Clark Expediciones – EVT Leg. 11.197 Mariano Moreno 1950 – V San Lorenzo – Salta – Argentina Tel: +54 387 154 890 118 - email: [email protected]

Birds and Nature of Yungas Forest

Highlights: • Easy hiking along mountain trails at Reserva del Huaico with great views over the Lerma Valley.

• , Ecology and Conservation of Yungas forest introduced by the best local guides on the subject.

• Andean condor, , guans, hummingbirds and colorful parrots are likely sightings

• Traditional gaucho barbecue for lunch at Selva Montana Lodge by the San Lorenzo river

Pick up time: At 7:30 am in Salta

Drop off: By 3:00 pm in Salta

Itinerary: A short drive takes us to the private Huaico Reserve which protects the Yungas cloud forest that covers the slopes of San Lorenzo mountain ridge close to Salta downtown.

Here we spend four hours walking along well-kept trails in search of forest birds such as Yungas Dove, Toco Toucan, Dusky-legged Guan, and the rather confiding Crested Oropendola.

Our professional guides -park rangers and biologists- inform us about YUCHAN foundation´s conservation project in the Yungas and introduce us to the wildlife diversity and ecology of this unique habitat.

At the Raptor´s viewpoint deck we might see Swallow-tailed Kites dashing over the treetops catching , a Barred Forest-Falcon quietly perched amid the foliage, Roadside Hawks soaring and screaming around, both Black and Turkey Vultures, or a Peregrine plummeting down after a pigeon. Even the majestic Andean Condor and the scarce Black-and-Chestnut Eagle are likely sightings here.

From the list of more than 200 recorded in this Reserve, there is the chance to see the following birds: , Dot-fronted and -backed Woodpeckers, Mitred Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, -tailed Comet, -winged and Crested Becards, Stripe-crowned and Azara´s Spinetails, White-bearded and Sclater´s Tyrannulets, Mountain Wren, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Andean Slaty Thrush, Two-banded Warbler, -billed Sparrow, -headed Brush-Finch, Golden-rumped Euphonia, Golden-winged Cacique and the attractive Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch, among many others.

By midday we visit the Hotel Selva Montana located just a couple of blocks from the Reserve, where we will indulge into a traditional "asado" barbeque by the river and enjoy more birding opportunities from its strategic veranda overlooking the surrounding forest.

Activity: Hiking and birdwatching, starting at 1200 meters above sea level (3,937’) with ~200 meters (656’) of elevation gain.

Itinerary difficulty rating: 2 (Easy Active)

Group size: 4 to 12 participants

What to Bring: • Day Pack (15-20L) • Sun hat • Wear clothes comfortable for hiking • Sunglasses • Light rain/windproof jacket • repellant • Fleece/insulating jacket • Camera • Hiking/walking shoes • Binoculars • Water bottles or hydration bladder • Personal items/medication • Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF

Telescope and Field-guide books will be provided among participants to enhance the experience.

List of services included:  Professional birdwatching English speaking guide  Transportation from / to event base in Salta  Asado Lunch at Hotel Selva Montana with salads and water  Entrance to Reserva del Huaico  Checklist of common species at the Reserva del Huaico

Not Included: Wine, beer, soft drinks or beverages of any kind, other than water

Regular Price per person is US$ 90.- Discounted Price for traveling companions is US$ 50.-