Butterfly Kingdom

BUTTERFLY KINGDOM

AMAZON RAINFOREST EXPEDITION

DEPARTS AUGUST 4, 2001

Our Amazon expedition begins in the Savannah Airport where we fly to Miami International Airport and prepare for an evening departure. Dinner is served aboard our nonstop jet service to Lima, Peru, where we clear customs and immigration, and transfer to our hotel for the night. *D

After a leisurely breakfast, we board our bus for a tour of Colonial Lima then transfer to the airport for our late morning flight to Iquitos, a lively frontier city on the banks of the Amazon River. On arrival, we meet our guides who remain with us for the next week. After breakfast we join our group for a walking exploration of the bustling streets of Iquitos. This isolated city, 2,300 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, is the most inland port navigable by ocean-going

ships on the Amazon River. We drive through the busy streets of Iquitos to the dock and board our boat.

Soon we get our first view of the mighty Amazon, the backbone of the largest river system in the world. Our three-hour journey to the Napo lodge takes us past island after island, some several miles long. We follow the meandering course of this jungle-lined "river sea", which even this far from its mouth is over two miles wide. As we leave the busy city we see stilted, thatch-roofed dwellings and dugout canoes. It becomes obvious that the river is the one vital element in the lives of the Ribereños, or river people. It is their highway, telephone line, food store, bathtub and laundry; it brings the silt that makes their gardens grow and floods that can sweep away all they own. A picnic lunch is served onboard.

Soon we come to the confluence of the Amazon and Napo Rivers. Located here is the village of Francisco de Orellana, named for the man, who in 1541, crossed the Andes and sailed down the Napo, becoming the first European to see the Amazon River. He followed the great river all the way to the Atlantic, an often hair-raising experience. Another forty miles takes us to the Sucusari River, a serpentine darkwater tributary of the Napo River, which soon brings us to Explornapo Lodge, nestled in remote rainforest on the boundary of the Amazon Rainforest Reserve. A preserved area of 250,000 acres of uninhabited primary rainforest, the reserve was established in 1991 as part of the ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) project. The lodge is composed of large, thatch-roofed structures on stilts with covered walkways linking the sleeping quarters, dining area, showers and latrines. Limited solar electricity is available, but there is plenty of light at night provided by the warm glow of kerosene lanterns, and abundant water for showers is available by gravity feed from elevated holding tanks. Upon arrival we settle into our rooms and explore the grounds before we are called to dinner by the sound of jungle drums. B,L,D

Each morning we have the option of a dawn birding walk or boat ride. After breakfast we boat or hike to a blackwater lake to study the giant Victoria regia water lilies and the prehistoric-looking Hoatzins, birds whose young are equipped with wing claws that help them scramble about in the lakeside vegetation around their nests. We spend the afternoon with the family of shaman Don Antonio Montero Pisco at the ReNuPeRu Botanical Garden, learning of their work in preserving and cultivating the medicinal plants of the forest. After dark we motor in our canoe a few miles up the Sucusari and drift silently back downriver with the current, searching the jungle-lined banks by flashlight for the red eyes of caiman and other nocturnal animals. B,L,D

After breakfast we set out on a forty-five-minute hike to the ACEER. The ACEER serves as a base for scientific study and a place where interested visitors may learn about rainforests. We make our way along the rainforest trail, which passes through primary forest and rolling terrain. Away from the main river, this forest is never flooded and contains wildlife not found close to the riverbanks. The rare Black-necked Red Cotinga, Giant Jacamar and Cuvier's Toucan are sometimes seen here. The understory swarms with but

terflies typical of undisturbed forest, such as Satyrs and Morphos. Colorful Poison Dart Frogs hide in the leaf-litter of the forest floor, and the air vibrates with the sound of the jungle's teeming wildlife. Suddenly, the dense trees give way to a boardwalk that takes us into the ACEER, which lies along the Quebrada Grande and the boundary of the Amazon Wildlife Reserve. Accommodations are similar to Napo Camp, but there is no clearing around the facility.

This afternoon we visit the Canopy Walkway, an unforgettable experience and certainly one of the highlights of our expedition. A short walk through the giant trees brings us to the initial stage of our climb. Wooden steps take us up from the forest floor to the beginning of the multilevel system of aerial pathways and platforms, which are securely suspended by ropes and cables. As we ascend the walkway to a height over ten stories, we eventually emerge above the top of the seemingly endless canopy and experience a sight few have ever witnessed. Here is an unexplored world where over 2,000 epiphytic plants may cling to the branches of a single tree. In the forest canopy it is estimated that twenty million insect species may exist, eighty percent as yet unknown to science.

After dinner we walk a short way along a trail in the dark to see a very special tree the fallen leaves of which are bioluminescent a fascinating sight. We may return to the Canopy Walkway to experience the "night life" of the treetops. B,L,D

This morning we visit the canopy for the dawn wildlife activity from this astonishing perspective. After breakfast we explore the Amazon Wildlife Reserve with a special eye for the butterflies to be found here. We investigate the medicine trail, learning of the plants and their uses in the Indians' pharmacopoeia. We also walk the wide Lindero Trail, which displays the effects of clearing and the opportunism of second-growth forest.

We return this afternoon down the Napo River and up the Amazon as far as Explorama Lodge. Our boat trip provides more opportunities to observe life along the great river and watch for interesting animals and birds. A kingfisher perched patiently on a partially submerged tree, dolphins arching through the churning waters, and maybe a lone sloth hanging peaceably from a high branch, there is always something to see along the way. We have time to visit a nearby village and discover the differences and similarities between the river people (mestizos) and the indigenous tribal people, as well as the effects of acculturation on both groups. This evening we can relax and socialize with our guides as they play music and sing in La Tahuampa. B,L,D

This morning we explore the extensive and spectacular Bushmaster Trail. Botanically, this area has been designated the richest place on Earth by researchers from Missouri Botanical Garden. They have identified over 300 species of trees in a single hectare (2.471 acres). We see many interesting forms of life, such as

medicinal herbs, Leaf-cutter Ants and Poison Dart Frogs. The electric-blue flash of the incredible Morpho butterfly seems to illuminate the shade of the forest, which is intensified by the luxuriant tangle of lianas.

After lunch we board boats that carry us to Yanamono Island where we study fish and river dolphins. The downstream end of the island is usually an excellent place to observe schools of freshwater dolphin as they cavort in the shallows. Two species occur in the Amazon—the Gray River Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) travels in pods and is more likely to be seen leaping out of the water; the Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is larger with a pronounced bulge on its head. It has an elongated dorsal fin, is a more solitary animal, and is not as acrobatic. The water level of the river can vary as much as forty feet. At low water, sandbars along the island are accessible; here turtles may come to lay their eggs. The birding can be excellent, including both migrant and resident species such as Pied Lapwing, Large-billed Tern, Spotted Sandpiper and Collared Plover. Optional evening activities are available. B,L,D

This morning we continue our journey up the Amazon, stopping at Ceiba Tops, a brand new inn where we enjoy such amenities as private cottages, air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms, and a swimming pool and Jacuzzi while surrounded by the ambience of the forest. The grounds are an extensive flower garden where butterflies abound. This stop gives us a chance for relaxation, but also offers the opportunity to learn about the butterfly studies being carried out here. B,L,D

After breakfast we take the last short stage of our boat journey back to Iquitos. We have time to experience the excitement of the market where everything, from

bananas and live chickens to motorcycle parts and plastic wares, is sold. We spend some time at the popular medicinal plant stall where remedies from the rainforest are sold, usually mixed with alcohol and offered in a range of recycled bottles. We have a farewell meal at one of the city's restaurants and some time for shopping before we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Lima. We have an approximate four-hour layover before departing on the midnight flight arriving in Miami at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 12. Upon arrival in Miami, we connect with our flight to Savannah. B,L,D,*S,*B




BUTTERFLY KINGDOM AMAZON RAINFOREST EXPEDITION DEPARTS AUGUST 4, 2001 DAY 1 - SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 - SAVANNAH / MIAMI / LIMA Our Amazon expedition begins in the Savannah Airport where we fly to Miami International Airport and prepare for an evening departure. Dinner is served aboard our nonstop jet service to Lima, Peru, where we clear customs and immigration, and transfer to our hotel for the night. D DAY 2 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 - LIMA / IQUITOS / NAPO LODGE* After a leisurely breakfast, we board our bus for a tour of Colonial Lima then transfer to the airport for our late morning flight to Iquitos, a lively frontier city on the banks of the Amazon River. On arrival, we meet our guides who remain with us for the next week. After breakfast we join our group for a walking exploration of the bustling streets of Iquitos. This isolated city, 2,300 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, is the most inland port navigable by ocean-going ships on the Amazon River. We drive through the busy streets of Iquitos to the dock and board our boat. Soon we get our first view of the mighty Amazon, the backbone of the largest river system in the world. Our three-hour journey to the Napo lodge takes us past island after island, some several miles long. We follow the meandering course of this jungle-lined "river sea", which even this far from its mouth is over two miles wide. As we leave the busy city we see stilted, thatch-roofed dwellings and dugout canoes. It becomes obvious that the river is the one vital element in the lives of the Ribereños, or river people. It is their highway, telephone line, food store, bathtub and laundry; it brings the silt that makes their gardens grow and floods that can sweep away all they own. A picnic lunch is served onboard. Soon we come to the confluence of the Amazon and Napo Rivers. Located here is the village of Francisco de Orellana, named for the man, who in 1541, crossed the Andes and sailed down the Napo, becoming the first European to see the Amazon River. He followed the great river all the way to the Atlantic, an often hair-raising experience. Another forty miles takes us to the Sucusari River, a serpentine darkwater tributary of the Napo River, which soon brings us to Explornapo Lodge, nestled in remote rainforest on the boundary of the Amazon Rainforest Reserve. A preserved area of 250,000 acres of uninhabited primary rainforest, the reserve was established in 1991 as part of the ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) project. The lodge is composed of large, thatch-roofed structures on stilts with covered walkways linking the sleeping quarters, dining area, showers and latrines. Limited solar electricity is available, but there is plenty of light at night provided by the warm glow of kerosene lanterns, and abundant water for showers is available by gravity feed from elevated holding tanks. Upon arrival we settle into our rooms and explore the grounds before we are called to dinner by the sound of jungle drums. B,L,D DAY 3 - MONDAY, AUGUST 6 - NAPO LODGE Each morning we have the option of a dawn birding walk or boat ride. After breakfast we boat or hike to a blackwater lake to study the giant Victoria regia water lilies and the prehistoric-looking Hoatzins, birds whose young are equipped with wing claws that help them scramble about in the lakeside vegetation around their nests. We spend the afternoon with the family of shaman Don Antonio Montero Pisco at the ReNuPeRu Botanical Garden, learning of their work in preserving and cultivating the medicinal plants of the forest. After dark we motor in our canoe a few miles up the Sucusari and drift silently back downriver with the current, searching the jungle-lined banks by flashlight for the red eyes of caiman and other nocturnal animals. B,L,D DAY 4 - TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 - NAPO CAMP / ACEER After breakfast we set out on a forty-five-minute hike to the ACEER. The ACEER serves as a base for scientific study and a place where interested visitors may learn about rainforests. We make our way along the rainforest trail, which passes through primary forest and rolling terrain. Away from the main river, this forest is never flooded and contains wildlife not found close to the riverbanks. The rare Black-necked Red Cotinga, Giant Jacamar and Cuvier's Toucan are sometimes seen here. The understory swarms with butterflies typical of undisturbed forest, such as Satyrs and Morphos. Colorful Poison Dart Frogs hide in the leaf-litter of the forest floor, and the air vibrates with the sound of the jungle's teeming wildlife. Suddenly, the dense trees give way to a boardwalk that takes us into the ACEER, which lies along the Quebrada Grande and the boundary of the Amazon Wildlife Reserve. Accommodations are similar to Napo Camp, but there is no clearing around the facility. This afternoon we visit the Canopy Walkway, an unforgettable experience and certainly one of the highlights of our expedition. A short walk through the giant trees brings us to the initial stage of our climb. Wooden steps take us up from the forest floor to the beginning of the multilevel system of aerial pathways and platforms, which are securely suspended by ropes and cables. As we ascend the walkway to a height over ten stories, we eventually emerge above the top of the seemingly endless canopy and experience a sight few have ever witnessed. Here is an unexplored world where over 2,000 epiphytic plants may cling to the branches of a single tree. In the forest canopy it is estimated that twenty million insect species may exist, eighty percent as yet unknown to science. After dinner we walk a short way along a trail in the dark to see a very special tree the fallen leaves of which are bioluminescent a fascinating sight. We may return to the Canopy Walkway to experience the "night life" of the treetops. B,L,D DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 - ACEER / EXPLORAMA LODGE This morning we visit the canopy for the dawn wildlife activity from this astonishing perspective. After breakfast we explore the Amazon Wildlife Reserve with a special eye for the butterflies to be found here. We investigate the medicine trail, learning of the plants and their uses in the Indians' pharmacopoeia. We also walk the wide Lindero Trail, which displays the effects of clearing and the opportunism of second-growth forest. We return this afternoon down the Napo River and up the Amazon as far as Explorama Lodge. Our boat trip provides more opportunities to observe life along the great river and watch for interesting animals and birds. A kingfisher perched patiently on a partially submerged tree, dolphins arching through the churning waters, and maybe a lone sloth hanging peaceably from a high branch, there is always something to see along the way. We have time to visit a nearby village and discover the differences and similarities between the river people (mestizos) and the indigenous tribal people, as well as the effects of acculturation on both groups. This evening we can relax and socialize with our guides as they play music and sing in La Tahuampa. B,L,D DAY 6 - THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 - EXPLORAMA LODGE This morning we explore the extensive and spectacular Bushmaster Trail. Botanically, this area has been designated the richest place on Earth by researchers from Missouri Botanical Garden. They have identified over 300 species of trees in a single hectare (2.471 acres). We see many interesting forms of life, such as medicinal herbs, Leaf-cutter Ants and Poison Dart Frogs. The electric-blue flash of the incredible Morpho butterfly seems to illuminate the shade of the forest, which is intensified by the luxuriant tangle of lianas. After lunch we board boats that carry us to Yanamono Island where we study fish and river dolphins. The downstream end of the island is usually an excellent place to observe schools of freshwater dolphin as they cavort in the shallows. Two species occur in the Amazon—the Gray River Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) travels in pods and is more likely to be seen leaping out of the water; the Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is larger with a pronounced bulge on its head. It has an elongated dorsal fin, is a more solitary animal, and is not as acrobatic. The water level of the river can vary as much as forty feet. At low water, sandbars along the island are accessible; here turtles may come to lay their eggs. The birding can be excellent, including both migrant and resident species such as Pied Lapwing, Large-billed Tern, Spotted Sandpiper and Collared Plover. Optional evening activities are available. B,L,D DAY 7 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 - EXPLORAMA LODGE / CEIBA TOPS This morning we continue our journey up the Amazon, stopping at Ceiba Tops, a brand new inn where we enjoy such amenities as private cottages, air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms, and a swimming pool and Jacuzzi while surrounded by the ambience of the forest. The grounds are an extensive flower garden where butterflies abound. This stop gives us a chance for relaxation, but also offers the opportunity to learn about the butterfly studies being carried out here. B,L,D DAYS 8 AND 9 - SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 AND 12 CEIBA TOPS / IQUITOS / LIMA / MIAMI / SAVANNAH After breakfast we take the last short stage of our boat journey back to Iquitos. We have time to experience the excitement of the market where everything, from bananas and live chickens to motorcycle parts and plastic wares, is sold. We spend some time at the popular medicinal plant stall where remedies from the rainforest are sold, usually mixed with alcohol and offered in a range of recycled bottles. We have a farewell meal at one of the city's restaurants and some time for shopping before we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Lima. We have an approximate four-hour layover before departing on the midnight flight arriving in Miami at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 12. Upon arrival in Miami, we connect with our flight to Savannah. B,L,D,S,B B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner; S-Snack; In-flight Meal*		EcoTours Information We're prepping for our Amazon and East Africa excursions! To reserve a spot, email us, or call us at 843-671-3200!