Ecotourism - Amazon Rainforest - Sustainable Development on the Rio Jauaperi

The activity of ecological tourism, successfully promoted and enabled by AA, generates important income for the people of the area. Small groups of visitors are accommodated in specially built Amerindian style malocas from where they are taken out on canoe journeys, guided walks and fishing trips. Species which are extremely common in the Xixuau’-Xiparina’ compared to other parts of the Amazon are the Giant Otter, Boto and Tucuxi dolphins, manatees, anaconda, coral snakes, turtles, saki, spider, capuchin, squirrel and howler monkeys, marmosets, tamarins, anteaters, kinkajous, ocelot, jaguar, tapir,peccary, paca, armadillos, caymen (black, spectacled, stone head) deer and a host of bird species. In the heart of the reserve is an area of buriti palm trees where hundreds of macaws nest. In this area a number of permanent observation towers have been build . Parrots, toucans, parakeets, hoatzins, humming birds, ibises, egrets, herons, harpies, ducks, jacamars, potoos, wood peckers, storks, terns, spoonbills, eagles and falcons make the reserve a bird watchers paradise. The river teems with fish and sports fishing is an increasing attraction with excellent rainbow bass, piranha, pirarara, surubim, aruana, acara, pacu, aracu, etc. The reserve is situated almost exactly on the equator and the seasons are defined by high water (March-September) and low water (October – February). During the high water season the area is characterised by vast tracts of igapo’ (flooded forest) and the low water season presents immense sandy beaches and extreme concentrations of aquatic life. Transport to the reserve is by regional boat and outboards are used along the main river and at the entrance to the reserve. All movements inside the reserve are by paddle canoe and on foot through the forest. In late 2007 construction began on a new eco-tourism complex of six malocas, which will be able to accommodate up to 20 guests. This development has been financed by a grant from the local government of Trento, Italy. To visit the Xixuau Reserve it is necessary to be a member of the Amazon Association, which has a 30 euro subscription fee. The cost of the travel (about two weeks) is 900 euros for each person and includes room and board, transport to and from the reserve, payment of local guides, contribution to all the projects of environmental conservation, development of local comunities, membership fee to Amazon Association Onlus. The flight is not included in the cost of the travel, and each turist has to book the flight by himself. To participate in the trip we require an advance of 200 euros within a month of the departure date. We remind you that funds paid to any Onlus are entirely tax deductable (article 14 of Law Decree n.35 of March 14, 2005). It is sufficient to keep your receipt of bank transfer. For further informations about the travel to Xixuau Xiparina Reserve, please contact: chiara_tosi@yahoo.com; eman_evan@hotmail.com