PERU'S Manu Biosphere Region

July 6 - 17, 2007
Price TBA

DAY ONE Upon arrival in Peru we will be transferred to our hotel for the night. Overnight Hotel Las Americas. Everyone should plan on being in Lima this evening.

DAY TWO We will take a morning flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our hotel as we get acclimated to the extremely high elevation of this Andean city. In the afternoon we will travel to the nearby Huacarpay Lake. Possibilities here include Puna Teal, Andean Lapwing, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Puna Ibis, Cinereous Harrier, and Bearded Mountaineer. Night at Hotel Libertador.

DAY THREE This morning we will depart for the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge located in subtropical forest on the east slope of the Andes. This part of our trip encompasses fantastic birding, breathtaking scenery and rich Andean culture. Leaving Cusco we will make planned stops at several patches of scrub where Sparkling Violetear, Creamy-crested Spinetail, White-browed Chat-tyrant, Black-throated Flower-piercer, Cinereus Conebill and perhaps Aplomado Falcon can be seen. We'll get to puna grassland at Acjanaco, the southwest boundary, of Manu National Park. At this elevation we should be able to see Junin Canastero, Sedge Wren, Black-billed Shrike-tyrant, Mountain Caracara, Plumbeus Sierra Finch, and Plain-colored Seedeaters. Here we will try to lure the commonly heard Andean Tapaculo into view. In the ecotone from grassland to temperate forest, White-browed Chat-tyrant is replaced by Brown-backed Chat-tyrant. This change in habitats introduces a strikingly different bird community. Here flocks of colorful tanagers, flower-piercers, conebills, and the sounds of antpittas and tapaculos are features of the landscape. Night at Manu Cloudforest Lodge.

DAY FOUR From the lodge we'll make early departures to bird the Andean gradient at various elevations. Birding at various elevations is essential since Andean birds are generally distributed in narrow altitudinal ranges with a high turnover rate along the gradient. On our first morning we will set off for the temperate forest at about 11,000 feet. From here we will bird down a seldom used road, looking for the brightly colored Blue-and-black, Grass-green, and Blue-headed Tanagers, as well as Scarlet-bellied, and Hooded Mountain-tanagers that roam the humid temperate forest in noisy flocks. Other flock members include White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulets, Streaked Tufted-cheek and the handsome Barred Becard. More secretive, nevertheless equally rewarding species, at this elevation are Marcapata Spinetail, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Stripe-headed Brush-Finch, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, and Citrine Warblers. Birds can be often be seen at eye level as busy flocks either ascend or descend the mountain range. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Collared Jay are also seen at this elevation.

Manu Cloudforest Lodge is strategically located at the lower end of the subtropical zone at 5,200 feet. At this area several lower elevation species converge with higher-elevation species. This is the ultimate spot to watch the most colorful species as they forage in the canopy of the trees - Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals, Golden, Orange-eared, Blue-necked, Beryl-spangled, Bay-headed, Paradise, White-winged and Golden-collared Tanagers. In addition we can see Green Jays, Yungas and Cerulean-capped Manakins and perhaps Black-and-chestnut and Solitary Eagles. Our hummingbird feeders assure great looks at Violet-fronted Brilliant and other hummingbirds that otherwise are difficult to see. As if this were enough birding, this area guarantees superb looks at displaying Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks as they meet every morning at a lek located just a 10 minute-walk from the lodge! At dusk we'll look for Lyre-tailed Nightjar that often flies across the clearing at the lodge. Night at Manu Cloudforest Lodge.

DAY FIVE Today we will spend a full day birding down the slope of the Andes, with special emphasis on the Pilcopata-Atalaya portion. The possibilities include Speckle-faced Parrot, Peruvian Piedtail, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Dusky-green Oropendola, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Orange-eared Tanager, White-winged Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Black-faced Tanager, Black-backed Tody Flycatcher, Lesser Seed-Finch, and Golden-bellied Warbler. Night at Amazonia Lodge at 1,600 feet above sea level.

DAYS SIX, SEVEN AND EIGHT Three full days at Amazonia Lodge. The lodge is situated at the pre-mountane zone that provides birding opportunities in many different habitats such as bamboo forest, flood plains, forest, and wetlands just by walking short distances. It is not necessary to take a boat or car. The Lodge also has a porch with a view of the garden and feeders where it is possible to see several species of hummingbirds including Rufous-crested Coquette, Amethyst Woodstar and Wire-crested Thorntail. The list for the lodge has 572 species of birds including Black-capped Tinamou, Blackish Rail, Hoatzin, Buckley's Forest Falcon, Wattled Guan, Military Macaw, Blue-headed Macaw, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Koepcke's Hermit, White-bearded Hermit, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Black-eared Fairy, Golden-tailed Saphire, Blue-tailed Emerald, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Fine-barred Piculet, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Cabani's Spinetail, Bamboo Antshrike, Manu Antbird, Amazonian Antpitta, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Black-spotted Bare eye, Johanni's Tody-tyrant, White-cheecked Tody-tyrant, Ornate Flycatcher, Two-banded Warbler, Fire-capped Manakin Plum-throated Cotinga, Masked-crimson Tanager, and Yellow-bellied Dacnis. There are also possibilities for Mottled Owl, Black-banded Owl, Tawny-bellied Screech-owl, Great, Long-tailed and Common Potoo. All nights at the comfortable Amazonia Lodge.

DAY NINE We will return to Manu Cloudforest Lodge for another day in this wonderful habitat, breaking the long drive back to Cusco. Last year we were rewarded with numerous new species by doing the itinerary in this way. Night at Manu Cloudforest Lodge.

DAY TEN Today, after a morning of birding in the cloudforest, we will be transferred back to Cusco by bus with short stops for flocks along the way and arriving in Cusco around 3 p.m. Night at Hotel Libertador.

DAY ELEVEN Today we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Lima, transfer Hotel Las Americas and our Farewell Dinner at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana. (Participants on the Machu Picchu extension will continue by train to that site rather than returning to Lima on this day.)

DAY TWELVE Today we will be transferred to the airport for our departure home.

PERU'S Machu Picchu - Post Tour Extension

The price includes accommodations, meals as indicated, transfers, railcoach Cusco/Machu Picchu/Cusco, all entrance fees, sightseeing with an English-speaking guide. Local airport taxes are not included.

Day One Today you will depart the Cusco Railroad Station for Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Discovered by Yale University explorer, Hiram Bingham in 1911, ruins are still being uncovered. The site consists of an enormous city hidden on a spectacular lush mountain plateau, surrounded by three towering peaks. Upon arrival, you will have a guided tour of the citadel. Your hotel will be the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel located near the Rio Urubamba. This lovely hotel offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, and you should look for Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, along with Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper along the river; tanagers such as Flame-faced and Beryl-spangled, as well as Rusty Flower-piercer, Dusky-green Oropendola, and Black-backed Grosbeak. (However, this extension does not include a birding guide). You will spend the night at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. B. L.

Day Two You will have a full morning to revisit the ruins. In the afternoon you will depart by train for your return to Cusco. You will spend the night in Cusco at the Hotel Libertador del Cusco. B.

Day Three This morning you will transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. You will be transferred to the Hotel Pardo. The day and meals in Lima will be on your own. Night at Hotel Las Americas. B.

Day Four Today we will be transferred to the airport for our departure home. B.