International Workshops
Amazon
Rainforest Tropical Ecology Workshop
A Cooperative Program between the ACEER Foundation and the
Tambopata Research Center (TRC).
Day 1: Lima
Evening arrival to Lima, welcome and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Puerto Maldonado / Posada Amazonas
After breakfast, we are transferred to the Lima airport for
a two- hour flight to Puerto Maldonado via Cusco. Puerto Maldonado,
with a population of approximately 60,000, is the capital
of the Madre de Dios region and is located at the confluence
of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers. This small frontier
town has a history of resource extraction beginning with the
rubber boom, logging and gold prospecting, and more recently
oil exploration. Despite this activity, 98% of the region
is comprised of primary rainforest. There are three national
parks and reserves in the area that together comprise more
than 3.5 million hectares of protected forest ecosystems.
They are: The Manu Biosphere Reserve, Tambopata-Candamo Reserve,
and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park.
We are greeted by ACEER staff, and begin our experience in
the region with a visit to the local market where everything
from herbal medicines, bananas, and live chickens to motorcycle
parts and plastics are sold. Soon we get our first glimpse
of the Madre de Dios River where we board our boat for the
2- hour ride to Posada Amazonas Lodge. Rainforest
Expeditions and the Ese’eja Native Community of Infierno
jointly own the lodge. We will visit one of the several oxbow
lakes near the lodge, and climb the 35-foot high canopy tower
to observe life at the top of the rainforest. B, L,
D
Day 3: Tambopata Research Center
Depart after an early morning breakfast for the 5-hour boat
ride to the Tambopata Research center. On our way we will
travel through the Tambopata Reserve Zone - TRZ, which encompasses
an area of 5,500 hectares of undisturbed subtropical moist
forest. Research over the last two decades has shown that
the TRZ has the greatest diversity of wildlife yet discovered
in the world. It has more species of birds (595 species),
butterflies (over 1200species) and many other animal groups
than any other location of its size on earth. This exceptional
diversity is due to its privileged location at the meeting
point of lowland Amazon forest with three other ecosystems,
including Andean foothills, dry forest, and savannah. At least
seven major forest types can be distinguished at the TRZ.
Because of its unique features, in 1977 this area was set-aside
as a Reserve Zone by the Peruvian Government prohibiting any
hunting and lumber cutting. In 1990, the 1,478,943-hectare
Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone - TCRZ was created which encompasses
the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park created in 1996. B,
L, D
Day 4: Tambopata Research Center
At dawn, we will cross the river and enjoy the world’s
largest macaw clay lick where hundreds of parrots and macaws
of up to 15 species congregate daily. You can expect to see
ten to twelve of the following members of the parrot family:
Red-and-green, Blue-and-gold, Scarlet, Red-bellied, Chestnut-fronted
and Blue-headed Macaws; Mealy and Yellow-crowned Amazons;
Blue-headed, Orange-cheeked and White-bellied Parrots; Dusky-headed,
White-eyed, Cobalt-winged and Tui Parakeets and Dusky-billed
Parrots. This show will continue until the macaws sense danger,
usually in the form of an eagle, and depart simultaneously
in an explosion of sound and color. Around mid-morning, when
the most intense clay lick activity is over for the day, we
will return to TRC for breakfast.
After breakfast we will work in the 1.5-mile Ocelot Trail,
with mammals. We will slowly walk around the whole trail,
annotating all mammal encounters, whether they are sighted,
heard, or their tracks seen. We will take a short five-minute
boat ride, after a late lunch, to a small lake where we will
study fish and their relation to the waters abiotic conditions.
We will measure different water properties and attempt to
relate how these affect the composition of the fish community
at this pond. We return to the lodge for dinner and then visit
a pre-established plot where we will conduct studies on a
particular order of insects (usually grasshoppers) attempting
to determine the preferred plant substrate and hour of activity
for the most important families. B, L, D
Day 5: Tambopata Research Center / Reserva Amazonica
We will wake up before dawn once again to visit the macaw
clay lick and then return for breakfast. After breakfast we
will depart for the journey back to Puerto Maldonado. Along
the way we will enjoy a box lunch. Upon arriving at the Puerto
Maldonado dock, we will transfer to another boat to take us
to Reserva Amazonica. The lodge is situated on the banks of
the Madre de Dios River about a 1- hour boat ride from town.
On arrival to the lodge we settle into our palm thatched casitas,
complete with private bath and front porches. After dinner
if time permits, we will have a briefing on the lodge, its
research programs, and introductory walk through the 10,000-
hectare Inkaterra Ecological Reserve located adjacent to the
lodge. The Reserve provided the research base for E.O. Wilson’s
seminal work on ant ecology, and is said to contain one of
the world’s largest concentration of ant species. Opportunities
to see small animals such as anteaters, agouties, capybaras,
and monkeys are excellent. Evening sessions at the lodge will
be conducted by resident ACEER naturalists, biologists, and/or
representatives of various conservation organizations in the
region. B, L, D
Day 6: ACEER-Tambopata at Inkaterra / Reserva Amazonica
After breakfast we depart for the 45- minute boat ride to
the ACEER-Tambopata at Inkaterra. In partnership with The
National Geographic Society, and Inkaterra Association, The
Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER)
Foundation has recently developed this comprehensive international
education and research center. The facility is located on
a 340-hectare private reserve that joins the pristine Tambopata
Reserve and Lake Sandoval, a huge oxbow lake known for its
concentrations of birds and butterflies.
The Center at Tambopata includes:
- A nature interpretation center
- Meeting/classrooms with satellite distance learning capabilities
- A medicinal plants garden
- A children’s rainforest garden
- Demonstration areas focused on sustainable agriculture,
reforestation, and fisheries
- Plantation demonstration areas – native crops, history,
processing
- An equipped field lab with living quarters for researchers
and students
- An interpreted trail system
- Canopy Tower
At the ACEER students will tour the labs, gardens, and nature
interpretation center, and learn about the climate, geography,
history, ecosystems, and culture of the tropical rainforest
of the Madre de Dios region. Students will discover the diverse
world of tropical vegetation and its use by traditional cultures.
Although topics such as plant diversity, taxonomy, ecological
processes, and adaptations will be discussed, much of the
time will be devoted to hands on field exercises and demonstrations
at the ethnobotanical gardens, reforestation plots, along
the trails, and in the tree canopy. Students will gain an
appreciation for the relationship of plants and people in
tropical forests as demonstrated by native shamans. Appropriate
methodologies will be demonstrated for conducting research
via a series of group-selected projects. Lunch will be provided
at the ACEER. Dinner and evening program will be held at Reserva
Amazonica Lodge. B,L,D
Day 7: Sandoval Lake and the ACEER / Reserva Amazonica
We will depart early in the morning for Sandoval Lake.
Sandoval Lake is an exceptional "oxbow lake" formed
generations ago by the shifting waters of the Madre de Dios
River. It is located adjacent to ACEER Tambopata and is within
hiking distance of the center. Sandoval with its clear, calm
waters has evolved into a mature lake environment attracting
a wide variety of wildlife and flora. Sandoval is home to
the endangered Giant Otter and is an exceptional place to
observe, small parrots, herons, kingfishers, hoatzins, caimans,
and turtles. Brown Capuchin, Bolivian Squirrel, Red Howler,
Saddle-backed Tamarin, and Night monkeys live in the forests
surrounding the lake. We will return to the ACEER for a late
lunch and afternoon session. Students may continue working
on projects from the previous day. Dinner and evening sessions
at Reserva Amazonica Lodge. B,L,D
Day 8: Catamaran ride and village visit, Madre de
Dios / Reserva Amazonica
We begin the day with a catamaran ride on the Madre de Dios
with breakfast served on board. We will travel toward the
Bolivian border and visit a native village to learn first
hand how various tropical agricultural plots and agro-forestry
projects provide sustainable alternatives to deforestation
and cattle production. After lunch we will hike or boat to
several of the numerous fresh water ponds to acquaint participants
with the enormous variety of fish found near ACEER-Tambopata
and the Inkaterra Reserve. We will learn of their relationship
to the forest, their importance to the economy of the area,
and some of their adaptations to live in this complex environment.
Following a brief introduction, we will sample fish fauna
using cast nets and seines. Specific data will be collected
to compare and contrast relationships between the various
aquatic environments. We will spend our last night in the
rainforest enjoying happy hour and “paca party”
as we ponder over the exciting happenings of the week. B,
L, D
Day 9: Lima
After an early morning wake up call and breakfast we will
leave for our ride back to Puerto Maldonado and the airport
for our flight back to Lima. A day room at the hotel in Lima
will be provided as we await our international connection.
B
Amazon to the Andes – Tropical Ecology
Workshop
Day 1: Lima
Evening arrival to Lima, welcome and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Puerto Maldonado / Reserva Amazonica
After breakfast, we are transferred to the Lima airport for
a two- hour flight to Puerto Maldonado via Cusco. Puerto Maldonado,
with a population of approximately 60,000, is the capital
of the Madre de Dios region and is located at the confluence
of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers. This small frontier
town has a history of resource extraction beginning with the
rubber boom, logging and gold prospecting, and more recently
oil exploration. Despite this activity, 98% of the region
is comprised of primary rainforest. There are three national
parks and reserves in the area that together comprise more
than 3.5 million hectares of protected forest ecosystems.
They are: The Manu Biosphere Reserve, Tambopata-Candamo Reserve,
and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park.
We begin our experience in the region with a visit to the
local market where everything from herbal medicines, bananas,
and live chickens to motorcycle parts and plastics are sold.
Soon we get our first glimpse of the Madre de Dios River where
we board our boat for the one-hour ride to Reserva Amazonica
Lodge. Lunch and dinner will be provided at the lodge. Afternoon
and evening sessions will include daylight and night hikes
into the 10,000-hectare Inkaterra Ecological Reserve located
next to the lodge. Opportunities to see small animals such
as anteaters, agouties, capybaras, and monkeys are excellent.
The Reserve provided the research base for E.O. Wilson’s
seminal work on ant ecology, and is said to contain one of
the world’s largest concentration of ant species.. B,
L, D
Day 3: ACEER-Tambopata at Inkaterra
After breakfast we depart for the 45- minute boat ride to
the ACEER-Tambopata at Inkaterra. In partnership with The
National Geographic Society, and Peruvian partners, The Amazon
Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) Foundation
has recently developed a new comprehensive international education
and research center. The facility is located on a 340-hectare
private reserve that joins the pristine Tambopata Reserve
and Lake Sandoval, a huge oxbow lake known for its concentrations
of birds and butterflies.
The Center at Tambopata includes:
- A nature interpretation center
- Meeting/classrooms with satellite distance learning capabilities
- A medicinal plants garden
- A children’s rainforest garden
- Demonstration areas focused on sustainable agriculture,
reforestation, and fisheries
- Plantation demonstration areas – native crops, history,
processing
- An equipped field lab with living quarters for researchers
and students
- An interpreted trail system
- Canopy Tower
At the ACEER students will tour the labs, gardens, and nature
interpretation center, and learn about the climate, geography,
history, ecosystems, and culture of the tropical rainforest
of the Madre de Dios region. Students will discover the diverse
world of tropical vegetation and its use by traditional cultures.
Although topics such as plant diversity, taxonomy, ecological
processes, and adaptations will be discussed, much of the
time will be devoted to field exercises and demonstrations
at the ethnobotanical gardens, reforestation plots, along
the trails, and in the tree canopy. Students will gain an
appreciation for the relationship of plants and people in
tropical forests as demonstrated by native shamans. Appropriate
methodologies will be demonstrated for conducting research
via a series of group-selected projects. Lunch will be provided
at the ACEER. Dinner and evening program will be held at the
lodge. B, L, D
Day 4: Sandoval Lake and the ACEER
Breakfast and early morning departure to Sandoval Lake.
Sandoval Lake is an exceptional "oxbow lake" formed
generations ago by the shifting waters of the Madre de Dios
River. It is located adjacent to ACEER Tambopata and is within
hiking distance of the center. Sandoval with its clear, calm
waters has evolved into a mature lake environment attracting
a wide variety of wildlife and flora. Sandoval is home to
the endangered Giant Otter and is an exceptional place to
observe, small parrots, herons, kingfishers, hoatzins, caimans,
and turtles. Brown Capuchin, Bolivian Squirrel, Red Howler,
Saddle-backed Tamarin, and Night monkeys live in the forests
surrounding the lake. Return to the ACEER for a late lunch
and afternoon session. Students may continue working on projects
from the previous day. Dinner and evening sessions will be
held at Reserva Amazonica Lodge. B, L, D
Day 5: Cusco/Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
We transfer to the airport for our flight back across the
snow-capped Andes Mountains to the heart of the Inca Empire.
Nestled in a high valley at just over 11,000 feet, Cusco is
surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Andes. As we
descend into Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city
in the western hemisphere, we glimpse the red tiled roofs
of this colonial capital that was built on the massive foundations
created by the Inca Empire. We make our way by bus out of
the city and into the historic Urubamba Valley. We will stop
at the town of Chinchero to visit the Center for Traditional
Textiles of Cusco, a non-profit organization aiding in the
survival of Incan textile traditions. The center works with
traditional weaving communities to continue their traditions,
and insure fair trade practices. We finally make our way to
the Ollanta railroad station where we board the train for
Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.
After the hour and a half ride we arrive at Aguas Calientes
(Machu Picchu Village) and the ecological Pueblo Hotel where
we will spend the next three nights. Since 1978 the Pueblo
Hotel has worked to conserve the wild flora and fauna of the
Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, designated in 1983 by UNESCO
as a cultural and world heritage site. According to the American
Orchid Society, the grounds surrounding the hotel contain
the world’s largest native species orchid garden that
is open to the public, 155 native bird species, 15 species
of hummingbirds, 108 butterfly species, and more than 200
species of trees. Late afternoon and evening sessions will
include walks along the trails and gardens that highlight
the many scientific research and conservation projects ongoing
through the hotel grounds and reserve. B, L, D
Day 6: Inca Trail / Machu Picchu
After an early morning breakfast we will embark once again
on the train heading back to Cusco for the 15-minute ride
to the trailhead. This portion of the Inca Trail, which culminates
at the Machu Picchu citadel and the Gate of the Sun, will
take approximately 7 hours to hike. The views of the surrounding
areas of the Machu Picchu citadel are magnificent, and the
hike offers an outstanding introduction to the ecology and
culture of the area. The topography, geology and hydrology
of Machu Picchu create nine life zones and contain a wide
diversity of flora and fauna species. There are more than
1000 species of orchids within the Sanctuary, as well as a
wide variety of ferns, begonias, palms, and bromeliads. The
Sanctuary has many species of fauna including the solitary
eagle, the Andean condor, the ocelot, spectacled bear, and
a great variety of birds including the cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s
national bird. We will spend the late afternoon exploring
the architectural remains of plazas, palaces, temples, homes,
cemeteries and more than 100 irrigated terraces that formed
the structure for the Incan agricultural system. B,
L D
Day 7: Mandor Falls / Orchid Trail / Aguas Calientes
We begin the day at dawn to view the enormous variety of
bird species living around the hotel. After breakfast we depart
for the 3- hour hike to Mandor Falls, a beautiful waterfall
nestled among the lush vegetation of the cloud forest. We
will discuss the contrasts between high and low elevation
ecosystems, and the factors responsible for the significant
differences in their flora and fauna. Upon our return to the
hotel, we will have the opportunity to observe the more than
372 different orchid species located along the Orchid Walk
on the hotel grounds. A late afternoon visit to the Machu
Picchu Village, also known as Aguas Calientes, will also include
a visit to the hot springs – a 10 minute walk from the
main plaza near the Aguas Calientes River. B, L, D
Day 8: Machu Picchu / Cusco
We depart on the early morning train to Ollantaytambo to
tour the Inca ruins. We will stop for lunch along the way
and visit the beautiful town of Pisca, where we learn about
important agricultural techniques practiced during the time
of the Incas. We arrive Cusco in the late afternoon. B,
L, D
Day 9: Cusco / Lima
Following breakfast we will have time for a brief tour of
Cusco before our afternoon departure for Lima and flight back
to the states. A day room will be provided if necessary while
we wait for our international flight. B, L
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