The Great Paraguayan Chaco, the "Big 15 Endemic Chaco Birds" and the Amazing Mammals.
PBNPY4_10 days/ 9 nigths.
This fantastic 10-day tour to this site considered one of the last wild corners on the planet, will allow us to understand the expression "Chacu". Towards the end of the 15th Century, the Inca Empire was expanding its domains reaching the Great Chaco. In fact, the meaning of the word "Chaco" is related to the expression "Chacu", a term that denominated the ceremonial practice hunting of the inhabitants of the south of the Inca Empire. The fauna and the flora of the Chaco were, since then, valued for its splendor and diversity. In fact, the savannah of the Dry Chaco is part of the second largest ecosystem of South America, following the Amazon's. 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. Cruising the roads that cross the Paraguayan Chaco, one can observe large extensions of flooded palms, high forests of quebracho and, in the border zones of the Bolivian Chaco, sand formations typical of desert regions, covered by diverse species of thorny vegetation. This region contains a high diversity of flora, embracing nearly 4,000 different species of plants.
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. It also includes species that nest and remain in these territories as well as species that migrate annually from the north and from the south. Without any doubt that the Gran Chaco is the best place in South America to observe mammals throughout the American continent and that is the great plus of this trip. You will be surprised by the quantity and quality of mammals that you will add to your list!, 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: 10 days
- Species in the trip: 495 Number of Bird Species Expected: 240 – 300
- 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 Paraguay and Regional Tours that are easy to connect.
