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ctaudubon.org

July 9 - 23, 2019

2019

Brazil’s Gardens and Birds Celebrating Roberto Burle Marx and Tropical Birding

EcoTravel

The Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel Program For Reservations and Detailed Information: 860-767-0660

Brazil is a land of staggering beauty and unsurpassed diversity. It is also

the birthplace of Roberto Burle Marx, one of the most influential and

groundbreaking landscape artists of the 20th Century. Please join us and

C. Colston Burrell and Patricia Silva to explore Bur le Marx's

landscape design genius, the natural wonders of the unique Atlantic

Forest Biome, and the art, history, culture, and cuisine of three

cosmopolitan cities: Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis, and Teresopolis. This

tour has something for everyone.

Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994) was a renaissance man of the 20th

century. Not only did he introduce modernist landscape architecture to

Brazil, he was also a noted painter, print maker, musician, ecologist,

and naturalist. Burle Marx eschewed typical European geometrical

garden design and brought to the Brazilian landscape (and to the world)

the use of colorful native species in conjunction with abstract and cubist

patterns. We will visit Burle Marx’s home, where he collected and

studied the native plants found in the jungles of Brazil, as well as

private gardens and parks he created for friends and municipalities.

Patricia Siva, our local guide throughout the trip, a student of Burle

Marx who has worked in his private gardens, will accompany us on our

journey of discovery.

One can’t go to Brazil without experiencing Rio and its many wonders.

We will be staying on Copacabana Beach, a great jumping off point for

independent exploration. While in Rio we will visit the iconic Sugar

Loaf and Corcovado. The Jardim Botanico is another highlight of our

itinerary. The garden lies at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain and

displays more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical

plants, including 900 varieties of palms. The astonishing Avenue of

Royal Palms, boasting 134 trees, leads from the entrance into the

gardens. Folk and modern art museums are also on the itinerary. From

Rio we travel to REGUA, a unique Atlantic Coast Forest Reserve

featuring a restored wetland complex alive with birds and wildlife.

Here, over 470 species of birds thrive in the restored habitats and forest

fragments of this endangered ecoregion.

Our next destination is Petropolis, also known as The Imperial City of

Brazil, nestled among the Serra dos Órgos Mountains. Although it is

noted for its mild climate and beautiful surroundings, its main attraction

is the former Summer Palace of the second Brazilian emperor, which is

now the Imperial Museum. We will visit the palace and also see some

iconic private Burle Marx gardens in the hills surrounding the city. On

the way, we stop in nearby Teresopolis to visit a newly restored Burle

Marx garden.

We then travel to Fazenda Vargem Grande, arguably the greatest garden

created by Burle Marx, on our way to Itatiaia National Park, Brazil’s

oldest national park. This lush Atlantic Coast rain forest is heaven for

birders (over 350 species of birds are found here). We stay at the all-

inclusive Hotel do Ype, which provides opportunities to pursue diverse

interests.

Please join us for this distinctly unique exploration of the cultural and

natural history of the extraordinary country called Brazil.

Meet Your Guides

C. Colston

Burrell is a

lifelong

naturalist,

plantsman, and

gardener. An avid

birder with a

special interest in

parrots, he has

twice visited

Brazil in search

of new additions

to his life list.

When Cole is not birding, he is designing gardens for

his clients, or tending his own 10-acre property

designed to display the plants he loves while letting

natural succession serve as head gardener. He shares

his garden with birds, butterflies, and a wealth of

amphibians. Cole escorts garden and natural history

tours throughout the United States and abroad. The

New World tropics are a favorite destination. He has

traveled in Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador,

and Argentina, as well as Europe and Japan.

Patrícia Silva

studied tourism

and graduated in

1999. Driven by

her passion for

gardens, art, and

nature, she

became a

volunteer at

Roberto Burle

Marx’s Estate for

a year and then

she was

contracted and

worked there for

an additional

eight years.

Throughout those years she learned about plants,

horticulture, and landscape architecture, and also took

some botany courses. She decided to focus her guiding

and tourism work in the field of natural history and

loves to guide nature enthusiasts whenever she can.

Fun loving and personable, Patricia will make you feel

at home the moment you arrive in Rio. Patricia and

Cole escorted a group of 16 garden and nature

enthusiasts in 2014 and are excited to be working

together again.

Tour Leader Brazil

Tuesday, July 9

Day 1—Flights From Home City To Rio De Janeiro

Depart your home city on an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro,

Brazil. Bon voyage!

Wednesday, July 10

Day 2 – Welcome to Rio de Janeiro

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, the “Marvelous City,” tour escort

Cole Burrell and exper t local guide Patricia Silva will meet you

in the arrivals hall for transport in an air-conditioned coach to the

hotel. En route, Patricia will give a brief tour of Rio, sharing

curiosities about the city. After dropping off luggage, enjoy lunch

at the elegant, storied Confeitaria Colombo, a tearoom and

confectionary founded in 1894. Here we have our first experience

with Brazilian cuisine. Following lunch, we travel by cable car up

the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain to get our first spectacular

panoramic view of Rio and Guanabara Bay.

After touring Sugarloaf, we get our first glimpse of the landscapes,

parks, and public spaces of Roberto Burle Marx, including the

groundbreaking Ministry of Education and Health building’s roof

garden, Flamengo Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and

Copacabana Promenade. Flamengo Park was conceived and

designed by Lota de Macedo Soares featuring extensive gardens

and civic landscapes designed by Burle Marx. The 296-acre

waterfront park comprises wide avenues planted with flowering

trees and stately palms. Within the park lie the Rio de Janeiro

Museum of Modern Art, Carmen Miranda Museum, and

"Monument to the Dead of World War II" with its modernist

memorial sculptures.

The Ministry of Education and Health building is one of the finest

examples of Brazilian 1930s modernist architecture, designed by a

team composed of Lucio Costa (future designer of the master plan

of Brazil's modernist capital Brasília), along with Affonso Eduardo

Reidy, Ernani Vasconcellos, Carlos Leão, Jorge Machado Moreira,

and Roberto Burle Marx. Oscar Niemeyer, who became Brazil's

best-known architect later, had a role as an intern in Costa's office.

The group invited renowned Swiss-French Modernist architect Le

Corbusier to oversee the project. Construction was begun by the

Getúlio Vargas government in 1939 and was completed in 1943, to

house Brazil's new Ministry of Education and Health. In 1960 the

national capital moved to Brasília and the building became a

regional office for the ministry.

The new Museu de Arte do Rio was awarded the title of best

building in 2013. The suite of buildings occupies the renovated

interiors of the Palacete Dom João, an early 20th century palace

beside Mauá Square in Rio's port. Meanwhile, the Escola do Olhar

school is inserted within a former police building and bus station

next door. Inspired by the shape of waves, Bernardes and Jacobsen

Architects added an undulating concrete canopy over both of the

buildings, sheltering a new outdoor bar and event space on the

rooftops. The museum of art comprises eight double-height

galleries, accommodated across four near-identical floors. After

this exciting introduction to Rio, we return to the hotel for dinner

on your own. Copacabanna Beach offers a variety of excellent

restaurants to fit any budget. L

Confeitaria Colombo

At the turn of the 20th century, the Belle Epoque structure

that houses Colombo Confectionery was Rio's preeminent

café, the site of elaborate balls, afternoon teas for upper-class

senhoras, and a center of political intrigue and gossip.

Enormous jacaranda-framed mirrors from Belgium, stained

glass from France, and tiles from Portugal are among the art

nouveau decor's highlights. Diners come to nibble on above-

average salgados (savory snacks) and melt-in-the-mouth

sweet treats. The waffles here are a local legend. Savory

pastries are stuffed with shrimp and chicken, and vegetarian

nosh includes spinach and ricotta quiche and heart-of-palm

pie. You can wash it all down with a creamy coffee, a

European lager, or a fruity cocktail (served virgin or laced

with alcohol). If you want to experience the opulent side of

city life, do so the way Rio's high society did a century ago:

with chá da tarde, or afternoon tea. R$46 buys a lavish

spread of cakes, sandwiches, breads, jams, fruit salad, and

your choice of hot drink. Confeitaria Colombo now has a

branch in Copacabana, but there's no beating the original.

Fodor’s Review

Exclusive Itinerary

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Thursday, July 11

Day 3 – Burle Marx Estate/Casa do Pontal Museum/Instituto

Moreira Salles

This morning, after a delicious included breakfast, we head along

the ocean highway to the former home and gardens of Burle Marx

in Barra de Guaratiba. Our tour of the estate, which Burle Marx

bought in 1949 to store his large collection of plants, will include

the magical gardens, his art-filled, ranch-style house and studio,

and a chapel dating back to the 16th century. Through the years,

he collected nearly 3,500 species of rainforest vegetation native to

Brazil, as well as from other countries, transforming his property

into an incredible garden filled with colorful foliage, flowers,

sculpture, and other art.

Our next stop is Museu Casa Do Pontal, the largest and most

important Museum of folk art in Brazil. Its collection contains

more than 8,000 sculptures and models created by more than 200

Brazilian artists. The permanent exhibit at the museum has

representative works of different rural and urban cultures from all

over Brazil. The large landscaped gardens were especially

designed to promote the perfect integration of the vegetation, the

galleries of the museum, and the surrounding wildlife preserve.

We stop for lunch at Quinta, an outstanding restaurant owned by

Luiz Pinto, a personal friend of Burle Marx, where mischievous

Common Marmosets (monkeys) entertain us during a sumptuous

meal, surrounded by Burle Marx artwork in a warm, friendly

atmosphere.

Following lunch we visit the Instituto Moreira Salles cultural

center, a former private residence with a charming, recently

restored garden designed by Burle Marx in 1951, complete with an

artificial pond and flowing river. Next to this beautiful cultural

center is Parque de Cidade where we can view exhibits

showcasing the works of some of Brazil’s best photographers and

artists. More than 80,000 photographs portray the old streets of

Rio, as well as the urban development of other Brazilian cities

over the last two centuries.

The evening is at leisure and dinner is on your own. B, L

Friday, July 12

Day 4 – Botanical Garden/Tijuca Forest/Corcovado

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden or Jardim Botânico lies at the

foot of Corcovado Mountain, far below the right arm of the statue

of Christ the Redeemer and surrounded by the bird-rich restored

Tijuca Forest. The Garden contains more than 6,000 different

species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900

varieties of palms. The garden also houses monuments of

historical, artistic, and archaeological significance. King John VI

of Portugal founded the garden in 1808, originally intended for the

acclimatization of spices like nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon

imported from the West Indies.

An astounding 2,000-foot line of 134 palms forms the Avenue of

Royal Palms leading from the entrance into the gardens. These

palms all descended from a single tree, the Palma Mater, long

since destroyed by lightning. Only about 40 percent of the park is

cultivated, the remainder being Tijuca Atlantic Forest rising up the

slopes of Corcovado. The park is protected by the Patrimônio

Histórico e Artístico Nacional and was designated as a biosphere

reserve by UNESCO in 1992.

After enjoying the forest filled with plants and birds, we take the

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cog railway to the top of Corcovado Mountain. At the summit we

can stand at the foot of the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer,

one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At 98 feet tall, this art

deco statue is visible throughout the city, and its site atop the 2,329

foot mountain makes it the most recognizable feature of Rio. From

here, enjoy breathtaking views of the city below.

The evening is at leisure and dinner is on your own. B, L

Saturday, July 13

Day 5 – Transfer to REGUA Atlantic Forest Reserve

After a morning at leisure to explore Ipanema beach, take a dip, visit

a museum, or enjoy an early lunch on your own before checking out

and preparing to transfer to REGUA.

Guapiacu Bird Lodge opened in 2004 to provide high quality

accommodation for visitors exploring the Atlantic Forest. The lodge

is intimate, with only ten rooms, a relaxed and informal atmosphere,

and a dramatic backdrop of the restored wetlands, sustainable

agriculture fields, and the forested Serra dos Órgãos Mountains, part

of the larger Serra do Mar Range in southeast Brazil. The food is

excellent and the staff warm and friendly.

Guests of the lodge have access to trails into both low and high

altitude humid forest as well as the reserve wetlands. In addition

REGUA runs excursions to a variety of other Atlantic Forest

habitats for bird species not found at REGUA. The lodge is non-

profit-making, with all income going towards our conservation

work.

After check-in, stroll through the lush gardens, sit by one of the bird

feeding stations, or relax in the belvedere overlooking the amazing

wetland complex. Join the group for dinner in the cozy dining room

and an introduction to the history and philosophy of REGUA by

founders Nicholas and Raquel Locke. B, D

Sunday, July 14

Day 6 - Birding and Relaxing at REGUA

After an early breakfast, we have many opportunities to explore the

Atlantic Forest, one of South America’s most biodiverse and

endemic-rich biomes.

The beautifully maintained gardens provide excellent birding and

photography opportunities from the veranda and belvedere. Fruit

feeders attract noisy groups of euphonias, chlorophonias, and

tanagers such as Hooded, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Sayaca, Palm,

Green-headed, and Burnished-buff Tanagers.

On the hummingbird feeders, Swallow-tailed Hummingbirds chase

off Rufous-breasted Hermits, Reddish Hermits, White-chinned

Sapphires, Black Jacobins, Violet-capped Woodnymphs, and

Glittering-throated Emeralds. Around the garden, the rare Black-

legged Dacnis, Rusty-margined Guan, Swallow Tanager, Maroon-

bellied Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-tailed Jacamar,

Rufous-thighed Kite, Channel-billed Toucan, Blond-crested

Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Greenish Elaenia, and

Long-billed Wren are among the wide variety of birds encountered.

At night Tawny-browed Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, and Common

Pauraque may be seen, and mammals including Paca, Nine-banded

Armadillo, and the occasional Crab-eating Fox also visit the garden

when all is quiet.

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REGUA is a unique environment where habitat restoration,

sustainable agriculture, and wild lands preservation meet on fertile

ground. This working farm, set among a pastiche of native

environments, offers us an opportunity to see how local economic

development, food production, and conservation go hand in hand.

We’ll visit some of productive fields and talk about the crops that

are produced within the reserve.

The two-tier viewing platform at the edge of the lodge garden is an

excellent place to watch the sun setting over the restored wetlands

and the magnificent forest-clad Serra dos Órgãos Mountains,

caipirinha (the national drink) in hand. In the mornings, the

belvedere is a good spot to photograph birds in the tree canopy.

Lunch and dinner are provided at the lodge. B, L, D

Monday, July 15

Day 7 – Birding REGUA and Beyond

After the included breakfast, there is another full day to explore the

wonders of the Atlantic Forest. The innumerable trails offer

opportunities to view the astounding diversity of bird and plant

species found on the reserve. REGUA’s altitudinal range and

variety of habitats gives rise to a huge diversity of birds.

REGUA lies in the heart of the Atlantic Forest Lowlands Endemic

Bird Area.

The REGUA wetland is one of the area’s resounding conservation

success stories. This landscape was once a native swampy forest

comprising water-loving Tabebuia cassinoides trees and large tree

ferns, smothered with epiphytic plants including philodendrons,

bromeliads, and orchids, but during the 1980s the swamp was

drained and the trees cleared to make way for cattle pasture and

agricultural fields.

In 2005 REGUA began creating a new wetland on the site,

converting the fields to a mosaic of lakes, channels, reed beds, wet

grass, Tabebuia stands, and lowland forest. Since then the area has

seen an enormous increase in biodiversity.

Over 220 bird species have been recorded at the wetland, including

the scarce Masked Duck, the near-threatened Black-legged Dacnis,

Boat-billed Heron, Pinnated Bittern, Capped Heron, and several

species of rails. The wetland is also an excellent place to watch for

soaring raptors during the late morning, with Rufous-thighed Kite,

Crane Hawk, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, and

Aplomado Falcon all frequently picked out amongst the kettling

Lesser Yellow-headed, Turkey, and Black Vultures.

Many local rarities have been recorded at the wetland, such as

Sungrebe, South American Tern, Black Skimmer, Stygian Owl,

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Black-backed Water-Tyrant, along with

two firsts for Rio de Janeiro state – Greenish Elaenia and Azure

Gallinule. Reptiles such as the endemic Broad-snouted Caiman

(Caiman latirostris) have naturally moved back into the area, along

with mammals such as Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), Paca

(Agouti paca), South American River Otter (Lontra longicaudis),

Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous), and top predators including

Puma (Puma concolor).

The scenic and fairly easy Waterfall Trail passes through well-

established secondary forest into selectively logged primary humid

evergreen forest and to a beautiful waterfall. After the waterfall the

Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

Reserva Ecologica de Guapiacu, REGUA, is the premier site for

birding in the Atlantic Forest – one of South America’s most

biodiverse and endemic-rich biomes. Of the 930 bird species found

in the Atlantic Forest, over 470 have been recorded at REGUA,

including 62 Brazilian endemics, 118 species endemic to the Atlantic

Forest, and several species that can be considered REGUA

specialties. Over 200 bird species have been recorded at their

wetlands alone.

Sadly, today the Atlantic Forest is one of the world’s most threatened

ecosystems. Only around 7 percent of the original forest remains and

most of this is highly fragmented. The largest areas exist on

mountain sides and steep slopes, where it was too difficult for trees to

be felled and the land used for agriculture or pasture. Flat lowland

humid forest, which once covered the coastal plain area between the

Serra do Mar mountains and the sea, is now very rare indeed.

Lying so close to the ever expanding cities of Rio de Janeiro and São

Paulo, the forest remains under intense pressure from development

and is disappearing rapidly. It therefore comes as no surprise that so

many of the forest’s birds are rare and endangered. In fact, of the 111

Brazilian bird species listed by BirdLife International as at risk of

extinction, 98 are found in the Atlantic Forest.

Amazingly, despite the severe habitat loss, birds new to science are

still being discovered in the Atlantic Forest. The first Grey-winged

Cotinga Tijuca condita was described as recently as 1980, and

between 1990 and 2000 another five new species were found. Other

birds thought to have become extinct have been rediscovered. These

include the Kinglet Calyptura, seen in October 1996 near REGUA

after an absence of 100 years.

trail becomes very difficult, so if you want to explore this stretch we

strongly advise walking with one of our guides or rangers. Key

birds to expect include Shrike-like Cotinga, Pin-tailed Manakin,

Southern Antpipit, Rufous-capped Antthrush, White-bellied

Tanager, White-necked Hawk, Buff-bellied Puffbird, Crescent-

chested Puffbird, Black-cheeked Gnateater, and Sharp-tailed

Streamcreeper.

Other trails include the Elfin Forest, where you might glimpse

Shrike-like Cotinga, Salvadori’s Antwren, Russet-winged Spadebill,

Blue-bellied Parrot, Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Least Pygmy-Owl,

Spotted Bamboowren, White-bearded Antshrike, Ferruginous

Antbird, Brown Tanager, and Green-chinned Euphonia. On the

Forest Trail you may encounter Tataupa Tinamou, Uniform Crake,

Blue Ground-Dove, Channel-billed Toucan, Blond-crested

Woodpecker, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, Green-backed Becard,

Long-billed Wren, Brazilian Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, and

Yellow-backed Tanager.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided at the lodge. B, L, D

Tuesday, July 16

Day 8 - Teresópolis and Petrópolis

After breakfast, we reluctantly depart REGUA and journey into the

mountains towards Petropolis, Brazil's former imperial city, now a

popular resort with a refreshing climate and magnificent views.

En route, we visit Rancho Pedra Azul in Teresópolis, a mountain

town surrounded by dramatic spiked peaks with names like Devil’s

Needle and God’s Finger. The ranch landscape was designed by

Burle Marx in 1955. Sweeping beds of groundcover, colorful

foliage plants, and perennials lie across the rolling terrain,

punctuated by dramatic clumps of palms. At the terminus of the

garden is a cabana, perched above a tranquil pond, all set against the

forested hills.

After our garden visit we get to Petropolis, also known as the

Imperial City of Brazil. Nestled among the forested hills of the

Serra dos Órgãos, Petropolis is home to the former Summer Palace

of the second Brazilian emperor, now hosting the Imperial Museum.

Lunch is served at Chalé Manaka. Mr. and Mrs. Manaka will

receive us at their own home, which exudes a cozy ambience. Here

we will enjoy family-style Brazilian cuisine. Following our

delicious dining experience, we take a city tour that includes a visit

to the Imperial Museum, the Crystal Palace, and Sao Pedro de

Alcantara Neo Gothic Cathedral. We end our day of touring as we

check into our centrally located Capim Limão Hotel, a colonial style

mansion nested in the Atlantic forest a few miles outside of town.

Dinner is on your own at hotel restaurant. B, L

Wednesday, July 17

Day 9 – Visit Marambaia and Strunk’s Garden

After our included breakfast we set out to visit what many consider

Burle Marx’s most iconic garden, at the Gilbert Strunk House,

which was designed in 1954 by Oscar Niemeyer, one of the

foremost practitioners of modern architecture. Niemeyer was best

known for his design of civic buildings for Brasília, a planned city

that became Brazil's capital in 1960. He and Burle Marx

collaborated on many projects, including the Pampulha Complex in

Belo Horizonte. Burle Marx’s landscaping at the Strunk house

stretches along the valley floor, using organic and rectilinear forms

to bring the architecture to life.

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Our included lunch today is at Pousada da Alcobaça, only 15

minutes from Petrópolis’ historical center. The inn is a 1914

mansion surrounded by gardens of roses, bromeliads, orchids, wild

raspberries, and aromatic herbs. It is one of the most charming

places in the mountains, offering authentic cuisine du terroir,

supplied by the large vegetable garden and orchard on the property.

Next we visit Fazenda Marambaia, another iconic Burle Marx

garden that is not often open to the public. Here, water is paired

with plants for a sensual experience of sight and sound. A stream

flows through the garden, at times winding and at others cascading

through a series of modern, tiered fountains. The stream ends in a

wide pond surrounded by lush tropical foliage and flowers. After

touring this amazing garden we return to our hotel for free time and

dinner on your own. B. L

Thursday, July 18

Day 10 – Raul Martin Garden and Fazenda Vargem Grande

After our included breakfast and checkout, we depart for a garden

visit en route to neighboring Sao Paulo state to be within striking

distance of tomorrow's garden. Before leaving the Petropolis area,

we visit another well-known Burle Marx private design, an

exquisite terraced garden carved out of a steep sloping landscape.

The iconic garden is one of the few designed by Burle Marx that is

still owned and maintained by the original owner, Raul Martin. The

brown and white checkerboard swimming pool deck is a classic

modernist design. The pool house is decorated with Burle Marx

own tile designs. The plantings are superb, perfectly complementing

the architecture. This is truly a masterpiece.

Following our garden visit, we stop for lunch en route to Areias and

Fazenda Vargem Grande. This day we have a long drive cross

country, so bring a book or relax and enjoy the scenery during our 4

-5 hour journey.

After our long drive, we check into the hotel and relax before

dinner. B, L, D

Friday, July 19

Day 11 – Fazenda Vargem Grande and Itatiaia National Park

This morning we have time to explore the gardens and landscapes

of Fazenda Vargem Grande, arguably the grandest of Burle Marx

private estate gardens. Noted for exquisite water gardens with

cascades and natural swimming pools and bold hardscapes, the

garden is a masterpiece of modernist landscape architecture. The

plant collection is unparalleled, with exotic bromeliads, aloes, and

orchids complementing the rectilinear masses of diverse water

plants such as taro, Victoria Waterlilies, and Burle Marx’s signature

Giant Arrow Arums. Built in the early 1800s during the coffee

cycle, the owners at that time were known as the “coffee barons.” In

1973, the current owners bought the farm, restored the old house,

and added onto it in the same colonial style. One addition was the

kitchen, which is so amazing it is used for a television cooking

show. Not only is it interesting and beautiful, but the lunch you will

have here is sure to be an unforgettable memory. Burle Marx was

called upon to turn the coffee fields into a garden. It took him and

his team many years to complete the work and the result is a nature

wonderland that nurtures diverse flora and fauna. After our tour and

sumptuous lunch we travel to Hotel do Ype, our home in Itatiaia

National Park. The journey will take 2 to 3 hours, depending on

weather and traffic.

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Itatiaia National Park is the oldest national park in Brazil. The

terrain varies from rich Atlantic coastal rain forest in the lower area

to tropical alpine-like vegetation known as paramo in the higher

areas. This park is one of the most popular places in South America

for eco-tourists and bird watchers. Your all-inclusive experience at

Hotel do Ype provides guides and many opportunities to explore.

After checking in, relax in your quaint A-frame bungalow. Evenings

can be chilly in the park, so we may want to light a fire to keep

warm. Our buffet dinner is at the lodge dining room. B, L, D

Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21

Day 12 and Day 13 – Itatiaia National Park. Birders Paradise!

We have two days to explore this amazing national park. Itatiaia is

noted for its dazzling array of birds and the chance to see primates

such as one of the titi monkeys. At Hotel do Ype, toucans, tanagers,

and hummingbirds feed in abundance outside the breakfast room

window. In all, the park is home to 250 different species of birds.

All meals are included during our stay. At lunchtime there’s a great

outdoor barbecue served around the pool. The dessert bar has to be

seen to be believed!

There are many trails to explore in the park, with opportunities to

observe the myriad birds, mammals, and plants that inhabit the park.

There are several waterfalls to explore, with romantic names like

Bridal Veil and Last Goodbye. An abandoned hotel that would

make a perfect set for a thriller film is a favorite spot with its

abandoned garden, and there is a lovely old estate with its own

charming garden. The natural history museum is located within easy

walking distance of the hotel, though the journey home is up hill!

Even though it is the dry season, rain can occur at any time, so be

sure to pack rain gear or an umbella.

For those who are adventurous, we will journey to the base of Pico

das Agulhas Negras and walk through the unique vegetation of the

tropical alpine area known as paramo. Here, windswept grasses and

ferns dominate the ground, while towering ancient Araucaria trees

create an otherworldly forest. Related to the monkey-puzzle trees of

Chile, these araucarias are ancient conifers that lived alongside

dinosaurs. B, L, D

Monday, July 22

Day 14 – Transfer Back Home or to the Extension to Belo

Horizonte

After breakfast and a free morning at Hotel Ype to watch the birds

at the feeders or walk to a waterfall, our trip comes to a close. We

check out and board our coach and head to the international airport

in Rio for our evening flights home or for the extension to Belo

Horizonte. B

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BELLO HORIZONTE EXTENSION: ART MEETS NATURE

July 22 to 27, 2019

Monday, July 22

Day 1- Transfer from Itatiaia to Rio

After our included breakfast, those continuing to Belo Horizonte

and Serra do Cipó will stay at a hotel convenient to the airport for

morning flights to Belo Horizonte. Lunch and dinner are on your

own. B

Tuesday, July 23

Day 2- Belo Horizonte and Transfer to Serra do Cipó

Belo Horizonte is a city nestled amidst the gentle hills of central

Minas Gerais. The city’s unique architecture can be attributed to the

import of French architectural designs at the turn of the 20th century

coupled with the modernity of Niemeyer in the 1940s, marking the

birth of a new urban design in Brazil: fresh, traditional, aristocratic,

unrefined, classic, and modern. We return to the city to explore its

wonders but first spend a few days exploring the wilder side of

Minas Gerais State.

Upon arrival, we transfer and check in to our hotel in Serra do Cipó

National Park. Enjoy an included lunch before we set out to explore

the park, which covers 78,180 acres and has the objectives of

preserving natural ecosystems of great ecological relevance and

scenic beauty, enabling scientific research, environmental

education, outdoors recreation, and eco-tourism. The park is in the

Cerrado Biome, the second largest biome in Brazil after the

Amazon. Cerrado is a matrix of habitat types, including dry forested

savanna, wooded savanna, park savanna, and gramineous-woody

savanna. Wetlands and gallery forests are scattered throughout

where there is available water for all or part of the year. Specialty

birds of the park include the endemic hummingbird called Hyacinth

Visorbearer and the newly discovered Cipo Canastero.

Following our afternoon of exploration, we return to the hotel for

our included dinner. L, D

Wednesday, July 24

Day 3- Birding Serra do Cipó

Serra do Cipó became famous when a new species of canastero was

found there in the mid 1980s, but it is also a good site for some

specialized endemic highland species such as Grey-backed Tachuri

and Buff-throated Pampa-Finch. Typical birds of the cerrado found

within the park include Aplomado Falcon, White-Vented Violetear,

Gray Monjita, Brown-Chested Martin, Hellmayr’s Pipit, Cinnamon

Tanager, Blue Finch, Cinereous Warbling-Finch, Grassland

Sparrow, Pale-Throated Serra Finch, Yellow-Rumped Marshbird,

and Stripe-Tailed Yellow-Finch.

The park is largely rocky terrain covered by grass and a few scrubby

shrubs. The canastero is found at the top of the plateau and is very

uncommon. With persistence it can often be seen. The Hyacinth

Visorbill is more common as it zips about on the plateau. Another

specialty hummingbird found in the park and sometimes seen is the

Horned Sungem, which is much more widely distributed in cerrado

habitat. This species is not usually present in the austral winter. The

lower park is more scrubby woodland with open areas where

Helmeted Manakin and Mouse-coloured Tyrannulet are found.

Protected species found in the park include Maned Wolf, Ocelot,

Puma, and White-necked Hawk, as well as lizards, fish, and

butterflies of national significance.

After a full day of exploration, we return to the hotel for our

included dinner. B, L, D

Thursday, July 25

Day 4- City Tour in Bello Horizonte

After breakfast and check-out, we travel back towards Bello

Horizonte, leaving nature behind as we focus on the art and culture

of this beautiful and storied city. We explore the city, visiting

downtown, more specifically Liberty Plaza (Praça da Liberdade),

with its impressive manors, former State Secretaries turned into

museums and cultural centers.

Bello Horizonte features a mixture of influential contemporary and

classical buildings, and is home to several modern Brazilian

architectural icons, most notably the Pampulha Complex. Oscar

Niemeyer designed a complex of buildings surrounding a lagoon

whose gardens designed by Burle Marx, paintings by Portinari, and

sculptures by Ceschiatti, Zamoiski, and José Pedrosa complete the

project.

In the Pampulha Lake district, we will see the first works of art by

architect Oscar Niemeyer, landscape projects by Burle Marx, and

paintings by Portinari. This district is looked upon as an early

example of contemporary architecture in Brazil, which reached its

pinnacle in Brasilia. Our visit also includes the Church of Saint

Francis of Assisi, the Museum of Art, and the Minerão Football

Stadium.

After our tour, we travel 45 miles beyond the city limits to the small

town of Brumadinho Minas Gerais. After check-in and a little time

to relax, enjoy an included group dinner. B, L, D

Friday, July 26

Day 5- Visit to Inhotim Contemporary Art Center

The Inhotim Contemporary Art Center is an institution committed

to education and cultural development of the community. Inhotim

occupies an area of 87 acres of breathtaking gardens and works of

art displayed indoors as well as outdoors. Inhotim is a place for

education, meditation, and discovery.

The Inhotim art collection comprises about 500 works by over 100

artists of 30 different nationalities. With a focus on contemporary

art produced from the 1960s through present day, the collection

includes sculptures, installations, paintings, drawings, photography,

film, and video.

The museum makes great use of various types of exhibition space.

Assorted works are displayed outdoors in the garden, immersed in

the woods, on a mountaintop, and on a body of water. Other works

are found indoors displayed individually in specially built pavilions

and in the collective exhibitions of large galleries. B, L, D

Saturday, July 27

Day 6 - Visit to Inhotim and Flights Home

Inhotim maintains partnerships with various institutions in order to

promote exchanges between collections of art, and also to allow for

the possibility of introducing new flora species into natural

environments. The botanical garden holds what is believed to be the

world's largest collection of palm trees, with around 1500 species,

hybrids, and varieties.

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General Information

Tour Cost: $8,298.

With Member or Affiliate Discount: $7,598.

Single Room Supplement: $1,750.

Extension Tour Cost: $3,460.

With Member or Affiliate Discount: $2,960. Single Room Supplement: $400.

Prices are based upon a minimum number of ten

paying participants traveling together. If there are

fewer participants, there will be a small group

supplement assessed, based on the number of

participants.

Hotel and lodge accommodations are based upon two

people sharing a room. Single rooms may be available

at a supplementary cost, but are not guaranteed at all

locations.

Airfare: From New York estimated to be $1,050 at the

time of publication. Add-on airfares are available from

other cities.

All tour rates are calculated at the time of publication

and are subject to change due to conditions out of our

control (i.e., exchange rates, taxes, etc.). All

passengers will be notified if changes in pricing occur.

The Tour Includes:

Land Transportation

All ground transportation while with the group. A

driver/guide will escort you. Deviation from the set

itinerary on travelers’ parts could incur additional

costs (i.e., transfers, accommodations, etc.).

Meals

Meals are as indicated in the itinerary (BLD). While in

the field, some of the lunches may be picnic style.

Pre-Departure Information

You will receive information on all aspects of the tour,

plus suggested readings on the history and natural

history.

The Tour Price Does Not Include:

Passport and visa fees, airfare, foreign airport taxes,

baggage charges, personal, travel and baggage

insurance, all items of a personal nature such as

laundry, medical expenses, and room service,

beverages, film and processing, porters’ tips, any

activities not specified in the tour itinerary or those

activities listed as optional, meals not listed in itinerary

or while in transit, and gratuities.

Another distinguishing feature of the Inhotim museum and

botanical garden is the absence of a predetermined linear path, an

obvious order, or a dominant perspective. The paths that run

naturally through the park offer free routes between the works and

the outdoor galleries. The coexistence of the closed and open

spaces promotes a unique experience for enjoying the works of art.

After a full day at Inhotim, we transfer to the International Airport

in Belo Horizonte for dinner on your own and our overnight flights

back to the USA. B, L

Oscar Niemeyer Roberto Burle Marx

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Terms & Conditions

Reservations Early reservations with deposit are essential to guarantee your booking. A $1,000 deposit, applicable to final payment, is required to reserve space on

this trip. Reservations made within 90 days of departure require full payment along with the formal Registration Forms. Final payment for programs

is due 90 days prior to departure. Payments can be made by personal check, money order, certified check, or a cashier’s check.

Rates and Fares Prices are accurate as available at time of publication. Prices do not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS)

reserves the right to alter quoted prices to reflect changes in airline fares, land service, or currency exchange rates. In the event that the number of

participants is below the minimum required for the quoted price, a small group surcharge may be added.

Cancellation and Insurance At the time we receive written notice that you must cancel your trip, the following cancellation fees will apply: Prior to 90 days from departure, your

payments will be refunded minus $300. At 90 days and less, no refund is granted. NOTE: In addition to cancellation fees, airline tickets and deposits

required to guarantee hotel rooms may be nonrefundable. The purchase of a general travel insurance plan covering baggage, accident/life, and trip

cancellation is highly recommended. Give us a call and we can put you in touch with those providers. CAS reserves the right, if registration is

insufficient, to cancel any trip or to offer the trip with a small group supplement. In the event of such cancellations, those with reservations will be

notified as soon as possible and a full refund of trip payments will be given. Connecticut Audubon Society is not responsible for the refund of

additional expenses incurred in preparation for a trip.

Responsibility Payment of deposit represents an acceptance of the following terms and conditions by the purchaser: Connecticut Audubon Society, its affiliates, and

all cooperating airlines and agencies act only in the capacity of agents in all matters of transportation and tour operations, and their liability is limited

to the terms of the airline tickets and land accommodation contracts. They are not responsible for any delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense, or

mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely or in part from the negligence of others or from causes beyond their control. They can accept no

responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, riot, war, quarantine, or other

causes. All such losses or expenses must be borne by the passengers, as the tour rate provides for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is

reserved to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by

changes in air schedules. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. No refund can be made for unused hotel rooms, meals, and sightseeing tours unless

arrangements are made at time of booking. The right is reserved to decline any person as a tour member for any reason which affects the operation of

the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of the other tour members. Any refund of the recoverable land tour services is the limit of Connecticut

Audubon Society and its affiliates’ liability.

To Make a Reservation:

Send the above stated deposit to hold your reservation. If you would like to become a member of The Connecticut Audubon Society , please

add $45 Single or $55 Family for your annual membership to support our education and conservation programs.

Include your name(s), address, phone number, email address, name of the trip, your deposit, and membership fee (if applicable) .

Cover Image: C. Colston Burrell

Mail and Payable to:

Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel PO Box 903

Essex, CT 06426

For Questions or Additional Itineraries call:

860-767-0660

or email us at: ecotravel@ctaudubon.org

EcoTravel