Visiting Waterfall Alhfeld and Arco Iris - REFERENCE PROGRAM
SIX DAYS PROGRAM
DAY 1 Morning: Santa Cruz - Flor de Oro by airplane.
The flight will take up to 2 hours. Flor de Oro is located right on the banks of the Iténiz river in the extreme north-central section of the park. Therefore, en route to the park, you will fly over hundreds of kilometers of pristine rainforest, as well as the magnificent Caparú Plateau with its red cliffs and two very impressive waterfalls named Ahfeld and Arco Iris. When we arrive in Flor de Oro where we will meet with the staff and check into our rooms. Lunch in Flor de Oro
North trail (Cerrado & riverside forest to first bay
After settling in at the lodge and a relaxing lunch we dive straight in to our wilderness adventure - in the high forest of the North trail. On this three hour walk we may see any of a great number of birds, along with fruits and flowers. Forest mammal sightings of monkeys, capybara and peccaries are also common. We then pass by a large riverine lake before coming out and sampling the wildlife of the savannah for our round trip sunset return to Flor de Oro for supper.
DAY 2 Morning: River Transfer Flor de Oro - Ahlfeld Camp (Várzea forest, aquatic, and river-edge vegetation)
The adventure really begins on this second day. Up early, we take the five hour boat ride down the Itenez and onto the Paucerna River, up to the Ahlfield lodge. This cabin is really remote so we might see anything - to give an idea, previous visitors have quite often seen Jaguars out on the beaches of the Paucerna! Abundant wildlife typical of Amazonian river and forest edge is assured.
Lunch in Alhfled Camp
Afternoon: After a hasty meal we take the lower trail (40 mins) to the base of the Ahlfeld Falls where anyone with a camera will be well rewarded and everyone will appreciate the great natural beauty of this unique formation, before enjoying a refreshing swim in the large plunge pool. The trail to the falls takes us through good upland forest, so don't be surprised if we get sidetracked with a group of Spider Monkeys or a pair of curassows on the way.
If you didn't get enough of the waterfalls yesterday, don't worry. Today the other trail will take us to the most spectacular location; a 40 minute hike through more excellent forest, to the head of the falls themselves.
Lunch in Alhfeld Camp
DAY 4 Full Day: Ahlfeld Camp - Arco Iris Waterfalls
From the Ahlfeld camp we now go all the way. Past the breathtaking Ahlfeld Falls, yes, stop and look once more, but now we go on to perhaps the most extraordinary of all the natural features of Noel Kempff National Park: the Arco Iris Falls. On a three hour trail that takes us through forest, then up through Cerrado and Campo Rupestre, a rocky formation that boasts many orchids and cactuses, we arrive at the lookout above the famous rainbow waterfalls. Just try describing the view! A huge cascade of water tumbling off a vertical cliff, a towering rock standing like a sentinel in front that divides the water-carved canyon in two, all set in pristine tropical forest as far as the eye can see. And you are looking down on this from above. We'll drag you away from it some time in the early afternoon.
DAY 5 Morning: Round Ahlfeld Camp
A do as you like morning in Ahlfeld Camp, which you may wish to spend over on the other side of the river swimming and feeling the pulse of crystalline water from one of the lesser falls massaging your whole body.
Lunch Alhfeld Camp
Afternoon: Ahlfeld Camp - Flor de Oro
After another refreshing meal in the deep forest we make our leisurely way back to Flor de Oro, spotting wildlife on the way and arriving around dusk. This time is great for nightjar-watching as these graceful, long-tailed birds come out at dusk and will be around us over the water as we get back to Flor de Oro.
DAY 6 Morning: South trail (Cerrado & riverside forest to first bay)
A morning walk down to the first bay above Flor de Oro rounds off our trip. This is the time to look for anything we may have missed before on the river or, if you can't get enough of those Pink River Dolphins, this is your last chance to wave goodbye. If we have time, we'll go into the riverside forest at the end of the South trail too so you can give your last regards to the howler monkeys as well.
Lunch in Flor de Oro
Afternoon: Transfer Flor de Oro - Santa Cruz
Tour includes:
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight in small private airplane to Flor de Oro
- Experienced Spanish speaking local guide in Flor de Oro
- Excursions
- Transport in small motor boat in Flor de Oro
- Overnight stay in cabins
- Great meals
What we recommend to take with you:
- Backpack
- comfortable walking shoes
- Insect repellent
- Sun block
- Hat against the sun
- Binoculars
- Trousers and shirt with long sleeves
- Warm sweater
- Bathing clothes
This tour can only be done in the rainy season (roughly December - June). Keep in mind that the program may change due to special circumstances like bad weather conditions.
