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TRAILS NETWORK 1. Colibri Trail The Colibri Trail is named after the many species of hummingbirds found here, including Goulds Jewelfront and Fiery Topaz. The trail begins in a loop behind the Lodge and proceeds through a type of forest known as old vārzea. It crosses two small streams, a clear water and a white water. Along this trail you will find Straight-Billed Hermit and White-crowned Manakin leks, with males gathering for competitive mating) along this trail. The rare Wing-banded Antbird is also sometimes seen. In addition, there is an excellent chance of seeing large mammals. (3 hours of hiking) 2. Misterioso Trail To reach the Misterioso Trail, we will take either a motorized or a dugout paddle canoe downstream to a one-way path through riparian, old vārzea, and terra firma forest areas. According to the local people, this trail would lead to a hidden clay lickit took several expeditions before we could find it! Here you can see the Ochre-striped Antpitta, Yellow-bellied Spider Monkey, and one of the largest known leks, the Golden-headed Manakin. Wonderful mixed flocks provide exciting entertainment for birdwatchers. (3-4 hours of hiking) 3. Moretal Trail Crossing the Shiripuno River just in front of the Lodge, this one-way trail takes us inside the Moriche Palm Swamp. This is one of the best places to get a close look at the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, especially in the late afternoon and when the palms are fruitful. Fresh tracks of the Brazilian Tapir and Collared Peccary are also easily seen. Make sure to bring a flashlight. (2 hours of hiking) 4. Mirador Trail With a 15-minute ride in a motorized canoe upstream from the Lodge, we reach habitats that include old vārzea forest and terra firma forest. Parkia, Ficus and Ceiba trees are common. The overlook 310 meters above sea level is a perfect vantage point for looking down over the multicolored forest canopy. Common-woolly Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and jaguar tracks are also easy to find. (4-5 hours of hiking) 5. Saladero Trail The one-way Saladero Trail is 30 minutes downstream from the Lodge by motorized canoe. It proceeds through various habitats such as riparian forest, moriche palm swamp, old vārzea forest, and terra firma forest. The Musician Wren, Striped Manakin, Yellow-Bellied Spider Monkey, and the Vanilla orchid are found here. A clay lick, where different species of large mammals as well as the Cobalt-winged Parakeet and Scarlet Macaw gather to get their minerals, provides one of the main highlights of this trail. Here, as on most trails, we practice silence in order not to frighten or disturb the wildlife. (4-5 hours of hiking) 6. Laguna Nutria Just 10 minutes in a motorized canoe brings us to a meandering oxbow lake, distinctive from those found on larger waterways such as the Napo River. The bizarre looking Hoatzin lives there, as well as the Neotropical river otter. (1 hour) 7. Carue Trail The Carue Trail forks from the Colibri Trail. A Golden-headed Manakin lek marks the beginning of this mixed-terrain trail, consisting of flat and high terra firma forest. The trail is named after Carue, one of our star Huaorani guides. (3-4 hours of hiking) 8. E.O. Wilson Trail This trail was named in honor of the revered biologist and environmentalist. It starts from the right side of the Lodge and continues over two small forest swamps, then connects to the Carue trail in the hill. Monk Saki Monkey is often found here. (4 hours) 9. Wallace Trail Named after a great English naturalist of the 1800s, Alfred R. Wallace, this short forst path connects the Colibri and E.O. Wilson trails. The Rufous-tailed Flatbill is regularly seen. (1 hour) 10. Ahuancamo Trail This trail is on the other side of the river, and traverses through typical Shiripuno riparian forest terrain. It is home to the Chestnut-headed Crake, Blackish Antbird, Chestnut-capped Puffbird and others This short trail connects with the Moretal Trail. (45 minutes) 11. Bates Trail Bates Trail begins from the left side of the Lodge, passes by a massive Leafcutter Ants colony,and follows the river downstream to connect with Colibri Trail. It is named after Henry W. Bates, a great English naturalist of the 1800s. (1 hour)
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