1-Monkey jungle

This is a remaining patch of forest in close proximity to “el Roble” which is well worth a visit.

The best way to visit is to ask someone from the village to show you the way, mast people will know where you mean if you mention “Monos”.

Explore some of the paths inside for a chance to see capuchin monkeys and a number of interesting birds.

This trip can last an indefinite time, the forest patch takes around 10-15 minutes to reach, and time spent in the patch is up to the individual.

2-Rio Ypane hike

There are a number of routes to reach the Ypane, ask for guidance. It generally takes about 1 hour to walk to from “el Roble”. Paths run along some stretches of the river, and it is possible to walk from the bridge in Belen along the river to “el Roble”, but the path is difficult to follow in some areas.

If no path is evident through the gallery forest then there is normally a path on its edge, which is liable to run into the forest. This trip will show both gallery forest and small lagoons, which provide a good site for seeing water birds.

Two species of monkey are also found along this route (capuchin and howler monkeys) as well as a large number of interesting birds (trogons, toucans, aracaris) and agoutis.

This area can provide an interesting trip, however sturdy clothing is and boots are needed as many plants have spines.

3-Chaco trip

This trip requires at least ½ a day, because the area takes about 50 minutes to reach in a vehicle.

Once there ask for permission to pass and go around the edge of the large lagoon , take the road on the right which closely follows the edge of the forest patch and continue to follow this. During this part of the route it is possible the take smaller side routes into the forest-but return to the main route again, this part of the trip can reveal interesting birdlife, especially raptors.

Once an approximate semicircle has been skirted around then a line of trees should be clearly visible, which runs alongside a lagoon. This conceals a path, which should then be followed. This area has interesting wildlife, including snakes, caimen, large numbers of water birds, and possibly giant anteaters.

The end of the lagoon is marked by a comfortable resting place. The nearby area also has a large palm grove-this area can be explores, as it contains primates, Coati and possibly peccaries-however be sure to retrace your steps (angles can make it difficult to “guess” a return route).

The path though the trees can then be followed back, or alternately the hiker can return along the other side of the creek-to have a better view of the waterbirds.

When in the vehicle it is often worth having a closer look at any lagoons by bridges, as these often attract large numbers of waterbirds, rhea may also be present in the scrub-land surrounding the route.

 
Further outside

 
1-Laguna Negra

This trip requires special arrangement, as the area is 16km from Pasa Barrato.

The area boasts a small “zoo”, comfortable lodging (though you may need to bring your own food, there are fully equipped kitchens).

 There are a number of trails around the farm which can be explored either on foot or on horseback. Areas of special note include beaches, where swimming is possible and a large lagoon which has interesting waterbirds. At the right time of year boat trips may even be possible. There are a large number of interesting mammal species that can be seen here, and many interesting birds. This trip lasts several days, and requires an additional cost.

 

2-National park Cero Cora

The landscape is incredible, and the mirador is well worth visiting.

However the national park it self has little to offer, though the landscape is incredible-best to view it one the way to somewhere else!

 

3-Catarata de Ygauzu

These falls are phenomenal, and are apparently comparable to the Victoria falls. An expensive trip, but unmissable! Also a good photo opportunity for Coatis, which raid the bins!

 

4-Itaipu reserves and dam

The reserves which are under the control of Itaipu are incredible, with a huge amount of animal and birdlife, comfortable lodging and as they frequently state “completely free!”.

These areas offer a small piece of what Paraguay should be like, and due to higher precipitation is rainforest, and consequently dripping with orchids and full to bursting with mammal life.

To visit these areas prior arrangements should be made, as officials may enjoy the opportunity to exert power over you, which can lead you close to breakdown.

Trips are best for more than one person, and should last several days to maximise time in each reserve.

Trips should be arranged in advance, to simplify things and the officials will then be happy to transport you into and out of reserves as you arrange with them.- the following number may be usable:  00 595 61 57-2600

Please note that not all reserves have phones, and thus contact out may be difficult.

Hello Ornithologists,

This birds are proofed at Granja El Roble and an 30 km circel around in winter 2007 from Alice Hughes (University of Bristol) and Piotr Angiel (Warschau University). I am loockig anyway for an volunteer to complete this inventary in summerthime. If you are intrestet contact my per E-Mail.

amazon kingfisher

american anhinga

american kestrel

ash-colourd cuckoo

azure jay

azure shouldered tanager*

band-tailed manakin

barred antshrike

bay-winged cowbird

black hooded parakeet

black throated mango

black vulture

black-collared hawk

black-hooded parakeet

blond-crested woodpecker

blue-crowned trogon

blue-winged parakeet

boat billed flycatcher

brown-colored flycatcher

burrowing owl

canary winged parakeet

cattle tyrant

chaco chachalaca

chestnut eared aracari

chimango caracara

collared forest falcon

cream-backed woodpecker

creamy billed gnatcatcher

crested caracara

field flicker

fork tailed flychather

giant wood-rail

gilded hummingbird

glittering bellied emerald

golden billed saltator

golden-green woodpecker

golden-winged cacique

grassland yellowfinch

Grater rhea

gray monjita

great egret

great kiskadee

great rufous woodcreeper

green cheeked parakeet

green ibis

green kingfisher

grey-hooded parakeet

grey-necked wood-rail

guaira cuckoo

house sparrow

jaribu stork

ladder-tailed nightjar

laughing falcon

lesser yellow headed vulture

limpkin

little woodpecker

long-tailed nightjar

maguari stork

monk parakeet

moorhen

narrow-billed woodcreeper

Olivaceous Elaenia

pale-crested woodpecker

pheaant cuckoo

plain-breasted ground dove

plumbeous ibis

plush-crested jay

purplish jay

red-billed scythebill

red-crested cardinal

red-rumped cacique

ringed kingfisher

roadside hawk

roseate spoonbill

ruddy ground dove

rufescent tigerheron

rufous -bellied thrush

rufous sided crake

rufus homero

rusty coloured seedeater

saffron finch

savannah hawk

sayaca tanager

scarlet headed blackbird

scissor-billed woodcreeper

screaming cowbird

smooth billed ani

snowy egret

solitary cacique

southern lapwing

spot-backed puffbird

spot-flanked gallinule

spotted tinamou

squirral cuckoo

streamer tailed tyrant

tataupa tinamou

toco toucan

turkey vulture

turquoise-frounted parrot

vermillion flycatcher

whistling heron

white banded mocking bird

white monjita

white throated caracara

white woodpecker

white-barred piculet

white-bellied seedeater

white-eyed parakeet

white-headed marsh tyrant

white-necked heron

yellow winged blackbird

yellow-billed cardinal

yellow-headed caracara

El Roble, that is the deutsche Eiche, or for you, the German Oak. Please don't worry my national list since we are very underdeveloped. My second name is Gartner and that was always something between an omen and a duty for me. From Germany seeds where  brought to Paraguay and within six years they are beautiful 5 metre tall trees. Where:

To the North East of Paraguay where soya bean and corn fields are the exception and you one can enjoy the old and peaceful side of the country. Four car hours from Asuncion, 16 km east from concepcion and 2km south from Belen at the old dirt road number 5 you can find us.
The co-ordinates for Google Earth are puntero 23 (0) 27 (1) 20(.) 22(11) South 57(0) 16 (1) 46(.) 58(11) Flying on a hight from 2894 feet you have El Roble completly on the screen. Our location is perfect for trips through the Chaco, to the town of Concepcion, river trips on the ypane and the Rio Paraguay.
 
How to arrive:
You reach Concepcion with the bus from Asuncion via the chaco (5 hours - 10 us dollars)
From Ciudad Del Este (8 hours aprox - 20 US dollars)
Santa Cruz Bolivia, without rain ( 20 hours - 100 US dollars to Pozo Colorado change bus for concepcion)
Pedro Juan Cabello (5 hours 10 US Dollars)
 
From the airport at Asuncion you can charter a plane to Concepcion.
 
The most interesting way to arrive is on either of the two river boats that travel from Asuncion each week. (36 hours aprox, 15 - 125 US Dollars.) Food is included, but it is reccomended that you provide your own.
 
We pick you up where ever you are in paraguay by truck. There is a fixed price per km of 25 cents. Male hitch hikers have good possibilities, female even better, but because of the excessive testosterone of Paraguayan machos it is not a very good idea.
 
What to do at El Roble:
Our special clients from (Dec-March) are the Mennonites from the chaco. They come for fishing, enjoying the richness of the fertile land, preparing their own barbacues of locally caught fish and meat from the farm, or to taste the homemade, home produced Paraguayan and German food. El Roble is also a paradise for their children with a small swimming pool, tree house, play area, animals - small caimen, turtles, rabbitts, nose bears, giant lizards and parrotts and lots of space for games.
 
Our expierence with backpackers is that they can be a little sceptical about whether they really need to stay in the comfortable well fed attmosphere of El Roble, but that after the food and mossquito free night they diagnoise themselves with travel sickness and prescribe a cure of several days or weeks relaxing on the farm. At times they also join working trips to remote parts of paraguay where they can see what normal tourists never can.
For specialists we organise tours:
- fish for fisherman
- fish for aquerian
- ornopholigists
- anephebian reptalian
- orchids

From now on Peter will update you on news and other interesting stuff right here on this blog. You can comment on any topic. This way we try to establish a public communication and answer frequently asked questions.

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Ciao Lars-Erik