OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

Day 01 CUSCO – HUACARPAY – SAN PEDRO LODGE

We depart from Cusco around 04:30 a.m. arriving at Lake Huarcarpay 30 minutes later. Here we take time and spend the entire day observing highland lake and marsh birds. The best is to follow the road that goes around the lake and start seeing most of the waterfowl typical of Andean wetlands including grebes, ducks, gallinules and coots. The wet grasslands in front of the marsh are good for shorebirds and Andean Negrito. We can look for occasional migrants such as the Hudsonian Godwit (rare) and Baird’s Sandpiper. The many- coloured Rush- Tyrant and two endemic, the Rusty-fronted Canastero that can be seen around the ruins on the hillside above the Lake and a spectacular hummingbird, the Bearded Mountainner. We continue to the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. A brief stop at Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then continue to Acjanacu pass with its elfin forest marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Birders love this place because it is possible to see White-browed chat-tyrantPuna Tapaculo, Masked f, the Chestnut-breasted mountain-finch, Puna Thistletail, Paramo Pipit, Diademed Tapaculo, lowerpiercer, Golden-collared Tanager, Drab hemispingus and small mixed flocks with among others, then walk down to Pillahuata site located in upper montane humid forest also known as the Coshñipata Valley where the bird species are quite different from Acjanacu. It’s possible to see many different species of birds such as the Hooded Tinamou, Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, Golden plumed parakeet, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Gould’s Inca, Blue-banded Toucanet, Crimson –mantled Woodpecker, Sierran Elaenia, White-collared Jay, Mountain Cacique. Again, it is the best simply to bird your way slowly along the road. There will be plenty of activity, with several specialities to look for. After the first tunnel, we stop at the mixed bamboo patch on the left and try for Rusty-breasted Antpitta, and the endemic Red-and White Antpitta, which is often quite vocal in the morning. At the second tunnel the vegetation becomes more luxuriant, look for the Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Tawny-rumped tyrannuler, Band-tailed Fruiteater and the barred Fruiteater in the mixed flocks, as well as Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan. One bird to look out for in mixed flocks is the vividly-colored Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher and the same thing for the spectacular Greater Scythe bill. Overnight at Orquideas de San Pedro Lodge.

Day 02 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 Rock, Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2,000 and 3,500 m.a.s.l., and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird from a platform. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and 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. After breakfast spend the entire day birding walking on the road. Overnight at Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.

Day 03 SAN PEDRO- ERIKA LODGE

As our lodge is very close to the Cock-of-the-rock Lek, we are able to visit it again and try to spot one of the females hidden in the forest. As we continue our journey to lowlands, we stop in Patria where the cattle pleasures and secondary forest are good for seedeaters and other open habitat species of birds as the Orange-breasted Falcon, Military macaw, green-fronted lancebill, golden-collared honeycreeper and others. Atalaya overlooks is outstanding for viewing macaws. From Atalaya port, we board our covered, motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River until Erika Lodge, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the interesting trails. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 04 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 wood rail, Blackish rail and Rufus-sided cracked. Close to a small lake there are Purple Gallinules, Hoatzins, Lesser kiskadee 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 05 ERIKA LODGE – BLANQUILLO PRIVATE RESERVE

This day we will get up very early to board our boat, and after five minutes, we will arrive to a Parrot Lick “Collpa”, which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks, where many species of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, white-eyed parakeet, feed for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. After this 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 Violaceous Jays, the beautiful Capped heron, Roseate spoonbill, Jabirú, Vultures, belted kingfisher, osprey, black hawk, 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. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 06 BLANQUILLO - COLORADO – NÁI-MECÍ LODGE

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. Immediately alter we continue to Colorado village and by land to the Inambari River, we cross the river in local canoes and take again a vehicle through the Interoceanic road for three hours to Puerto Maldonado Port, where our boat takes us to our marvelous Nái-Mecí Lodge and relax in the comfortable luxurious service.

Day 07 NAÍ MECÍ LODGE – COLLPA EL CHUNCHO CAMPSITE

We will start our expedition very early in the morning. We will enter the very heart of the Tambopata Candamo Reserve following the river upstream for 8 hours until we reach the Macaw Clay Lick, Collpa Chuncho. During our journey, we will appreciate the intensive and pure wildlife of a rainforest reserve. Arriving at the clay lick area, we will set up camp and spend the night. The collpa is an earth cliff containing the mineral salt veins that are necessary for the feeding of various animals, mainly macaws, parrots that come every morning in masses to feed on this nutritional resource. We will camp in front of the collpa and walk around the place.

Day 08 COLLPA EL CHUNCHO CAMPSITE– NAÍ MECÍ LODGE

At 5am we will wake up and walk to a good viewing position to observe the Collpa el Chuncho. Immediately after we pack up camp and return to the lodge by boat in about 7 hours.

Day 09 NAÍ-MECÍ LODGE – SANDOVAL LAKE - NAÍ-MECÍ LODGE

A buffet breakfast will be offered for all our guests. Once again our motor boat will take us on the river to observe the fabulous bird life until the rangers control and the entry to Sandoval Lake located inside the Tambopata Reserve. We start a 3 kilometer walk through an interesting trail though a swamp and the Lake itself, board small canoes and while been paddled around the lake makes for a very pleasant and memorable birding experience with all of the lake specialties possible: Agami heron, Slender-billed Kite, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Long-crested Pygmy tyrant, Hawk-Eagle, Hairy-crested Antbird, purple-throated Cotinga and many others. We walk back to our motorized boat and to our lodge. Dinner. Overnight at Nái-Mecí Lodge.
We invite our guests to enjoy our swimming pool, our bar and all kind of games.

Day 10 TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

End of our service.

PRICES

PRICE PER PERSON IN AMERICAN DOLLAR

INCLUDES

Specialized and bilingual guide, camping equipment (two person tents, sleeping bag and mattress), 02 nights in Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge, 02 nights in Erika Lodge, 01 night in Blanquillo Lodge, 03 nights in Nai Meci Lodge, 01 night Collpa Chuncho Campsite, meals (vegetarian option is available), first aid kit including anti-ophidian shots, all land and river transportation, paperwork , radio communication equipment in all lodges and campsite, as an additional service we offer safety box for values and storage for luggage in Cusco´s main office.

NOTES

ADDITIONAL

• Flight Tickets Lima /Puerto Maldonado/ Lima
• The breakfast and mineral water, only for the first day, some kind of drinks such as beers or sodas, tips and the last dinner.

NOTES:

** Departure with a minimum of 04 people**

Manu National Park is not endemic area about Malaria neither Yellow fever you can bring

a good insect repellent but if you decide to put the yellow fever vaccination for prevention you can do it 10 days before start your trip to the jungle.

THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING ALONG ON YOUR TRIP TO MANU

• Binoculars
• Warm clothing (in case of a cold front), long sleeve shirts and long pants (cotton)
• 100% waterproof rain gear (long poncho or rain wear)
• Insect repellant (at least 50% Deef), sunscreen lotion
• One pair of lightweight ankle height boots and sandals
• Flashlight, enough batteries (alkaline) and bulbs
• Wide brim hat and sun glasses for sunny days
• Towel, swimming suit personal medicines and/or supplies (liquid for contact lenses for example)
• A day pack and one back pack or duffel bag of luggage per person
• Camera and films (ASA 200 and 400 for the inner forest)
• One bottle of water for the first day, plastic bags.