For
details of costs, or to send an enquiry, click on the e-mail
link below:
Location:
Peru
Total Tour Duration: 15
Arrival and Departure: 2 Days
Internal Flights: Inlcuded
Accommodation: Hotels and Camps
Departures: All
Year, best March to September
Minimum Group Size: 2
Maximum Group Size:
12 or more
Trip
Notes:
Peru
is an ornithologists dream, as it is home to over 1800 species of
birds, of which about 85% are permanent residents. This places
Peru
second in the world to
Brazil
. Because of its cold Humboldt Current along the arid Atacama
coastline, Paracas and the
Ballestas
Islands
offer a superb birding spot. In contrast tot he arid coastline,Peru
also boasts high mountain ranges and an extensive area of
rainforests of the Amazon, creating a land of geographical
diversity, ideal for a wide range of bird species. Not only does
Peru
boast the most arid desert, but also the second wettest areas on
earth.
ORNITHOLOGY TOUR PARACAS
- TAMBOPATA - MANU
ITINERARY
Day
1:
Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to
your hotel.
Day
2:
Board the bus for Pisco, three hours south of Lima. Transfer to your hotel on
the bay of Paracas. A paradise for inshore
birds off the Humboldt current. The Pisco marshes are also
crowded with herons and waders as well as local favourites like the
dark-faced ground tyrant and the Peruvian thick-knee.
Day
3:
After breakfast, a trip to the Ballestas Islands for typical birds such as
the Humboldt Penguin, Inca tern and Peruvian Booby. Later, a visit to the mudflats of Paracas bay
Day
4:
Return to Lima
and then onto Lomas de
Lachay, a small reserve but nevertheless
an important habitat for several important species, such as the
endemic Raimondi's Yellow-finch and the thick-billed Miner. Return
to Lima and your hotel.
Day
5:
Fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado. An
introductory walk into the forest behind the lodge which is
dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen
mammals on the trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins and
Agoutis as well as Toucans. Return for dinner.
Day
6:
Trip to the Macaw Clay-lick (Colpa) by canoe, continuing a further 4
hours upriver, deep within the National Reserve where the actual
Collpa is situated. After lunch a guided exploration of the
trail system in the area. Camp on a beach near the Collpa.
Day
7:
A pre-dawn start is needed to get to the clay-lick before the birds.
They arrive in search of minerals and salts and the digestive
properties of the clay. On average, several hundred macaws and
smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue
and Yellow, Red and Green, Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots,
among others.
Day
8:
Opportunity for early morning wildlife
observation which is particularly active at this time. Howler
monkeys are frequently heard, and your guide will assist in your
arrival in Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to the airport for the return
flight back to Cuzco.
Day
9:
After breakfast, travel to Paucartambo. We then ascend to the last
pass overlooking the Amazon Basin and begin the breathtaking descent
from 3500m to 1600m to your comfortable lodge in the orchid laden
Cloud Forests.
Day
10:
Pre- breakfast walk to a nearby spot in the Cloud Forest where the
strange and beautiful Cocks-of-the-Rock display at dawn. A wonderful
sight as up to 25 bright red-orange males dance and sing attempting
to attract the the duller, burgundy colored females. Then on to Madre de Diosriver to Boca
Manu.
Day
11:
Today we enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River. Beaches, especially
in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons,
Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name but a few. Some
beaches will host sunning white and black caimans and breeding
side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of sand-colored Nightjars roost during
the day on logs and beaches. A visit
to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where
observation piers and a 20 meter observation tower in the
rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available.
Day
12:
After breakfast, we may encounter an Agami
Heron or a Sungrebe as well as brown Cappuchin monkeys. The guide
will explain some of the basics of rainforest ecosystems. We may
cross paths with a group of Peccaries - a species of wild boar found
here.
Day
13:
Return journey back for around 4-5 hours through the forest to Cocha
Otorongo. The river trip again will be a wonderful
opportunity for birding and other wildlife observation. Night in the
lodge at Boca Manu.
Day
14:
Explore the small trail system at the lodge before heading across
the river to the tiny airstrip of Boca Manu. On arrival at the strip
we board the aircraft for the 35 minute flight to Cusco.
Day
15:
Transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Lima and for the return flight
home.
Prices
are available on request with discounts for large groups. We can
also tailor make a tour to suit your needs. Optional add on tours in
Lima as well as extra night accommodation.
For
details of costs, or to send an enquiry, click on the e-mail
link below:
If you have any queries, please contact
us and we will be happy to answer you.
Just click on the mail box below.
