Contents. 03 Welcome 04 The Indigo Team 05 About Us 06 Map 07 Itinerary 08 Travel 09 Testimonials 10 Notes

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Contents. 03 Welcome 04 The Indigo Team 05 About Us 06 Map 07 Itinerary 08 Travel 09 Testimonials 10 Notes"

Cleopatra Shaw
8 years ago
Views:

1 NATURALIST EXPEDITIONS 2016 Contribute to the conservation of biological diversity in the Laguna del Tigre National Park, Guatemala. Develop your field biology skills. Learn ethical and respectful wildlife surveying techniques. Gain invaluable field experience in the tropics to support your career in conservation. LAGUNA DEL TIGRE NATIONAL PARK Estación Biológica las Guacamayas, GUATEMALA 23 Jun to 6 Jul 10 Jul to 23 Jul Cost: 1,395 * exc. flights

2 Contents 03 Welcome 04 The Indigo Team 05 About Us 06 Map 07 Itinerary 08 Travel 09 Testimonials 10 Notes

3 Welcome Dear Volunteer! Welcome to Indigo Expeditions, and thankyou for connecting with us! One of the main aims of Indigo Expeditions is to promote the conservation of biodiversity in the Laguna del Tigre National Park. Our Expeditions allow us to carry out wildlife surveying & monitoring. We have developed a unique training programme offering our volunteer researchers invaluable experience in tropical field biology. As a volunteer researcher on the Naturalist Team, you will be involved in general surveys for birds and mammals, and other forest wildlife. You will have the opportunity to: develop your tropical field biology skills, evolve your understanding of tropical ecology, learn ethical & respectful wildlife survey methods, experience life as a field biologist, and contribute to conservation of Laguna del Tigre National Park. During your time with us, we hope you will develop a deeper appreciation of the amazing creatures that we share this planet with. We have established our flagship project at Estación Biológica las Guacamayas. The facilities here are out of this world, making it the most comfortable biological station we have had the pleasure of working at. Overlooking the San Pedro River, it is the perfect place to unwind and relax after a survey. Whether it is catching up with the team in the social area, or chilling out in the pool while watching crocs in the river. Thank you for expressing an interest to explore with us! Any more questions? Please just get in touch! info@explorewithindigo.com Cheers, Rowland Griffin INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 3

4 THE INDIGO FIELD TEAM Rowland Griffin DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Advocate for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Cornelio Chable WILDLIFE GUIDE Tourism Manager at Estación Biológica las Guacamayas, Guatemala.

5 About us OUR VISION Our Vision is of a world where the interconnectedness of all life is honoured & appreciated, bringing humankind into harmonious relationship with Nature, the Earth and all Creatures in the web of life. OUR MISSION Our Mission is to be of Planetary Service, effecting Positive Change for humanity, by addressing wildlife conservation needs, and demonstrating an Appreciation for All Life. INITIATIVES Conservation expeditions promoting the importance of field biology, ecology, and experiencing nature directly. We encourage developing an appreciation for all life. Field Biology Training providing training with a focus on ethical and respectful survey and monitoring protocols. We encourage applying these ethics in our personal lives and in the world. Inspiring others by modelling planetary service. We encourage working with integrity and compassion for all life. INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 5

6 EXPEDITION MAP

7 Itinerary EXPEDITION DAY 1: DEPART FLORES Your Expedition starts in Flores. After breakfast, we travel into Laguna del Tigre National Park by road for 2.5 hours. At the community of Paso Caballos, and the source of the San Pedro River, we will be met by boat and take the 30 minute river journey to Las Guacamayas. We can expect to see abundant wildlife along the river banks from herons to osprey, and river turtles to crocodiles. We will arrive at Las Guacamayas in time for a late lunch. After we get settled in, we will spend the afternoon getting oriented with our surroundings. In the late afternoon and evening we will take our first forays into the forest. DAY 2: After a hearty breakfast the expedition will begin in earnest. We will spend the morning learning about the various survey methods and handling techniques that we will be using throughout our stay at Las Guacamayas. In the afternoon we will take a long hike through the forest to get used to being in the tropical environment, and to tune into our vibrant surroundings. In the evening we will conduct our first night survey. DAY 3 THROUGH 13: Over the next 8 days we will survey various habitats from rivers and swamps, to agricultural forest edge and dense low lying forest deep in the National Park. We will also get the chance to visit the little explored Mayan ruins of Waka el Peru that are a day s hike from Las Guacamayas. Some of the many species of birds we might expect to find here include scarlet macaws, king vultures, laughing falcon, blue-crowned motmot, and a myriad of hummingbirds to name a few Other sightings may include spider monkeys, tayra, howler monkeys, coatis, armadillos, tapir and even the elusive jaguar. DAY 14: RETURN TO FLORES After breakfast we will leave Las Guacamayas and return to Flores. We will arrive in time for a late lunch. In the evening the group has the opportunity to meet for a final meal before heading home the following day. Expedition Dates: 23 Jun to 6 Jul / 10 Jul to 23 Jul 14 days / 13 nights Cost: 1,395 (exc. flights) INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 7

8 Travel FLIGHT & HOTEL ADVICE 22 JUN / 9 JUL Arrive in Guatemala City. Most International flights to Guatemala City arrive in the evening. We suggest you spend your arrival night in Guatemala City. We recommend the Hotel Princess, which is located close to the airport. It has a free and reliable shuttle service that can be arranged to pick and drop you off at the airport. It is clean, reliable and friendly. It is also Rainforest Alliance certified. 6 JUL / 23 JUL Depart Las Guacamayas We head back to Flores after a leisurely breakfast, and upon arrival volunteers have a free day. We usually arrive in time for a late lunch. In the evening there is the option to meet up for a final meal. We recommend volunteers stay one night in Flores and arrange to fly out the following morning. We can recommend the Casa Amelia which is clean and friendly. 23 JUN / 9 JUL Fly from Guatemala City to Flores. We recommend you take a the domestic flight operated by Avianca. Flights leave Guatemala City in the early morning, and arrive in Flores in plenty of time for your Expedition! You will be met at Flores airport by the Indigo Team when you arrive. We will then go for a welcome breakfast in Flores. After breakfast we head off into Laguna del Tigre National Park! 23 JUN - 6 JUL / 9 JUL - 23 JUL The Expedition! For 10 days / 11 nights you will be based full board at Las Guacamayas. 7 JUL / 24 JUL Fly from Flores to Guatemala City. A taxi can easily be arranged for your airport transfer at the Casa Amelia Reception. Early morning flights from Flores arrive in Guatemala City in plenty of time to check-in for your international flight. FOR BOOKINGS Hotel Princess: reservaciones@hotelesprincess.com Airline: Avianca.com Casa Amelia: reservaciones@hotelcasamelia.com

9 Testimonials What a trip! I ve been on many similar trips, all over the world and I have to say, this one was one of the best!! Great location, amazing species (and lots of them!). A fantastic team and top class facilities! I m really looking forward to getting more involved in this project and with Rowland s skills and enthusiasm, it can only succeed. ~ JAMES HENNESSY Expedition Volunteer 2013 Fantastic experience in every aspect. Never been on such a successful herping trip with such a large species count in so little time. I learned a lot about IDing, handling & sampling techniques & it was really useful to get field experience doing this. Thankyou guys for such an awesome experience. You will see me again! ~ TIM BAKER Expedition Volunteer 2014 I have spent the last 2 weeks doing conservation work with reptiles and amphibians at Las Guacamayas in Guatemala, with some truly amazing human beings. A phenomenon I wasn t expecting. I went there looking to reconnect with nature, and get to watch some of my favourite animals in their natural habitat. On top of that, I found so much more. ~ JOE HILL Expedition Volunteer 2015 There has been a real feeling that we could have discovered a new species or extended ranges of species on every survey which is really exciting. The work being carried out here is exceptional and much needed. As with all forests there is considerable pressure of habitat destruction so this area must be studied and protected. Thanks for including me on this trip. ~ STEVE LLOYD Expedition Volunteer 2014 It s been a fantastic trip. Seen so many amazing herps and other animals and I ve learned so much about capturing and recording snakes an aim of mine. Las Guacamayas is a little gem with so much to offer, I look forward to seeing how the Project progresses in the future it would be a pleasure to remain part of it. Great team, I will miss the banter! Good job guys and well done Rowland. ~ LAUREN LOCHRIE Expedition Volunteer 2013 INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY. 0 9

10 Travel Notes

11 INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY explorewithindigo.com 11

12 12 explorewithindigo.com UNITY IN DIVERSITY INDIGO EXPEDITIONS

PROGRAM: Maniti Pacaya Voyage [7D/6N]

PROGRAM: Maniti Pacaya Voyage [7D/6N] MANITI CAMP EXPEDITIONS Jr. Huallaga 240 2do Piso, Iquitos, Perú RUC: 10054007677 Web : http://www.manitiexpeditions.com Email : reservations@manitiexpeditions.com Telephone Perú: (+51) 1-707-0441 Telephone