SPOTLIGHT ON FAUNA - The Western Emerald Treeboa


One of the classic Amazonian animals is the beautiful Emerald Treeboa (Corallus caninus). Strictly arboreal, this slow moving snake is seldom seen, even by local residents. Recently, based on DNA studies in which GreenTracks was a participant, the Emerald Treeboa was shown to consist of two species. The snake found in the Upper Amazon Basin is now called Corallus batesi, a name that honors Henry Walter bates, who wrote a classic 19th century book, The Naturalist on the River Amazons.

The photos shown here are of Corallus batesi.

Like the Emerald Treeboa, Corallus batesi undergoes a remarkable transition, starting life as a red snake and eventually becoming green.

This marvelously camouflaged reptile has been known to remain in one spot for days. They are active at night and we find them on GreenTracks trips by using flashlights to spot the reflective eye in the trees.



A LOOK AT BOOKS

Smithsonian Atlas of the Amazon
by Michael Goulding, Ronaldo Barthem, Efrem Ferreira. 2003.
Smithsonian Books.

The authors, all respected authorities on the region, treat the Amazon from its source high in the Peruvian Andes, to its mouth. They describe the Amazon based on its thirteen largest tributaries, each with a unique personality shaped by geography, ecology, recent geologic history, and mankind. The photographs are outstanding, and there are 150 color maps. This is the best overview ever written on the subject. “I was entranced when I saw [from orbit]...the mirror of the Amazon Basin, with its swamps and backwaters, like the bewitching eye of the continent...”– Oleg Markarov, cosmonaut.



AMAZON WILDLIFE RIVERBOAT CRUISE

A journey deep into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve of Peru on a historic Rubber Boom era riverboat.


If you want a more intimate experience of the Amazon and deeper insights about the land, the cultures and the animals, consider the GreenTracks 7 Day / 6 Night Amazon Riverboat Wildlife Cruise. The location is a great one: deep within Peru's Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in a zone of restricted access. Simply put, it is one of the least visited and most beautiful parts of the Amazon Basin.


With frequent excursions off the riverboat by small boats and hiking the rainforest trails, you will observe exciting wildlife and astounding plant life. GreenTracks' own guides will help reveal to you many of the secrets of the Amazon.

The riverboats we use for this GreenTracks tour are the only riverboats with permits to actually travel into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. All other riverboats only cruise to the edge of the reserve and take day excursions into the reserve by small boat. On the GreenTracks Amazon Riverboat Wildlife Cruise deep into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve you will see much more wildlife and experience the "real" Amazon.

More information...











 GreenTracks Web Site

NEW GREENTRACKS PERU TOUR PACKAGES

To make it easy for travelers to choose a muti-destination travel program in Peru, GreenTracks has put together a series of Standard Tours that combine some of the best of diverse and fascinating Peruvian destinations. These programs make it quick and easy for travelers to find and book a tour that includes what they desire to experience. Peru is a land of unrivaled landscapes, the most biologically rich ecosystems on the planet, including almost untouched tropical rainforest, communities of indigenous people, a rich colonial history, and well-preserved vestiges of ancient civilizations.

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Amazon Expedition Cruise & Machu Picchu
(14 Days/ 13 Nights)

The classic Peru tour that includes an Amazon riverboat cruise, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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The Inca Experience
(6 Days/ 5 Nights)

This program gives those with limited time the opportunity to see Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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Peru Eco Adventure
(9 Days/ 8 Nights)

For people interested in ecosystems, wildlife and culture and history a trip that includes Sandoval Lake Lodge in the Amazon, the Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail hike and Machu Picchu.

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Inca Odyssey
(9 Days/ 8 Nights)

Designed for people interested in light adventure that includes Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Classic Inca Trail hike and Machu Picchu.

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Ancient Cultures & Treasures
(10 Days/ 9 Nights)

Gives those with a love for archeology and history the opportunity to see the Northern Kingdoms of the Lambayeque, Chimu and Moche, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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Footprints of the Incas
(10 Days/ 9 Nights)

The most popular trek in the world - the Discovery Inca Trail hike. This program also includes Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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Taste of Peru
(17 Days/ 16 Nights)

An exploration of the southern part of Peru that includes the colonial city of Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest at the Heath River Wildlife Center.

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Peru Explorer
(19 Days/ 18 Nights)

An all inclusive journey that includes Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the altiplano, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail hike, Machu Picchu, Manu Wildlife Center, Ballestas Islands and a flight over the Nazca Lines.

With these programs GreenTracks combines great experiences, adventure, wildlife, archeology and culture, all in Private Service. GreenTracks has nearly 20 years of experience in Peru and provides the best service and tours available.



THE GOOD GUYS - Survival International

The movement for tribal peoples.


Survival International is the only international organization supporting tribal peoples worldwide. Founded in 1969 after an article by Norman Lewis in the UK’s Sunday Times highlighted the massacres, land thefts and genocide taking place in Brazilian Amazonia. Like many modern atrocities, the racist oppression of Brazil’s Indians took place in the name of ‘economic growth’.

Today, Survival has supporters in 82 countries. We work for tribal peoples’ rights in three complementary ways: education, advocacy and campaigns. We also offer tribal people themselves a platform to address the world. We work closely with local indigenous organizations, and focus on tribal peoples who have the most to lose, usually those most recently in contact with the outside world.

We believe that public opinion is the most effective force for change. Its power will make it harder, and eventually impossible, for governments and companies to oppress tribal peoples.

Survival International