BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAY 8 DAYS AND 7 NIGHTS TOUR

The Birdwatching Holiday program starts any Saturday

The widespread interest in the birds of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest now combined with the ability to access the canopy via the Canopy Walkway has expanded the original list from 199 to over 500 species of birds, We look forward to your additions!!

Note: We require minimum two passengers traveling together If single traveler ask for the supplement.

DAY 1 SATURDAY

Upon arrival in Iquitos, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Dorado Plaza, a 5 star hotel in the very center of Iquitos. For early arrivals there will be time to walk to the banks of the Amazon to see your first Amazonian birds. In addition to the ubiquitous Greater Kiskadee and Black Vultures you are likely to see several of the more common seed finches. In the evening both the Plaza de Armas and the “Boulevard” are great places to watch people strolling along and imagine yourself as a great rubber baron. Overnight at Dorado Plaza Hotel (Iquitos) (L, D if departure flight permits)

DAY 2 SUNDAY

After breakfast a short bus ride takes you to the Explorama boat docks. A voyage down the Amazon (80 KM/50 mi/1½ hrs) takes you to Explorama Lodge where you will have your first exposure to Amazonian forest birds as you search the camp grounds for the Black-fronted Nunbird and the Thrush-like Wren. Near the stream where the “La Tahuampa” Bar is located you will likely see habituated Sun Bittern. Scarlet and Blue and Gold Macaws, some of which have been coming to the feeding station near the dining room for the Lodge’s 40 year existence, will provide some spectacular shots as they fly screaming along the Yanamono and Yanacaño Streams which pass through the Lodge grounds. After lunch you will hike along the “Lake Trail” looking for varzea (flood plain) specialists like the Silvered Antbird and Pale-legged Hornero. Overnight at Explorama Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 3 MONDAY

Before sunrise, take an early morning walk on the Bushmaster Trail in terra firma forest where the highest diversity of tree species of any location in the world has been discovered. With luck, a mixed flock of birds feeding over an army ant column will be found. At times these flocks have over 40 species of birds. After breakfast, you will return to the Bushmaster to hopefully observe Golden-headed and Bearded Manakins on their display leks. During the afternoon, there will be an open boat trip on the Amazon looking for river edge species like the Black-collared Hawk, Capped Heron and three species of Kingfishers. We will also search for both pink and gray freshwater river dolphins commonly found where tributaries of the river meet. Overnight at Explorama Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 4 TUESDAY

After breakfast, you will board an Explorama boat for a trip on the Amazon and Napo Rivers (80 KM/50 mi/1½ hrs) to ExplorNapo Lodge. The trails in the 250,000-acre reserve surrounding ExplorNapo are innumerable and offer an opportunity for birdwatching in almost every rainforest habitat. This is the best location in the world to see rarities like Nocturnal Currasow and the Black-necked Red Cotinga. This evening you will enjoy an open boat ride in search of caiman and frogs while listening to the night sounds and, if it is a clear night, viewing the overwhelming number of stars of the Southern sky. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY

Early morning birding. Morning excursion in open boat and hiking to a black water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies and sometimes offer a glimpse of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Afternoon boating excursion along one of the Napo tributaries spotting for sloth, birding and having a try at fishing for piranha. Overnight at ExplorNapo Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 6 FRIDAY

Departure to the Canopy Walkway in time to welcome the day from high in the treetops, an unforgettable natural history experience, as mixed species flocks form and their morning chorus begins. Motmots, wood-creepers, ant-birds, flycatchers, barbets, toucans and even Red-Throated Caracara add to the cacophony. After breakfast you hike out to the Sucusari Stream and board the boat to Ceiba Tops (120 KM/75 miles/2¼ hrs) where private air conditioned rooms and hot water showers gently ease your way back to civilization. At Ceiba Tops you may see a Great Potoo on the short walk between the boat dock and the main Ceiba Tops building. After lunch, you will visit islands that were formed at different times by the meandering Amazon River forming unique habitats where some species of birds spend their entire lives. Returning to Ceiba Tops you will travel close to the shore where both gray and pink dolphins are often seen, and, with luck, there will be a colorful sunset on the Amazon River. Overnight at Ceiba Tops Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 7 SATURDAY

Early morning birdwatching on a short walk to the huge Ceiba Tree for which the lodge is named. Many organisms spend their entire lives in this single rainforest giant. Depending on your departure flight from Iquitos, there may be time for an open boat ride on the channels of the Amazon in front of Ceiba Tops before lunch. Whatever your departure flight, a boat ride will return you to Iquitos (40 KM/25 mi/3/4 hrs) and then by bus you’ll be at the airport in time for your departure flight to Lima. (B, Lunch if departure flight permits)

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the ever-changing nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities may vary due to local conditions

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BOOK THIS TOUR ? ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

INCLUDES: All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double occupancy. All scheduled land, lake and river transportation. All transfers. All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services. All entrance fees. Meals as specified in the itinerary. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE
International or Domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of International or Domestic flights and items of personal nature.