5 days/ 4 nigths.

The Biodiversity of the Heart of the Paraguayan Chaco.

PBNPY5_5 days/ 4 nigths

This 5-day tour will allow you to quickly and entertainingly navigate the great biodiversity of this "green ocean", as the Chaco Boreal was also known at the time of the conquest of America. Great zones of this region conserve an exemplary sample of the Chaco landscape, including the transition from semi-arid zones to most humid ones close to the rivers, characterized among others by the spectacular saltwater lagoons of the Central Chaco. The vegetation in this area conserves mixed savannahs, humid tropical forests, shrubby forests and seasonally flooded lands.

The Chaco is home to a great diversity of birds; more than 500 species are found in the Paraguayan Chaco.  About 30 species and subspecies are considered endemic to the Chaco Biome, 18 of them are found in Paraguay, and the elusive sub-species of Spotted Nothura, the Chaco Nothura is exclusive to Paraguay, and it is very possible to see it during this tour. Of course the mammals will be necessarily part of our adventure, because fortunately it is inevitable that we cross paths with them since the Chaco is, without any doubt, one of the best place in South America to observe mammals, and a large variety of snakes, lizards and frogs will surprise you with a highlight for these last two with interesting species such as; Coraline Frog, Paradox Frog, Fuscous Frog, Horned Toad, Rococo Toad and Granulated Toad, Shovel-nosed Chamber Frog and Weeping Dwarf Frog, among others. Reptiles might include Green Jungle Runner, Western Collared Spiny Lizard, Chaco Leaf-footed Gecko, Chaco Straight-toed Gecko, Four-toed Whiptail Lizard and Point-nosed False Chameleon and many others.

Tour details

  • Length: 5 days
  • Species in the trip: 470 Number of Bird Species Expected: 170 - 230
  • Tour Pace & Walking: Some long drives, mostly relaxed with some night drives and walks.
  • Focus: Bird and wildlife observation
  • Recommended season: From July to November*.
  • Suggested extensions: Depending on the number of additional days you have and the species of your interest, we suggest that you observe our list of Paraguayan and Regional Tours that are easy to connect.

Ecoregions visited in this tour

Go to our Photo Gallery
Jaguarundi_© Oscar Rodriguez
Jaguarundi_© Oscar Rodriguez
Chaco Eagle_© Oscar Rodriguez
Chaco Eagle_© Oscar Rodriguez
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper_© John Sterling
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper_© John Sterling
Stripe-backed Antbird_© John Sterling
Stripe-backed Antbird_© John Sterling
Scissor-tailed Nightjar_© John Sterling
Scissor-tailed Nightjar_© John Sterling
Giant Anteater_© John Sterling
Giant Anteater_© John Sterling

Top species of Birds

Below is the list of Dry Chaco endemic birds that are found in Paraguay and in bold the 15 species that we hope to observe in this tour: Brushland Tinamou, Quebracho Crested-tinamou, Chaco Chachalaca, Chaco Owl, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Black-bodied Woodpecker, Black-legged Seriema, Spot-winged Falconet, Crested Gallito, Great Rufous Woodcreeper,Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Chaco Earthcreeper, Crested Hornero, Dinelli’s Doradito, Cinereous Tyrant, Many-colored Chaco-finch, Black-capped Warbling-Finch and Stripe-capped Sparrow. Additionally, there is an important variety of species well associated to the Chaco, difficult to observe in other places and that are found with greater abundance in the Paraguayan Chaco, some of them are: In the Humid Chaco; Jabiru, Maguari and Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbill, Savanna,Great Black and Black-collared Hawk, Snail Kite, Limpkin, Giant Wood-Rail, Wattled Jacana, Plumbeous,Bare-faced and Buff-necked Ibis, Swainson's and Brown-crested Myiarchus, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Vermillion Flycatcher, White-faced Whistling-Duck and Brazilian Duck, Scaly-headed Parrot, Nanday, Blue-crowned, Monk Parakeets and Turquoise-fronted Parrot. In the Central Chaco; Great Horned Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Scissor-tailed and Little Nightjar, Pauraque, Golden-collared Macaw. In the Dry Chaco; Stripe-backed Antbird, Black-crested Finch,  Ringed Warbling-Finch, Harris and Zone-tailed Hawks, the endangered Chaco Eagle and Black-backed Grosbeak.

Top species of Mammals

Jaguar, Puma, Jaguarundi, Ocelote and Geoffroy´s Cat, Lowland Tapir,  Chaco, Collared and White-lipped Peccary,Azara’s Night Monkey and  Chacoan Titi Monkey, Three-banded, Six-banded and Lesser Hairy Armadillos, Maned Wolf, Crab-eating and Pampa´s Fox, Crab-eating Raccoon, Grey Brocket Deer, and Chaco Mara,  Giant and Tamandua Anteaters.

Bird list of Top Hotspots

Tour Map

Program Summary

Day 1 - HUMID CHACO. Early In the morning, we will cross the Paraguay River and visit two ranches dedicated to livestock that are well preserved natural reserves. It conserves a rich variety of birds and mammals characteristic of the Humid Chaco and it will also be our gateway to the Great Chaco. After about 3 hours of bird watching, depending on the activity, we will continue. We will bird our way through the Humid Chaco on our way northwest. We will have lunch on the way to a restaurant well known for its tasty "empanadas", and then we will visit our next sites looking for the specialties of the Humid Chaco. Overnight in the Humid Chaco area.

Day 2 - LAGUNA CAPITAN, CHACO LODGE, IPAROMA RANCH. We will begin our drive west towards the region of saltwater lagoons. In the morning, we will visit the Laguna Capitan Reserve; this place will surprise us for its variety and quality of bird species, which will most likely already give us more than 1 of our Chaco target species. Then we will dedicate a half-day to go to Chaco Lodge Private Reserve in the main saltwater lagoons of the central Chaco area. Our birding of the Dry Chaco begins today and we will make sure to try some mammal-watching at night. Overnight in Iparoma Ranch.

Day 3 - IPAROMA RANCH, TENIENTE ENCISO NATIONAL PARK. Early in the morning, we will visit a natural reserve near Iparoma Ranch that will offer us excellent observation opportunities. We will have lunch on the ranch and then leave for Teniente Enciso National Park, one of the best preserved national parks that protects the fantastic diversity of the Dry Chaco. We will arrive at the end of the afternoon and we will go out to take our first walk. Overnight in Teniente Enciso NP.

Day 4 - TENIENTE ENCISO NATIONAL PARK, FORTIN TOLEDO. Early in the morning, we will head further north to the vicinity of the Médanos del Chaco National Park where we will observe the first vegetated dunes and their special fauna and flora. Then we will return to Teniente Enciso National Park and in the afternoon, we will walk through its very interesting trails. We will leave for Toledo. Overnight in Fortin Toledo.

Day 5 - FORTIN TOLEDO, ASUNCIÓN. We will have some time to bird and visit a breeding facility for the Chaco Peccary today in the morning. Then we will make our way back towards the southeast and we will make sure to stop and enjoy some birding and scenery as we head to Asunción.

(Note: Please book flights to arrive in Asunción one day before the start of the tour)

More information of the tour, contact us!

If you are interested in the tour and want more details, write to our e-mail and we will gladly help you build your ideal tour. Do not forget that all our tours are ready to be adapted to your needs (Examples: more or less tour days, special species that you want to observe, emphasis on the group of animals or plants of your preference, add cultural and / or anthropological content, type of lodgings, level of meals, etc.)

Important Notes

This Tour includes*:

  • All meals from lunch on first day to breakfast on the last day of the program (depending on the tour that you choose);
  • Bottled drinking water;
  • All lodgings of the tour mentioned in the program;
  • Ground transportation;
  • Reserve entrance fees; and
  • All guiding services (not including tips for local guides and services).

The tour fee does not include:

  • Visa fees;
  • ANY flights (see above);
  • Passenger insurance (we recommend taking passenger insurance for trips to Paraguay and the region);
  • Any alcoholic drinks;
  • Special gratuities; and
  • Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature and other items not mentioned as expressly included.
*: Likewise all services included and not included will be clearly stipulated in our travel agreement according to the characteristics of the tour and your needs.

To see more details of terms and conditions of our tours click here.