Following an overnight flight from the US to Sao Paulo, we transfer to Ubatuba where we'll stay our first two nights at Hotel Solar das Aguas Cantantes, the usual place where birding groups to the area stay because of its closer proximity to birding areas. We then transfer to Itatiaia National Park, where we'll stay 4 nights at the best hotel in the Park, Hotel do Ype. For those going to the Pantanal, we'll spend 1 night at the Amazon Plaza Hotel in Cuiaba. From there, we drive south along the Transpantaneira to Fazenda Santa Tereza for a 2 night stay. We then spend 2 nights at the comfortable Araras Eco Lodge before continuing on to Chapada dos Guimaraes where we'll spend our last 2 nights at the lovely Pousada Penhasco.
HOTEL DO YPE
Hotel do Ype is a superb hotel located at the end of the road in Itatiaia National Park between Rio de Janeiero and Sao Paulo. The hotel features beautiful grounds surrounded by forest, swimming pool, sauna, and an excellent restaurant. Excellent forest birding is within walking distance of the hotel. Meals are served buffet style in the restaurant, and the food is excellent. Cabanas feature comfortable beds, private bath, and veranda. TOP
FAZENDA SANTA TEREZA
Fazenda Santa Tereza is a working cattle ranch that has set up hotel facilities for birders and other visitors to the Pantanal. Its goal is to provide comfort without losing the rustic quality of the ranch. The hotel building is surrounded by verandas lined with rocking chairs and hammocks, allowing a place for guests to relax outside. The restaurant features typical foods of the Pantanal, including garden-fresh vegetables, dairy products, meat dishes, and piranha soup.
Rooms are clean and basic. They feature two double beds, bathrooms with hot-water showers, ceiling fans, and air conditioning. All rooms have windows looking out over the ranchland and nearby river. TOP
POUSADA PENHASCO
Pousada Penhasco is located in the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park, overlooking the canyonlands and offering wonderful scenic vistas from the observatory at the lodge. Several trails through nearby forests, along the cliffs, and into the park are accessible from the premises. The restaurant features numerous delicious dishes and desserts, along with a splendid view and festive atmosphere.
Accommodations consist of 32 apartments of varying sizes. Each apartment features one or more double beds, private bath with hot water, air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, safe, and central heating. TOP
