On the banks of the Rio Cristalino (39km north of Alta Floresta), in an area rich in flora and fauna, this luxurious lodge has two 50m-high observation towers and over 20km of bird- and animal-watching trails that pass through nine different ecosystems. The rooms and VIP bungalows flash creature-comfort luxe. Rates include transfers, gourmet meals, expert multilingual guides, excursions and insurance.
The reserve, reached by an hour's drive and a half-hour boat trip from Alta Floresta, is considered one of the top spots in the world for birding and the lodge now produces its own coffee-table books on the hundreds of bird species found here. The reserve hosts ornithologists and other researchers and the Cristalino Foundation (an NGO) is petitioning the Brazilian government to surround the existing private land with a national park, thus extending the protected area by 20km.
Facilities are topnotch, with a library, screening room, outdoor bar and varied buffet meals prepared by a skilled chef. In keeping with the sustainability ethos, the complex uses extensive solar energy.
Activities are not limited to bird-watching: canoeing, seasonal caiman-spotting evening tours on the river, and swimming off the pontoon dock are all part of the fun.