PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPEDITION 2018 Laguna del Tigre National Park. The largest protected area in Guatemala. Home to over 90 species of amphibians and reptiles. Here we find South American iconic species such as red-eyed treefrogs, basilisks, boa constrictors, and fer-delance. LAGUNA DEL TIGRE NATIONAL PARK Estación Biológica las Guacamayas, GUATEMALA 2 WEEK PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPEDITION 10-23 August 2018
Contents 03 Welcome 04 Expedition Leader 05 Laguna del Tigre 06 National Park 07 Map 08 Itinerary 09 Photography 12 Travel 13 What to Bring 14 Top Species List 14 Travel Notes 15 Testimonials
Welcome In the North of Guatemala lies Laguna del Tigre National Park, the largest protected area in the country. It is home to over 300 species of birds, 40 mammals, and over 90 species of amphibians and reptiles. The forest of Laguna del Tigre give you the perfect opportunity to explore Guatemalan amphibian and reptile species. The species you will encounter here are a unique combination of South and North American species. Here we will find and photograph South American icons such as red-eyed treefrogs, basilisks, boa constrictors, and fer-de-lance. We will also encounter North American species such as indigo snakes, milk snakes, leopard frogs, and speckled racers. Photographic Expedition places are limited to 12. Thank you for expressing an interest to explore with us! Any more questions? Please just get in touch! info@explorewithindigo.com Rowland Griffin - Director, Indigo Expeditions INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 3
EXPEDITION LEADER Rowland Griffin HERPETOLOGIST Advocate for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. rowland@explorewithindigo.com The sheer range of herpetofauna is mind blowing, and those that have been recorded combined with the fact that species new to the park are recorded each year makes every walk in the forest or trip down the river a thrilling experience. Indigo s commitment to supporting conservation across Guatemala is inspiring and provides a taste of what being at the forefront of a regions conservation is like. ~ JOSH SMITH
Laguna del Tigrel Source of the San Pedro river INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 5
National Park NATIONAL PARK The Laguna del Tigre National Park is the largest core zone within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. It covers 289,000 hectares of forest in the northwestern corner of Guatemala. The forest of Laguna del Tigre is classed as Tropical Humid Forest and receives around 1600mm of rain annually. The limestone bedrock undulates creating drier forest on the hills and wetter forest in the low lying areas. The forest is taller and denser in these low lying areas that are known as bajos. Like many tropical forests Laguna del Tigre is under pressure from agriculture and illegal logging. The research you will be contributing to during your expedition will help us protect the biodiversity of the region. SAN PEDRO & SACLUC The San Pedro and Sacluc rivers are important components of the ecosystem here. They provide resources for fish, birds, turtles and crocodiles. LAS GUACAMAYAS We work in the southeast region of Laguna del Tigre in the forests around Estación Biológica Las Guacamayas and the ancient Mayan city of Wak'a. The Estación Biológica Las Guacamayas can be found on the banks of the San Pedro. This will be our base during your expedition to Laguna del Tigre National Park. With its first class facilities, it is perfectly situated for easy access to our study sites, and to allow us to continue our exploration of Laguna del Tigre. MAYAN RUINS OF WAK A The Mayan ruins of Wak'a (also known as El Perú) are situated 7km from the banks of the San Pedro river. Little explored, and still covered by forest, this city is steeped in secrets and mystery. If conditions allow we will make the journey here by foot. This allows us to observe the abundant wildlife in the forests here. INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 6
EXPEDITION MAP ESTACIÓN BIOLÓGICA LAS GUACAMAYAS MEETING POINT CITY OF FLORES ARRIVAL LA AURORA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (GUA) GUATEMALA CITY
Itinerary EXPEDITION DAY 1: DEPART FLORES Your Expedition starts in Flores. After breakfast, we travel into Laguna del Tigre National Park by road for 2.5 hours. At the community of Paso Caballos, and the source of the San Pedro River, we will be met by boat and take the 30 minute river journey to Las Guacamayas. We can expect to see abundant wildlife along the river banks from herons to osprey, and river turtles to crocodiles. We will arrive at Las Guacamayas in time for a late lunch. After we get settled in, we will spend the afternoon getting oriented with our surroundings. In the late afternoon and evening we will take our first trek into the forest. DAY 2: After a hearty breakfast we will spend some time learning about the various reptile and amphibian species that are commonly found in the expedition location. Later we will take a long hike through the forest to get used to being in the tropical environment, and to tune into our vibrant surroundings. In the evening there is the opportunity to do a night hike to look for reptiles & amphibians. DAY 3 THROUGH 13: Over the next 11 days we will trek through various habitats from rivers and swamps, to agricultural forest edge and dense low lying forest deep in the National Park. We will also get the chance to visit the little explored Mayan ruins of Waka el Peru that are a day s hike from Las Guacamayas. Some of the many species of reptiles and amphibians we might expect to find here include red-eyed treefrogs, casque-headed treefrogs, helmeted iguanas, boa constrictors, coral snakes and fer-de-lance to name a few. Other sightings may include spider monkeys, tayra, howler monkeys, coatis, armadillos, tapir and even the elusive jaguar. DAY 14: RETURN TO FLORES After breakfast we will leave Las Guacamayas and return to Flores. We will arrive in time for a late lunch. In the evening the group has the opportunity to meet for a final meal before heading home the following day. Expedition Dates: 10 to 23 August 2018 INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 8
Photography INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 9
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Travel ARRIVAL Please arrive in Guatemala City the day BEFORE your expedition starts. Most International flights to La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City arrive in the evening. DAY 1: FIRST DAY OF EXPEDITION Fly from Guatemala City to Flores on the morning of the FIRST DAY. We recommend you take the domestic flight operated by Avianca. Flights leave Guatemala City in the early morning, and arrive in Flores in plenty of time for your Photographic Expedition! You will be met at Flores airport by the Indigo Team when you arrive. We will then go for a welcome breakfast in Flores. After breakfast we head off into Laguna del Tigre National Park! THE EXPEDITION! You will be based full board at Las Guacamayas. LAST DAY OF EXPEDITION We depart Las Guacamayas. DEPARTURE Please arrange your domestic flight from Flores to Guatemala City the day AFTER the last day of your expedition. A taxi can easily be arranged for your airport transfer at the Casa Amelia Reception. Early morning flights from Flores arrive in Guatemala City in plenty of time to check-in for your international flight. FOOD & ACCOMMODATION You will be based full board at our research sites. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal. And plenty of fresh drinking water. EXPEDITION DATES 10 to 23 August 2018 2 weeks * NOTE: YOU MAY NEED TO BOOK A HOTEL IN GUATEMALA CITY ON YOUR ARRIVAL AND PRE-DEPARTURE DAYS. * We head back to Flores after a leisurely breakfast, and upon arrival you have a free day. We usually arrive in time for a late lunch. In the evening there is the option to meet up for a final meal. We recommend staying one night in Flores and arrange to fly out the following morning. We can recommend the Casa Amelia which is clean, friendly and in a great location! INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 12
What to bring While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, it is recommended to bring these items with you on your Indigo Expedition: TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Passport and other travel documents, including your travel insurance policy. It is also a good idea to bring duplicates of these documents and a photocopy of your passport. ESSENTIAL FIELD KIT Camera and/or binoculars: And other photographic equipment. Sturdy walking boots: Essential! Field clothes: At least two sets of suitable field clothes. Quick drying long sleeved tops and trousers. We recommend thicker fabrics as they will protect you from biting insects more effectively. Don t forget a sun hat! Waterproofs: Light weight waterproof jacket & waterproof trousers. Casual wear: Clothes to relax in, including warmer items for the evening. Day pack: For carrying cameras, batteries, snacks and water etc. Batteries: For any electrical equipment such as head torch and camera. Rechargeables if possible. Head torch: You will need a decent head torch for nocturnal surveys. ESSENTIAL minimum 200 lumens. Adaptors: For plugging in, and recharging, equipment and batteries. Guatemala uses a standard US two pin plug. Zip lock bags and dry bags: These help keep important documents and electrical equipment dry and free of humidity. TOP TIP: add sachets of silica gel to zip lock bags and dry bags with the things you need to protect from humidity. Water bottle and rehydration sachets. Insect repellant: Lots of it! Preferably natural and non-deet formula. Please note: DEET is harmful to amphibians and reptiles. Personal Medical Kit: Please bring a basic first aid travel kit. Please note although Indigo Expeditions has medical kits, it can not provide any medication to volunteer researchers. OTHER ITEMS Snacks: while you will receive three meals a day while on your expedition, field work can be hard going and having some dried fruit or nuts, cereal bars and energy bars are highly recommended. Prescription medicines: Bring enough to last the expedition. Anti-malarials and immunizations: We recommend that you seek the advice of a medical professional regarding anti-malarials and any immunisations you may need. Toileteries: Including travel towel, talcum powder, sun block, and ear plugs! INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY. 0 13
Top Species RED-EYED TREEFROGS CASQUE-HEADED TREEFROGS SMALL-HEADED TREEFROGS MAHOGANY TREEFROGS HELMETED IGUANAS DWARF GECKOS STRIPED BASILISKS YUCATÁN BANDED GECKOS METALLIC AMEIVAS BOA CONSTRICTORS MILK SNAKES PARROT SNAKES SPECKLED RACERS TIGER RATSNAKES INDIGO SNAKES FER-DE-LANCE CORAL SNAKES MORELETS CROCODILE INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY 0 14
Travel Notes
Testimonials I have learned so much during my time here I have learned so much during my time here, not only about the world of herpetology and wildlife conservation but about myself too. Indigo Expeditions has helped me realise that I am more than capable of surpassing what I thought I was able to do. ~ HANNAH KEENAN Research Assistant For a student without tropical field experience it has been an opportunity like no other. The sheer range of herpetofauna is mind blowing, and those that have been recorded combined with the fact that species new to the park are recorded each year makes every walk in the forest or trip down the river a thrilling experience. Indigo s commitment to supporting conservation across Guatemala is inspiring and provides a taste of what being at the forefront of a regions conservation is like. Every volunteer can make a difference, and being a part of this effort has been an honour. It is an environment where you can find the freedom to grow in your own right as well as being taught by an exceptionally sound herpetologist. ~ JOSH SMITH Research Assistant INDIGO EXPEDITIONS UNITY IN DIVERSITY. 0 16
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