Ornithologists have counted in 1,800 species of Birds in Peru, which represent 18% of all birds species on the planet.

Andean Mountain This is a cold region with high peaks, deep valleys, puna grassland and lagoons, offering the best high andean birding in Peru.  Here  we can find the Bearded Mountaineer, one of the largest and most impressive hummingbirds in the world. 

Cloud Forest Between 2,500 - 1,600 meters above sea level, this spectacular area is a special place for birdwatchers. Ornitologists have found a larger variety of species of birds here than in other place on earth.  This tropical paradise is the perfect setting with waterfalls cascading through fern and orchid covered trees. A gentle mist creates a romantic backdrop and the songs of birds fill the air.  Here we wake early to see the dance at the salt-lick of the incredible birds, Cock-of-the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) 

Pantacolla Mountain For birders, this rainforest mountain offers an exceptionally high species density. Approximatlyf 500 species of birds have been identified by ornithologists.  Many of the species are endemic to the area, very rare or found at altitudes different from their normal range. 

Manu Nationa Park Known as one of the last "Edens" this rainforest preserve has abundant wildlife. You feel as if you've gone back in time to a pristine world were animals curiously watch you pass with no fear.  Enjoy camping and walks inside of the forest.

Blanquillo Macaws Lick Watch a dazzling spectacle of hundreds of Parakeets, Parrots, and Macaws eating the clay. This is Amazon scenery  you could only dream about.

Cusco The ancient Incan capital. This high mountain city blends colonial charm with Incan ruins.  Here you will see numerous sights.  This city is drenched in history including the imposing cathedral, Santo Domingo. Colonial constructions in contrast to the nearby  Inca's bath, Tambomachay and the mysterious semi-circular Kenko. You will be awestruck by the complexity and magnitude of the ancient fortress Sacsayhuaman.

Sacred Valley Here you enjoy a stunning combination of Incan ruins, nature's majesty and Indigenous culture. Pisac, a beautiful terraced mountain, an Incan power point overlooking the picturesque market town with its narrow, Incan stone streets where the quechua people live and dress as they have for hundreds of years. Enjoy Oyentaytambo a mountain fortress with a romantic history.

Machu Picchu “The lost City of the Incas.” This famous landmark never fails to impress!  Listen to your guide recount the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the ruins of towers, temples, and ceremonial baths.  Feel the wonder and mystery of the Incan culture.

 2008 Departures
With fixed departure Call about personalized tours!
 

Not Included in the Tour cost:

- International airfare to and from Lima, Peru
- Airport taxes
- Alcoholic  beverages,  tips, laundry service, Shopping, medical or travel insurance.

Day 2:  Lima - Cusco - Huacarpay - Cloud Forest
Leaving early in the morning a flight from Lima to Cusco city ( 50min) after arrived our private bus will take a ride for 50min to make our first stop "Lake Huacarpay." This highland lake is a refuge for Andean Birds. Here we have the chance to observe Rusty fronted-Canastero the colored Rush Tyrant, Plumbeous Rail, Bearded Mountaineer Hummingbird, one of the largest and most impressive hummingbirds in the world. Afterwards we continue with our drive to the rainforest we will be headed to the folkloric village Paucartambo, where we take a break for a lunch. continuing our bus drive we climb the highest Ajanaco (3900m) before decending to the eastern mountain forest. This precitous cloud forest formulated by water falls and fast water streams makes home for a hundred species of birds, Tucans, Woodpeckers, We make camp for the night at San Pedro camping huts. about 1600 m.

DAY 3:  Cloud Forest
Early in the morning we start looking for birds near our campsite at this avian rich elevation. Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Blue-banded Toucanet, Fulvous Wren and Marcapata Spinetail are some of the possibilities. Red-and-white Antpitta is quite common here and there and  seeing this birds is a possibility.

Then we slowly descend through the Subtropical Zone, stopping whenever encountering new avian communities. At these altitudes we can expect the Crested~ and the Golden-headed Quetzal, among others. In San Pedro, at 1500m, we spend the following two nights at the Posada San Pedro campsite and have our first exploration in this area bordering the Upper Tropical Zone.

At dawn we visit the lick of the Cock-of-the-rock, quite close to the lodge. The rest of the day we look around in this avian-rich zone. It is home to many tanagers, but  the song-birds, flycatchers, jays and hummingbirds are also well represented. The colony of Russet-backed Oropendulas is one of the first tropical elements we encounter. On one of the evenings we´ll search Lyre-tailed Nightjar. 

DAY 4:  Cloud Forest - Pantiacolla Lodge
 We pack up camp early to be able to look for the birds between that 1500 and 1000m in the ‘good hours’ of the day. After that  the Tropical Zone starts, with some traces of human activity. Most of the species encountered here can be found elsewhere, therefore we do not remain here for long. After Pilcopata we reach Atalaya and change, after lunch, into a motorized canoe. We navigate down the Alto Madre de Dios: a relaxed way of observing birds ­herons, such as the Capped Heron and the Fasciated Tiger-Heron, vultures, possibly King Vulture, overflying Macaws, including the Military Macaw! Late in the afternoon we are welcomed at Pantiacolla Lodge (450 m). At dusk we sit near the river and enjoy the Sand-coloured Night-hawks. 

DAY 5:  Pantiacolla Lodge
Hikes on the well designed trails around Pantiacolla Lodge take you through at least eight different habitat types with many rare and endemic species of bird. The many different tinamoes, antbirds and manakins are only a fraction of the 537 species of bird found on  this day. As always in primary rainforests, one has to work hard to see the birds well, but it is certainly worth the effort. For variation, one can sit in the garden of the lodge and wait for a passing ‘mixed-species flock’, while enjoying the ever-present hummingbirds. The longest trail takes you up the Pantiacolla Mountains, to its first mirador, at 900 m, with an incredible view over the vast Amazonian expanse. Just before reaching the mirador you will pass through an isolated patch of cloud forest, placed at 850 m altitude. This area is one of the most likely sites to encounter the extremely rare Black Tinamou. We start the hike before dawn, still being able to hear the sounds of the Great and the Long-tailed Potoo, while diurnal birds just start their daily activities.

DAY 6:  Pantiacolla Lodge - Salvador lake
Around midday a motorized canoe picks you up at Pantiacolla Lodge to navigate down the turbulant Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. Here we turn up the Manu River. From this vantage point we will have great views of riverside birds, sunbathing cayman, and possibly the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara. We reach our campsite deep inside Manu park in the afternoon. This will be our base for the next two days. During this time, we will hike through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin. 

DAY 7- 8:  Salvador and Otorongo lakes
Early in the morning, we go to visit Lake Salvador, by catamaran. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colorful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. A five hour hike through the forest takes us to Lake Otorongo and a 20  meter high observation platform that overlooks the lake. At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight cayman spotting on the lake.

DAY 9:  Lake Salvador- Blanquillo Macaw Lick
After a final walk through the forest surrounding Lake Salvador, we return back down the Manu River. Joining the Madre de Dios River we arrive at the beach of Blanquillo, near the clay lick for macaws, where we spend the night.

Day 10:  Blanquillo Macaw Lick - Boca Manu
At first light of the day, we head to the Macaw Lick to watch a dazzling spectacle of hundreds of Parakeets, Parrots, and Macaws eating the clay. It is one of the most beautiful shows in the World. After enjoy this scenary of parrots, we turn our ride boat back up Madre de Dios river (3hrs.) to Boca Manu  to board the aircraff next day,  camping on the beatiful beach.

Day 11: Boca Manu - Cusco 
After breakfast we take a short bus ride to the airport of Boca Manu to conect with our return flight over the rainforest and the Andes to Cusco by Aircraff ( approx 50 min.) when we arrive in Cusco rooms will be ready to check in. Later, in the afternoon we go for  a city tour, visit the colonial cathedral, Santo Domingo, which is built on some of the most precise Incan construction. You will see many Incan and colonial constructions, the nearby  Inca's bath, Tambomachay and the mysterious semi-circular Kenko.  You will explore the ancient Sacsayhuaman. This amazing fortress of precisely fitted  giant stone was constructed by the Incas using some blocks which weigh more that 350 tons. The guide tells you about the mysterious Incas, their organizations, temples and palaces.  At night we have a typical dinner at  a local restaurant enjoying a folkloric music show while we eat.
 

Day 12: Sacred Valley of the Incas
 In the morning we begin our drive along the curvy roads of the valley ( about 40 minutes ) to arrive at Pisac, an old mountain village whose buildings reflect the brilliant precision of the Inca stonemasonry.  We have time in the town center open market to browse the many colorful stalls. Here vendors sell handicrafts ranging from fine alpaca sweaters and blankets, to ornamental dishes.  As we continue through the valley, we arrive at Ollantaytambo a very picturesque mountain fortress overlooking a quaint village.  Unchanged from Incan times, old, narrow stone streets lined with sunken aqueducts carry pure mountain water all year long. In the afternoon we return to Cusco through the high mountain village of Chincheros.  Here we enjoy a short stop exploring the colonial church and the local market which is famous for its artesian textiles.  Arriving back to Cusco we relax with a hot shower and dinner.

Day: 13-14:  Machu Picchu 
Today we board our train for the scenic, three hour, zig-zagging journey into the lush Urubamba valley.  We arrive at the little village of Puente Ruinas where we will be spending the night in a confortable hotel.  After we get situated, we go out to explore this wondrous cloud forest.  Later we enjoy the brilliant night sky while bathing in the natural hot springs. Early the next morning we will take the bus for the ascent to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu, “the lost City of the Incas.” Here you can listen as your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as your tour the ruins of towers, temples, and ceremonial baths. After lunch you will have time to enjoy the Incan citadel for yourself.  Later in the afternoon we take the train for our return back to Cusco.
 

Day 15: Cusco- Lima 
 To day our last break together with the group. We take a domestict flight to Lima. If your International flight does not connect immediately. and is scheduled later afternoon or at night we will help you to transfer you to a hotel here you can leave your baggage. There are differernt activeties in Lima, One of the interesting places to visit the Gold Museum or the main square of Lima.
Note: Our service ends after We arrive in Lima, Any excurtion into Lima, lunch or dinner and hotel are not included.