This is a unique opportunity to join the first ever open ALLERCA Foundation expedition to the Pacaya-Samiria ecological reserve, a remote region of the Amazonian rainforest with the highest diversity of mammals on earth, and home to many endangered monkeys. Previously open only to scientists and researchers, this expedition is now open to the public through the ALLERCA Foundation to assist research and conservation in the Pacaya-Samiria ecological reserve. Departing in August, 2006, this expedition costs $5,000 per person which covers all expenses while on the expedition (excluding flights to Peru and within Peru - see below for full itinerary).

This expedition is not a tour, but a genuine research expedition conducted with research boats. Our goal is to offer the general public an opportunity to join our expedition and contribute towards the conservation of the Amazon rainforests. We work with local people through community-based conservation initiatives to make sure that our work will have lasting impacts and concur with the needs and ambitions of local indigenous people.

This expedition will visit one of the remotest regions of the Amazon. The team leader has been conducting research and conservation in this area for the past 14 years and knows generally what to expect. But, true Amazonian expeditions by their very nature have unpredictable elements. Animals abound in the rainforest of the Pacaya-Samiria, but we still have to find them; rains and water levels change and the boats have to navigate around these conditions; and insects are unpredictable. Therefore, it is essential that you join our expedition as someone who is willing to accept the adventures that accompany Amazonian research expeditions.

All proceeds from the trip will be put back into the research and conservation projects, so by joining this expedition you will help support conservation projects that help save the Amazon and its wildlife (please note that the cost of this expedition is not tax deductible).

The research on woolly monkeys is looking at the ecology and behavior of these rare primates. The projects are year-round studies on the species, and are investigating the behavioral ecology, and human impact on the monkeys. The research at the Pacaya-Samiria ecological reserve centers around several troops of woolly monkeys using the forest in this very special area. These groups are being used to study the ecology, ranging patterns, behavior, fission-fusion social structure and interspecific interactions of the species. The hunting practices and the socio-economic benefits people obtain from hunting these primates are also being investigated in the nearby communities. The project aims to assess the current conservation status of woolly monkeys in the Pacaya-Samiria ecological reserve, and consider the potential for community based conservation initiatives involving these rare and impressive primates.

Research on the river dolphins is looking at the population status, group composition and activity patterns of the grey and pink river dolphins. This research is conducted from small boats. Observations are taken of every dolphin sited and include information on the species, number of individuals in the group, age, and activity. Censuses are also conducted with fixed transects. The information will help determine the conservation status of the dolphins and the importance of the Pacaya-Samiria as a refuge of these magnificent animals.

Research on the caimans is looking at the abundance, species composition, habitat use, and feeding ecology. The speckled caiman, broad-snouted caiman and black caiman live along the river and in lakes of Pacaya-Samiria. Work on the caimans will be conducted in small boats during the night using spot lights. Direct observations will be taken and on occasion a caiman will be captured and released to take morphometric and dietary data. The caimans have an increasing population in the Pacaya-Samiria, but are vulnerable to fishermen who occasionally hunt them for commercial trade. This study is monitoring the conservation status of the caimans and is working with the local communities to help protect these most interesting animals.

The infrastructure, services, food and accommodation on the research boats are of comfortable standards. Treated drinking water is used for all meals and drinks; cabins are air conditioned with mosquito netting, mattresses, and full bedding; toilets and showers are shared and you bathe with clean river water; and food includes fresh fish, chicken, other meats, vegetables, and fruits. Food is prepared by the crew, but we always appreciate any new ideas for dishes and seasonings, and you can help in the kitchen as much as you like. Clothes can be washed by the crew at a minimal charge. Towels and hand soap will be provided. A limited and selected range of alcoholic drinks will be available in the evening at standard bar prices. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70's. Emergency and health services are available through the assistance of a fully equipped military hospital and float plane evacuation. Research vessels 'Lobo del Rio' & 'Nutria' The Research boats 'Lobo de Rio' & 'Nutria' will be used for this expedition. The research vessel, Lobo de Rio, is a 75 foot steel hulled boat with two 215 hp diesel motors, full electronics, including sonar, night vision, GPS, satellite telephone, short-wave and CB radios, freezer, and generators. The boat can sleep up to 16 researchers in cabins, plus crew, and has a full kitchen, toilets, and shower facilities.

The research vessel, Nutria, is a 50 foot steel hulled boat with a 250 hp diesel motor, full electronics, and generator. The boat can sleep up to 6 researchers in cabins, plus crew, and has a kitchen, toilet, and shower facilities. There are also numerous auxiliary wooden and aluminum boats and canoes, which make it possible to work along smaller rivers and streams. The Lobo de Rio and Nutria give the research teams the versatility they need to conduct studies in remote regions of the Peruvian Amazon for months at a time without having to re-supply and with the security of communication.

The first ALLERCA Foundation expedition to Pacaya-Samiria leaves Iquitos on 15th August 2006, travels down the Amazon River and reaches the Ungurahui station on the 17th August. 

ITINERARY AND SCHEDULE 

Arrive at Iquitos via Lima

Visit attractions in Iquitos (here you can buy any last minute
supplies: the city is well stocked with almost anything you might want).

Board the Research Boat "Lobo de Rio". Depart Iquitos and travel up the Amazon 16 hours to Nauta. 

Short stop at Nauta. Travel up the Maranon River 12 hours passing indigenous and ribereno villages. Enter the Samiria River and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. 

Travel 10 hour up the Samiria River to the Ungurahui station.

Discussion sessions will be held in the evening before dinner is served, and ad hoc explanations will be given as we pass sites of interest. 

We will have 7 days to conduct research and observe wildlife. Daily activities will consist of break-out groups. You have the option to rotate between groups or focus your activities on some more than others. The team leaders are very flexible in this regard, because we realize that some people are more interested in certain activities, whilst others want a taste of everything. 

The daily break-out group schedule is:

5:30 - 9:00 am Macaw surveys using river transects
10:00 am-12:00 Dolphin survey using river transects
2:00 - 4:00 pm Dolphin survey using river transects
4:30 - 7:00 pm Macaw surveys using river transects
7:00 am -3 pm Mammalian and large game bird terrestrial transects
9:00 pm - Midnight Caiman surveys using river transects

On our return trip we will stop at the Indian village of San Martin at the mouth of the Samiria. Once we leave the mouth of Samiria our return travel to Iquitos will be 16 hours.

Breakfast will be served between 6:00 - 10:00 am
Lunch will be served between 12:00 - 4 pm
Dinner will be served at 8:00 pm
Evening discussion groups will be at 7:00-8:00 pm nightly

Recommended list of supplies:

1. Rubber boots or walking boots
2. Field clothes
3. Rain gear
4. Insect repellent
5. Sun block
6. Personal medicines (ie. aspirin, cortaid, burn and cut ointment, bandages, etc.)
7. Extractor and pressure bandage (ankle)
8. Personnel washing supplies
9. Binoculars (light weight)
10. Field notebook, black or waterproof pens
11. Flashlight with extra batteries
12. Camera
13. Water bottle

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL US AT EXPEDITIONS@ALLERCAFOUNDATION.ORG