830 bird species with 223 of these are endemic. In this tour we will have the opportunity to not only photograph hummingbirds but emphasize multi-flash photography. This will be a strictly photographic adventure given by photographer/guides who are well versed in the technique. Overall, we will visit five locations covering two distinct biomes giving us the opportunity to see a diverse range of species of hummers and much much more!

Days 1 and 2- Welcome to Sao Paulo! Upon arrival at Guarulhos International Airport you will meet our wonderful English speaking guide who will drive you to Trilha dos Tucanos (The Toucan Trail) Lodge, where we will spend two days! Here, they are well equipped to do Multi-Flash photography. Right away, you might see amazing multi-colored birds and hummers! Trilha dos Tucanos is located in the middle of the pristine Atlantic Forest where many avian species (more than 140 species) and mammals can be seen the whole year round. We will be going during PEAK season. The most famous “visitor,” almost a nocturnal mascot, isn’t even a bird but a tapir who shows up nightly for midnight snacks. This is also a great time to look for owls. One of our favorite aspects of this first stop is the great food served and the beautiful, tranquil setting. Brazilian breakfast is famous for its fresh fruit and a variety of cheeses plus the freshly made juice is to die for. By the time we are ready for our next destination, you will have already observed and photographed many hummingbirds as well as amazing tanagers, toucanets, toucans, the amazing Royal flycatcher (if they are breeding), and woodpeckers among others. Quite simply, Trilha dos Tucanos is a birder’s paradise!

Trilha dos Tucanos Hummingbird List includes:

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• Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus) Endemic

• Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei)

• Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)

• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)

• Sombre Hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) Endemic

• Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)

• White-vented Violetear (Colibri serrirostris)

• Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Green-crowned Plovercrest (Stephanoxis lalandi) Endemic

• Festive Coquette (Lophornis chalybeus)

• Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)

• White-chinned Sapphire (Hylocharis cyanus)

• White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)

• Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)

• Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia fimbriata)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea)

• Brazilian Ruby (Heliodoxa rubricauda) Endemic

• Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)

• Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus)

• Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina)

Days 3, 4 and 5 - After two satisfying days at Trilha dos Tucanos, we’ll drive to our next location. The Recanto Gavião de Penacho is a small ranch that has a large concentration of different species of hummingbirds and it is the perfect location for multi-flash hummingbird photography. The accommodation in the ranch is cozy and to optimize the chances of photographing several species of hummers we will stay here for 3 days. The ranch is also next to an Ornate Hawk Eagle’s nest which has been their home for the past several years. It is close enough to allow for good photographs. The owner can also show us where to photograph the Spot-winged Wood-Quail and the Variegated Antpitta. The magnificent Royal Flycatcher can sometimes be found in the forest as well and, if breeding, will display his magnificent Carmen Miranda-like crest. Some of the species we should have an opportunity to photograph using multi-flash include the Versicolored Emerald, Black Jacobin and Violet-capped Woodnymph and the amazing Festive Coquette.

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The Recanto Gavião de Penacho Hummingbird List includes:

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• Black-throated mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Heliodoxa rubricauda (Brazilian ruby) Endemic

• Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)

• Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius) Endemic

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)

• Versicolored Emerald (Chrysuronia versicolor)

• White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)

• Gilded Hummingbird (Hylocharis chrysura)

• Glittering-throated Emerald (Chionomesa fimbriata)

• White-chinned Sapphire (Chlorestes cyanus)

• Sombre Hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) Endemic

• Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea)

• Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)

• Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus) Endemic

• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)

• Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus) Endemic

• Festive coquette (Lophornis chalybeus)

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Days 6, 7 - After breakfast we will start our journey to Monte Alegre do Sul City where will spend two days at Pousada da Fazenda Lodge. Your stay will take place on a Colonial Farm, a historic old coffee plantation that still has remnants of the old aqueduct system as well as a old antique barn and a historic belfry tower (home to a family of barn owls)! Besides being one of our favorite places to bird, the owner, Zaga, is incredibly hummingbird knowledgeable. A true kindred spirit who will inspire with his enthusiasm. Pousada da Fazenda is a Mecca for documenting hummingbirds and here we will have the chance to do multi-flash as well. The lodge is positioned on the border of two biomes, the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado so we will see different species here. Besides the great feeders which attract every species, the location also gives you the opportunity to take a quick hike into the woods to discover more. The opportunity to see all kinds of birds besides hummingbirds is also a main feature including three resident barn owls who like to hide out in the old barn. Our main targets here for multi-flash are the Swallow-tailed hummingbird and the Violet-capped Wood-nymph among others.

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Monte Alegre do Sul Hummingbird List includes:

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• Planalto Hermit ( Phaethornis pretrei)

• Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)

• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)

• Sombre hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) Endemic

• Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)

• White-vented Violetear (Colibri serrirostris)

• Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus) Endemic

• Festive coquete (Lophornis chalybeus)

• Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)

• Gilded Hummingbird (Hylocharis chrysura)

• White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)

• Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea)

• Brazilian Ruby (Heliodoxa rubricauda) Endemic

• Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)

• Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) Endemic

• Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina)

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Days 8 and 9 - After a typical farm-style breakfast, we will travel to the small town of Salesópolis. We will stay at the charming family run Sitio Macuquinho Lodge for 2 nights.. Besides the special care they give their fellow birders, this small little bed and breakfast serves food that would make Chef Ramsey salivate. Of course, it’s a fantastic place to see hummingbirds featuring more multi-flash photography. Besides hummingbirds, another big star is the endemic and endangered Marsh Antwren. This bird is restricted to preserved marshes in the Sao Paulo area and we are proud and privileged to provide our birders with one of the very few places in the world where you can see this critically endangered bird. The owner, aptly named Elvis, is an expert bird guide himself (especially fluent in bird calls) and he is happy to lead us through the easy trails and take us to places where you can see a lot of different species a day. Another feature is the “casinha da mata” which is a camouflaged room built in the middle of the forest which gives us an opportunity to watch and photograph shy or ground feeding birds. We should expect to see some of the rarities of the Serra do Mar area such as the Blackish-blue Seedeater, Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Dusky- tailed Antbird, Serra do Mar Tyrant-Manakin, the Drab-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant. While doing multi-flash photography, the White- throated Hummingbird, the Brazilian Ruby and many others should make appearances.

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Salesópolis Hummingbird List includes:

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• Heliodoxa rubricauda (Brazilian ruby) Endemic

• Versicolored Emerald (Chrysuronia versicolor)

• Leucochloris albicollis (White-throated Hummingbird)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea)

• Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)

• Festive coquete (Lophornis chalybeus)

• Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

• Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius) Endemic

• White-vented Violetear (Colibri serrirostris)

• Eupetomena macroura (Swallow-tailed Hummingbird)

• Green-crowned Plovercrest (Stephanoxis lalandi) Endemic

• Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)

• Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus) Endemic

• Planalto Hermit ( Phaethornis pretrei)

Days 10 and 11- Early in the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Guarulhos International airport for a hour and a half flight to the coastal city of Vitoria, Espirito Santo State. As soon as we arrive, we’ll go for a short drive to Aracruz city where we will visit the Augusto Ruschi Marine Biological Reserve. This reserve holds dense parcels of rainforest and is an ideal place to see the endemic Minute Hermit (Phaethornis idaliae) and the Blue-chinned Sapphire (Chlorestes notata) among many other hummers. We will spend most of the day here! Around 4pm we'll drive to a small mountain city called Santa Teresa, home to the precious Frilled Coquette. We will be staying at Vita Verde Lodge which has incredible feeders, our main target here is the Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus). With your own eyes, binoculars and cameras, you will see that Pousada Vita Verde is a true mecca for hummingbird lovers. Here you will have the opportunity to see an incredible amount of beautiful birds including the Rufous-breasted Hermit and our main prize, the Frilled Coquette. Just seeing this amazing hummingbird is enough to make this amazing journey worthwhile, but of course, there is much, much more. We will spend the day at the feeders so we have the best opportunities to see and photograph these local hummingbirds.

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Santa Teresa Hummingbird List includes:

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• Sombre Hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) Endemic

• Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)

• White-vented Violetear (Colibri serrirostris)

• Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Frilled coquete (Lophornis magnificus) Endemic

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)

• Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus)

• Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus) Endemic

• Reddish Hermit (Phaethornis ruber)

• Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)

• Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei)

• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)

• Rufous-throated Sapphire (Hylocharis sapphirina)

• White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)

• Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)

• Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia fimbriata)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea)

• Brazilian Ruby (Heliodoxa rubricauda) Endemic

• Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) Endemic

• Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina)

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Aracruz Hummingbird List includes:

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• Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus)

• Minute hermit (Phaethornis idaliae) Endemic

• Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei)

• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)

• Sombre Hummingbird (Eupetomena cirrochloris) Endemic

• Florisuga fusca (Black Jacobin)

• White-vented Violetear( Colibri serrirostris)

• Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

• Blue-chinned Sapphire (Chlorestes notata)

• Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

• Violet-capped Woodnymph (Chrysuronia versicolor)

• Rufous-throated Sapphire (Hylocharis sapphirina)

• White-chinned Sapphire (Hylocharis cyanus)

• White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)

• Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)

• Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia fimbriata)

• Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia láctea)

• Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) Endemic

• Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina)

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Day 12 - After a morning breakfast depending on our flight schedule we will drive back to Vitoria International Airport to flight back to our final destination in Guarulhos International Airport.