Itinerary
Day 01: LIMA / …
Arriving to Lima we transfer to our hotel in Lima
Day 02: LIMA – CUSCO
Transfer to the airport for the flight Lima / Cusco. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
Day 03: CUSCO – HUARCARPAY LAKE (3,200 m.s.n.m.) – PILLAHUATA SITE – SAN PEDRO.
We depart from Cusco before 05:00 a.m. arriving at Lake Huarcarpay 30 minutes later. Here we take time to observe highland lake and marsh birds. Common sightings are the White- tufted Grebe, the plumbeous Rail, the many- coloured Rush- Tyrant and two endemic, the rusty- fronted canatero and a spectacular hummingbird, the Bearded mountainner. Approximately mid morning we visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas” .We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, from the bridge of this town it is easy to see the Torrent duck, and then continue to the Acjanacu Pass, which marks the beginning of the Manu Biosphere Reserve where the mountain forests, unlike other parts of the eastern Andes, are almost completely untouched. Between the clouds we can spot many different tanager species as well as the Andean Guan and Gray breasted Mountain- Toucan.
In the famous avian rich area between the tunnels above Pillahuata we hope to see the endemic Marcapata Apinetail and other astonishing species such as the scarlet- bellied and hooded Mountain- tanager, the Golden- napped, grass-green tanager and the Crimson mantled woodpecker. This area is also good for different species of hummingbirds.
After lunch our bus bring us to San Pedro, here, a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rocks, spectacled Bear, orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3500 meters above sea level, and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. Here in the more temperate forest we can expect to see the Golden Quetzal and the white- collared jay among others. Overnight in our Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 04: SAN PEDRO.
Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird. The male birds are vibrant reddish orange, and at about 5:00 a.m. as many as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called lek. The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females, fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males. Here we spend the whole day birdwatchinmg on different parts of the road and trails around the lodge. We hope to see Andean and White- eared solitaires, the Green Jay, the Blue-banded Toucanet, the yungas manakin, the astonishing versicolored Barbet and arrange of tanager species. Overnight at Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 05: SAN PEDRO – ERIKA LODGE.
After breakfast we continue bird-watching in the area below san pedro and slowly descend in our overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya. As we journey downwards into the heat and humidity we encounter Oropendolas, squirrels cuckoos and the first Ant birds.
From Atalaya, we board our covered, motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios river until Erika Lodge. This lodge is situated in the transition zone of the Andean foothills and the lowland rainforest. It has many more species of hummingbirds then is normally present in a rainforest lodge.
Among 30 species of hummingbirds on their list is the endemic Rufus- webbed Brilliant. Here we find the Rufus –vented Ground Cuckoo, the gray-necked woddrail, Blackish rail and Rufus-sided cracked. Close to a small lake there are Purple Gallinules, Hoatzins, Lesser Kiskades and occasionally Pygmy Kingfishers and sun grebes.
After lunch we follow an interesting trail, going up to the ridge at 1000 m.a.s.l. where we encounter mixed bird flocks. This higher area is also home of the emerald toucanet, ornate flycatcher, orange fronted plush crown and the uncommon tawny-faced gnat wren, umbrella bird among others.
Day 06: ERIKA LODGE – BLANQUILLO.
Early morning after breakfast we board our canoe for the four-hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu´s town, during this boat ride we will have the chance to see Violaceus Jays, the beautiful Capped heron, Rosate spoonbill, Jabirú, Vultures, belted kingfisher, osprey, black hawck, black caracara, chestnut-eared toucan, from this small town we descend the Madre de Dios river for three hours to the private reserve of Blanquillo Lodge.
Day 07: BLANQUILLO.
After a very early wake up, we board a camouflaged catamaran and go down the river to the “Collpa” macaw lick. We quietly observe the various parrots feeding on the clay for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. The brightly colored macaws usually wait patiently in the surrounding trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area. Slowly, the macaws come down to the clay wall to feed.
We need a lot of patience and silence on the catamaran so as not o disturb them as they eat the clay. During the afternoon we start walking on the interesting trails of the Lodge where we can see Jacamars, many different species of hummingbirds, the Crimson- crested Woodpecker, tanager such as the paradise, the screaming Piha and many others. During this walks we can also observe macaw nests.
We use the Camungo Lake 45 meters observation tower to observe Caribe Crackle, Hoatzins, great egret, watled jacana, the camungo, the common potoo, the red capped cardinal. We board our boat up stream the Madre de Dios river util Boca’s Lodge where we spend the last night in the jungle.
Day 08: BLANQUILLO – BOCA MANU’S AIRSTRIP – CUSCO
After a brief morning walk at the Valle’s Island, we board our canoe to Boca Manu’s airstrip and take the 45 minutes flight back to Cusco. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 09: CUSCO – LIMA – LIMA /………
Transfer to the airport for the flight Cusco/Lima, and next connection with the international flight.
Travel to Peru