Five Places to Observe Jardim

In the previous Letters, we spoke about species and stories that help explain Jardim: the tiê-bicudo and the waters of the Rio Claro, the parauacú, the black-faced spider monkey and the Research Station. Now the invitation is to travel through the places where this biodiversity can be discovered.

1. Sunset Toast at the Macaw Rookery

The Sunset Toast at the Macaw Rookery takes place on the third day of the 3- and 4-night itineraries. Departure is by car at 4 p.m., and the activity lasts around two hours. At the edge of the lagoon, the evening offers a chance to follow the movement of free-ranging birds, whose presence varies on every outing, before ending with a toast.

2. Trevo da Onça Circuit Trail: laboratory and Bird Lookout

The circuit connects the Laboratory to the Bird Lookout on an easy two-hour, two-kilometer walk departing at 3 p.m. The route passes through environments near the lagoons and research laboratory. Animals are free-ranging and sightings are not guaranteed.

3. Jatobá Trail: morning birdwatching

Jatobá Trail is a three-hour, three-kilometer birdwatching itinerary departing at 6 a.m. The walk crosses open forest connected to the Bird Lookout and research laboratory, with associated species such as Orange-cheeked Parakeet, Gould’s Toucanet, Band-tailed Manakin, Razor-billed Curassow, Red-crested Cardinal and Ash-browed Spinetail.

4. Buritizal Boardwalk: a walk included in the stay

Accommodation includes the Buritizal Boardwalk, a 300-meter structure over the buriti palm grove. The boardwalk leads to humid forest near the Rio Claro and an environment used by the parauacú (Pithecia mittermeieri), a species scientifically described in 2014 that still has knowledge gaps and is part of research supported by Jardim.

5. Rio Claro and Tiê-bicudo Lagoon

The Rio Claro forms one of Jardim’s main observation axes. On the second day of every itinerary, breakfast is served at 5:30 a.m. and Dawn at Tiê-bicudo Lagoon departs at 6 a.m. for an outing of around four hours along the river, lagoons and riparian forest. The region is associated with the tiê-bicudo (Conothraupis mesoleuca) and other Amazonian birds, but wildlife presence varies according to weather, habitat and observation effort.

Jardim’s website records more than 590 bird species in the area, including the tiê-bicudo, and identifies the lodge within the Rio Claro KBA landscape, historically recognized as an IBA.

One itinerary, many environments

The Birdwatching and Primates programs are offered as complete itineraries, with accommodation, full board and outings organized according to the length of stay. Options are 3, 4 or 5 days, with 2, 3 or 4 nights.

The sequence is cumulative. The 2-night itinerary combines Dawn at Tiê-bicudo Lagoon and the Trevo da Onça Circuit Trail on the second day. With 3 nights, Jatobá Trail and the Sunset Toast at the Macaw Rookery are added. With 4 nights, Angelim Trail with a Rio Claro safari, departing at 6 a.m. and lasting around two hours, and the Laboratory and Lagoon Trail, departing at 3:30 p.m. and also lasting around two hours, complete the program. Times and routes may change according to weather, safety, and operational conditions.