Iquitos Specialties White-sand forest, river islands, Canopy Walkway and Wattled Curassow
INTRODUCTION:
In 2006, after testing our Iquitos itinerary in different ways, we have come up with the idea that Iquitos is best run in modules. This module is the base on which the rest can be added on. In the first 9 days you will look for a number of species that are difficult to find elsewhere. It contains the following units: 1. The Explorama Lodge with the Canopy walkway, Nocturnal Curassow, Black-necked Red-Cotinga and river islands. 2. Allpahuaya-Mishana with all the newly described white-sand species as well as search for Rufous and White-winged Potoos. 3. Loving Light Amazon Lodge. Key species here is the newly rediscovered Wattled Curassow. The area is also good for Zimmer's Woodcreeper and many river island species.
However, it does not include all the birds and we suggest therefore that you expand the stay to include other Iquitos possibilities, such as Tahuayo Lodge (Amazon South Bank specialties ), Cumaceba Lodge for Black-tailed Antbird and many river island species, Pacaya Samiria for the waterworld of the Amazon - spectacular beauty and many good birds and mammals or maybe even an expedition on the Yavari river. Don't hesitate to contact us for expanded itineraries.
DEPARTURES:
No Departures for this Tour
If the departure dates don't fit you, please suggest another date.
SPECIES IN TOUR:
THE TOUR:
Day 0. Arrival with night-flight from Lima and transfer to Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve from airport.
Day 1- 2. Two full days for the white-sand forest at Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve and areas nearby. We shall stay both nights at the biological research station to have a better chance seeing the Rufous and White-winged Potoo. Iquitos Gnatcatcher was described in 2005. Other newly described species from this area include Mishana Tyrannulet, Allpahuayo Antbird, Ancient Antwren, Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, There is also an undescribed form of Fuscous Flycatcher which likely is a new species, as well as a mysterious new hummingbird and a new hawk that have not even been collected yet. Exciting area indeed.
Day 3. After an additional early mornings birding we shall transfer to the boat that will take us to Exlorama lodge. In the afternoon we will be checking out the lek for Black-necked Red-Cotinga.
Day 4. Explorama. AM. River islands holding i.e. Ash-breasted Antbird, Bicolored Conebill, Orange-eyed Flycatcher, Leaden Antwren and many others. In the afternoon we will transfer to the canopy walkway and spend the afternoon there. At night near the base of the Canopy walkway, the Nocturnal Curassow can often be located.
Day 5. AM birding on the canopy walkway with Dugand?s Antwren, Pavonine Quetzal and Crested Eagle possible, before we head back to the lodge and back to Iquitos. Night in Iquitos. (dinner not included).
Day 6. Travel to Loving Light Amazon Lodge on the Yanayacu river south of Iquitos. This lodge gives excellent access to threatened Wattled Curassow (Vulnarable). The community members at the site are traditionally fishermen rather than hunters and therefore the Curassow persists in this area, while having being hunted to extinction in most of the Amazon basin. On the way there or on the way back we shall check out some river islands for specialist birds such as Lesser Hornero, White-bellied, Red-and-White and Parker's Spinetails, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Castelnau's Antshrike, Black-and-White Antbird, Black-tailed Antbird, Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, Riverside Tyrant, River Tyrannulet, Amazonian Umbrellabird and many more.
Day 7. Another days birding at Loving Light Amazon Lodge. The varzea habitat where the Curassow can be found is also good for Agami Heron, Short-tailed Parrot, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Band-tailed Antbird and with Zimmer's Woodcreeper and Orange-eyed Flycatcher near the river.
Day 8. Birding AM. Travel back to Iquitos in the afternoon. In the Pm we will bird the area of Quistacocha and hope to get Amazonian Parrotlet. Night in Iquitos. (dinner not included).
Day 9. Spare day - most likely another full day at Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve. Other possibilities include river islands or birding the black waters of Rio Nanay with species like Black-crested Antshrike, Orange-crowned Manakin and Cinnamon Attila, a full day further south on the Iquitos-Nauta highway, another morning on the river islands near Iquitos or just birding on the waterfront (good for Bay Hornero).
