Itinerary

Day 1: USA - LIMA

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Fly from the USA to Lima, Peru. Overnight in Lima.

Accommodation: HOTEL JOSE ANTONIO

Day 2: LIMA – CUSCO

Sunday, September 28, 2008

This morning, fly to Cusco and head south for a picnic lunch at Huacarpay Lakes. We target high-Andean waterfowl including Puna, Speckled and Cinnamon Teals, Yellow-Billed Pintail, Andean Duck and other wetland species. In the arid scrub surrounding the lake we’ll look for endemic Rufous-fronted Canastero and Streak-fronted Thornbird. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOTEL LOS ANDES DE AMERICA

Day 3: CUSCO – COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Monday, September 29, 2008

With a picnic breakfast we look for the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch in the inter-montane valley as the sun hits the slopes. We should also see the Andean Hillstar, Andean Flicker, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, and more. Look for the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail, and Andean Condors at the last pass. The pristine forest of the high eastern slopes is habitat for flocks of mixed species such as tanagers, flycatchers, furnarids, and countless others. Spend two nights at the comfortable Cock-of-the- Rock Lodge, 5,000 feet above sea level. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: COCK OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Day 4: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Explore the lodge’s trails through the cloud forest to a Cock-of-the-Rock lek where we watch the strange mating dance of an array of spectacular birds. As we explore to see the 5,000- to 8,000-feet zone where waterfalls and orchids abound, look for the Chestnut-breasted Wren and the endemic Cerulean-capped Manakin and others. We also bird this evening. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: COCK OF-THE-ROCK LODGE

Day 5: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK-LODGE – AMAZONIA LODGE

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

After a dawn breakfast with songs of Andean and White-eared Solitaires and Paradise Tanagers in the air, we slowly descend through a rare intact section of the upper tropical zone forest birding along the way. Expect to see Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Speckle-faced Parrot, Peruvian Piedtail, Three-striped and Three-banded Warbler, Long-tailed Sylph, Russet Antshrike, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Dusky-green Oropendola, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager and much more. Take a short boat ride on the Madre de Dios River to dinner at our lodge. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: AMAZONIA LODGE

Day 6: AMAZONIA LODGE – MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Early morning birding targets species not yet seen. As the day warms, motorized roofed boats with comfortable padded bucket seats float down the Alto Madre de Dios to the Manu River and on to the Manu Wildlife Center. This is a pleasurable six hours introduction to the Amazon. Riverside species we may see include Pied Lapwing, Collared Plover, Fasciated Tigerheron, Orinoco Goose, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern. Flyovers will include many species of macaws and parrots, and perhaps birds of prey. Arrive at the Manu Wildlife Center in time for a refreshing shower and cool drink before dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 7: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Friday, October 03, 2008

The most diverse forest types in Manu are found right around the lodge. The highest bio-diversity provides the most abundant variety of bird life. One morning we visit the Blanquillo Macaw lick and from floating blinds observe the spectacle of hundreds of parrots and macaws at close quarters. We bird along the extensive trail systems and two canopy observation towers to see Sclater’s Antwren and Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak. Visit the oxbow lakes to look for Hoatzin, Sungrebe, Agami Heron, Amazonian Streaked Antwren and more. Night birding may produce sightings of Great and Common Potoo, Amazonian Pygmy-Owl, and Silky-tailed Nightjar among others. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 8: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Enjoy a second day of birding. There are also opportunities for night birding. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 9: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Enjoy a final full day of birding at the Manu Wildlife Center. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER

Day 10: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER – CUSCO – LIMA or MANU WILDLIFE CENTER - CUSCO

Monday, October 06, 2008

Today is our last look at early morning parrot flocks and riverside birds as we get an early start traveling upriver in our comfortable boats to the Boca Manu Aerodrome for our flight to Lima, via Cusco. Tonight, board a flight back home. (B) Or for those on the optional extension: Arrive in Cusco on the flight and proceed to the hotel. The balance of the afternoon is free to explore Cusco. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOTEL LOS ANDES DE AMERICA

Day 11: LIMA – USA. or CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Arrive home. Extension: This morning, travel by train to Machu Picchu with the possibility of seeing Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dipper on the Urubamba River along the way. Arrive at the Incan ruins and explore the impressive archeological complex. Built between 1460 and 1470 A.D., the city is at an altitude of 8,000 feet and is high above the Urubamba River canyon cloud forest. After lunch look for the endemic Inca Wren, commonly seen in the bamboo around the ruins. Then descend into the Urubamba Gorge for late afternoon birding. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOTEL HATUCHAY TOWER

Day 12: CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Spend the morning birding in the cloud forest along the Urubamba River to see Sclater's and Bolivian Tyrannulets, Silver-backed Tanager, Pale-eyed Thrush, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Capped Cone bill, and the endemic Masked Fruit eater. After a late lunch, return by train to Cusco. Gather for a farewell dinner this evening. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOTEL HATUCHAY TOWER

Day 13: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Thursday, October 09, 2008

The morning is free to explore the historic city of Cusco. Then board a flight to Lima where day rooms are available for your comfort. Tonight, board a flight back home. (B)

Accommodation: HOTEL JOSE ANTONIO

Day 14: LIMA - USA

Friday, October 10, 2008

Arrive home.