GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info

Transcription

1 Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info Brazil The Atlantic Rainforest The cobalt-blue Near Threatened Diademed Tanager is one of the highlights at Pico da Caledonia Brian Small/Limosa : Thursday 9th - Friday 17th October LEADERS Richard Thaxton & local guides 2: Saturday 25th October - Sunday 2nd November LEADERS Brian Small & local guides A 9-day, small group, single-centre birdwatching tour to the fabulous Atlantic Rainforest of southeast Brazil, based at a comfortable lodge on the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA). Outstanding for birds with the rare Three-toed Jacamar, Grey-winged and Black-and-gold Cotingas, Elegant Mourner, and Brazilian and Green-headed Tanagers among an extraordinary list of specialities and endemics. Just 7% of Brazil s extraordinary Atlantic rainforest remains North of Rio, REGUA provides a vital refuge for some of its rarest birds Rufous-sided Crake, Giant Snipe, Tawny-browed Owl, Bare-throated Bellbird Plovercrest, Brazilian Tanager, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Slaty Bristlefront Chances to look for the rare Three-toed Jacamar, Grey-winged Cotinga and Elegant Mourner Relaxed, single-centre tour, based at the Guapiaçu Bird Lodge Delicious home-cooked food, comfortable lodge accommodation... And it all begins with great wetland birding right outside the door! Led by guides from Limosa s own expert team and local Brazilian ornithologists LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) / info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Tour Overview Brazil is a vast and truly fantastic country to explore for birds. One of the most important areas outside of Amazonia is the coastal forest of the southeast highlands, north and east of Rio de Janeiro. This region has until recently been extensively deforested. But all is not lost and timely intervention has enabled protection of the best refuges for birds in Brazil s Atlantic Forests. One of the finest of these is the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (or REGUA for short), which lies just 50 miles north of Rio. Established as recently as 2001, REGUA now owns and administers an area of more than 18,000 acres, with a stated objective to provide protection from hunting and exploitation of forest products. This nonprofit organisation is now actively engaged in tropical forest restoration, including the planting of over 140,000 trees. The Guapiaçu Bird Lodge offers comfortable accommodation run by welcoming and well-informed staff, and with a superb variety of habitats right on its doorstep. As a single-centre tour, there can few places better located to observe the plethora of Atlantic rainforest bird species, currently standing at a remarkable 460 species! From lowland rainforest and wetlands - where specialities such as Giant Snipe, Brazilian Tanager and the tiny Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher can be found - up to the peaks of the Serra dos Orgãos mountains, more than 2000m above sea level and sole refuge for many of the birds that are endemic to southeast Brazil, including Plovercrest, Blue-winged Macaw and Black-and-gold Cotinga. Walking the forest trails, birds can come thick and fast! Restless feeding flocks pass through the trees, allowing us the chance to enjoy a good number of the Atlantic Forest endemics, including a fabulous array of hummingbirds and tanagers. Rufous-chested Hermit, Black Jacobin and Brazilian Ruby buzz and dart like insects, while dazzling Brassy-breasted and Red-necked Tanagers draw gasps of disbelief. The make up of species can vary according to altitude. Even small pockets of forest can produce new and quite different species, so our stay will include trips further afield to ensure we see as wide a cross-section of birds as possible. Rufous-thighed Kite, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Slaty Bristlefront, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Rufous-capped Motmot, Pin-tailed Manakin and Spot-billed Toucanet are among many we could find. At the end of each day we will return to our lovely lodge for a fine meal and the chance to relax with a refreshing lime Caipirinha, the traditional Brazilian cocktail. Who could resist?... Limosa has been operating bird tours to Brazil since 1998 and our 2014 tours will be our fourteenth and fifteenth visits to this amazing destination for birding. Guide Richard Thaxton has travelled and guided extensively in Central and South America; in 2011, he spent four weeks at REGUA while on a sabbatical from his work with RSPB, looking at the development of sustainable tourism and making suggestions as to how the site might engage with visitors with greater effectiveness. Richard led our April 2013 tour to REGUA. Guide Brian Small is making his sixth visit to Brazil s Atlantic Rainforest for us, having visited a number of sites, including the Pampas and Iguaçu. Outline Itinerary Day1: Days 2-7: Day 8: Day 9: Fly London-Rio de Janeiro. Ninety-minute transfer to the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA). Guapiaçu Bird Lodge (7 nts) REGUA and the Serra dos Orgãos Full day at REGUA. Fly Rio de Janeiro-London Afternoon arrival London 2 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

3 Daily Itinerary Day 1 FLY RIO DE JANEIRO Afternoon departure from London Heathrow on a scheduled flight bound for Rio de Janeiro, where we arrive later the same evening. We shall be met by our local guide and transfer directly to the Guapiaçu Bird Lodge, in the REGUA reserve, which will be our base throughout the holiday. The journey is short (approximately ninety minutes driving time). Night at Guapiaçu Bird Lodge, in the REGUA reserve. Days 2 7 THE RESERVA ECOLÓGICA DE GUAPIAÇU (REGUA) We shall awake this morning to an unfamiliar dawn chorus and fold back the shutters to reveal our first Brazilian birds! The Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (home of the Guapiaçu Bird Lodge) boasts a terrific variety of habitats and species, and our first walk will be a gentle introduction to the local birds. Just by the lodge are a number of hummingbird feeders, and we will see Swallow- tailed, Glittering-bellied, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Rufous-breasted Hermit buxzzing about. The bushes around hold Brazilian and Burnished-buff Tanagers. We will make a short walk from the lodge to where Caiman and Capibaras cruise beside a recently created wetland, with Least Grebe, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Masked Duck, Snail Kite, Aplomado Falcon, Limpkin, and a trio of kingfishers - Ringed, Amazon and Green - among many exciting birds to watch for. Capped, Cocoi and Striated Herons stalk the shallows, and we may be lucky to spot Rufoussided Crake or even Giant Snipe here (the latter is a notorious early morning species!). Strolling gently around we will keep our eyes and ears open for the unusual White Woodpecker and large Orange-winged Parrot as well as Blue-winged Parrotlet, Dark-billed Cuckoo, White-collared Swift, Common Thornbird, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Yellow Tyrannulet, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellowish Pipit, White-bellied Seedeater, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and the strutting Tail-banded Hornero. We should also be treated to our first Atlantic Forest endemics, such as the flitting Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher and loud-voiced Long-billed Wren. One of the real beauties of this single-centre tour at REGUA is that we are able to keep our programme a little flexible, to allow for the vagaries of the weather on the high peaks, perhaps. But our stay will include birding in the nearby forest and wetlands, as well as some excursions further afield by minibus. We will devote good time to exploring REGUA s quiet forest trails. We will spend a day walking the Waterfall Trail, passing through lowland rainforest that has grown up over the past sixty years to cover the scars of past clearance. Feeding stations along the trail should produce the lovely Violet-capped Woodnymph and Saw-billed Hermit, while along the forested trail we may encounter the lovely Blue Manakin or perhaps a Rufous-breasted Leaftosser. Stands of bamboo here conceal the skulking Slaty Bristlefront, as well as furtive antshrikes and antwrens. The secretive Rufous-capped Motmot watches from steep-sided slopes and, where the path passes through small clearings, we will pause to check for Spot-billed Toucanets and listen to the loud, clanging song of Bare-throated Bellbirds echoing through the distant forest canopy. As we continue to explore the Atlantic Forest, gradually, new specialities should begin to appear: Starthroated Antwrens scold from the undergrowth, while the distinctive song of the localized Sooretama Antshrike will give the bird away as it moves through the vine tangles above us. Feeding flocks might bring the stunning Pin-tailed Manakin, Surucua Trogon, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Streak-capped Antwren, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, and stunning Green-headed, Brassy-breasted and Red-necked Tanagers. The Elegant Mourner (or Shrike-like Cotinga) is something of a REGUA speciality, and we will make a special effort to find this rare bird as well as seeking Black-cheeked Gnateater, Crescent-chested Puffbird, 3 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

4 Scaled Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Southern Antpipit, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper and Greyhooded Attila. We will take a full day excursion up to the Pico da Caledonia, one of the highest peaks in the Serra dos Orgãos Mountains. This rugged area soars above 2,219m above sea level - on a clear day, the views from the top are truly spectacular. As the road ascends, we will listen for the ethereal whistles of the exquisite Black-and-gold Cotinga, an Atlantic Forest endemic, and pause to scan the canopy for the wonderful Swallow-tailed Cotinga. The montane forest here is also one of only two known sites where the extremely rare and elusive Grey-winged Cotinga may be found. If we are lucky, we may be treated to the sight of the amazing Plovercrest performing at its lek, while other hummers to watch for include White-throated Hummingbird and the beautiful Brazilian Ruby. With patience and some searching, we may unearth some of the Serra s more secretive forest dwellers. Mouse-coloured Tapaculo, Large-tailed Antshrike, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Rufous-tailed and Duskytailed Antbirds inhabit the densest undergrowth (and are easier to hear than to see), and we may be fortunate to witness a pair of Sharp-tailed Streamcreepers performing their wing-spreading display. Other species to keep us on our toes in the mountains include the wide-mouthed Rufous Gnateater, Highland Elaenia, the localised Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Blue-billed and Velvety Black-tyrants, Shear-tailed Grey Tyrant, Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin, the newly split Grey-eyed Greenlet, the brilliant Diademed Tanager, Bay-chested Warbling-Finch and butch-looking Thick-billed Saltators. Another day will find us driving up to REGUA s mid-elevation forests, along the Casa Anibal trail, home to key specialities such as the fine Saffron Toucanet, the undemonstrative Rufous-tailed Jacamar and the tiny but spectacular Frilled Coquette. Channel-billed Toucan, Bare-throated Bellbird, Long-tailed Tyrant, Black-tailed Tityra, Long-billed Wren, White-necked Thrush, Brazilian and Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Eastern Striped Manakin and Yellow-green Grosbeak await our discovery here, too. We make an early morning start for Macaé de Cima, an area of montane forest reaching an elevation of around 1400m. We shall pause to investigate several areas at different altitudes, but devote most of our time to a private orchid reserve at the top of the mountain. The forest here offers some of the easiest access to high altitude Atlantic Forest specialities. Most of our birding is possible from the dirt road, and we will make regular stops to check for feeding flocks of tanagers and other species. Along the way, a number of hummingbird feeders provide excellent photographic opportunities - and first class viewing of such gems as Scale-throated Hermit, Plovercrest, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby and Amethyst Woodstar. Along the trail we may hear and see Black Hawk-eagle and Barred Forest-falcon, perhaps a smart Yellow-browed Woodpecker or the amazing Giant Antshrike. Here, Rufous-backed Antvireos may be found alongside a number of humbug-like antbirds such as Bertonis, Ochre-rumped and Dusky-tailed. Perhaps we will be lucky to encounter the strutting Rufous-tailed (Brazilian) Antthrush, Rufous-capped and Pallid Spinetails, Pale-browed Treehunter, Red-eyed Thornbird or White-browed Foliage-gleaners - even a Cinnamon Tanager or two. Birds can come thick and fast in this rich habitat! One of the few remaining remnant patches of Atlantic dry forest exists beyond the Serra dos Órgãos. Although degraded, this habitat remains the stronghold of the endangered Three-toed Jacamar, a species at one time considered common but now only found in a very few locations and listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International. We have an excellent chance of seeing this and many other species on a full day trip that will take in a variety of new habitats including remnant patches of dry forest, open grassy plains and wetlands. Most of our birding is done from roadside stops, and we will look for the superbly named Firewood Gatherer and Streamer-tailed Tyant, and various raptors including Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, White-tailed and Bicoloured Hawks, American Kestrel and Bat Falcon. As ever, a suite of parrots should be seen: Blue-winged Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet and Scalyheaded Parrot are all likely. Yet more new hummingbirds might include Sapphire-spangled Emerald and 4 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

5 another hermit to watch for - the Planalto. Nonetheless, the key bird today will be the rare Three-toed Jacamar. As we search for it, others will appear and who could resist the opportunity to get to grips with such species as Serra Antwren, Red-legged Seriema, Black-necked Aracari, White-eared Puffbird, Redeyed Thornbird and Hangnest Tody-tyrant! A week s stay with Limosa and the friendly staff at REGUA offers an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy a wide cross-section of the birds of Brazil s unique but threatened Atlantic rainforest habitat. Being based at the same lodge throughout will not only ensure our travel time is kept to a minimum, but allow us to devote maximum time to achieving good views of many of the region s spectacular and special birds. While anyone with the slightest ambition with a camera should find plenty of chances to take some great photos! Day 8 REGUA TO RIO, FLY LONDON Our flight home is scheduled to depart Rio late this evening so we should be able to enjoy another full morning birding at REGUA today, followed by lunch and a relaxed afternoon taking one last look around the grounds of the lodge. Bidding a reluctant farewell to our hosts, we then drive back to Rio in good time to check-in for our overnight flight back to London. Day 9 ARRIVAL IN LONDON Afternoon arrival at London Heathrow, where our tour concludes. More About This Tour After more than a dozen visits, we have found Brazil to be a delightful and rich birding destination - and we think you ll agree! We follow a routine that regular travellers to the tropics will already be familiar with: typically going out at first light (which in this part of Brazil means around am), returning for breakfast, then going out again for the rest of the morning. Lunch may be taken back at the lodge or as a picnic in the field, according to venue for that particular day. We often take a short break after lunch, before going out again for the remainder of the afternoon. We return to the lodge each evening, for dinner and overnight. Our Accommodation The Guapiaçu Bird Lodge provides comfortable, quality accommodation for anyone interested in birdwatching, conservation or those who simply wish to experience the rainforest and it's marvellous wildlife. The lodge is small, with a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and is set against a fabulous backdrop of forested mountains. The lodge s beautifully maintained gardens provide superb birding and photographic opportunities from the veranda. Fruit feeders attract noisy groups of euphonias, chlorophonias and tanagers - the latter including Hooded, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, Sayaca, Palm, Green-headed and Burnished-buff. On the hummingbird feeders, Swallow-tailed Hummingbirds fight off Rufous-breasted Hermits, Black Jacobins, Violet-capped Woodnymphs and Glittering-throated Emeralds. Around the gardens, Orange-winged Parrot, Guira Cuckoo, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Channel-billed Toucan, superb White and Blond-crested Woodpeckers, Chestnut-backed Antshrike and Long-billed Wren are among the birds often present, while at night Tropical Screech-Owl, Tawny-browed Owl, Short-tailed Nighthawk and Pauraque may be seen while sipping a cool lime Caipirinha - the traditional Brazilian cocktail. 5 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

6 Flights & Arrival in Rio Note for land only participants (or those arriving in Brazil independently of the rest of the group): Note that international flights, depending on the airline, may arrive at Rio in the old Terminal 1 or the new Terminal 2. We are aware of this. If you are arriving separately from the group (e.g. a day or two early, or on an earlier flight), please notify our office of your flight schedule and you should plan to be at the international arrival area, downstairs in the old terminal (Terminal 1) by 21.00hrs (9.00pm) latest on Day 1 of the tour. Our leader/s will find you there and escort you to meet the rest of the group. *1 Upon arriving at Rio de Janeiro airport, proceed through immigration and customs. Brian/Richard and/or our local guide will meet you as you exit customs into the arrivals hall. If you do not spot one of them immediately upon exiting customs (they will be holding a sign saying 'Limosa Holidays'), please find a place nearby to wait with your luggage. Please don t stray far if you stay nearby, we will be able to find you. Restrooms, soft drinks and seating are available here while you wait. *1 Please be punctual. On occasion, international flights do get in earlier than scheduled and we will wish to make a prompt departure from the airport to drive to our lodgings at REGUA. Trip Information Group Size 9 participants & 2 leaders Birds species. There is a small amount of seasonal shift for a few species between April and October but the overall list of birds to be seen for this tour is more or less identical at either season. Accommodation The Guapi Assu Bird Lodge offers comfortable accommodation, with all rooms en suite - and great birding right on site. The lodge is small, with a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and set against a fantastic backdrop of forested mountains. It is equipped to a high standard with a spacious and comfortable lounge, a large dining area, an excellent library, a small swimming pool, and hot water heated by solar power. The lodge offers a laundry service for a small fee (please be aware that clothes are line-dried so drying times are entirely weather dependent!). Meals All main meals are included in the tour price. Home-cooking, with local dishes freshly prepared by the lodge s own cooks (vegetarian needs can also be catered for). Breakfasts and dinners will be at the lodge; some lunches will be picnics. Soft and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at the lodge. Walking Easy to moderate. Chiefly along forest trails; there are some steeper, uphill stretches in the mountains, but all taken very gently with regular stops for birds. Wherever possible, we will drive to the top and walk down. Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or lightweight boots with good grip advised, and lightweight shoes to change into. Maximum elevation: (for a few hours only) 2200m. Weather Tropical climate, mainly warm and sunny in Rio, with rainfall spread throughout the year. It can be hot and humid at times and this sometimes gives rise to thundery downpours. Our October tours run towards the end of the dry season and some rainfall is possible in the coastal mountains. Come our visit in April, the austral summer rains (Dec-Apr) are tailing off and the higher winter temperatures are cooling slightly. In Rio, average monthly temperatures are: April C (70-82F) and October 19-25C (66-77F). It can be cooler than this in the mountains, especially high up and also early and late in the day. Flights We use scheduled British Airways flights for this tour, flying direct from London Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro. (Note: the outlined itinerary is based on current schedules and timings could of course change - if you are making your own flight arrangements for this tour, please check group flight timings with our office before booking your own flights.) 6 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

7 Ground Transport By minibus, switching to 4x4 vehicle/s when occasion demands. Insects We may encounter mosquitos on some trails but there is no malaria risk on this tour. See also Health & Vaccinations section, page 8 below. Photos Difficult in the forest, where light levels are low. But good-excellent photographic opportunities in more open habitats, including wetlands, bird feeders and around the lodge. Tour Cost 2014 (9 days): 2595 (inc flights from London) Land cost only: 1970 Deposit: 400 Single Supp: 105 Cost includes Return scheduled flights London-Rio de Janeiro direct, all accommodation, main meals, minibus transport, entrance fees to parks, tips to local guides/drivers, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leaders. Cost excludes Insurance, drinks & other items of a personal nature. About Your Guide Richard Thaxton Richard joined us in the early noughties at the urging of our American friends at Field Guides, who clearly know a good thing when they see one! A warden at the RSPB s Loch Garten reserve since 1985, Richard often leads their forest walks and is charged with the welfare of some of its rarest inhabitants, including Capercaillies and the world famous Ospreys. A first-rate guide with exceptional people skills, when his work for the RSPB allows Richard regularly leads our trips to Lesbos, France and elsewhere in Europe, as well as those to Galapagos, Guyana, Ecuador and Trinidad. In October 2011, on a sabbatical from his work with RSPB, Richard spent four weeks at REGUA in Brazil, looking at the development of sustainable tourism, reviewing current visitor infrastructure, provision for and engagement with visitors, and making suggestions as to how the site might engage with visitors with greater effectiveness. Richard took charge of our April 2013 tour and our October 2014 tour will be his 3rd visit there. Brian Small Brian is a principal Limosa guide living in Suffolk with his wife Janet and their teenage son Ben. A teacher for 11 years, Brian now works full time in the Limosa office - when he s not away guiding our tours that is! He has travelled widely around the globe and is the inspiration behind a growing number of Limosa tours, including India for Tigers, Portugal and Madeira, Kuwait and Brazil. Brian is an accomplished bird artist and his current artwork projects include illustrative work on major new guides to birds in Brazil, and various parts of Africa. Happily, he has lately recovered from a previous affliction that saw him sifting through gull flocks on the local pig fields (something of a solitary occupation we re told!) and he now concentrates on his local patch at Southwold, on the Suffolk coast, where he searches especially for migrants. Brimming with infectious enthusiasm, Brian has been guiding our tours since He regularly joins our guided BirdWalks in Norfolk and Suffolk. Our October 2014 tour to Brazil will be Brian s sixth visit to the Atlantic Rainforest for us. Local guide One or more of REGUA s team of excellent resident Brazilian birdwatching guide/s will accompany our tour as local leader throughout. 7 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

8 What You Say Our first time to Brazil and a good introduction to SE American birding. We could not have wished for a better group of people to travel with and Brian, the guide, was excellent. We saw some great birds and had great fun along the way - what more can you ask for on a birding holiday!... Lee & Gill Pilkington, Brazil, REGUA tour Nothing was too much trouble for Brian. He made sure that everyone saw as much as possible... Richard was an excellent, very personable leader. Dinners were excellent... Brian Miller, Brazil, REGUA tour Martin Jaggers, Brazil, REGUA tour Giant Snipe excursion very rewarding. Nicholas s ambition, vision and enthusiasm for his conservation work cannot fail to engender support for the [REGUA] project... Sue Cooper, Brazil, REGUA tour Especially remembered the fantastic views of the Plovercrest. It was really great to see all three cotingas on one trip, to see the very rare Grey-winged, superb and the Swallow-tailed in exactly the same tree as 5 years ago!!... Linda Miller, Brazil, REGUA tour Limosa Loyalty Discount We are proud of the number of loyal customers who travel regularly with us. As our way of saying thank you, we offer a Frequent Travel Discount. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their fifth trip *1. Alternatively, you can opt to save your discounts up and carry them forward to claim a 10% discount on your 10th trip. The choice is yours, but please remember to request your discount at time of booking! *1 Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commission-based trips, extras such as additional flights, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. How to Book You can make a booking by one of three easy methods, but if you experience any problems, please feel free to contact the office. Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information found at the back of our current brochure or on our website - Book Online: You can book swiftly and securely online via our website: Book by Post: Our brochures contain a Booking Form, but you can also download a copy from our website - Please complete both sides of the form, remembering to sign and date the section at the bottom of the second page. Send this to us, together with the appropriate Booking Deposit (see below). 8 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

9 Telephone bookings: Telephone bookings will be accepted on a provisional basis to allow time for your Booking Form and deposit to reach us by mail. We will hold provisional reservations for up to 14 days pending receipt of booking form, after which time any unconfirmed space will be released. Payments Deposits: The amount of deposit per person is shown above. We accept payment by cheque (drawn on a UK bank in GB Pounds Sterling), by BACS or internet banking (please ask us for our bank details), and by debit card. We also accept most major credit cards (not AmEx). Final Balance: Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (occasionally longer in the case of some tours such as cruises or those involving rail travel). We will send you an invoice at about this time indicating the balance. We accept payment for final balances by cheque or debit card. Payment of the balance can also be by credit card with a 2% commission charge for the latter (see below). Please ask for our bank details if you prefer to transfer your payment direct to our bank account. Card Charges: Due to escalating credit card charges we are unable to absorb the cost of these. We will not charge for payment of the initial booking deposit (amount as indicated in the Tour Cost section, above), but will make a 2% commission charge on any balances or subsequent payments (e.g. interim flight deposits) paid by credit card. We do not charge commission on payments made by debit card or by cheque or direct to bank. Late Bookings: In order for us to guarantee your airline seats, hotels etc., full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). When to Book This is one of the most Frequently Asked Questions - the short answer is as early as possible! Accommodation and flights are much more easily secured well in advance and there is nothing more frustrating than to know that on paper space is still available on the tour but that hotels and/or flights are full. To encourage early booking therefore, we are pleased to offer an Early Booking Discount - see our current brochure or website for details. Our tours are limited to small group sizes, so they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out! It's not unusual to find trips are fully booked around four to six months in advance. Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected late cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks time! Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas All participants must be in possession of a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Brazil. 9 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

10 VISA NOT NORMALLY REQUIRED by UK passport holders for entry into Brazil. For further information see the website of the Brazilian Consulate in London, or the Brazilian Embassy All others should contact their nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate to check whether or not they require a visa/s. If a visa/s is required, you will need to apply locally. If the embassy or consulate requires you to provide a letter confirming that you are booked on an all-inclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. Entering Brazil: Make sure your passport is stamped. If it is not, you may be fined on departure. Keep your immigration landing card, given to you at Rio de Janeiro airport on arrival, as it will be required to leave the country if you lose it you could be subject to a fine. Health & Vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations: None but note that you will need to show a valid yellow fever certificate IF arriving within 3 months from or in transit through infected areas - please check with your doctor. Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid, yellow fever and hepatitis A. Consult your doctor for current advice regarding TB, hepatitis B and typhoid, which may also be recommended in some circumstances. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infection found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, including Brazil. Malaria: There is currently no malaria risk in the areas we shall be visiting on our tour. The above information, together with that contained within our Travel Information sheets (sent to everyone who books), outlines health requirements for this tour. Please note that these details are given for guidance only - and are only for certain diseases - and you must consult your doctor in good time prior to travel as to what immunisations (if any) are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and up-to-date health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency and provides health information for both health professionals and travellers, with information compiled by its own clinical and scientific team. You can search for your individual country requirements, which are updated regularly. Your Safety & Travel Advice An unavoidable aspect of travelling abroad nowadays is the threat it may pose to your safety and security. The UK s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers. In order for you to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination it is strongly recommended that you refer to the relevant FCO Travel Advice both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. It is standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice about the tour to all participants along with their Final Letter (2-4 weeks prior to the trip). Further useful information on visas, health, etc., can be found at the World Travel Guide website: Know Before You Go - staying safe and healthy abroad - is a travel safety campaign run by the FCO, and another useful resource. Go to: 10 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

11 Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before setting off on any overseas trip. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all clients are fully and adequately insured before travelling overseas with us. Your travel insurance should cover against cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, delay, personal accident, death, loss of baggage and valuables (see note below), personal liability and legal expenses. Most importantly, your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected right from the word go in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Once you have arranged your insurance, please be sure to send us the following essential details: name and contact details of your insurance provider, your policy number, expiry date and your insurers 24hr Emergency Assistance number. Important Things to Note! Be aware that Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Most travel insurance policies limit the amount of cover, typically up to a maximum tour cost of 5000 per person. If the tour you are booking exceeds this amount, additional cover can usually be provided upon payment of additional premium. We recommend all travellers check their individual policy limit to ensure the full cost of their holiday is covered. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries (Tour Info Packs), trip reports, trip photos and the latest Limosa News. Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements. 11 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see:

12 Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times and when watching wildlife. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by fax and . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and we look forward to hearing from you again! CK Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) / Or see: