BIRDWATCHING AT THE ALLPAHUAYO-MISHANA NATIONAL RESERVE AND YANAMONO RAINFOREST

2 Nights at Heliconia Amazon River Lodge,  2 nights  in Iquitos with  Fulldays at Allpahuayo Mishana Reserve

5 days 4 nights program combines a visit to Allpahuayo Mishana with visits to the Islands of Amazon River, specifically to the zone of Yanamono, 80 kms. far from the city of Iquitos. In places like Hondococha (island in front of Heliconia Lodge), Caño Cáceres, Quebrada Manco and the surroundings of Heliconia Lodge. 150 species of birds has been registered.

Program´s Code: BIRD 02

Day 01: Lima-Iquitos (L,D)

Reception at Francisco  Secada Vigneta International Airport and transfer to VictoriaRegia Hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon we will go to Quistococha Lagoon to observe different species  of birds of  flooded woodlands.  This activity will take place around the Lagoon area and will last approximately 2 hours. The range of Amazonian Parrotlet , formerly known only  from southeast  Peru , was greatly extended north  by sightings  here. The palm swamps and sourronding area have Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Point –tailed Palmcreeper,  Sulphury  Flycatcher, Olivaceus Woodcreeper, Lettered Aracari, Chestnut-eared Aracari, White-lored Euphonia, Red-eyed Vireo, Spotted Tody-Flycatcher.

In the palm trees we will watch  birds such as Short-tailed Swifts to breed or roost. On your way back to Iquitos , we can watch flying the  Zone –tailed Hawk and Pearl Kites.   Overnight and dinner  in the hotel in Iquitos.

Day 02: Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve (RNAM) / Zungarococha Lagoon (B,L,D)

Wake up time is 4:15 am – Everybody get’s a snack.

We will leave for the reserve via the Iquitos-Nauta Highway to Kilometer 25.

5:30 am – Start our expedition with a bird expert from Allpahuayo-Mishana, He will explain the differences between the various environments, dirt, sand, vegetation. From at least100 metersfrom the highway you can already observe approximately 15 – 20 species of birds, among them there will be nocturnal birds and other nocturnal animals such as amphibians and  monkeys.

We will then hike down a jungle path to an observation post where we will be able to observe birds such as the Ancient Antwren, Gray-legged Tinamou ( only between December  and March months)  ,The Mishana Tyrannulet, Northern Chestnut-tailed antbird, Pompadour Cotinga, Allpahuayo Antbird and  the new Iquitos gnatctacher described recently (Polioptila clementsi), Bronw-banded Puffbird (Notharchus ordii), Citron-belied Attila (Attila citriniventris), Safron-crested Tyran-Manakin (Neopelma chrysocephalum), Yellow-throated Flycatcher (Conopias parava). We will return to the highway and be transported to comfortable Zungarococha Lodge to rest and have lunch in the lodge’s restaurant.         

In the afternoon : Free Time activities,  include: swimming pool, fishing in the   Zungarococha  lake (seasonal – high river level), or simply rest in hammocks.

The forest clearing at the Zungarococha Lodge  provides some good birding, particularly if trees are fruiting. The best is the lake , the flooded trees at the lake edge have Orange-crowned Manakin, the rare Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher and Black-crested Antshrike. Keep scanning for Pied Puffbird  perched on exposed branches. The palm swamps in the area harbor Point- tailed Palmcreeper and Sulphury Flycatcher .

Overnight at Zungarococha Lodge.

Day 3: Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve /Yanamono Rainforest- Heliconia Lodge (B,L,D)

4:15 am (approximately) – Wake up time  – Everybody get’s a snack.

We leave for the Allpahuayo –Mishana Reserve. We will continue looking for the new species including the Iquitos Gnatcather  and others white-sand specialist such as the Pearly Antshrike, White –plumed Antbird, White-browed Purpletuft

Return to the highway and be transported to Iquitos then  you will be taken to the river port of Bellavista Nanay, on the Nanay River, where we will then board  a boat to start your trip down the Majestic Amazon River towards the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge.

During this ride we will be able to observe  our first Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns and some occasions Lesser Yellow-headed  Vulture. Lunch

In the afternoon we will start a jungle hike into the Yanamono Streams near the Lodge  looking for varzea specialists like the Pale-legged Hornero, Warbling antbird, Violaceus trogon, White-eared Jacamar, Buff-throated Woodcreeper. For terra firme forest , you will find some manakin species , including Golden-headed Manakin, which is replaced on the south side of the Amazon by Red-headed Manakin,  Blue-headed Manakin, Reddish Hermit, Golden-collared Toucanet, Fasciated Antshrike and  Short-billed Antwren

In this excursions into the lands of the Yanamono Community , we can see the huge Ceiba  tree.

Return to the lodge and rest. Dinner.  Free time. Overnight in Heliconia Lodge.

Day 4:   Yanamono Rainforest (B,L,D)

Early birdwatching. We will start off very early and go by boat Cáceres Gulch or a similar gulch (if it’s high water).  We will be looking out for birds such as the Wattled Jacana, , White-eared Jacamar, Black Capped Donacobius, Red Capped Cardinald , Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher , Black-Collared Hawk, Amazonian Antshrike, Amazonian-streaked Antwrent, Black Caracara, Plumbeus Antbird ,  Great Egret, Greater Ani, Squirrel Cuco and  Oriole Blackbird.

After brekfast , we take a walk in the Yanamono Streams in terra firme forest where they hopefully observe , Black Fronted Nunbird,  Blue Gray Tanager, Roadside Hawk, Yellow Haded Caracara, Chachalaca, White-throated Toucan , Yellow Rumped Cacique and others.

In the afternoon, a speed boat we  will take  to the  Napo River . This smaller river is more suited for viewing river edge  species than the wide Amazon River  like Black –necked Red Cotinga , Orange –eyed Flycatcher, Swallow-wing, Cestnut-crowned Becard. Then we will visit to one of the oxbow  lakes to see Hoatzins Plum-throated  Cotinga, among other species. Also  looking birds  like Black-collared Hawk, Great Black-Hawk, Capped Heron and three species of Kingfishers (American Pygmy Kingfisher, Green and Rufous Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher)  , during this time we can also have the opportunity to look out for the Pink Amazon River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis), they can be very shy.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 5 :   Yanamono Rainforest/ Iquitos (B,L,)

Early birdwatching. We will be looking out for birds such as the Wattled Jacana, White-Eared Jacamar, Black Capped Donacobius, Red Capped Cardinal , Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher , Black-Collared Hawk ,Gilded Barbet , Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Striped Woodcreeper, Band-tailed Manakin among other species

After lunch,  return to Iquitos.

Transfer to the Airport.

RECOMMENDATIONS

For the lodges, it is recommended to take a small suitcase or a backpack. We have a storage room for your convenience in our offices in Iquitos.

IMPORTANT NOTES

•  Meet our driver in his booth # 5 at the luggage claim area.
• Programs may vary according to flight arrival / departure changes or weather conditions.
• For this program we recommend to take morning flights to Iquitos and your returning flight to Lima in the afternoon.
• Departures from Iquitos to Heliconia Lodge: just in the morning ( max. 09:30 am)
• Departures from Heliconia Lodge to Iquitos is at 14:00 pm

• Check in: 13:00 pm / Check out: 12:00 pm
• The night of your stay in the hotel in the city of Iquitos may vary depending on your flight. It could be in the first night or in the last night of your trip.

This program includes:

• Transportation from the Airport/Hotel/Airport
• Transportation from the Hotel to the Reserve back to the Hotel
• Full day in the RNAM
• Halfday in The Quistococha Lagoon
• Breakfast in RNAM
• Lunch and Dinner at Zungarococha Lodge
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel
• 2 Nights at Heliconia Lodge
• Bird Expert Guide
• Checklist of birds

This program does not include:

1. Beverages: juices, sodas, soft drinks and any alcoholic drinks. (Tea and coffee are complimentary)
2. Flight tickets Lima/Iquitos/Lima and airport taxes.
3. Tips.

What to bring, what to wear?

• Pack light, drip-dry cotton or safari clothing, including one long-sleeved shirt and sweater, several pairs of socks and t-shirts, raincoat. Include as well a small flashlight, an extra set of batteries, a good pair of binoculars, a camera ( essential) a  insect repellent  with 35% DEET ( we suggest OFF) ,  sunglasses, Sun block , a wide brimmed hat, water bottle,   Hiking shoes or sneakers resistant to humidity (Rubber boots is provide by Heliconia Lodge only), Bathing suit.