A very complete parrot- watching trip in Peru, loaded also with the most interesting historical and cultural sites. This trip is suitable for those that wants to do other things than birdwatching and those that have particualr interest in Parrots.
The trip can be devided into the sections described below to be joining only part of the three week program.
Ask us for quotes to run this trip on request for larger groups (and with great discounts).
Day 0. Arrive to Lima. Hotel Manhattan near airport.
NE Amazonian Peru. Pacaya Samiria National Park. The Water world of the Amazon:
Day 1. Flight to Iquitos. Speed boats to Pacaya Samiria.
Day 2-5. Pacaya-Samiria
Short-tailed, Black-headed and Festive Parrots and Canary-winged Parakeet are among the possible species. Other common Psittids include Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Blue-winged Parrotlet and Sapphire-rumped Parrotlet. The whole area is rich in wildlife. There are two species of river dolphins, several species of monkeys including the red uakari and large conspicuous birds such as Horned Screamer and Green Ibis around.
Northern Peru: Dry woodland and Scrub and Subtropical forests in the reigns of pre-incan cultures of the Moches (Sipan ? c. 400AD) and the Chachapoyas (Kuelap 1300 AD)
Last day we return to Iquitos for a short flight to Tarapoto. A bus will wait for us to take us to the lower regions of the Rioja-Abra Patricia road, where we may see the rare and threatened Spot-winged Parrotlet. Usually swift flocks fly over, but with some luck we may see a flock perch. We will stay in a Hotel in Rioja.
Day 6. The subtropical forests below Abra Patricia hold a number of interesting parrot species. We will need two mornings to sample different altitudes.In the higher parts Scaly-naped, Red-billed and White-capped Parrots are possible. Other interesting birds in the same are include Cock-of-the-Rock, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow and Black-mandibled Toucan. Night at excellent Puerto Puma. Pomacocha Inn.
Day 7. Pomacochas -Tingo In the morning we will be working the Abra Patricia area for additional chances to see some of the species mentioned above as well as the rare Royal Sunangel. Later the same morning we will continue via a site for Marvelous Spatuletail - one of the most remarkable hummingbirds in South America. In the late afternoon we will be arriving at our hotel in the Utcubamba valley at the foot of the Kuelap ruins.
Day 8. Tingo-Kuelap-Leimebamba In the morning we will make a visit to this amazing fortress from the the Chachapoyas culture. It is said that it contains three times the stones of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. There is some cloud forest around and we shall have good use for our binoculars watching tanagers and hummingbirds. Possible pstittids include Scarlet-fronted Parakeet and in areas with bamboo the budgie like Barred Parakeet (usually seen very distant overflies). In Leimebamba we will install ourself in the basic but charming local hotel ?Laguna de los Condores?. The Leimebamba museum on the town square has an interesting exhibition about the impressive mummy-figures that have been found nearby.
Day 9. Leimebamba-Balsas-Tingo. Above Leimebamba sometimes Golden-plumed Parakeets can be seen. In the lower regions of the mighty Marañon depression we will look for Yellow-faced Parrotlet. After a pic-nic lunch we will return north with a second chance of seeing Golden-plumed Parakeets. We will stay the night once again in the comfortable countryside hotel at Tingo.
Day 10. Driving through Utcubamba valley over the Porculla pass. Possible to make a side-trip for mitrata alticola if time permits. Night at Hostal El Remanso in Olmos.
Day 11. Early morning we will be walking up a dry valley where the threatened White-winged Guan can be found. Pacific Parrotlet, Gray-cheeked Parakeet and Red-masked Parakeet are all Psittid possibilities as well as a number of Tumbesian Endemics such as the impressive Guayaquil Woodpecker and the skulking but strikingly beautiful Elegant Crescentchest. In the afternoon we will make a visit to the newly opened ?lord of Sipan museum in Lambayeque. Flight to Lima in the afternoon. Free evening. Dinner not included. Maybe you want to have a romantic dinner on the waterfront at for example Restaurant Rosa Nautica. Or just walk around in the modern shopping mall Larcomar where you find exclusive stores, fast-food restaurants and modern multicinema with the latest movies in original language with Spanish subtitles.
Tambopata area. The greatest macaw lick in the world. Lowland rainforest.
Day 12.. Flight Lima-Pto Maldonado Puerto Maldonado. Night in Explorer?s Inn. Additional parrot Black-capped Parakeet is quite common here and maybe even Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet. Chances of Tui Parakeet during the day, but difficult to separate from Cobalt-winged Parakeet since calls are similar.
Day 13. Transfer to Tambopata Research Center. In the afternoon we have the best chance to find mammals along the shores of the rivers. Possibilities include Red Brocket Deer, Capibara and if very lucky Tapir. In 2002 we were lucky to see and photograph two Jaguars.
Day 14. Visit at the colpa. We recorded the following including the Amazonian Parrotlet at a stake out day perch: Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Red-and-green Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Amazonian Parrotlet, White-bellied Parrot, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Mealy Parrot. Also Dusky-billed Parrotlet possible.. Sleep at TRC.
Day 15. Additional morning in hides to see parrots at the macaw lick. In the afternoon we will return to Explorer?s Inn.
Day 16. After a boat-trip to Puerto Maldonado we shall fly to Cusco. In the PM we will do a short city-tour in this capital of the Incan empire. Hotel Emperador Plaza
Manu road. Suptropical and upper tropical forest. Quest for Blue-headed and Military Macaw as well as the splendid Cock-of-the-Rock.
Day 17. Cusco-Cock of the Rock-Lodge. A scenic journey over the Andes that will get us into the cloud forest. Here Scaly-naped and Plum-crowned Parrots and Golden-plumed Parakeets are possible.
Day 18. The lek of the magnificent Andean Cock of the Rock will be visited in the early morning. Later we continue the trip to Amazonia lodge. The canopy tower provides good possibilities to see Blue-headed and Military Macaws as well as white-eyed Parakeet.
Day 19. After a morning at the canopy tower we will retrace to Cock of the Rock Lodge.
Day 20. We will continue to search for Golden-plumed Parakeet in the upper areas of the road before we return to Cusco. Hotel Sauce, Ollantaytambo.
Cusco area with Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Day 21. A trip to Abra Malaga. Andean Parakeet quite likely. Also some good Polylepis birds, such as Royal Cinclodes, White-browed Tit-Spinetail and Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant possible and some great views. In the evening we will take a train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu the following day. Hotel Hatuchay Toweri in Aguas Calientes.
Day 22. Machu Picchu all day. Mitred Parakeet and Plum-crowned Parrot are regular. In late afternoon we return to Cusco. Hotel Los Portales.
Day 23. Flight to Lima. During the day try a reliable close site for Mountain Parakeet and in the evening flights back to country of orign. If time permits also Gold Museum.
