Birdwatching I EN - Amazon Turtle Lodge

Birdwatching

4 days & 3 nights

Birdwatching in the Amazon will transform your experience into a true immersion in nature. We will walk through remote places, we will sail silently in motorized canoes through Igarapés and flooded forests, slowly, contemplating wildlife and listening to sounds that only Amazonian nature can provide us.

The Birdwatching package includes not only the route for bird watching, but also activities that involve visits to local communities and the contemplation of Amazonian fauna and flora. These activities provide contact with nature.

Package highlights

Visit the Meeting of Waters;
Specialized Birdwatching´s guide;
Exploration of the lakes around the Mamori and Juma rivers;
Visit a caboclo's house;
Piranha fishing;
Boat tour at night to watch animals of nocturnal habits;
Jungle walks to observe fauna and flora with a focus on Amazonian birds;
River Tour – motorized canoes – exploration of Igapós (flooded forest) and Igarapés (river arms) in search of places identified as habitat for certain species of Amazonian birds from that region;

Package description

Day 1 - Meeting the Mamori river and Tracajá lake

Leave the hotel at 08:00 a.m. by car to the river port Ceasa (20 minutes). Take a speedboat to the village “Careiro da Varzea” (30 minutes). At this point we will be passing the meeting of the waters, where the Negro and Solimões Rivers meet (Encontro das Aguas). This is where the Amazon River is formed, flowing from this area all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It is truly a magnificent sight to see. The two rivers run side by side without mixing for many kilometers and you will most likely be visited by a few curious river dolphins as well.

After a stop at the fruit market, take a bus or van to the Araça River via the Manaus-Porto Velho highway (40 minutes BR319). By boat we will pass through many lakes and small wildlife abundant creeks, where you will have the opportunity to see the incredible giant Amazon water lilies (Vitoria Regia) with their enormous floating leaves.

You will also pass by native villages and the floating houses of Caboclo`s village. This length of the trip is ideal for observing wildlife due to the abundance of many varied species, such as birds, alligators, fish, sloth, and monkeys. During this trip to the lodge you have the opportunity to stumble on a creature at anytime. Arrival at Amazon Turtle Lodge after 50 minutes ride by boat, it is scheduled arrival around 12:00 p.m..

Lunch will be served; fresh water fish, beef (meat), chicken, salads and exotic fruits from the Amazon (buffet style).

At 03:00 p.m. there is a motorized canoe trip that will allow you to be introduced to the area.
Throughout the duration of this trip you will be experience the pristine and varied birds of the region, with the opportunity to observe and enjoy the great diversity of animals found in the area
It is common to see squirrel monkeys, sloth, iguanas, spiders and a wide variety of birds, including the beautiful white egrets that delicately wade amongst the floating grass islands.

At 07:30 p.m. dinner will be served in the Amazon Turtle Lodge restaurant. Once again a delicious buffet including fresh water fish, beef (meat), chicken, salads and exotic fruits from the Amazon.

Day 2 - Birdwatching tour & ecological trails

At 05:30 a.m. we leave the lodge to the sunrise and bird watching tour, a wonderful opportunity to experience the majestic Amazon and all its birds awaking with the sun. We will return in time for breakfast. It will be served at 07:30 p.m.

At 08:30 a.m. put on your walking boots and get ready for an exciting trek in the jungle, to looking for more birds.

Looking for those bird species that we do not find in an open area and of course learn about jungle survival techniques and medicinal plants with our experienced jungle tour guides. It is a unique opportunity to learn about Amazon Biodiversity.

At 12:30 p.m. lunch and relax time until the next adventure.

At 03:00 p.m. we will go for a boat tour looking for more birds, but this time in an open area having the chance to find some Red Capped Cardinal and the pigmy King Fisher and many others interesting species of birds that will make your tour something very special

If you want to try to fishing, that will be a great chance to catch a fish in the Amazon. Just let your tour guide know about it. At the end of the day you will cruise back to the lodge and with a bit of luck, maybe you can see one of the fantastic Amazonian Sun Set to finish your day.

At 07:00 p.m. Dinner and about 08:00 p.m. we will embark on a night trip to go alligator spotting. This expedition is very exciting and involves everyone keenly trying to spot the alligators along the river banks and on the floating grasses. Once we locate it, one of the tour guides will try to catch it, with their bare hands. You will have the opportunity to take photos or even to hold it if you wish to do so.

Day 3 - Visit a local communities & birdwatching tours

At 05:30 a.m. We will leave the lodge once again to the sunrise and bird watching tour in other area and back to the lodge for a breakfast, this morning you will explore the Eco-Trekking near of the lodge and identify some birds species on this trek.

At 12:00 p.m. lunch at Amazon Turtle Lodge restaurant.

At 03:00 p.m. visit a caboclo`s house to learn about their customs and culture.

We will visit rubber and cassava plantations, and others.

This is a great opportunity to take photos of the local custom, see how collect fruits in the jungle, Brazil nuts, herbs, vegetables and spices. Check out how they prepare their food using all this goods ingredients and of course during the tour you will look for birds, it is the highest point in that tour.
Dinner will be at 07:00 p.m.
During the evening you can enjoy the moon and the stars in the heart of the jungle, laying in one of our out door hammock.

Day 4 - Birding watching & Return to Manaus

Breakfast at 08:00 a.m. during this morning we will leave the lodge by canoe to looking for and observe the fresh water dolphins and birds on small channels (igarapés), flooded forest areas (igapós) and on the rivers and lakes.

We also will visit school at native village and community give you the opportunity to see how is the life of these people that live in the banks of the rivers in the jungle. The people called as (Ribeirinhos or Caboclos).

Lunch at 12:00 p.m. Transfer 01:30 p.m. back to Manaus using the same itinerary arriving around 05:00 p.m. in Manaus. Drop of at hotel or Airport.

What is included

Transfers In and Out to the Amazon Turtle Lodge;
Accommodation acording to your package
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner);
All mentioned tours according to the package;
English or Spanish speaking tour guides

What is not included

What to bring in the backpack

We recommend a medium Backpack, which will be used during your jungle adventure, with the following items:

Cotton shirts, long pants in nylon style or jeans
Pair of socks
Sneakers for long walks, like Trekking shoes or boots
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sandals

Swimsuit
Flashlights with alkaline batteries
Binoculars
Waterproof zippered bag to protect camera and other small items
Poncho or raincoat
Mosquito repellent

Travel insurance

Due to the extreme nature and risks associated with these trips, we strongly recommend that you take individual travel insurance that reflects your personal and family histories
We inspect the vessels we work with regularly, and carry safety, first aid, and emergency equipment on board
We are also connected with logistics for patient removal by helicopter services available in the region if needed
For your trip, we will also be carrying a low refrigeration antidote for snakebites. It is very unlikely that we will need it, but we take every precaution available to us
Manaus has two very good hospitals, one specializing in tropical medicine
We assume no responsibilities for lost or damaged items and personal equipment and gear during the trip, unless it happens by negligence from our part

Passport, vaccinations and health report

We will need copies of the picture page of your passport and vaccination cards. Recommended that you take the yellow fever shot and bring medications for any existing previous conditions you may have. I am personally against taking the malaria pill, and there is no proof of its effectiveness.

The side effects can also be greater than the symptoms sometimes, and there are very few cases detected in a single year, but it this is ultimately your choice. Please let us know of any existing conditions you may have that we should be aware of, such as allergies, diabetes, heart and blood pressure problems. We will keep this information confidential.