PLANT A TREE IN THE AMAZON
BARGAIN MAMMAL TOUR
NEXT DEPARTURE 12th SEPTEMBER
Search for the fascinating wildlife of the Amazon rainforest, including threatened species such as Giant River Otter and Black Spider Monkey, and plant a tree, during Naturetrek’s 10-day Peruvian mammal tour, staying at the Amazon Rainforest Conservation Centre (ARCC). Departing London 12th September, 7th November and 25th December 07.
First sight of the rainforest is from air as a transfer flight leaves the coastal mist of Lima, rising above the snow-capped Andes and precipitous cloud forest, and soaring out over the immense reaches of the Amazon. From the mouth of Las Piedras River, motor canoes with reclining seats take guests on the 7-hour journey up river to the ARCC, an exclusive lodge of 8 bungalows with essential ‘mod cons’ including a well-stocked bar! Delicious meals, including specialities such as Pescado a la Paca – steamed catfish in bamboo and Ceviche de Corvina – fresh fish marinated in lime juice, will be served in the spacious dining hall. The lodge was built to protect 17,000 acres of the pristine rainforest surrounding the wildlife-rich Lake Soledad. The lake is indeed ARCC’s star attraction, a magnet for animals and birds alike – its waters are rich in nutrients and fish, supporting a large resident Giant Otter family and a diverse variety of lakeside birds and eight species of monkey, including the Brown Capuchin and the acrobatic Black Spider Monkey - sometimes seen in troops of over 20! There are excellent photographic opportunities in the immediate vicinity of the lodge, from aboard a catamaran canoe on the lake or a 120ft platform constructed in the boughs of a huge Ironwood tree. The platform is accessed either by a cable ladder or by the more civilised ‘David Attenborough-style’ ascent in a cage chair! Views from the top are spectacular and it is also a great place to observe canopy birds, likely species include Blue and Yellow Macaw, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Paradise Tanager, Bat Falcon, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Mealy and Blueheaded Parrot and Purple Honeycreeper. During the stay, guests will be invited to participate in an ARCC tradition, by each planting a Mahogany sapling, grown in Puerto Maldonaldo and transferred by boat, on the oxbow ‘island’. Each tree is labelled with the person’s name and date.
The tour costs from £1,495 p/p (June departure) including scheduled flights, transfers, accommodation in hotels and ARCC jungle lodge, all meals (except two in Lima) and expertly guided wildlife viewing activities.
[Back to list]
|
