ARGENTINA WILDLIFE SAFARI - THE NORTH

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

ARGENTINA WILDLIFE SAFARI - THE NORTH In the northern Argentinean territory the influence of the Andes range extend beyond the awesome allure of blue high andean lakes surrounded by jagged peaks and rivers that flow down into the lowlands creating complex and specialized zones of vegetation which in turn support unique species of wildlife. The aim of this tour is to explore the wildest areas of Andean Cordilleras, the deepest forest of Chaco lowlands and the magnificent Pilcomayo wetlands to sample some of the superlative landscape and wildlife described below. The list of potential species for the tour ranges from Andean Deer and Andean Condor to tiny hummingbirds and reptiles. Of particular note are realistic chances to see the shy Tapir, the extraordinary Giant Anteater and the enigmatic Maned Wolf. This tour is run in comfortable 4x4 vehicles throughout so as to ensure you best chances and conditions to observe and photograph the wildlife. Breakfasts taken in the field and several night outings in different habitats offer further possibilities for encounters with some of the most attractive wildlife in southern South America. Day 1 - Salta Located in the Lerma valley on the eastern slope of the Andes, the city of Salta was already a populated and strategic place on the highway for troops and carts traveling to Bolivia more than 400 years ago, but this colonial city is considered to be one of the most modern in Andean South America. After arrival in Salta we drive a short distance to San Lorenzo canyon and our lodge located in a canyon carpeted by Yungas forest. Evening visit to nearby Huaico Reserve protecting a large stand of Cloudforest, where we plan to spend a few hours in search of Forest Fox, Brown Brocket-Deer and Owls. Both, Pampas and Geoffroy´s Cats are sometimes seen here but even Tayra is a possibility. Overnight at Selva Montana lodge. Day 2 - Los Cardones National Park Full Day excursion to Los Cardones National Park protecting spectacular cacti-clad highlands and towering peaks rising to more than 5,000 metres. Andean Condor will be found soaring over the ridges whilst herds of Guanacos run across grassland. The winding road climbs up the Escoipe Canyon to 3,500 metres where Black-chested Buzzard Eagle and Variable Hawk are likely sightings. Flowering tobacco bushes attract the striking Red-tailed Comet and Giant Hummingbird while Ornate Tinamou can also be spotted on the slopes. We plan to spend a couple of hours hiking along the Enchanted Valley in search of Mountain Vizcacha -it looks like a crossing between rabit and kangaroo-, Andean Red Fox, Highland Tucotuco and Andean Hairy Armadillo.

Later we proceed driving across Los Cardones National Park and along the Tin-Tin valley towards the Calchaqui river and our comfortable hostel there for tonight. Day 3 - High Andes We spend the Day exploring along famous road 40 towards the Acay mountain pass (15,000 ft.) -one of the highest in America- enjoying dramatic scenery of high Andes peaks and fast-flowing rivers. Burrowing Parrots will be seen in large flocks and Puna Rhea feeding on grassy slopes. Puma is a possibility for toDay but we also have chances for more Guanacos and Vicuñas. Even the rare and secretive Andean Cat inhabits this region and, at this altitude, the avifauna is represented by a fine selection of Sierra Finches, Canasteros, Earthcreepers and Miners plus the scarce Puna Tinamou, the atractive Torrent Duck and the rather tame although hard to spot Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. From the mountain pass we descend to the small mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres for a good rest at the Hosteria de las Nubes. Day 4 - Saltpans, High Andean lakes and flamingoes ToDay we visit the Salinas Grandes saltpan for some astonishing landscape but we soon proceed driving southwards in search of a spectacular lagoon teeming with Andean, Puna and Chilean Flamingoes plus other attractive wildfowl to include Andean Avocet, Giant Coot, Puna Plover and many others. Overnight back at our Lodge Selva Montana in the Yungas after an unforgettable journey in these mighty Andean ridges. Day 5 - El Rey National Park We drive toDay eastwards along the Sianca Valley to enter a dry section of sierras keeping an eye for shy Black-legged Seriema and the rather confiding Brushland Tinamou, but we also check several stretches of rivers where we might see Neotropic River Otter. By midDay we reach El Rey National Park where we enjoy a typical openfire barbeque and spend a couple of hours spot-lighting for Tapir and other night creatures that might include Ocelot. Camp overnight at El Rey Park. Day 6 - El Rey National Park Full Day excursion devoted to explore El Rey National Park, one of the most isolated and wild protected areas in Argentina. This Park is ringed by pristine ridges making it a difficult access with only one open mountain pass to get inside the Park. We will cross several rivers where 4x4 vehicles might prove to be essential. Good transitional forest give us chances for roadside searching where Brown Brocket Deer, Red Tegu-Lizard and Forest Rabbit can suddenly appear. Amongst the birds, Toco Toucan, King Vulture, Scaly headed Parrot, Dusky-legged Guan, the elegant Red-legged Seriema and Graynecked Wood Rail must be mentioned. We will take hikes along good trails in search of wildlife like Jaguaroundi, White-lipped and/or Collared Peccaries and more birding. The isolated situation of this Park and the absence of Jaguar -exterminated by local ranchers before the creation of this protected area- offer perhaps our best chances to find the Anta -local name for Brazilian Tapir- during our tour. In the evening we drive to our Hotel in Las Lajitas town for a good rest. Day 7 – Formosa Reserve This will be an opportunistic Day while we travel into Chaco habitat to our destination located some 400 kms northwards between two major rivers, the Bermejo and the Pilcomayo, not far from the border with Paraguay. This Chaco woodland covering the

area between Salta and Formosa provinces is the land of the Wichis, an ancient group of people with roots in the Tupi-Guarani indigenous nation that we will eventually meet. Likely species to be seen along the road will include Jaguaroundi, Common Hog-nosed Skunk, Lesser Grison, Southern Dwarf Cavy, Argentine Gray Fox, Brown Brocket Deer, a couple of species of Armadillos and some of the characteristic birds of this open habitat such as Greater Rhea, Tataupa Tinamou, Aplomado Falcon, Savanna Hawk, Turquoise-fronted Parrot and many others. Evening arrival to Formosa Nature Reserve where we camp overnight and set out for some spot-lighting while a robust barbeque gets ready for dinner. Day 8 - Formosa Reserve A full Day will be devoted to visit the isolated Formosa Reserve and the margins of Teuco River. Hoping to have good fortune on our side we will drive and walk along several particular trails in search of the scarce Giant Anteater but we also hope to come across with a Lesser Anteater or Tamandua and/or a Southern Three-banded Armadillo. Little-spotted Cat and Puma have been seen in our previous tours in this area. Much easier to spot will be Plains Vizcacha at their huge cavity nest as well as any of the Opossums inhabiting this woodland, such as Common Mouse-Opposum, White-eared and Little Water Opossum. Amongst the birds we will specially look for the localized Orinoco Goose, Chaco Owl and Quebracho Crested-Tinamou. Overnight back at our hotel in Ingeniero Juarez town for a good rest. Day 9 – Chaco Crossing The Chaco -which in native Quechua language means 'hunting grounds'- occupies an area of about one million square miles and is essentially a dry savannah-like plain with characteristic vegetation represented by thorny members of the Leguminosae family. We will drive along this Transchaco paved road crossing a core area and taking sided trips to explore remnants of primary Quebracho Colorado forest (the "red axebraker") where family groups of Chacoan Cavy and Southern Dwarf Cavy forage on the ground near fallen trunks always alert at the presence of wild cats and foxes. This locality represents our best chances for finding the scarce Crowned Eagle but the local avifauna includes a number of attractions such as Black-legged Seriema, the endemic Spotwinged Falconet, the elusive Crested Gallito, noisy Chaco Chachalacas, and quiet Chaco Puffbirds. At dusk we try some spotlighting in search of Gray Potoo, Magellanic Horned Owl and any other night creature that might oblige. We spend two nights at the hotel in Las Lomitas town. Day 10 - La Estrella Wetland Another early departure will take us into wet Chaco environment with Palm savannas and wooded islets where several species new for us, such as Laughing Falcon, Blackcollared Hawk and the spectacular Jabiru will hopefully be spotted along the road. Traveling northwards we will enter to extensive marshlands where colorful frogs, turtles, Anaconda and two species of caiman abound while the mammal community includes Capybara, Howler Monkey, Swamp Deer, Crab-eating Fox and the scarce Maned Wolf among others. As might be expected, the birding is of highest quality with thousands of herons, Spoonbill, ibises and coots, Limpkin and ducks in large numbers so we hope to witness the spectacle of marshes teeming with wildlife at La Estrella Wetland. Nocturnal drives will give us chances for Giant Anteater, Forest Fox and attractive reptiles. Second night at Las Lomitas Hotel.

Day 11 - Pilcomayo National Park Early departure from Las Lomitas exploring northeastwards on pristine habitat of the wet Chaco section. We arrive this afternoon to the isolated Pilcomayo National Park for an unforgettable experience in the wilderness where we hope to find Peccaries, BrocketDeers, Southern River Otter, Tapir and the enigmatic Maned Wolf that breeds in the tall grassland along the Pilcomayo river. A couple of hikes along gallery forest where we look for Black Howler Monkey, Brown-capped Capuchin and South American Coati will also provide excellent opportunities to come across with a group of Azara´s Night Monkey. Some attractive birds of this habitat include Bare-faced Curassow and Sungrebe while nocturnal avian attractions cast specialities such as Spectacled Owl, Pauraque, Nacunda and Common Nighthawk. We set camp for two nights in magnificent natural setting at the Pilcomayo National Park. Day 12 - Pilcomayo National Park Depending on the weather and water level we will organize visits to nearby streams, but our plans for toDay and tomorrow are exploring the Park making good use of local intelligence on recent wildlife sightings. Our explorations in the area will include the coast of Pilcomayo river and a few lagoons where we have good chances for seeing the elegant Marsh Deer and the biggest rodent in the world, Capibara. We will also organize a night outing to certain areas where we stand good chances for spotting the shy Maned Wolf which is seldom seen but frequently heard barking from the tallest grassland. Other more common creatures to be found include Crab-eating Racoon, Southern Coati, Nine-banded Armadillo, Curiyú Boa and a host of amphibians.Camp overnight. Day 13 - Pilcomayo and Formosa We spend the morning exploring this complex ecosystem of flooded flat areas in northeastern Formosa province near the junction of Pilcomayo with upper Paraguay River. Yatay-Palm forest, xeric woods, savannah grasslands, sandy fields and riverine gorges covered by extensive rushbeds and dense reeds provide suitable habitat for an amazing diversity of wildlife including some attractive flycatchers such as Black-andWhite Monjita and White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, both of them showing a contrast of black and white, plus some very localized specialties such as Strange-tailed and Streamer-tailed Tyrants. In the afternon we drive along paved road to Formosa city and take comfortable lodgement for tonight at a beautiful hotel overlooking Paraguay river. Day 14 - Fly to Buenos Aires / back home This morning we will drive to the local airport and take flight from Formosa to Buenos Aires. On arrival there will be a transfer from domestic airport to the international airport in time to take your afternoon/evening flight out of BA.

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