Description

AMAZON BIRDWATCHING IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

5 Days · 4 Nights — Private expedition along the Tahuayo River

A private expedition designed for bird lovers

Discover the remarkable diversity of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Regional Communal Conservation Area with Amazon Tahuayo Paradise. This private program combines river travel, canoeing and walks through terra firme forest, seasonally flooded forest, creeks, oxbow lakes and riverbanks.

More than 600 bird species have been documented in the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo region, offering exceptional opportunities for birdwatchers, photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Experience

• Private Guide — Dedicated guidance focused on birds and Amazon wildlife.
• Diverse Habitats — Terra firme forest, oxbow lakes, creeks and riverbanks.
• Personalized Pace — More time to observe, listen and photograph.

Habitats we will explore

• Terra firme forest and trails near the lodge.
• Seasonally flooded forest and igapó, depending on river levels.
• Oxbow lakes, creeks and floating vegetation.
• Riverbanks, beaches and open areas along the Tahuayo River.
• Forest canopy, fruiting trees and natural roosting areas.

The itinerary is adjusted according to the season, weather, river level and guests’ interests.

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Day 1 — Iquitos, the Amazon River and the first birds of the Tahuayo

Arrival · River journey · Introductory walk · Night observation

07:00 · Pick-up in Iquitos

Private pick-up from your hotel or the airport and transfer to Ganso Azul Port. Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of navigation along the Amazon and Tahuayo rivers.

Birds we may encounter during the journey

• Great and Snowy egrets, and Striated Herons.
• Amazon and Ringed kingfishers.
• Osprey, Roadside Hawk and caracaras.
• Greater Yellow-headed Vultures, jacanas, shorebirds, swallows and river terns.

Arrival at the lodge

Welcome drink, accommodation and lunch.

15:00 · Introductory birdwatching walk

Explore gardens, secondary forest and forest edges to identify the first species and become familiar with the sounds of the rainforest.

• Paradise Tanager and Turquoise Tanager.
• Caciques, oropendolas, toucans and aracaris.
• Woodpeckers, hummingbirds, trogons and manakins.

20:00 · Night observation

A quiet boat ride or forest walk to look for owls, potoos, nightjars and other nocturnal birds. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2 — Birds of the terra firme forest

Sunrise · Rainforest sounds · Mixed flocks · River birds

05:00 · Sunrise birdwatching

Walk along terra firme trails and near fruiting trees. The first hours of daylight offer excellent bird song, feeding and movement activity.

• Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis) and Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana).
• Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) and Amazonian Trogon.
• White-throated Toucan and Chestnut-eared Aracari.
• Jacamars, nunbirds, puffbirds, woodcreepers, antbirds, woodpeckers and flycatchers.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and rest.

10:00 · Bird identification session

Your guide will explain how to recognize birds by their calls, colors, silhouette, flight, behavior and habitat.

15:30 · River birdwatching

Private boat excursion to look for birds resting, flying or hunting near the water.

• Blue-and-yellow Macaw and Scarlet Macaw.
• Parrots, parakeets, herons and kingfishers.
• Great Black Hawk, Snail Kite, falcons and Osprey.

Return to the lodge at sunset, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 — Oxbow lakes, creeks and flooded forest

Full-day expedition · Quiet navigation · Lunch in the rainforest

05:30 · Full-day departure

After breakfast, we navigate toward an Amazonian oxbow lake. A small boat or canoe allows us to approach quietly while respecting the birds’ natural behavior.

Possible species in aquatic habitats

• Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin).
• Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), Agami Heron and Rufescent Tiger-Heron.
• Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) and Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta).
• Wattled Jacana, Pied Lapwing, cormorants, anhingas and wild ducks.
• Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher and other river birds.

Lunch in nature

Picnic lunch or Amazonian barbecue at a suitable location. In the afternoon, we explore creeks, floating vegetation, feeding areas and natural roosts.

Return before nightfall, dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Responsible birdwatching

We travel at low speed and maintain a respectful distance from nests, roosts and feeding areas. We avoid unnecessary noise and always follow the guide’s instructions.

Day 4 — Photography and canopy birds

Intensive observation · Elusive species · Sunset navigation

05:00 · Specialized birding route

Walk along trails selected according to bird activity and forest conditions. We devote additional time to elusive species and photography.

• Macaws flying over the canopy.
• Toucans, aracaris, tanagers and cotingas.
• Manakins, hummingbirds, large woodpeckers, trogons and jacamars.
• Caciques, oropendolas, Amazonian guans and tinamous, often detected by their calls.
• Falcons, hawks and other raptors.

The Tahuayo River area supports a remarkable diversity of birds of prey. Their presence and abundance may vary between the dry and rainy seasons.

15:30 · Sunset navigation

Boat excursion to observe parrots, parakeets, macaws and herons returning to their roosts. The afternoon light offers excellent opportunities to photograph birds along the riverbanks.

After dinner, an optional second night excursion may be arranged to search for owls, potoos and nightjars.

Day 5 — Final sunrise and return to Iquitos

Final sightings · Bird checklist · Return journey

05:00 · Final birdwatching session

One last walk around the lodge to search for species not yet observed. We explore gardens, fruiting trees, riverbanks and open areas.

After breakfast

Your guide will help organize the bird checklist and photographic records. We then begin the return journey to Iquitos, with lunch served during the journey or before departure, according to arrangements.

Approximately 17:00 · Arrival in Iquitos

Private transfer to your hotel or the airport and conclusion of our services.

Featured birds of the region

• Paradise Tanager
• Turquoise Tanager
• Blue-and-yellow Macaw
• Scarlet Macaw
• White-throated Toucan
• Chestnut-eared Aracari
• Hoatzin
• Horned Screamer
• Boat-billed Heron
• Agami Heron
• Rufescent Tiger-Heron
• Pied Lapwing
• Amazon Kingfisher
• Sungrebe
• Collared Trogon
• Amazonian Trogon
• Jacamars
• Woodpeckers
• Hummingbirds
• Manakins
• Caciques and oropendolas
• Owls and potoos

Services included

• Pick-up and transfer from your hotel or the airport in Iquitos.
• Round-trip land and river transportation.
• Four nights of accommodation.
• All meals, welcome drink, purified water, hot drinks and juices.
• Private birdwatching excursions.
• Private guide knowledgeable about birds and Amazonian wildlife.
• Boat and canoe excursions according to the itinerary.
• Rubber boots, solar-powered electricity and Wi-Fi in common areas.
• Final transfer to your hotel or the airport.

What should you bring?

• Binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens.
• Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirt and long trousers.
• Rain jacket, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Waterproof bag or protective cover for photographic equipment.

Important information

Amazon Tahuayo Paradise works exclusively with wildlife living freely in its natural habitat. The species mentioned are documented or representative of the region, but no specific sighting can be guaranteed. The program may be adapted according to the season, weather, river level, safety considerations and guests’ interests.

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All inclusive:

• Round-trip transfers between Iquitos and the lodge.

• Welcome drink.

• Accommodation at our lodge.

• Full board according to the visitor’s dietary needs.

• Beverages (tea, coffee, milk, purified water, and seasonal fruit juices).

• All excursions.

• Private guide.

• Rubber boots for excursions.

• Wi-Fi.

• Electricity (solar system).