Peruvian Amazon Birds Tour
To see the great variety of Peruvian birds in the Amazon, this 5-day birding tour from Iquitos is perfect. It includes birding the canopy walkway near Explornapo, the river islands of the mighty Amazon River and the white sand forests of Allpahuayo-Mishana. There are great chances to see Nocturnal Curassow at night at the Exloprama and the canopy walkway nearby gives a bird's eye view of the treetops. Flocks of parrots, tanagers, raptors, toucans and cotingas can be seen passing through often at close range. The river islands have a number of Amazon River specialities that can not be seen when birding in Southern Peru. We will explore a lagoon in search of Agami Heron and Sungrebe.
The white sand forest birding at Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserve rewards us with a number of endemic birds that have been described as new to science within the last 25 years, such as Mishana Tyrannulet, Allpahuayo Antbird, Ancient Antwren and if we are lucky, Iquitos Gnatcatcher. This forest is also good for Rufous and White-winged Potoo.
5 days is the minimum to explore the Iquitos area. This particular tour focuses on species that can not be seen in the Southern Peruvian Amazon. You could add 3-5 days to do more exploring in Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve as the endemics here are difficult to find. There are many opportunities for good general birding here also. The Yanayacu river south of Iquitos is very good for the rare Wattled Curassow. An allocation of 3 days is usually needed for this elusive species.
Additional expeditions that can be made by going to other lodges along the Amazon river for species like the undescribed Herpsilochmus, Spotted Antpitta, White-lored Antpitta, Southern Caracara, Cinereous Becard, South American Snipe and Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant.
Wildlife within 100km of Iquitos is generally sparse. South-Eastern Peru is more abundant for wildlife. Hunting has put pressure almost everywhere and larger monkeys are rare. However, Pink River Dolphin and three-toed Sloth are quite common.
An added and very comfortable tour extension can be arranged with a river cruise (bug-free) riverboat with air-conditioned rooms, private showers and bathrooms. Cruise upriver to the Pacaya-Samiria National Park where wildlife is more common and protected. Please ask for details if you want to visit this area.
For a longer and fantastic birding experience please have a look at the Complete Manu Road Peru Birding Tour.
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