MANU BIRDING TOUR – 6 days
DAY 1 : CUSCO – MANU ROAD – COCK OF THE ROCK LODGE.
Early departure from Cusco in a private van to travel over the Andes to the village of Paucartambo. On one of our stops you can see – among many others – the Andean Flicker and Green-tailed Trainbearer. By noon we arrive at Acjanaco Pass (3300 mts.) from where we begin the descent towards the lowlands of Manu. We spend the afternoon looking for birds like the Hooded Mountain-tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Masked Flowerpiercer, and several species of hummingbirds, such as Shining Sunbeam. After lunch we go down the road to San Pedro, we have good opportunities to photograph Golden-headed Quetzal, Scaled Metaltail, White-bellied Woodstar, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Barred Fruiteater, White-throated Tyrannulet, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Becard, Black and Chestnut Eagle, Green Jay, White-collared Jay. Possibly we can also spot some monkeys, like Woolly Monkeys. We arrive to the San Pedro area in the late afternoon. Overnight at Cock of the Rock Lodge (dwb).
DAY 2 : CLOUD FOREST & COCK OF THE ROCK LODGE.
This day we see mid-altitude montane species such as Blue-banded Toucanet, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Montane Woodcreeper, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Crested Quetzal, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Variable Antshrike, Paradise Tanager, Golden Tanager, Dusky-green Oropendola, and Versicolored Barbet. In this area you can also see two species of primates and other mammals such as squirrels and Tayra. In the gardens of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge can see and photograph a variety of hummingbirds as Green-fronted Lancebill, Wedge-Billed Hummingbird, Violet-Fronted Brilliant, Booted Rackettail and Wire-Crested Thorntail, among others. In the afternoon, we go to the lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock to watch the males during their display. Overnight and meals at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge (dwb).
DAY 3 : COCK OF THE ROCK LODGE – AMAZONIA LODGE.
Today, very early, we resume our journey to the lower area of the forest. During the ride we can see Blue-Headed Macaw, Military Macaw, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Dusky-green Oropendola, Golden-collared Honeycreeeper, White-winged Shrike-tanager, Fiery-capped Manakin and Speckled Chachalaca.
We have a good options for Bluish- fronted Jacamar, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Fine-barred Piculet, Red-billed Scythebill, Dark-breasted Spinetail, Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Bamboo Antshrike and Chestnut-backed Antshrike.
By noon we arrive at Atalaya to board our boat and travel downriver to Amazonia Lodge (30 min). After lunch we explore some of the trails near the lodge. Accommodation and meals at the lodge (dwb).
DAY 4 & 5. : AMAZONIA LODGE.
The terrain of this lodge includes different habitats, which allows us to observe a great variety of birds, such as Great Antshrike, Royal Flycatcher, Chestnut-eared Arassari, Spangled Cotinga, Ringed Woodpecker, Great Potoo, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher and many others. In the gardens of the lodge we can see Golden-tailed Sapphire, Blue-tailed Emerald, Black-tailed Trogon, Lemon-throated Barbet, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Ivory-billed Arassari, Rufous-Crested Coquette, Green Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird and Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Lineated Woodpecker.
Visiting a nearby lake we can look closely at the strange Hoatzin, akin to the ancient Archaeopteryx. This species makes a digestion similar to ruminants, flies only short stretches and their chicks have a claw which they use to climb the branches. Species typical of this habitat are: Striated Heron, Cocoi Heron, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Sungrebe, Red-capped Cardinal and many more. Accommodation and meals at Amazonia Lodge (dwb).
DAY 6. : AMAZONIA LODGE – CUSCO.
We leave very early on our boat to Atalaya, from where we start our return to Cusco by private vehicle, with a few ornithological stops en route to add some species and to have lunch or stretch our legs. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Please contact us for departure dates, prices and availability.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- Professional, English speaking birding guide, with spotting scope
- Transport by private minibus and private boat
- Entrance fees to Cock of the Rock observatory & Machuwasi Lake
- Cook, all food (vegetarian on request), drinking water
- Lodge accommodation
- First Aid Kit, extractor (for venom)
- rubber boots
NOT INCLUDED:
- Room with private bath at Amazonia + 35 $ p.p.
- Binoculars (for rent at our office)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
