Satipo is 200 miles from Lima, the capital of Peru. The journey takes 6
hours in driving time, with a few stops in order to see butterflies living
in different altitudes, the whole route is extremely scenic, crossing
over the Andes passing the highest point at the Ticlio passat 4818 meters to
the warm and humid foothill town of Satipo at 632 meters of altitude surrounded
by plantations and indian villages.
Satipo is one of the
most important areas providing butterflies to collectors around the
world. Ensuring many different genus in a relatively small area, in this
trip we can collect more species of butterflies from different altitudinal
gradients than any other place in South America.
DAY
1 LIMA
Arriving at Jorge Chávez International Airport, Transfer from airport to
selected hotel, city tour (depending on arrival hour of flight).
DAY 2 LIMA / LA OROYA / SAN RAMOS /SATIPO
We will set off shortly before dawn, with a packed breakfast to enjoy with
hot drinks in the car, for the 310 km scenic journey crossing over the Andes.
The journey takes 6 hours in driving time, but it will still allow a few stops
to watch butterflies. Just after reaching a pass we will spend an hour at
a straw plain at 4000 meters of altitude at the paramo zone, that hold
genus Colias, holarctic species, we can found there Colias euxanthe
hermina, Colias lesbia andina and Colias verhulsthi.
Proceeding through
the mining town of La Oroya and the charming Tarma we will shortly reach
lusher vegetation which undoubtedly will contain many members of the families
NYMPHALIDAE, LYCAENIDAE and PIERIDAE. However, we will make best of the time to
get to our destination bungalow in Satipo.
Day 3 SATIPO
We will collect butterflies in the vicinity of the hotel in
the morning before breakfast and then continue on through to Satipo
town. After that, we will establish our camp at around 750 meters at
a river beach and here we will be based the coming days.
Day 4-6 SATIPO ROAD
We have three full days to explore this marvelous habitat, based in our
fully-serviced camp. The last night the camp will be moved up the road to
mariposas at 2,500 metres, This will allow us to explore the full range of
altitudinal gradients along the route. The lower section of the Satipo Road has
patches of lowland forest where interesting butterflies can be hunted, although
the habitat is not as pristine as along the upper section of the road, it have
many endemic species will ensure an exciting start at lowest lands, and
finished at 2500 metres wher we can found genus as Catasticta; eurigania
straminea, leucophaea leucophaea, modesta modesta, sisamnus telasco and
marcapita marcapita
Along the river or into the
woods we will look for fascinating Papilios, as Papilio Thoas, Paeon, zagreus
and many others, so we will catch diurnal iridescent moth, Urania Leilus, which
green and black scales are hypnotizing. Augmenting our collection with many
Hesperriidae living here. Collecting Agrias requires the use of traps, which
are hung and taken down at the end of the day, this method also gave us the
females of many species, in view that, contrary to the males, the females
prefer the security of the height trees.
Night collecting is
an adventure that requires of patience and pleasure for the hot
coffee, but it rewards with giant moths, this activity requires of traps of
light, additionally we took advantage for the search
of caterpillars. The densely hairy caterpillars of Morphos, live in
communal cocoons in trees until the time of pupation. At night they crawl out
in search of food, then return again to their spun homes, they live mainly on
creeping lianas
All kinds of possibilities
await as we explore the various habitats above the camp, including the dark
forest where the family brassolidae live, the largest and the most interesting
of this family are the so-called “owl Butterflies”, especially those of the
Caligo genus. These are very large, attractive butterflies. Their coloration,
too, is unique. Many have on the upper sides the iridescent deep blue shades of
the Morphos, and the males also have the scent scale.
Below the camp we hope for
the “star” endemic species, wonderfull blue morphos, like Morpho cacica and
Morpho Didius, the largest of the blue-coloured species.
Looking morphos to fly is a show out of this world, especially
when a group of them flies about among if.
Day 7
SATIPO / LIMA
After breakfast we will
leave to Lima, end of our services.
This trip
include:
Transportation by private
car from Lima to Satipo and back from Satipo to Lima
All Meals during trip
outside Lima
One night in a three star
hotel in Lima, two nights in a bungalow in satipo and three nights in a camp
Tents, mats and traps
Guides
Paper work for permissions
required for goverment
Not
included
Meals in Lima
Soft drinks and beers