Sacred Earth - Nature Observation

The tropics not only offer unsurpassed opportunities to observe wildlife and flora, they are a prime destination for birdwatching. Hundreds of species can be observed within the immediate vicinity of most eco-lodges and birdwatching is a prominent feature of their programs. Some lodges have canopy walkways or observation towers, which give birdwatchers a unique 'birdseye' perspective on avian life in the tree-tops. For more information please check the lodge links: Peru Lodges, Ecuador Lodges, Costa Rica Lodges and Belize Lodges. Some lodges offer programs specifically designed for birdwatchers. This index lists special birding tours and programs and gives references some good birding spots.

Birding in Peru
	Send inquiry Birding Machu Picchu and the Upper Cloud Forest at the Abra Malaga Pass This short itinerary visits Machu Picchu and the bird rich habitat of the upper cloud forest at the Abra Malaga Pass. It is a perfect extension for birders who wish to combine a birding trip to Manu with a visit to Machu Picchu and the upper cloud forest. This tour works equally well as a stand alone itinerary or as an extension that offers the avid bird lover a perfect alternative to standard Machu Picchu visits. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching in Tambopata The Tambopata Research Station is an excellent place for birders. Expert guided individualized programs can be arranged to explore different habitats: lowland rainforest, riparian habitat, bamboo trail, palm swamp and terra firme forest. Additional features are a visit to a macaw clay lick and canopy observation towers at Posada Amazonas and/or Refugio Amazonas. For birders private boat transportation is available on request at an extra charge. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching Tour at Explorama Lodge During 2007/08, Explorama Lodges is sponsoring weekly Amazon Rainforest Birdwatching Holidays. These holidays are led by native Amazonian Naturalist Guides and feature Birdwatching from the Spectacular Amazon Canopy Walkway, the longest walkway of its type in the world. Other habitats that will be visited range from the Amazon River edge to interior black water lakes and from pastures and small open fields to environments deep within the Primary Rainforest. Each program begins upon arrival in Iquitos on any Saturday, on any airline flight, all year long! View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge offers birdwatching programs to two protected natural areas in the Peruvian Amazon: The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (PSNR) is the largest protected area in the peruvian amazon. It has 449 species of birds registered, grouped in 288 geniuses and 61 families. In the PSNR, there are different kind of habitats, with the predominance of birds in aquatic habitats. The Allpahuayo - Mishana Nacional Reserve (AMNR), located 20 km. from the city of Iquitos, was created in 1999 and has a total area of 57,600 hectares. It has a high biological diversity and the most extended white-sand forest in the Peruvian Amazon. There are 475 species of birds that have been registered, some of them only known in this area. View itinerary/ View further information
	Send inquiry Birding in Manu We designed a program combining two avian rich areas: the eastern Andean slope and the Pantiacolla Mountains. Furthermore, at the end of your trip you will have observed birds from the 4000m to the 450m zone, including many rare and endemic species! A good part of the trip will be spent in the Pantiacolla mountains, in the foothills of the Andes, which have proved to be an extremely prolific bird habitat. Many of the species are endemic to the area, extremely rare, or found at altitudes different from their normal range. Pantiacolla Lodge is now constructing a network of trails covering at least eight different habitats, including the small oxbow lake, as well as observation platforms, hides near the Round-tailed Manakin lek and the only clay lick ever found for the range-restricted Blue-hooded Macaw, an observation tower near a huge fig tree and benches at the miradors, and a platform on the first Pantiacolla summit (appr. 950 m). View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birding Northern Peru The Northern Peru Birding Trip will take you into the dry deciduous forest of the pacific coast and visting the prosopis acacia woodlands. The trip finally ends in the peruvian lowlands. This 12-day birding program is designed to explore areas where you can see endemics and birds on the threatened list. A wide range of differing habitats will be covered providing maximum opportunities to spot the greatest variety of birds. View itinerary
Birding in Ecuador
	Send inquiry Eco-Lodges - Ecuador Eco-lodges located in the Ecuadorian Amazon are superb bases for exploring one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. They provide rustic comfort and offer programs specifically geared towards amateur naturalist, explorers and especially, birdwatchers. Some have canopy towers, others suspension bridge walkways from which visitors can observe wildlife at eye level. Please refer to the 'Ecuador Eco-Lodge index page' or follow the links below to find detailed descriptions of each lodge and their programs. Napo Wildlife Center, Kapawi Lodge, La Selva Lodge and Sacha Lodge
	Send inquiry Ecuador - A Country for Birdwatchers This short intensive birding tour explores one of the richest bird habitats - the cloud forest that covers the Andean slopes. The Maquipucuna Reserve is considered one of the top 10 biodiversity hot spots in the world, and Mindo, on the western slopes of the Andes also supports an extremely rich avifauna. These and other private and public reserves will be the focus of this private departure birding jaunt. View itinerary
Birding in Panama
	Send inquiry Panama Canal Watershed Home to over 945 recorded bird species; Panama offers exceptional opportunities in birdwatching. Panama will captivate and surprise even the most experienced birdwatcher. This short 7 days/6 nights birdwatching tour along the Panama Canal Watershed includes highlights such as two nights at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, a hike at world renown birding site 'Pipeline Road' in the Soberania National Park, Barro Colorado Nature Monument and Sierra Llorona Lodge at the Caribbean side. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Panama Canal and Highlands Enjoy the best of birding in Panama on a tour which includes the world famous Canopy Tower, Pipeline Road, the Smithsonian's Barro Colorado Island, the highland cloud forests of Chiriqui on the Costa Rican border, the Chagres River lowlands near the Panama Canal, and three national parks. Stay in the country's top eco-lodges dedicated to birders and enjoy nature-rich Panama with hundreds of bird species. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Canal Watershed, Highlands and Friendship National Park The Panama Audubon Society, who does an annual bird count, constantly counts more species of birds in Panama than anywhere else in Central America and more than in all of North America. This tour explores some of the best birding spots in Central America including Pipeline Road in the Canal Watershed, the Cloud Forest in the highlands and the Friendship National Park. View itinerary
	Send inquiry The Grand Panama Migration An extended birding trip to some of Panama's best birdwatching locations in the Canal Watershed and Highlands. This is an ideal itinerary for birders who like to have guidance but also feel comfortable to explore on their own. On the days where guiding services are not included optional tours are nevertheless available from the local hosts. This tour starts off in Panama City where you will be exploring the Metropolitan Park, world-famous Pipeline Road, Soberania National Park and the Canal Watershed along Plantation Road, the El Charco Trail, the trails around Sierra Llorona Lodge, Achiote Road, the trails around Los Quetzales Lodge and Los Quetzales Trail in the Chiriqui highlands. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching in Eastern Panama - Burbayar and the Darien This is a real expedition style birding adventure, which explores some of the remoter areas of Panama. Focusing on the area around Burbayar Lodge in the Mesoamerican biological corridor and the lowland rainforest landbridge of the Darien, one of the most species rich habitats of all Central America. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in this area alone. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching at Sierra Llorona Lodge Visit the charming Sierra LLorona Lodge in the midst of the rainforest. An excellent location for birders, with many trails to explore in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Over 213 species can be seen at the lodge's surroundings and Hummingbirds will certainly give you a welcome as soon as you arrive. A number of guided excursions to some of the top birding locations are offered by the lodge. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching around Burbayar Lodge Burbayar is in a world-class birdwatching zone and has become one of Panama's top birdwatching sites. The good condition and large size of the forest, being part of the mesoamerican biological corridor which links species on east and west, as well as being in a zone between lowland and piedmont regions that is frequented by birds from both regions of the area makes this a top birding location. Burbayar Lodge is committed to ecological principles and aims to run its operation with a minimum impact on the environment. Its small size keeps a familiar atmosphere. Group sizes are limited to 14 people. This is a rustic lodge makes for a real sense of naturalist adventure. View itinerary
Birding in Costa Rica
	Send inquiry Birdwatching Tour of northern Costa Rica This 8 day tour of northern Costa Rica visits the regions many varied habitats to observe m a wide range of species. We will visit Poas volcano, the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, Sarapiqui in the Caribbean lowlands, Arenal Lake and Monteverde cloud forest and finishing at Playa Pajaros and Palo Verde, where there is a plethora of waterfowl to observe. This tour is arranged on an individual basis for groups of at least 8 participants. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birdwatching Tour of southern Costa Rica The remoter regions of southern Costa Rica preserve some of the countries greatest natural treasures and it is here where the best opportunities for wildlife and bird watching in Costa Rica can be found. This 8 day tour starts with a visit to Poas volcano before heading south to the Carara Biological Reserve, Bahia Ballena, Costanera Road and the highest pass of the country at Cerro de la Muerte and the cloud forest below around the community of San Gerardo de Dota, which is reported as one of the best places to spot the elusive Quetzal. This tour is arranged on an individual basis for groups of at least 8 participants. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Birding Paradise at Golfo Dulce Lodge Enjoy the superb comfort and location of Golfo Dulce Lodge which offers a veritable piece of paradise fo birdwatchers. More than 340 species, including some rare birds have been spotted in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. This lodge is situated in a wildlife rich area where birding enthusiasts will find it easy to spot a plethora of birds. A nearby observation platform provides the perfect lookout to watch and listen to the morning chorus reverberating through the rainforest canopy. There are no trained expert bird guides at hand, but a very knowledgable wildlife guide who can help you identify many species of birds, mammals and plants. More information
	Send inquiry Birding at Laguna del Lagarto Lodge The Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge in Northern Costa Rica offers you 1250 Acres (500 Hectares) of virgin tropical rainforest with an incredible variety of fauna and flora. The Lodge is operated in harmony with nature, under ecological guidelines. A perfect place for passionate bird-watchers and rain forest lovers. More than 10 km of well marked rainforest trails make birding and exploring nature easy, no matter whether you prefer to explore nature and wildlife on your own or with a naturalist or birding guide. 350 different species of birds have been counted, among them the Great Green Macaw. More information
	Send inquiry Osa Peninsular / Corcovado National Park Cocovado National Park and the Marenco Reserve are part of the Corcovado National Park package. Caño Island is covered by jungle, too, and used to be a famous place for pirates long before our time. This area is teeming with wildlife and has become a mecca for birders. Guided Birdwatching excursions can be arranged at Marenco Lodge and at Aguila de Osa Inn. Whether you are passionate about birds or just have a passing interest, Aguila de Osa Inn and Marenco Lodge provide an excellent base to explore the avian fauna of this species rich region. We offer a standard package to Corcovado National Park with either of these two lodges, which includes a naturalist hike into Corcovado National Park. The package can be modified if you are more particularly interested in watching birds. Please inquire. Corcovado National Park (4 days/3 nights)
Birding in Belize
	Send inquiry Chan Chich Lodge Belize's premier jungle lodge. Located on a 130,000 acre private nature reserve in northwestern Belize at the heart of "La Selva Maya", this is a unique destination for serious eco-tourists and novices alike. Built on the the main plaza of an ancient Maya City adjacent to the Rio Bravo Conservation area, this lodge is steeped in history and teems with wildlife. Birding is one of the premier activities at the lodge and an extensive, well-marked trail system allows visitors to explore the area by themselves or with a guide. Excursions to other birding areas or to Lamanai and Milpa ruins can also be arranged. View details
	Send inquiry Lamanai Outpost Lodge Lamanai Outpost Lodge, situated among wildlife rich lagoons deep in the jungle of nortern Belize, is a superb birding spot. Although the lodge does not operate regular birding tours, birdwatching is certainly part of the everyday activities. Interested parties can also book a specialist birding guide for the duration of their stay - an option which can be very rewarding and worthwhile especially for small groups who wish to make the most of their bird sighting at Lamanai. View details
	Send inquiry Indian Creek Lodge Indian Creek Lodge is located near the village of Indian Creek in the Toledo District of southern Belize just off the Southern Highway and directly across from the ancient Maya ruins of Nim Li Punit. The architecture of the grounds reflects that of the ancient Maya with stone walkways, walls and terraces lined with tangled vines and flowering plants. Each cabin has a private verandah with spectacular view of the nearby rainforest and are nestled among trees and tropical gardens. Its location,close to Boden Creek Ecological Reserve, offers 7,600 acres of beautiful lowland tropical broadleaf forest teeming with an abundance of wildlife. View details
	Send inquiry Jungle Camp Lodge Deep within the Boden Creek Ecological Reserve on the lush banks of the spectacular Golden Stream lies Jungle Camp- a sophisticated yet sensitive harmony of natural woods and thatch reflecting the themes of the ancient Maya. Jungle Camp is situated in the heart of the Belizean jungle five miles south of Indian Creek Lodge. The Camp offers a truly one-of-a-kind overnight experience with an expedition down the river and through some of the last remaining undisturbed lowland tropical rainforest left in Central America. Visits to Jungle Camp Lodge are only available in combination with a visit to Indian Creek Lodge. View details

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