Itatiaia National Park is a ruggedly beautiful region of lush forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, alpine meadows, and both primary and secondary Atlantic Rainforest. Though just 70 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the park covers a broad range of elevations rising to 9100 ft. This range in altitudes contributes to a most diverse variety of habitats from lower elevation forest to alpine meadows surrounded by granite cliffs. The park is the number one birding destination of southeastern Brazil, and with good reason. It is home to a variety of specialty birds, including Mantled Hawk, Spot-billed Toucanet, Saffron Toucanet, Variegated Antpitta, a variety of antbirds, Shrike-like Cotinga, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, and many hummingbirds.
