MANU EXPEDITIONS

MANU EXPEDITIONS 

FIXED DEPARTURE BIRDING TRIPS 2004

Office address:  Avenida Pardo 895 Cusco – Peru

Postal Address:   P.O. Box 606 Cusco

Phone:  51-84-226671       Fax: 51-84-236706

e-mail:  Adventure@ManuExpeditions.com   or manuexpe+@amauta.rcp.net.pe

Web Site:  www.BirdingInPeru.com

MANU EXPEDITIONS BIRDWATCHING TRIPS

Manu Expeditions is the only registered and legal company in Peru,Bolivia and Chile specialized in catering for serious bird watchers. We are bird watchers ourselves and we know how important it is for bird watchers to have trouble free logistics arranged for them while in country. We run bird-watching trips throughout the coast, highlands and rainforests of Peru and Bolivia  and our leaders  for these trips are experienced neo-tropical birders, have many years experience in these countries and  know where to find the more sought after and difficult species. All guided trips are led by highly qualified neo-tropical Bird tour leaders who carry the essential equipment, including ‘scopes, sound library and tape decks etc. Our aim is to provide you with excellence in birding trips with trouble free logistics whilst in country. Private rips van be tailored to suit your needs and be as intense or relaxed as you like.

ABOUT  OUR  BIRDWATCHING GUIDES

BARRY WALKER.

Barry Walker M.B.E, was born near Manchester, England and started bird watching at the age of 13. After birding extensively in Europe and the  Middle East , Barry switched his attention to the neo-tropics and has extensive birding experience in Ecuador, Colombia and particularly Peru and Bolivia. He has participated in many ornithological expeditions and contributed to many scientific and general publications concerning birds in Peru. Living in Cusco, Peru for 20 years, Barry has visited every corner of the country as a trekking guide, natural History guide and specifically as a bird tour leader, and he the author of the well received book “ A Field Guide to the Birds of Machu Picchu, Peru”  He  has been leading bird tours for private groups and well known bird tour companies for the last 12 years. Having seen 1600 plus species in Peru alone he is well known for his field craft when leading tours. He is married with a young daughter and with his wife Rosario, is owner of Manu Expeditions a pioneer eco-tour operator in Manu specializing in  natural history, archeological and cultural  trips, as well as bird watching tours. Barry also occupies the post of British Consul in Cusco, and received an M.B.E in the New Years Honors list 2004.

RENZO ZEPPELLI

Renzo was born in Lima- Peru, three decades ago. Began his interest in birds at 13 years old breeding psittacines. After school moved to Venezuela where he got a Licensed Deegree in Nature Tourism at University Nueva Esparta, Caracas. He Became involved in birdwatching in 1992 working in Los Roques N.P. 80 miles off the Venezuelan coast, and since then has traveled around some of the most well known protected areas on Northern and Western South America. Renzo returned to Peru five years ago and has spent most of this time guiding birding trips in the Southeastern Peruvian rainforest, specifically the Tambopata – Candamo national park, learning from some of the most renowned ornithologists that have visited the area.  Renzo has also lead trips to  Collca valley, Paracas, Cuzco region and the Beni Savannas in Bolivia. Renzo spent half a year in Brazil working in the Southern Pantanal and Cristalino River area at Alta Floresta. Portuguese was added to his fluent English and Spanish; the languages Renzo speaks and writes. Nowadays Renzo lives in Cuzco spending his time leading bird  tours between the Manu Biosphere Reserve and other interesting and remote high Andean localities.

EUSTACE BARNES

Eustace, was born in southern England and after birdwatching extensively in Europe, has spent the last 10 years extensively birding in Peru,Bolivia Brazila nd Venezuela, including a 9 month stint on the Tambopata river in Peru where he learned his ample  knowledge of lowland birdsong. Eustace is a bird artist and has completed the plates  for the “Cotingas  and Manakins” and “Pigeons and Doves” monographs. He illustrated the endemics and near endemic birds for “ A Field Guide to the Birds of Peru” and has completed plates for volume 5 of The Handbook of the Birds of the World. He has a particular interest in Bolivian birds and is working on a field guide to that country. Eustace is constantly exploring new birding localities in Bolivia and has extensive experience within the Manu Biosphere Reserve and the Marañon. He spends his time between  South America  and his family in Kent in Southern England.

COLIN BUSHELL – Colin started bird-watching on the lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits of Hertfordshire, England. After birding in Europe, Nepal, Thailand, Morrocco and the Gambia his attention turned to the neo-tropics. He served as a member of the launch committee and meetings officer of the Neo-tropical Bird Club and amongst other projects hi is co-author of a forthcoming handbook to to two neo-tropical bird families “ Cotingas and Manakins”. Over the last decade Colin has traveled widely in Central and South America including Venezuela , Brazil, Ecuador, the Galapagos, Bolivia and Chile. Colin has a particular interested in the birds of Peru fueled by lengthy stays in that country at Explorers Inn, Machu Picchu, Manu, the arid littoral, the Marañon Valley and Tumbes.  He has participated in expeditions to remote areas in search of Orange-throated Tanager and Ash-throated Antwren. In between stays in the neo-tropics, Colin runs the operational side of a British based bird tour company specialized in neo-tropical birding – Toucan Tours.

HUW LLOYD - Huw was born in South Wales and began bird watching at the age of 11 with the local branch of the Young Ornithologists Club  based at his school. His interest in tropical bird communities began in 1992 when he participated in the Manchester Metropolitan University expedition to Sumba Island, Indonesia, which won the 1993 Bird Life International/ BP Conservation expedition award. In 1996 Huw obtained his Masters Degree in Conservation Biology studying the ecology of lowland Tinamou species in Peru. He has recently completed a two-year research programme on the conservation of forest bird communities in Tambopata, SE Peru, developing recommendations for conservation and tourism in the region. Huw has led many tours and field courses in SE Peru and Costa Rica and has recently published research on Neotropical bird species such as the Rufous-headed Woodpecker and the Black-faced Cotinga

ALL OUR BIRDING PROGRAMS PRICES ARE FULLY INCLUSIVE INCLUDING ALL AIR TRAVEL WITHIN PERU

The Manu Biosphere Reserve has the highest diversity of life on Earth and is one of the most important conservation units in the world. If one were to choose THE best birding trip in the world, this must surely be a candidate for the winner. The beauty of this trip is the variety of habitats visited ranging from orchid laden  cloud forest where Spectacled Bears  and Cock-of-the-Rocks still  live unmolested,  to untouched  Amazon rainforest where 13 species of Monkey  abound  and Giant Otters still exist in the ox-bow lakes.   A trip to Manu is a trip to one of the world’s great wilderness areas where wildlife is still plenty-full and over 1000 species of birds have been recorded.  No birding in cut-over forest on this trip!

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arriving in Lima we transfer to our hotel in Lima.

Day 02: Early morning flight to Cusco and we head out south of town with a picnic lunch to Huacarpay lakes. The lake is surrounded by Inca and pre-Inca ruins. Here we will see a variety of high Andean waterfowl including Puna, Speckled and Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Duck and other wetland associated birds. White-winged Grebe and Andean coot will be here too.  Depending on the time of year migrant North American shorebirds may be present.  We will be specifically on the lookout for Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Puna Ibis and Andean White-winged Negrito.  Raptors we may see include Aplomado Falcon, Cinereous Harrier, Red-backed Hawk and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. In the arid scrub around the lake we’ll look for the endemic Rufous-fronted Canastero and also Streak-fronted Thornbird. We should find the pretty, endemic Bearded Mountaineer feeding in the tree tobacco (Nicotania sp.) with Giant Hummingbird and Trainbearers. Peruvian, Ash-breasted and Mourning Sierra-Finches will be here with Greenish Yellow-finch and Blue and Yellow Tanager. In the late afternoon we’ll drive back to Cusco for a night in the old Inca capital. B:L:D

Day 03: Early start in our expedition bus. We will make a couple of selected stops in the inter-montane valleys specifically for two endemics. We’ll take a picnic breakfast as the sun hits the slopes and colorful peasant farmers pass by with livestock creating a pescefull pastoral scene – our target here - the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch. We should see Andean Hillstar, Andean Flicker, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Chuiguanco Thrush and more. Our next stop is for the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail, before arriving at the last Andean pass - Ajcanacu.  We have had luck with Andean Condors here in the past and if its clear we’ll be able to look out from the last range of the Andes over the Amazon basin stretching into the distance, as the Incas did in ancient times, worshipping the sun rising over the endless rainforest.  In the after-noon we will bird the upper limits of the eastern slopes.  Working our way down the eastern slope of the Andes, the forest becomes more continuous and we will spend the afternoon birding to our safari camp at 2800 meters above sea-level at Pillahuata.  Possibilities are many but we hope to encounter mixed species flocks of Tanagers, Flycatchers and Furnarids. Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Collared Jay and Mountain Cacique are among some of the many species we may encounter. In the evening we will go to a favorite spot where we have had luck calling in Swallow-tailed Nightjar and Yungas Pygmy-Owl with tapes. White-throated Screech-Owl is here too. Night in safari camp at Pillahuata. B:L:D

Day 04: A full day to explore the humid temperate forest from tree-line down. We’ll start early near our safari camp. Our target birds after a hot breakfast and hot tea and coffee include – the recently described Diademed Tapaculo, Mustached Flowerpiercer, Tit-like Dacnis, Golden-collared Tanager and the Puna Thistletail. As the day warms we’ll spend all day birding downhill through the forest looking for mixed feeding flocks that will contain Grass-green Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Black-throated Tody-Flycatcher, Barred Fruiteater, White-banded and White-throated Tyrannulets and much more. If we are lucky we may see Peruvian Treehunter, Golden-plumed Parakeet or Greater Scythebill. We’ll return to our Safari Camp for the night. B:L:D

NOTE : Our safari camps are comfortable with a complete cook team, dining tents and folding chairs and tables. Bowls of hot water are provided for washing and enable you to be “on the spot” for important birds at this elevation. If, however the idea of camping puts you off, these nights can be spent at Cock of the Rock Lodge and these areas can be visited from there with very early starts.

Day 05 : At breakfast we will be greeted with a varied dawn chorus and Red and White Antpitta should be calling.  We will spend all day birding from our camp at 2800 meters to our next stop at 1600 meters. This is pristine forest on a little traveled road. Some of  the special  birds on this stretch   which we will look for include :  White-rumped Hawk, Trilling Tapaculo, Black and Chestnut Eagle,  Andean Guan,  Scaly-naped Parrot, a wide variety of  Hummingbirds including Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Violet-throated Startfrontlet  and Amethyst-throated Sunangel,  Purple-backed Thornbill, Scaled Metaltail , White-bellied Woodstar.  Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, the endemic Marcapata Spinetail,   White-throated Antpitta, Barred and Band-tailed Fruiteaters, White-throated Tyrannulet, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Becard,  Pale-footed Swallow, Mountain Wren, Citrine Warbler and many Tanagers. Night at the   comfortable  Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge  near Union at 1600 meters. B:L:D

Day 06&7: Cock of the Rock Lodge is situated in the pristine Cloud Forest of the Mountains of Manu just a few minutes walk from a spectacular Cock of the Rock lek furnished with comfortable blinds to observe these colorful birds during their dawn mating rituals. Facilities at the Lodge include 12 large spacious en-suite bungalows with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and two single beds in each room. Each bungalow has its own private balcony and bird feeder.  Lighting is by candle and lantern but there is a small generator available for charging batteries. There is a large dining area and lounge overlooking a feeding station for Brown Capuchin Monkeys and Tayras (a large mustellid related to the Martens). Hummingbird feeders attract several species. There is trail system behind the lodge that enables you to see the under-story of the Cloud Forest first hand and facilitates seeing some species not likely from the road such as Chestnut-breasted Wren, Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted and Short-tailed Antthrush’s, Slaty Gnateater and the endemic Cerulean-capped Mankin. The lodge also has a wing with 6 double rooms and shared bathroom facilities used mostly by guides and researchers. Many spectacular waterfalls in the area are far enough away so as to enable hearing birdsong. Orchids abound with c. 80 species recorded around the lodge. One day we’ll devote to the 2500 meter altitude zone and one day to the 1500 meter zone.  Possibilities include White-rumped Hawk, Solitary Eagle, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Crested Quetzal,  Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Highland Motmot, Black-streaked Puffbird, Blue-banded Toucanet, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Montane Woodcreeper, Spotted Barbtail,  Montane Foliage-gleaner, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Uniform and Variable Antshrikes, Slaty Gnateater, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Scaled Fruiteater, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Inca Flycatcher (endemic), Yungas Mankin, Uniform Antshrike, White-throated Spadebill, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Yellow-rumped and Slaty Antwrens, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Peruvian Piedtail (endemic)  and lots  more. We will visit one of the two nearby Cock-of-the-Rock leks to watch the strange mating dance of these spectacular birds. Up to 20 males congregate at this spot to display. We will also do some night birding here and we have been lucky previously with Foothill and Rufescent Screech Owl, Rufous-banded Owl, Lyre-tailed Nightjar and  Andean  Potoo. Nights at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. B:L:D

Day 08 :  After a dawn breakfast accompanied by the singing of Andean and White-eared Solitaires and  Paradise Tanagers from the breakfast table, we leave San Pedro at 1600 meters and spend the day birding slowly down to the comfortable Amazonia Lodge at 500 meters. We will pay particular attention to the stretch between 1500 meters and 800 meters. This upper tropical zone forest has disappeared on much of the Andean slopes in South America because of it’s suitability for cash crops such as tea, coffee and coca, but in this part of Peru the forest remains untouched.  Birds we have seen well on this stretch of road include : Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Plum-crowned Parrot, Chestnut-collared Swift, Peruvian Piedtail, Three-striped and Three-banded Warbler, Long-tailed Sylph, Lanceolated Monklet, Versicolored Barbet, Russet Antshrike, Rufous-lored Tyrranulet, Marble-faced Bristle-tyrant, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Olive-tufted Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Dusky-green Oropendola, Golden-collared Honeycreeeper, White-winged Tanager, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager and much  more. A short boat ride across the Madre de Dios river takes us to the lodge. We plan to reach Amazonia Lodge before dusk. Night at Amazonia Lodge. B:L:D

Day 9 - 11: Three full days at the comfortable Amazonia Lodge. This family run converted tea hacienda has a bird list of around 550 species and others are continually being added to the list.  The lodge is situated in the transitional zone at 500 meters, where the last low foothills of the Andes begin to flatten out into the lowland Amazon Basin proper. There are Butterfly bushes that attract various Hummingbird species including the pretty Rufous-crested Coquette, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Blue-tailed Emerald, Black-eared Fairy and Wire-crested Thorntail. A canopy tower on the hill  enables us to watch canopy foothill flocks. We will be birding a variety of habitats over the next three days including floodplain and hill forest. One day we will pack a picnic lunch and bird the road from Atalaya to Pilcopata. The possibilities around Amazonia Lodge are enormous but some species we will be on the lookout for include : Black-capped Tinamou, Blackish Rail,  the strange Hoatzin, Buckley’s Forest Falcon, Wattled Guan, Military Macaw, Blue-headed Macaw, Pheasant Cuckoo, Koepcke’s  Hermit, Rufous-webbed Brillia, Bluish fronted Jacamar, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Fine-barred Piculet, Red-billed Scythbill, Dark-breasted Spinetail, Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Bamboo Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Amazonian and Thrush-like Antpitta’s, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Red-billed Tyrranulet, Johannis’ Tody-tyrant, Yellow-browed Tody-flycatcher, Black-backed Tody -Flycatcher, Ornate Flycatcher, Band-tailed, Fiery-capped and Round-tailed Manakins, White-thighed Swallow, Golden-bellied(Cuzco) Warbler, Black-faced Dacnis - the list goes on....!  We will have the possibility of night birding here and in the past we have seen: Mottled Owl, Black-banded Owl, Tawny-bellied Screech-owl, Great , Long-tailed and Common Potoo. We will be reluctant to leave this very birdy place, but yet more awaits us in the Amazon lowlands.  All nights at Amazonia Lodge. B:L:D

Day 12:  Early morning birding near Amazonia Lodge in search of species we have missed. As the day begins to warm, we will head down the Alto Madre de Dios river in our motorized canoes to its confluence with the Manu River  (about 4 hours ) and then on for another two hours to the very comfortable Manu Wildlife Center, jointly owned by Manu Expeditions and  the Selva Sur conservation group. This lodge facility is designed to take visitors, but there are always biologists here conducting scientific research, often ornithologists. Accommodations are first class in bungalows with en-suite bath, hot water and with adjoining spacious dining and bar complexes. On the river journey, we will have the opportunity to see some of the typical riverside species such as Pied Lapwing, Collared Plover, Fasciated Tiger-heron, Orinoco Goose, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern.  Flyovers will include many species of Macaws and Parrots, and this is our opportunity for some Bird of Prey observations. The river trip is a pleasure as we leave the last foothills and enter the Amazon proper. Our boats are roofed with comfortable padded bucket seats.  We plan to arrive at the Manu Wildlife Center in the late afternoon. Night Manu Wildlife Center. B:L:D

Day 13 - 18: Six full days based at the Manu Wildlife Center, situated  just  upriver from the Blanquillo Macaw Lick. There will be the opportunity on one morning to visit the Macaw lick and observe the spectacle of hundreds of Parrots and Macaws at close quarters from our floating blinds. Here we will see the beautiful Orange-cheeked Parrrot, hundreds of Blue-headed Parrots as well as Mealy and Yellow-crowned Parrots. Smaller visitors include White-eyed, Cobalt-winged and Dusky-cheeeked parrotlets. The rest of the time will be spent birding  the extensive trail systems which  have been designed  to visit different forest types. The area around this lodge has the most forest types of anywhere in the Manu area, and thus the highest bio-diversity - which means the most species of birds. Large stands of Bamboo hold many local and much sought after species, and coupled with the extensive Varzea, Tierra Firme and Mature Transitional Floodplain Forest, this means a mind-boggling variety of bird-life. Although investigation on birds is in its early stages we expect this lodge area to hold more species of birds than anywhere else in the world and the bird list is already 565. We will spend time at a canopy observation tower accessed by a spiral metal stairway watching canopy flocks which include Sclater’s Antwren, Chestmut-winged and Lineated Foliage-gleaners, Three-striped Flycatcher, Red-billed Pied Tanager, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak and a multitude of Tanagers, Dacnis and Honeycreepers.  Some of the more interesting and unusual species we will be searching for in the Bamboo include - Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Manu Antbird ( common here), Flammulated Bamboo-tyrant, White-cheeked Tody-flycatcher, Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Large-headed and Dusky-tailed Flatbills, Peruvian Recurvebill, Dusky-cheeked and Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaners, Ihring’s and Ornate Antwren, White-lined Antbird, Striated Antbird and more.   We will certainly look for one of the 5 singing Rufous-fronted Antthrushes we have located on territory here. Some of the scarcer forest species we will be on the lookout for that we have seen here previously include  : Bartlett’s Tinamou, Razor-billed Currasow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Sunbittern, Elusive Antpitta (2 territories) Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Striolated Puffbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Colared Puffbird, Ruddy Spinetail, Plain Softail, Striped Woodhaunter, Sclater’s Antwren, Banded Antbird, Ash-throated Gnateater, White-throated Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye,  Black-faced Cotinga, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, White-bellied tody-tyrant, Royal Flycatcher, Musician Wren, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak to name but a few. We will also visit Ox-bow lakes in the area where we will see lakeside birds including Hoatzin, Sungrebe, Agami Heron, Greater Large-billed Seed-finch, Silvered and Band-tailed Antbirds, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, Rufous-sided Crake, Gray-breasted Crake and we may be lucky and see one of the two Giant Otter families that live in the area.  Night birding may produce Long-tailed, Great and Gray Potoos, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Spectacled Owl, Ocellated Poorwill and Silky-tailed Nightjar amongst others. A visit to the large mammal lick in the forest, apart from attracting Tapirs, Peccaries and maybe a Jaguar, also attracts Guans, Currasows, Chachalacas as well as Painted and Rock Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlet.  All nights at the Manu Wildlife Center. B:L:D

Day 19: Early start on our comfortable boats and our last look at early morning Parrot flocks and riverside birds. Our journey down the Madre de Dios river takes us past pristine forest until the town of Boca Colorado.  It will be a great chance to see riverside birds and raptors.  As the journey continues we’ll see evidence of gold panning and arrive at our destination of Laberinto. Leaving our boat we’ll take a 40 minute bus ride into the bustling frontier town of Puerto Maldonado where we’ll stay at our comfortable hotel.. B:L:D

Day 20: Early morning birding around the airport and the road to Cusco. We should pick up a lot of new species in these few hours including seedeaters, Red-breasted Blackbird and maybe White-tailed Kite. Other birds we’ll be on the lookout for include Grassland Sparrow, Gray-breasted Crake, Black-faced Tanager, Barred Antshrike, Crested Caracara etc.  Morning flight  to Lima (or Cusco if joining post tour extentions) and connecting international flights. We’ll provide  day use of a hotel in Miraflores for relaxing before your international flight. B:

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arriving in Lima we transfer to our hotel in Lima.

Day 02: Early morning flight to Cusco and we head out south of town with a picnic lunch to Huacarpay lakes. The lake is surrounded by Inca and pre-Inca ruins. Here we will see a variety of high Andean waterfowl including Puna, Speckled and Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Duck and other wetland associated birds. White-winged Grebe and Andean coot will be here too.  Depending on the time of year migrant North American shorebirds may be present.  We will be specifically on the lookout for Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Puna Ibis and Andean White-winged Negrito.  Raptors we may see include Aplomado Falcon, Cinereous Harrier, Red-backed Hawk and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. In the arid scrub around the lake we’ll look for the endemic Rufous-fronted Canastero and also Streak-fronted Thornbird. We should find the pretty, endemic Bearded Mountaineer feeding in the tree tobacco (Nicotania sp.) with Giant Hummingbird and Trainbearers. Peruvian, Ash-breasted and Mourning Sierra-Finches will be here with Greenish Yellow-finch and Blue and Yellow Tanager. In the late afternoon we’ll drive back to Cusco for a night in the old Inca capital. B:L:D

Day 03: Early start in our expedition bus. We will make a couple of selected stops in the inter-montane valleys specifically for two endemics. We’ll take a picnic breakfast as the sun hits the slopes and colorful peasant farmers pass by with livestock creating a pescefull pastoral scene – our target here - the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch. We should see Andean Hillstar, Andean Flicker, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Chuiguanco Thrush and more. Our next stop is for the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail, before arriving at the last Andean pass - Ajcanacu.  We have had luck with Andean Condors here in the past and if its clear we’ll be able to look out from the last range of the Andes over the Amazon basin stretching into the distance, as the Incas did in ancient times, worshipping the sun rising over the endless rainforest.  In the after-noon we will bird the upper limits of the eastern slopes.  Working our way down the eastern slope of the Andes, the forest becomes more continuous and we will spend the afternoon birding to our safari camp at 2800 meters above sea-level at Pillahuata.  Possibilities are many but we hope to encounter mixed species flocks of Tanagers, Flycatchers and Furnarids. Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Collared Jay and Mountain Cacique are among some of the many species we may encounter. In the evening we will go to a favorite spot where we have had luck calling in Swallow-tailed Nightjar and Yungas Pygmy-Owl with tapes. White-throated Screech-Owl is here too. Night in safari camp at Pillahuata. B:L:D

Day 04: A full day to explore the humid temperate forest from tree-line down. We’ll start early near our safari camp. Our target birds after a hot breakfast and hot tea and coffee include – the recently described Diademed Tapaculo, Mustached Flowerpiercer, Tit-like Dacnis, Golden-collared Tanager and the Puna Thistletail. As the day warms we’ll spend all day birding downhill through the forest looking for mixed feeding flocks that will contain Grass-green Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Black-throated Tody-Flycatcher, Barred Fruiteater, White-banded and White-throated Tyrannulets and much more. If we are lucky we may see Peruvian Treehunter, Golden-plumed Parakeet or Greater Scythebill. We’ll return to our Safari Camp for the night. B:L:D

NOTE : Our safari camps are comfortable with a complete cook team, dining tents and folding chairs and tables. Bowls of hot water are provided for washing and enable you to be “on the spot” for important birds at this elevation. If, however the idea of camping puts you off, these nights can be spent at Cock of the Rock Lodge and these areas can be visited from there with very early starts.

Day 05 : At breakfast we will be greeted with a varied dawn chorus and Red and White Antpitta should be calling.  We will spend all day birding from our camp at 2800 meters to our next stop at 1600 meters. This is pristine forest on a little traveled road. Some of  the special  birds on this stretch   which we will look for include :  White-rumped Hawk, Trilling Tapaculo, Black and Chestnut Eagle,  Andean Guan,  Scaly-naped Parrot, a wide variety of  Hummingbirds including Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Violet-throated Startfrontlet  and Amethyst-throated Sunangel,  Purple-backed Thornbill, Scaled Metaltail , White-bellied Woodstar.  Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, the endemic Marcapata Spinetail,   White-throated Antpitta, Barred and Band-tailed Fruiteaters, White-throated Tyrannulet, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Becard,  Pale-footed Swallow, Mountain Wren, Citrine Warbler and many Tanagers. Night at the   comfortable  Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge  near Union at 1600 meters B:L:D

Day 06&7: Cock of the Rock Lodge is situated in the pristine Cloud Forest of the Mountains of Manu just a few minutes walk from a spectacular Cock of the Rock lek furnished with comfortable blinds to observe these colorful birds during their dawn mating rituals. Facilities at the Lodge include 12 large spacious en-suite bungalows with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and two single beds in each room. Each bungalow has its own private balcony and bird feeder.  Lighting is by candle and lantern but there is a small generator available for charging batteries. There is a large dining area and lounge overlooking a feeding station for Brown Capuchin Monkeys and Tayras (a large mustellid related to the Martens). Hummingbird feeders attract several species. There is trail system behind the lodge that enables you to see the under-story of the Cloud Forest first hand and facilitates seeing some species not likely from the road such as Chestnut-breasted Wren, Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted and Short-tailed Antthrush’s, Slaty Gnateater and the endemic Cerulean-capped Mankin. The lodge also has a wing with 6 double rooms and shared bathroom facilities used mostly by guides and researchers. Many spectacular waterfalls in the area are far enough away so as to enable hearing birdsong. Orchids abound with c. 80 species recorded around the lodge. One day we’ll devote to the 2500 meter altitude zone and one day to the 1500 meter zone.  Possibilities include White-rumped Hawk, Solitary Eagle, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Crested Quetzal,  Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Highland Motmot, Black-streaked Puffbird, Blue-banded Toucanet, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Montane Woodcreeper, Spotted Barbtail,  Montane Foliage-gleaner, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Uniform and Variable Antshrikes, Slaty Gnateater, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Scaled Fruiteater, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Inca Flycatcher (endemic), Yungas Mankin, Uniform Antshrike, White-throated Spadebill, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Yellow-rumped and Slaty Antwrens, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Peruvian Piedtail (endemic)  and lots  more. We will visit one of the two nearby Cock-of-the-Rock leks to watch the strange mating dance of these spectacular birds. Up to 20 males congregate at this spot to display. We will also do some night birding here and we have been lucky previously with Foothill and Rufescent Screech Owl, Rufous-banded Owl, Lyre-tailed Nightjar and  Andean  Potoo. Nights at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. B:L:D

Day 08 :  After a dawn breakfast accompanied by the singing of Andean and White-eared Solitaires and  Paradise Tanagers from the breakfast table, we leave San Pedro at 1600 meters and spend the day birding slowly down to the comfortable Amazonia Lodge at 500 meters. We will pay particular attention to the stretch between 1500 meters and 800 meters. This upper tropical zone forest has disappeared on much of the Andean slopes in South America because of it’s suitability for cash crops such as tea, coffee and coca, but in this part of Peru the forest remains untouched.  Birds we have seen well on this stretch of road include : Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Plum-crowned Parrot, Chestnut-collared Swift, Peruvian Piedtail, Three-striped and Three-banded Warbler, Long-tailed Sylph, Lanceolated Monklet, Versicolored Barbet, Russet Antshrike, Rufous-lored Tyrranulet, Marble-faced Bristle-tyrant, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Olive-tufted Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Dusky-green Oropendola, Golden-collared Honeycreeeper, White-winged Tanager, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager and much  more. A short boat ride across the Madre de Dios river takes us to the lodge. We plan to reach Amazonia Lodge before dusk. Night at Amazonia Lodge. B:L:D

Day 9 - 11: Three full days at the comfortable Amazonia Lodge. This family run converted tea hacienda has a bird list of around 550 species and others are continually being added to the list.  The lodge is situated in the transitional zone at 500 meters, where the last low foothills of the Andes begin to flatten out into the lowland Amazon Basin proper. There are Butterfly bushes that attract various Hummingbird species including the pretty Rufous-crested Coquette, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Blue-tailed Emerald, Black-eared Fairy and Wire-crested Thorntail. A canopy tower on the hill  enables us to watch canopy foothill flocks. We will be birding a variety of habitats over the next three days including floodplain and hill forest. One day we will pack a picnic lunch and bird the road from Atalaya to Pilcopata. The possibilities around Amazonia Lodge are enormous but some species we will be on the lookout for include : Black-capped Tinamou, Blackish Rail,  the strange Hoatzin, Buckley’s Forest Falcon, Wattled Guan, Military Macaw, Blue-headed Macaw, Pheasant Cuckoo, Koepcke’s  Hermit, Rufous-webbed Brillia, Bluish fronted Jacamar, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Fine-barred Piculet, Red-billed Scythbill, Dark-breasted Spinetail, Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Bamboo Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Amazonian and Thrush-like Antpitta’s, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Red-billed Tyrranulet, Johannis’ Tody-tyrant, Yellow-browed Tody-flycatcher, Black-backed Tody -Flycatcher, Ornate Flycatcher, Band-tailed, Fiery-capped and Round-tailed Manakins, White-thighed Swallow, Golden-bellied(Cuzco) Warbler, Black-faced Dacnis - the list goes on....!  We will have the possibility of night birding here and in the past we have seen: Mottled Owl, Black-banded Owl, Tawny-bellied Screech-owl, Great , Long-tailed and Common Potoo. We will be reluctant to leave this very birdy place, but yet more awaits us in the Amazon lowlands.  All nights at Amazonia Lodge. B:L:D

Day 12 : To-day we’ll return to Cusco by van, over-nighting in the Inca Capital. B:L.

Day 13 : Morning flight to Lima. We’ll provide day use of a hotel in Miraflores for relaxing before your international flight. B

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arriving in Lima we either transfer to our hotel in Lima or arrive on overnight flights and connect to Cusco.

Day 02: Early morning flight to Cusco and the rest of the day free to explore and we’ll overnight  in the old Inca capital. B.

Day 03: Flight to Boca Manu and meet up with the folks who have been doing the long tour. As the day begins to warm, we will head down the Alto Madre de Dios for two hours to the very comfortable Manu Wildlife Center, jointly owned by Manu Expeditions and  the Selva Sur conservation group. This lodge facility is designed to take visitors, but there are always biologists here conducting scientific research, often ornithologists. Accommodations are first class in bungalows with en-suite bath, hot water and with adjoining spacious dining and bar complexes. On the river journey, we will have the opportunity to see some of the typical riverside species such as Pied Lapwing, Collared Plover, Orinoco Goose, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern.  Flyovers will include many species of Macaws and Parrots, and this is our opportunity for some Bird of Prey observations. The river trip is a pleasure as we leave the last foothills and enter the Amazon proper. Our boats are roofed with comfortable padded bucket seats.  We plan to arrive at the Manu Wildlife Center in the late afternoon. Night Manu Wildlife Center. B:L:D

Day 04 - 09: Six full days based at the Manu Wildlife Center, situated  just  upriver from the Blanquillo Macaw Lick. There will be the opportunity on one morning to visit the Macaw lick and observe the spectacle of hundreds of Parrots and Macaws at close quarters from our floating blinds. Here we will see the beautiful Orange-cheeked Parrrot, hundreds of Blue-headed Parrots as well as Mealy and Yellow-crowned Parrots. Smaller visitors include White-eyed, Cobalt-winged and Dusky-cheeked Parrolets. The rest of the time will be spent birding  the extensive trail systems which  have been designed  to visit different forest types. The area around this lodge has the most forest types of anywhere in the Manu area, and thus the highest bio-diversity - which means the most species of birds. Large stands of Bamboo hold many local and much sought after species, and coupled with the extensive Varzea, Tierra Firme and Mature Transitional Floodplain Forest, this means a mind-boggling variety of bird-life. Although investigation on birds is in its early stages we expect this lodge area to hold more species of birds than anywhere else in the world and the bird list is already 565. We will spend time at a canopy observation tower accessed by a spiral metal stairway watching canopy flocks which include Sclater’s Antwren, Chestmut-winged and Lineated Foliage-gleaners, Three-striped Flycatcher, Red-billed Pied Tanager, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak and a multitude of Tanagers, Dacnis and Honeycreepers.  Some of the more interesting and unusual species we will be searching for in the Bamboo include - Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Manu Antbird ( common here), Flammulated Bamboo-tyrant, White-cheeked Tody-flycatcher, Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Large-headed and Dusky-tailed Flatbills, Peruvian Recurvebill, Dusky-cheeked and Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaners, Ihring’s and Ornate Antwren, White-lined Antbird, Striated Antbird and more.   We will certainly look for one of the 5 singing Rufous-fronted Antthrushes we have located on territory here. Some of the scarcer forest species we will be on the lookout for that we have seen here previously include  : Bartlett’s Tinamou, Razor-billed Currasow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Sunbittern, Elusive Antpitta (2 territories) Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Striolated Puffbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Colared Puffbird, Ruddy Spinetail, Plain Softail, Striped Woodhaunter, Sclater’s Antwren, Banded Antbird, Ash-throated Gnateater, White-throated Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye,  Black-faced Cotinga, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, White-bellied tody-tyrant, Royal Flycatcher, Musician Wren, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak to name but a few. We will also visit Ox-bow lakes in the area where we will see lakeside birds including Hoatzin, Sungrebe, Agami Heron, Greater Large-billed Seed-finch, Silvered and Band-tailed Antbirds, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, Rufous-sided Crake, Gray-breasted Crake and we may be lucky and see one of the two Giant Otter families that live in the area.  Night birding may produce Long-tailed, Great and Gray Potoos, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Spectacled Owl, Ocellated Poorwill and Silky-tailed Nightjar amongst others. A visit to the large mammal lick in the forest, apart from attracting Tapirs, Peccaries and maybe a Jaguar, also attracts Guans, Currasows, Chachalacas as well as Painted and Rock Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlet.  All nights at the Manu Wildlife Center. B:L:D

Day 10: Early start on our comfortable boats and our last look at early morning Parrot flocks and riverside birds. Our journey down the Madre de Dios river takes us past pristine forest until the town of Boca Colorado.  It will be a great chance to see riverside birds and raptors.  As the journey continues we’ll see evidence of gold panning and arrive at our destination of Laberinto. Leaving our boat we’ll take a 40 minute bus ride into the bustling frontier town of Puerto Maldonado where we’ll stay at our comfortable hotel.. B:L:D

Day 11: Early morning birding around the airport and the road to Cusco. We should pick up a lot of new species in these few hours including seedeaters, Red-breasted Blackbird and maybe White-tailed Kite. Other birds we’ll be on the lookout for include Grassland Sparrow, Gray-breasted Crake, Black-faced Tanager, Barred Antshrike, Crested Caracara etc.  Morning flight  to Lima (or Cusco if joining post tour extensions) and connecting international flights. We’ll provide  day use of a hotel in Miraflores for relaxing before your international flight. B

This trip is a perfect short trip, that may be added before a Manu trip. We not only visit the famous Inca  ruins of Machu-Picchu but also some very good subtropical, temperate cloud forest as well as looking for some of the rarest birds on earth in the Polylepis woodlands.  On this trip we stay at comfortable country inns thru-out.

Day 01 : We leave Cusco early in the morning for the  4.5 hour train  journey to Machu-Picchu. From the train we will certainly see Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dipper on the Urubamba River and get closer looks as we leave the train.  Arriving at  the ruins , birding takes a back seat for once as we are taken on a guided tour of this mystical archeological complex. White-tipped Swifts will be flying  overhead. After lunch we will look for Inca Wren which is quite common in the bamboo around the ruins and then descend into the Urubamba gorge for late afternoon birding.  Night at our hotel in Aguas Calientes. B:L:D

Day 02 : All morning birding the railway track along the Urubamba River. In the remnant cloud forest we will be looking specifically for Sclaters and Bolivian Tyrranulets, Silver-backed Tanager, Pale-eyed Thrush, Oleaginous Hemispingus  and Capped  Conebill. Mixed flocks contain many species of Tanager and the endemic Green and White Hummingbird is common here. After a late  lunch, we return on the tourist train to the historic town of Ollantaytambo and on to Urubamba in the sacred Valley of the Incas for the night. B:L:D

Day 03 : Very early start .  At dawn we will witness   the strange aerial display of the Andean Snipe and we should get good looks at this bird. The rare Imperial Snipe is here too, but  much more difficult to see  - we may  be lucky. After a substantial breakfast we’ll have all day   to work the humid temperate  forest. Starting at  a large patch of Chusquea bamboo we should see Parodi’s Hemispingus (endemic) and Puna Thistletail (endemic). Other  possibilities thruout the day include : Drab, Three-striped, Black-eared and Black-capped Himispingi, Golden-collared and other Tanagers,  White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulets, Andean Ibis, Unstreaked Tit-tyrant,  White-rumped Hawk, Sierran Elaenia, Marcapata Spinetail  (endemic), Inca Wren ( endemic), plus a lot more.  We’ll return to the Sacred Valley of the Incas  in the evening. B:L:D

Day 04 :Early start  for the Polylepis woodland at Abra Malaga. We’ll devote the whole morning  to explore this unique habitat. Possibilities include Line-fronted Canastero, Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant (endemic), White-browed Tit-spinetail (endemic), Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Giant Conebill, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Andean Tapaculo, Tit-like Dacnis, Blue-mantled Thornbill,  Andean Condor, Thick-billed Siskin, Junin Canastero ( endemic)  and more. On the valley  floor we’ll check a variety of Ground-tyrants and Sierra-finchs.  After a picnic lunch we’ll concentrate on some local endemics on the west  side, including Creamy-crested Spinetail, (endemic) Rusty-fronted Canastero, (endemic) White-tufted Sunbeam (endemic) and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-finch (endemic).  In the early evening we will return to Cusco for the night.. B:L:D

Day 5: To Cusco airport and flight to Lima for connecting international departures. B

Scenically breathtaking with stunning birdlife, the Peruvian Andes conjure up a mouth-watering birding feast. Soaring Andean Condors above high peaks in clear blue skies and Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers on mineral-rich bogs with the sound of seedsnipe echoing in the valley….these are the magical experiences of this extension. In just a few days we shall visit not only the high Puna grasslands but also the arid Pacific coast with its endemic species: Thick-billed Miner and Cactus Canastero.

Day 1 Arrival at the international airport in Lima and transfer to a nearby hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 We leave our hotel and return to the the airport for our morning flight to Arequipa. Condors are our quest for the next two days and once out of the city we'll be stopping for birding. In the Puna zone we'll be on the look out for Dark-winged and Canyon Canasteros. We'll stop at any lakes we pass as these often have some passage shorebirds at the edges as well as Chilean Flamingos, Crested Ducks and Speckled Teals. In the damper areas of the Puna there should be some Andean Gees and Puna Ibis and Aplomado Falcon is always a possibility here too. Eventually we will arrive at Colca Lodge where we'll spend the night. B:L:D

Day 3 Early start to be in place at Colca Canyon to watch the Andean Condors rise from their roost. As the morning sun comes up and warms the air the condors take to the skies. At times these huge birds pass close to the observers waiting at the edge of this deep canyon and photo opportunities are unbelievable here! Peregrine Falcon, Variable Hawk, American Kestrels and Aplomado Falcon can also be seen here. Once this spectacle has finished we'll make our way back to Arequipa birding as we go. Overnight in the city. B:L:D

Day 4 Full day birding out from Arequipa. The nearby Salinas (huge salt lakes) are the home of large flocks of flamingos. With luck we'll be able to approach within range to identify three species here: Chilean, Andean and Puna. Andean Avocet and Puna Plover are other possibilities as well. Turning our attention to smaller birds we'll spend some time in the montane scrub where we hope to see Tamarugo Conebill, Streaked Tit-Spinetail, Black Metaltail, Andean Hillstar and White-browed Chat-Tyrant. The arid areas and gullies in this region are good for birding and we stand a good chance of seeing White-throated Earthcreeper today. In the late afternoon we'll be back at Arequipa. Overnight in our hotel in Arequipa. B:L:D

Day 5 This morning we fly from Arequipa to Lima where we'll be met by our bus. We'll be spending the night in the Andean foothills not far from the capital tonight, but first we'll make a detour to a local nature reserve. Lomas de Lachay is an area of low-lying hills, seemingly an oasis in this stark, barren, arid landscape. The moisture from the coastal mist (formed by the offshore Humboldt Current) produces a carpet of vegetation here and a haven for birds. Coastal Miners can be seen on the entrance road to the reserve and in the low pampa we may see Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel (seasonal), Peruvian Meadowlark and Yellowish Pipit. Our main targets here will be the Thick-billed and Greyish Miners, although the latter seems to be another seasonal bird at the reserve. Other birds may include Raimondi's Yellow-Finch, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Purple-collared Woodstar and depending on available flowers, Peruvian Sheartail. Before leaving for our hotel in Santa Eulalia we will search one of the nearby canyons for another endemic - Cactus Canastero. B:L:D

Day 6 Early start today as we head for the high altitude bogs near Marcopomacocha. Diademed Sandpiper-Plover will be the bird on most folk's 'wish list' here but this is a great area for another rare endemic - the White-bellied Cinclodes. This is arguably one of the most attractive Furnariids and well worth the stomp around the bogs alone! However, there is much more to see: Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipes, Puna Snipe, Bright-rumped Yellow-Finches, White-winged Diuca-Finch, White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, Streak-throated Canastero and Olivaceous Thornbill are here too. One of the most common terrestrial birds here is another Peruvian endemic…the Dark-winged Miner. Stopping at some bushes favoured by Black-breasted Hillstar we may also stumble on something unexpected like Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant as we have done in the past. Eventually we will have to make the decision to leave the bogs but on the way back down we may have time to search for Stripe-headed Antpitta and Junin Canastero. Overnight in Lima where we may join up with the group arriving for the Manu tour. B:L:D

Deep sea Pelagics from Lima’s port of Callao into the Humboldt Current allows us to see sub-antarctic seabirds and warm water Petrels depending on the time of year. This  8 hour excursion gives us an opportunity at any of the following depending on the time of year: Waved, Salvin’s, Gray-headed and Black-browed Albatross, Antarctic Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Cape Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwater, Wilson’s, White-vented, Wedge-rumped, Band-rumped, Sooty, Markham’s and Ringed Storm Petrels, Chilean Skua, Swallow-tailed Gull and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Inshore species include 3 species of Cormorants, Inca and South American Terns, Peruvian and Blue-footed Booby’s, Peruvian Pelican and Humboldt Penguin . Lunch Included.

Bolivia stretches across the widest part of the Andean mountain chain and is one of the poorest, highest and most isolated of Latin American republics. The country is as varied as its people and ranges from steaming Amazonian rainforest, high saline lakes and high steppe desert, rolling tropical savanna to snow covered peaks and glaciers as well as the Chaco near the Paraguayan border. This varied topography makes for many habitat types and consequently one of the largest bird lists for a landlocked country in the world   Bolivia has two endemic big Macaws and a flightless Grebe.  This shorter trip is designed around Bolivian specialties and we will see a broad selection of habitats and species on this trip.

July 4th: International flights arrive at Viru-Viru airport in Santa Cruz early in the morning so we'll head out birding just north of the airport to some open grasslands and gallery woodland. We'll be looking for some of the following: White-bellied Northura, Red-winged Tinamou, Long-winged Harrier, Golden-collared Macaw, Bicolored Seedeater, White Woodpecker, and Greater Rhea amongst others. The afternoon we’ll spend at a locality where we have had luck in the past with species such as Chestnut-capped, Unicolored and Scarlet-brfeasted Blackbirds, Blue-crowned and Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, Picazuro Pigeon, Epaulet Oriole, Straight billed and Narrow-billed Woodcreepers, Spot-backed Puffbird and Golden-crowned Warbler. Night at our comfortable air conditioned hotel in Santa Cruz.

July 5th:  We’ll set out early for Camiri to-day. As we leave Santa Cruz the habitat changes as we enter vegetation more reminiscent of the Paraguayan Chaco. We’ll make frequent stops in suitable habitat with a picnic lunch. We’ll be on the lookout for Whistling Heron ,White-faced Ibis ,White-tailed Kite , Chaco Chachalaca , Golden-collared Macaw , Scaly-headed Parrot, Blue-fronted Parrot , Guira Cuckoo, Spot-backed Puffbird ,White-barred Piculet ,  Pale-crested Woodpecker , Ochre-cheeked Spinetail   Sooty-fronted Spinetail , Narrow-billed Woodcreeper  , Bolivian Slaty-Antshrike,   Stripe-backed Antbird ,Black-bellied Antwren , White-bellied Tyrannulet , Chaco Suiriri Flycatcher , Greater Wagtail-Tyrant , Cinereous Tyrant,  Hudson's Black-Tyrant, Rufous Casiornis  , Plush-crested Jay , Fawn-breasted Wren, White-banded Mockingbird , Two-banded Warbler, Orange-headed Tanager, Guira Tanager   Red-crested Finch , Black-capped Warbling-Finch   Red-crested Cardinal ,White-browed Blackbird  and more. Night in Camiri

July 6^th :  Full day east of Boyoibe close to the Paraguay border. This is our day to get some very special Chaco birds and we’ll be looking for Ringed Teal ,  Rufous-thighed Hawk , Bicolored Hawk , Crane Hawk   Geranospiza caerulescens , Chaco Chachalaca   Red-legged Seriema   Black-legged Seriema (only to be seen here)  Monk Parakeet ,  Ash-colored Cuckoo   White Woodpecker , White-fronted Woodpecker  , Checkered Woodpecker,  Golden-green Woodpecker,   Chaco Earthcreeper , Crested Hornero,   Sooty-fronted Spinetail,   Stripe-crowned Spinetail,   Lesser Canastero  ,Short-billed Canastero ,  Little Thornbird, Lark-like Brushrunner  , Brown Cacholote  , Variable Antshrike   White-crested Tyrannulet , White-bellied Tyrannulet, Chaco Suiriri Flycatcher   Suiriri suiriri , Plain Tyrannulet , Black-crowned Monjita   White Monjita ,  Lesser Shrike-Tyrant   Spectacled Tyrant,
Purple-throated Euphonia, Many-colored Chaco-Finch. We’ll return to our hotel in Camiri

July 7^th : Morning again on the Chaco east of  Boyoibe to pick up species we may have missed. As the day heats up we’ll have an early lunch and retrace our steps to Santa Cruz, making a selcted stop in the late afternoon. Night in Santa Cruz

July 8th: A full morning to pick up species we may have missed in the savanna and chaco habitats near town and visit the very birdy Botanical gardens. We'll pay particular attention to any Santa Cruz specialities we may have missed. Early start for a full days birding on the road to Saimaipata. In the Andean foothills bird the dry forest and canyons. This is a good area for Parrots and we may see any  of the following - Mitred and Green-cheeked Parakeet, Scaly-naped and Red-billed Parrot. This is also an area  where we have seen Military Macaw in the past. Other possibilities here include Plush-crested Jay, the rare Large-tailed Dove, Blue-crowned Trogon, Ocellated Piculet, Black-capped Antwren and Guira Tanager, White-backed fire-eye. In the afternoon we'll arrive at the German run and comfortable Refugio Los Volcanes and bird access road - Glittring-bellied Emerald, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Tatauapa Tinamou, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Two-banded Warbler. Night Los Volcanes

July 9^th : Full days  birding around Refugio Los Volcanes in  the dry semi-deiduous  forest. Possibilities we will be looking for include Bolivian Tapaculo, Yungas Manakin, Slender-tailed Woodstar, Buff-bellied Hermit, Blue-browed Tanager, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, Bicolored Hawk, Military Macaw, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Slaty Gnateater and more. The endemic Bolivian Recurvebill has been seen here too.  Night Refugio Los Volcanes

July 10th : Morning birding around Refugio Los Volcanes and in the afternoon on to Samaipata. 2;

July 11^th: Morning around Samaipata looking for Spot-backed Puffbird, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Red-crested Finch, Black-capped Warbling-finch, Sooty fronted and Stripe-crowned Spinetails, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Giant Antshrike  We’ll move on on a little known birding road to Vallegrande stopping and birding at suitable habitat along the way. Our target is the Alder Parrot. Night in Vallegrande.

July 12^th : Morning to explore the Vallegrande area. We’ll be looking for special birds such as Red-faced Guan, Golden-winged Cacique, Alder Parrot, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, and more. We’ll move on to Comarape in the evening. Night in  Comarapa

July 13th: Morning around the cultivated  fields between Tambo and Saipina. Regular  birds to be seen include : the endemic Bolivian Earthcreeper, White-bellied Hummingbird, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, White-fronted Woodpecker, Chaco Suiriri Flycatcher, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Rufous-capped Antshrike, White-bellied Tyrannulet, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper,Bay-winged Cowbird, Ringed Warbling-finch, Gray-crested  Finch, Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch, and Saffron-billed Sparrow. In the afternoon we’ll head to Saipina and some agricultural areas along the Rio Misque - here Red-fronted Macaws(endemic) , Blue-crowned Parakeets and Turquoise-fronted Amazons raid the crops. We should see Black and Rufous Warbling-finch here as well. Night at in Comarapa.

July 14th: Early start for the humid temperate forest at Siberia. We'll spend all day with a picnic lunch exploring side roads and trails. This will be our  first  introduction to  cloud forest  birding with lot's more to come  further north.  Birds we are  likely to see here include the - Giant Antshrike - largest of all Antbirds, Andean Guan,  Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Red-crested Cotinga, Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet, White-browed Conebill, Pale-footed Swallow, Pale-legged Warbler, Crested Quetzal  and Blue-winged and Chestnut-bellied Mountain-tanagers. We'll look for Great Pampa-finch  and Red-tailed Comet on the way  back to Comarapa. We may  want  to  spend the  afternoon in some dry semi deciduous habitat looking for Bolivian (endemic) and Rufous-sided Warbling-finches, Speckle-breasted Thornbird and Olive-crowned Crscentchest. We also have located a roosting site for Red-fronted Macaw if we have yet not seen it. Night in Comarapa.   

July 15th: Very early start with a picnic breakfast. To-day we head for the pleasant city of Cochabamba. We'll stop for some early morning birding at Siberia looking for species we may have missed. Continuing on we pass some remnant scrub Polylepis woodland - here possibilities include Giant Conebill, Gray-hooded Parakeet, Rock Earthcreeper, Andean Swift, Gray-bellied Flowerpiercer (endemic), Rufous-bellied Saltator, Wedge-tailed Hillstar (endemic), Rufous-sided and Rufous-browed Warbling-finches. We may see the very pretty Olive-crowned Crescentchest here. We’ll stop on the high grasslands for Puna Canastero and a variety of Miners. Continuing on we'll spend the afternoon birding a cultivated stream area where we hope to see Citron-headed Yellow-finch (endemic), Red-tailed Comet, Giant Hummingbird, Golden-breasted Flicker, Brown-capped Tit-spinetail, Black-hooded Sierra-finch  Fulvous-headed Brush-finch, Rufous-bellied Saltator, Rusty-vented Canastero. Finally we descend into the fertile Cochabamba valley.  Night at hotel in Cochabamba.

July 16th: Early start  for the temperate forest of the yungas (cloud forest) of Chapare. We'll start at  treeline and hope to see some of the following : Undulated Antpitta, Andean Tapaculo, Great Sapphirewing, Cochabamba Thistletail (endemic), Black-eared and Black-crowned Parrot, Hooded-mountain Toucan, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Light-crowned Spinetail and Crowned Chat-tyrant.  We may visit Laguna Alalaya in the late pm for waterfowl and shorebirds. Night in Cochabamba

July 17th: As a complete contrast  to the previous day we'll visit a dry Andean valley above Quillacolla where stands of mature Polylepis woodland still exist. This should be an exciting days birding. Endemics are the order of the day here and we will pay special attention  to Cochabamba Mountain-finch (endemic), Wedge-tailed Hillstar (endemic), Bolivian Blackbird(endemic) and Bolivian Warbling-finch(endemic), Rufous-bellied Saltator, other possibities include: Black-winged Ground-dove, Andean Hillstar, White-winged Black-tyrant, Tufted Tit-tyrant, Tawny-Tit-tyrant, Andean Swallow, Cinereous and Giant Conebills. We'll head up to the high puna grasslands for the local Short-tailed Finch, Streak-throated Canastero, White-winged Diuca-finch and a variety of Ground-tyrants and Sierra-finches. We'll return to Cochabamba for the night. Hotel in Cochabamba.