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The Highlights of Manu

 
 INTRODUCTION:

White-throated Toucan, Ramphastos tucanus. Manu, Per? Photo:Gunnar EngblomIt is becoming clear to us that many clients want week-long trips that only require taking five days off from work (in this case, six days), and despite that, we recommend doing the complete Manu in 22 days; there is a demand for a complete Manu trip over two weekends and the days between. Since we always try to cater to all needs, we proudly present the ultra-concise "The highlights of Manu." This is also an excellent trip to build a more extensive Peru program with other shorter trips such as Machu Picchu and Abra Malaga and even short programs to North Peru.



 DEPARTURES:
No Departures for this Tour


If the departure dates don't fit you, please suggest another date.
 
 THE TOUR:

Day 1. Cusco- Wayqecha (2700m).
On the first flight of the day, at 5.00 AM, you shall fly from Lima to Cusco. Plan your arrival to Lima at the latest 3 AM if you travel light with hand luggage only, and before 2.20 AM if you bring suitcases.

Upon your arrival in Cusco, you shall board our bus and be taken to Huacarpay Lake to look or Bearded Mountaineer and other birds of the lake.

It will take a good four hours before we reach a descent forest stretch, but many highland species can be seen on the way such as Mountain Parakeet, Black-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Cinereous Ground-Tyrant, and Spot-winged Pigeon.
Birding the temperate woodland beyond Tres Cruces, we will specifically look for Puna Thistletail and Diademed Tapaculo. Lower down, we may find the endemic Red-and-White Antpitta.

Yungas Pygmy-Owl
and species like Marcapata Spinetail, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Blue-banded Toucanet, Hooded, Grass-Green, and Scarlet-breasted Mountain-Tanager can be seen near Wayqecha research station where we will spend the night. We shall also look for Swallow-tailed Nightjar at dusk. B. L. D.

Day 2. Wayqecha - Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
Further down we may be lucky with 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. In the late afternoon, we shall arrive at the Cock of the Rock lek. We will spend the night at the comfortable Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge.

Day 3. Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. The private reserve around the lodge holds several good birds, such as Long-tailed Antbird, Dusky-Green Oropendola, Yungas Manakin, Black-billed Treehunter, Orange-eared Tanager, Versicolored Barbet and Black-and-Chestnut and Solitary Eagles. The permanent mixed species flock around the camp contains species like Yellow-rumped Antwren, Cinnamon-faced, and Bolivian Tyrannulet. Other birds include Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Crested Quetzal, Uniform Antshrike, and Golden-collared Tanager.

At the lodge clearing, there are feeders and porter weed (blue vervain flowers) where hummingbirds like Violet-fronted Brilliant, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, and Wire-crested Thorntail can be seen. Peruvian Piedtail and Rufous-webbed Brilliants are rare but sometimes seen. B. L. D.

Blue-headed Parrot, Pionus menstruus. Manu, Per? Photo:Gunnar EngblomDay 4. Cock-of-the Rock Lodge - Manu Research Station (formerly Villa Carmen) Continued birding in the vicinity of Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge in the morning. Specifically, we shall look for the recently described Inti Tanager living in the bamboo.

In the afternoon, we will continue to Pilcopata at 1000m and look for specialties such as Amazonian Umbrellabird, Peruvian Piedtail, Cerulean-capped Manakin, Black-streaked Puffbird, Russet Antshrike, Lanceolated Monklet, and Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher. The bamboo holds species like Ornate Antwren, Bamboo Antshrike, and White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant. Sometimes Wholly Monkeys are seen along this stretch.
In the afternoon, we will reach the frontier town of Pilcopata and check in at the very comfortable Manu Research Center (Villa Carmen), with its extensive trail system we shall explore. B. L. D.

Day 5.  Villa Carmen all day.
Villa Carmen has some good Bamboo that we will explore early in the morning with almost all the special bamboo obligate bird birds, including Rufous-headed Woodpecker. There are several additional Amazonian birds we shall search for on the trail system such as Black-capped Tinamou), Black-spotted Bare-eye, Amazonian and Thrush-like Antpitta, Fiery-capped Manakin, and many more.  B. L. D.

Day 6. Villa Carmen to Dorado Lodge. 
Beyond Pilcopata we cross some low hills reaching 1000m, with scenic views over the Alto Madre de Dios river. Along the road, we also sometimes see Military and Blue-headed Macaw. Other birds recorded on this stretch include Fine-barred Piculet, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Russet Antshrike, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Red-billed Tyrannulet, Plum-throated and Spangled Cotingas, Yellow-billed Nunbird, and Pheasant Cuckoo. 

Additionally, this road has two new feeding stations for hummingbirds and tanagers. They have even started to feed King Vultures nearby. Keen photographers may use hides for an additional fee to get close-up pictures of these beautiful scavengers. 
The hummingbirds here include Rufous-crested Coquette, Kopecke's Hermit, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, and many more. 

We will cross the new bridge over Piedras River, making selective stops on the way to Shintuya, where we will take a motorized canoe boat to take to Dorado Lodge on the Alto Madre de Dios River. This lodge will be a stepping stone to break the journey, but it is also very close to a nesting site of Harpy Eagle, which we may check out if there are recent reports. B. L. D.

Day 7. Dorado Lodge-ManuBirding Lodge
After breakfast, we will travel down Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. In the late afternoon, we reach Manu Birding Lodge, where we shall stay in basic cabins with private baths and hot showers. There are two tapir clay licks nearby. Those still having energy may do a night walk to one of these. Sometimes Red-brocket Deer and Ocelots are also seen near the lick. B. L. D.

Day 8.  Manu Birding Lodge
Full day at the trails of Manu Birding Lodge There is a great trail system at the camp which includes both terra firme, and varzea-like forest, heliconia thickets, aguajales (palm swamps) and extensive bamboo with all the specialists, including Long-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant, Pavonine Cuckoo, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, and Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. Monkeys, including Black Spider Monkey, Monk Saki, and Emperor Tamarin, are plentiful. Pale-winged Trumpeters and Razor-billed Curassows are often seen. We transfer to the more upmarket Manu Wildlife Center or Blanquillo Lodge in the late afternoon.

Day 9. Macaw-lick, Cocha Camungo and Cocha Blanco.
Early morning start to reach the famous Macaw lick. One of the true natural wonders where Blue-headed, Mealy Parrots and White-eyed Parakeet later are replaced by large, raucous Red-and-Green Macaws. The rest of the morning, we will spend time at the tower of Cocha Camungo for canopy species and/or walk the trails. The trails are good for Banded Antbird, Semi-collared Puffbird, Pale-winged Trumpeter, and Rufous-fronted Antthrush. In the afternoon, we shall go to Cocha Blanquillo to try to see the local Giant Otter colony and additional marsh birds. Night at Manu Wildlife Center or Blanquillo Lodge

Day 10. Cocha Camungo Tower, boat to Colorado, drive to Puerto Maldonado, and flight to Lima. Break of dawn at the Canopy tower again with breakfast served 40 meters up in the air with a splendid view over the awakening Amazonian rain forest. Toucans, parrots, raptors, cotingas, and woodpeckers are best appreciated from up here.

On the way to Puerto Maldonado, we shall make selective stops at Moriche Palmswamps for Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Sulphury Flycatcher, Puru's Jacamar, etc. Also, many savanna species will inevitably add to your massive list. The flight to Lima leaves at 17:10 

 


 PRICE :


Option: THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MANU Days: 10
Price: US$ 3550 (Minimum 5 people).
 
Less than 5 people: (see pricing)
 
 

Price includes flight, tour, full board, guiding, and transport

 


 CLIENT'S COMMENTS:
 
 


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Telephone: +51-1- 652 76 89. From the US: 011-51-1- 652 76 89. Cell: 988 555 938 (Gunnar) or 999 007 886 (Elia Gallo) - Email: kolibriexp@gmail.com