Amazon River Cruise: Jan 23—Feb 01, 2009

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Tour Leaders

Steve Hilty

Steve Hilty is the senior author of A Guide to the Birds of Colombia, and the recently published Birds of Venezuela, both by Pr...

David Ascanio

David Ascanio, a Venezuelan birder and naturalist, has spent the last 22 years guiding birding tours throughout his native coun...

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Red-capped Cardinal — Photo: Dan Voydanoff

An exploration of the Amazon region in comfort and style. An outstanding array of birds and mammals on this exciting excursion into the heart of upper Amazonia.

The Amazon region conjures many images, but it is, above all, a realm of superlatives. The centerpiece of this vast region is the Amazon River itself, the largest river in the world. In fact, many of its tributaries rival or exceed the size of other great rivers of the world. The Amazonian region also boasts the highest diversity of both birds and plants anywhere in the world. The very word "Amazon" brings to mind images of broad, sinuous rivers, tree-lined banks, strange animals, bright butterflies, torrential rains, and glorious sunsets. Along the rivers one may see macaws, parrots, and oropendolas flying overhead, ponderous Horned Screamers rising from stream banks, and exotic wildlife that includes Hoatzins, Umbrellabirds, sloths, fresh-water dolphins, and monkeys coexisting in this untamed area.

We offer this relatively short excursion to the Amazon for those who want a full Amazonian rainforest and river experience without sacrificing comfort. We believe, in fact, that the classically-styled, triple-deck riverboat we're using offers visitors the utmost in comfort, security, and safety while still permitting us to visit remote and relatively unspoiled regions in Amazonia. The ship's spacious cabins are individually climate-controlled, air-conditioned, and include private tiled bathrooms, hot-water showers, free laundry service, and bottled water available at all times. Visitors can also be assured of having waterproof ponchos, walking sticks, and extra thick boat cushions as needed for offbeat excursions. The ship features excellent food and an open-air upper deck for great wildlife viewing by day and stargazing by night. The list of amenities offered by the ship and its attendant crew is impressive. Additionally, stable, flat-bottomed boats powered by exceptionally quiet engines permit intimate exploration of small streams and lakes with ease and comfort, and a minimum of noise intrusion.

The mobility of our ship and its excursion boats will allow us to explore different habitats and streams each morning and afternoon, and provide exceptional opportunities to see birds and wildlife. Some birds will be common—widespread Amazonian species such as Black-collared Hawk, Black-fronted Nunbird, Oriole Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Cacique, and Russet-backed Oropendola. Others will be more local species such as Hoatzin, Short-tailed Parrot and, perhaps, river island and river bank specialties such as Red-and-white Spinetail and Black-and-white Antbird. During the course of our trip we will explore small wooded streams, lakes, seasonally flooded forest (várzea), and flooded river islands. Toward the latter part of the trip, we'll spend some time walking in tall, high ground forest where there is access to an elevated walkway through the forest. Here, or nearby, we may find a fruiting tree frequented by colorful aracaries, tanagers, and honeycreepers, or an army ant swarm with its attendant antbirds and woodcreepers.

A brilliant blue Plum-throated Cotinga perched in a treetop, a pair of Blue-and-yellow Macaws winging overhead, a swirling group of Canary-winged Parakeets along the river, or a White-eared Jacamar in the morning sun—it is hard to predict which of these or many other experiences will delight you the most. We'll also fill some spare shipboard time with discussions and explanations of Amazonian natural history, as well as recaps of daily excursions in the evenings. We are confident that at the end of this extraordinary cruise, you will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the Amazon region and the myriad creatures that make it the most complex ecosystem anywhere on earth.

Traveler's note: Many people harbor misgivings about visiting the Amazon, fearing excessive heat and humidity, torrential rain, and hordes of mosquitoes or other insects. While it is indeed possible to experience such things, most visitors are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable travel can be, even in the heart of Amazonia. The airy, breezy ship and air-conditioned cabins mitigate the effects of even the hottest days, and visitors soon discover that insects and mosquitoes, far from being the torment they are imagined, are little or no problem at all. This trip, which is based aboard a relatively small ship, La Amatista, offers perhaps the most comfortable and luxurious way possible to explore the Amazon while still retaining the ability to visit remote regions. Visitors can be assured of a shipboard staff and crew that will respond to your every need, exciting exploratory trips mornings, afternoons, and evenings, and some of the best birding and wildlife viewing in the Amazon.

Excellent food and abundant creature comforts; excellent birding, mostly from small, quiet boats; two mornings on forest trails and an elevated walkway.

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