February 1. Cusco-Cock of the Rock Lodge
We will travel over land to Cock-of-the Rock Lodge. On the way we have chance of spotting Rufous-capped Thornbill. At the lodge Black-throated Brilliants, Many-spotted Hummingbird and Booted Racket-tail come to the feeders. In the afternoon we shall be visiting the famous lek of Cock-of-the-Rock where the orange males gather to show off for females passing by B.L.D.
Day 2. Lower down this road two very rare Hummingbirds have been seen recently- Peruvian Piedtail and Rufous-webbed Brilliant. Later you shall be traveling to Erika Lodge. There is a good garden that is frequently visited by over 10 species of Hummingbirds including Rufous-crested Coquette. B.L.D.
Day 3. A full morning will be used to explore the trails around Erika. Hummingbirds regularly recorded at Erika Lodge are the following Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Pale-tailed Barbthroat, Green Hermit, White-bearded Hermit, Great-billed Hermit, Koepcke´s Hermit, White-browed Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, White-necked Jacobin, Sparkling Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Blue-tailed Emerald, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Gould´s Jewelfront, Black-throated Brilliant, Rufous-webbed Brilliant, Booted Racket-tail, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Black-eared Fairy, Blue-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-crested Coquete, Rufous-throated Sapphire, White-chinned Sapphire, Wire-crested Thorntail and Needle-billed Hermit. We shall travel down river around noon to reach Manu Amazon Lodge in the late afternoon. B.L.D.
Day 4-6. You shall have three full days to explore Amazon Manu Lodge. One morning will be spent at the canopy platform. You are also invited to make a night hike to the famous Tapir clay lick, where Tapirs are often seen at very close range. One morning will be spent at the Macaw lick where large numbers of Red-and-Green Macaws and many other parrots gather. Hummingbird options are plentiful and there will be another chance for many of those mentioned under Erika Lodge. Recently Festive Coquette has been found here with regularity.
There is excellent bamboo here for some of the most sought after species in SE Peru including White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant, Long-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Rufous-headed Woodpecker and many more. B.L.D.
Day 7. After an additional short mornings birding we shall return upriver for a night at Yanayacu Lodge. This is another lodge where Tapirs often have been seen. B.L.D.
Day 8. Morning at Yanayacu and continue upriver to Atalaya. In the afternoon we shall transfer to the road to Pilcopata again, watching out for overflying parrots such as Military and Blue-headed Macaw and Spangled and Plum-throated Cotinga in the tree-tops. Wattled Guan, Orange-breasted Falcon, Red-billed Tyrannulet, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Manu Antbird, Bamboo Antshrike, Large-headed Flatbill, Pheasant Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Black-backed Tody-Tyrant and Fine-barred Piculet have all been seen in the past. B.L.D.
Day 9. Bamboo birding near Pilcopata.
There are some excellent bamboo patches near Pilcopata. Additional species we shall be looking for here include Peruvian Recurvebill, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Flammulated Bamboo-Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill and many more. Also near Pilcopata is a marshy area that hold Point-tailed palmcreeper. Night at Cock-of the Rock Lodge. B.L.D.
Day 10. Cock-of-the Rock Lodge-Ollantaytambo
We will bird the road upwards to Rocotal, situated just at the upper limit of the subtropical zone. Birds here include Red & White Antpitta, White-throated Antpitta, Crimson-backed Woodpecker, Blue-banded Toucanet, White-eared and Andean Solitaires, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Scaly-naped Parrot, Amethyst-throated Sunangel and many more. Recently, the rare Andean Potoo has been seen here.
Also during a stop at the pass we will specifically look for Puna Thistletail, Diademed Tapaculo and Scribble-tailed and Junin Canasteros. At high altitude and open areas one may find Puna Hawk, Spot-winged Pigeon, Andean Flicker and Andean Lapwing. In dry scrub near Paucartambo we can have a second look for the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail as well as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Shining Sunbeam and Rust-and-Yellow Tanager. B.L.D.
Day 11. Abra Malaga area ? including White-tufted Sunbeam. In pm train to Aguas Calientes. B.L.D.
Day 12. Machu Pichu all day. Birding for Gould?s Inca and Green and White Hummingbird among the hummers and specialties like Inca Wren, Masked Fruiteater, Black-streaked Puffbird and more.
In Pm train back to Ollantaytambo and bus back to Cusco. B.L.
