NatureScape Tours

2009 Tour Dates:	January 20 - February 1, 2009
Cost:	$2,995.00, all-inclusive from Quito
Group Size Limit:	Maximum of 14 with two NatureScape Tours leaders
Leader(s):	Al Batt & Kim Risen with indigenous assistants at Sacha Lodge
Accommodations:	Luxurious Amazonian Lodge, comfortable modern hotels and cabins elsewhere
Habitats Visited:	Montane cloud forest, paramo grasslands, polylepis woodlands, temperate subtropical forests and tropical lowlands, terra firme forest, varzea forest and successional river islands
Climate:	Expect warm to hot tropical temperatures with humidity in the lowlands. Days in the mountains start with chilly mornings becoming warmer in the afternoon with rain possible
Tour Pace:	Easy to moderate. No long drives, moderate hiking on established trails and roadways with few hotel changes. Short to moderate hikes on sometimes muddy trails in the lowlands. Canopy tower & walkway require climbing ladders or stairs. Boat trip of two+ hours with an easy hike of one mile and a short ride in a canoe required to access Sacha Lodge
Ease of Birding:	Easy to moderate. Exceptional hummingbird galleries and feeding stations, spectacular mixed feeding flocks, many skulker antbirds and several nocturnal outings for wildlife and birds
Expect To See:	Andean Mountain vistas to Amazonian wilderness and all the richness of country in between! 500+ species of birds, with hummingbirds (50+ species!), tanagers (60+ species!) and antbirds (30+ species!) well represented. Monkeys are always a treat, and we'll find several exciting species
Bird Highlights:	Zigzag Heron, Andean Condor, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, five species of macaws, Spangled, Plum-throated and Purple-throated Cotingas, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Wire-tailed, Striped and Orange-crowned Manakins, potoos, parrot licks with hundreds of parrots, quetzals, the above-mentioned bounty of colorful hummingbirds and tanagers and so very much more
Mammal Highlights:	Pygmy Marmoset (world’s smallest monkey!), Dusky Titi Monkey, Night Monkey, Golden-mantle Tamarin, Monk Saki, Kinkajou, sloths and always the chance to see an Ocelot or other large cat
Photo & Other Highlights:	Dramatic Andes Mountains, lush Amazonian forests, Sacha Lodge butterfly house, canopy tower & walkway, 100’s of hummingbirds at feeders and close-range bird feeders