Peru Manu Biosphere Encompassed 29 th April to 14 th May 2019 (16 days) Lake Titicaca & Arequipa Extension 14 th to 19 th May 2019 (6 days)

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1 Peru Manu Biosphere Encompassed 29 th April to 14 th May 2019 (16 days) Lake Titicaca & Arequipa Extension 14 th to 19 th May 2019 (6 days) Crested Quetzal by Clayton Burne

2 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 2 This exciting tour provides and in-depth exploration of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, famed as possibly the most biodiverse place on Earth. From the lofty heights of the high Andes to vast tracts of pristine lowland rain forest, this tour transects an almost unimaginably diverse array of habitats and birdlife. Approximately 1,000 species of birds are known from this single biosphere reserve nearly 10% of the world s bird species in a single reserve! Departing the historic city of Cusco, we head for the legendary Manu Road, dropping in at Lago Huacarpay for Rusty-fronted Canastero, Streak-fronted Thornbird and the prime target of the area; the gorgeous endemic Bearded Mountaineer. We climb to the highest parts of the Manu Road before descending the eastern Andean slopes and birding through temperate zones and montane cloud forest, offering chances for an incredible variety of exceptional and endemic birds, including Cerulean-capped and Yungas Manakins, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals, Blue-banded Toucanet, Spotted Barbtail, the outrageous Amazonian Umbrellabird, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Inca Flycatcher, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer, Peruvian Piedtail and a host of bamboo specialists such as Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Bamboo Antshrike and White-cheeked Tody- Flycatcher. We also visit an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek site, where up to twenty males sometimes congregate, to watch the strange mating dance of these spectacular birds! With persistence, night birding in this area might yield the uncommon Napo and Rufescent Screech Owls, Rufous-banded Owl, Lyretailed Nightjar and possibly even Andean Potoo. Reaching the end of the Manu Road we take to boats to explore deeper into the lowland rain forests of the Manu. Using lodges and camps along the Manu and Madre de Dios Rivers we will be overwhelmed by the diversity of birdlife around us. From mobile towers, clay licks, oxbow lakes and bamboo forest to an extensive network of trails, there will be no boring moments ahead, spending several fabulous days in this avian wonderland. The number of star birds is mind-boggling, with over 560 species having been recorded here and such stellar potentials as Manu Antbird, Elusive Antpitta, Razor-billed Curassow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Sunbittern, Sungrebe and Agami Heron, to name but a few! Other wildlife abound, including 13 species of monkey and chances for Brazilian Tapir, Collared and White-lipped Peccary, and even Jaguar! MANU BIOSPHERE ENCOMPASSED Day 1 Arrival in Cusco THE TOUR AT A GLANCE Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Lago Huacarpay to Upper Manu Road (Elfin Forest) Upper Manu Road (Elfin Forest) Upper to Mid-elevation Manu Road (Cloud Forest) Mid-elevation Manu Road (Subtropical Forest) Mid-elevation Manu Road (Bamboo Forest) Mid-elevation Manu Road to Andean foothills Andean foothills Andean foothills to Campamento Aguaje Campamento Aguaje

3 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 3 Day 11 Day 12 to 14 Day 15 Day 16 Campamento Aguaje to Manu Wildlife Centre Manu Wildlife Centre Manu Wildlife Centre to Puerto Maldonado Puerto Maldonado and final departures LAKE TITICACA & AREQUIPA EXTENSION Day 1 Puerto Maldonado to Juliaca (Lake Titicaca) Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Lake Titicaca Juliaca to Colca Canyon Colca Canyon to Arequipa Chiguata & Laguna Salinas Final departure from Arequipa THE TOUR ROUTE MAP

4 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 4 Manu Biosphere Encompassed Day 1: Arrival in Cusco. Today is set aside as an arrival day in Cusco, the historical Incan capital city of Peru perched some 3,382 lungbusting metres above sea level. While construction of the city was started by the indigenous Killke culture, it is the building by the Inca and consequent destruction by the Spanish that the city is best known for. Since 1200CE, the Inca lived and enhanced the city for more than 300 years. The arrival of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro spelt the end of Cuzco, for despite re-naming it the Very noble and great city of Cuzco, the Spanish pulled most of the stonework down and re-constructed the city in their own image. A strong earthquake in 1950 toppled many of the Spanish constructions, while the original Incan walls Giant Hummingbird by Adam Riley remained intact - some testament not only to the beauty of the architecture but also its incredible design. This evening we shall meet up for a welcome dinner. Day 2: Lago Huacarpay to Upper Manu Road (Elfin Forest). We depart Cusco this morning en route to the upper Manu Road. We will spend the early part of the morning around the scenic Huacarpay Lake. The lake is surrounded by both Incan and pre-incan ruins, and we will have time to look for a wide variety of high Andean waterfowl. These include Puna, Yellow-billed and Cinnamon Teals, Yellowbilled Pintail, Andean Duck, Silvery Grebe, Andean Coot and many other wetland-associated species. We will also search the surrounding reed beds for the furtive Wren-like Rushbird, beautiful Manycolored Rush Tyrant, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Puna Ibis and Andean Negrito, to name just some of our targets. The seemingly barren arid scrub that covers the surrounding hillsides is loaded with birds, and we will search for the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero, Streakfronted Thornbird and the prime target of the area; the gorgeous endemic Bearded Mountaineer feeding in the yellow flowers of tobacco bushes. While the mountaineer is sometimes tricky to find, it is often associated with the larger Giant Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Greenish Yellow Finch, Blue-and-yellow Tanager and Peruvian, Ash-breasted and Mourning Sierra Finches. We may also encounter some raptors, including Tit-like Dacnis by Rob Williams

5 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 5 Aplomado Falcon, Cinereous Harrier, Variable Hawk and the larger Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. Rufous-capped Thornbill by Clayton Burne After a fantastic first morning, we shall start making our way up the famed Manu Road. We will make a number of birding stops as we ascend, searching the inter-montane valleys for some very localised endemics. Our first stop is likely to be at a site for the endemic Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch whilst also watching for the high-altitude Andean Hillstar, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Chiguanco Thrush and the endemic Creamy-crested Spinetail. We shall eventually reach Acjanacu, the last Andean mountain pass where Andean Condors can sometimes be seen cruising high above. If the weather is clear, it may be possible to look out from this final range of the Andes, over the infinite expanse of the Amazon basin stretching to the horizon. Doubtlessly, the Incas also stood at this same place in ancient times worshipping the sun rising over the endless rainforest. Birding the roadside scrub might yield Scribbletailed and Line-fronted Canasteros as well as Puna Tapaculo. We will begin birding through the upper limits of the eastern slopes before gradually working our way down the eastern edge of the Andes during the coming week or so. Here the forest becomes more contiguous than in the highlands, as we make our way to our idyllically located cloud forest lodge perched at almost 2,800m (9,000 feet) above sea level. In the evening, we will have the opportunity to search for the exquisite Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Yungas Pygmy Owl and perhaps even White-throated Screech Owl. Day 3: Upper Manu Road (Elfin Forest). Breakfast this morning will greet us with a varied dawn chorus that may include the endemic Red-and-white Antpitta. Beginning from our lodge, some of the birds we will set out searching for this morning are the recently described Diademed Tapaculo, Moustached Flowerpiercer, Tit-like Dacnis, Golden-collared Tanager and Puna Thistletail. We will spend most of the day birding through lush forest seeking out mixed feeding flocks that are sure to contain a variety of tanagers, flycatchers and furnarids (ovenbirds), including Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, White-collared Jay and Southern Mountain Cacique. Grass-green Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Blackthroated Tody-Tyrant, Barred Fruiteater and both Whitebanded and White-throated Tyrannulets, to name just a few Creamy-crested Spinetail by Clayton Burne

6 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 6 of the possibilities. Some of the scarcer denizens of the forest here include Peruvian Treehunter, Goldenplumed Parakeet, Kalinowski s Chat- Tyrant and Greater Scythebill. Day 4: Upper to Mid-elevation Manu Road (Cloud Forest). We have another full morning to bird around the Elfin forest of our lodge. After lunch, we will continue birding downhill, heading towards our lodge for the next two nights. As we move down the little-travelled forested road to lower elevations (approaching 1,600m / 5,000 ft), we will be keeping Golden-collared Tanager by Dubi Shapiro an eye out for White-rumped Hawk, Trilling Tapaculo, Black-andchestnut Eagle, Andean Guan, Scaly-naped Amazon, Crimson-mantled and Bar-bellied Woodpeckers, the endemic Marcapata Spinetail, White-throated Antpitta, Band-tailed Fruiteater, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Becard, Pale-footed Swallow, Mountain Wren and Citrine Warbler. This area also supports a wide variety of dazzling hummingbirds such as Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Purple-backed Thornbill, Scaled Metaltail and White-bellied Woodstar. We can expect to arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon. Home for the next few days, it offers only basic candle and lantern lighting at night, but more than makes up for this with a pleasant dining area and exquisite lounge overlooking fantastic hummingbird and fruit feeding stations. The mammal front may also get a boost here, with Brown Capuchin Monkey and Tayra both possible, the latter often arriving at night to pick through fruit scraps from the feeding station. Day 5: Mid-elevation Manu Road (Subtropical Forest). Our lodge is situated in the pristine cloud forest of the mountains of Manu, only a few minutes walk from a spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek site. Furnished with comfortable blinds from which to observe these vibrant birds during their incredible dawn mating rituals, you should be sure to bring your camera and a spare battery or two. An adjoining trail system enables us to see right into the cloud forest understory where skulkers abound, including Chestnut-breasted Wren, Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted and Shorttailed Antthrushes, Slaty Gnateater and the endemic Cerulean-capped Manakin. The surrounding area also allows for views of several spectacular waterfalls as well as a plethora of beautiful orchids, with at least 80 species recorded in the lodge vicinity alone! Kalinowski s Chat-Tyrant by Clayton Burne

7 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 7 Rufous-headed Woodpecker by Dubi Shapiro We will take the time to concentrate on the different altitudinal zones, spanning from 2,500m to 1,500m (7,700 to 4,600 ft). Among the many species on offer here, we will be searching intently for White-rumped Hawk, Montane Solitary Eagle, Rufous-capped Thornbill, both Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals, Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot, Black-streaked Puffbird, the charismatic Bluebanded Toucanet, Olive-backed and Montane Woodcreepers, Spotted Barbtail, Montane Foliage-gleaner, the outrageous Amazonian Umbrellabird, Uniform and Variable Antshrikes, scarce Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Scaled Fruiteater, Bolivian Tyrannulet, the endemic Inca Flycatcher, Yungas Manakin, White-throated Spadebill, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Yellow-rumped and Slaty Antwrens, Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer and the endemic Peruvian Piedtail. With persistence, night birding in this area might yield the uncommon Napo and Rufescent Screech Owls, Rufousbanded Owl, Lyre-tailed Nightjar and possibly Andean Potoo. Day 6: Mid-elevation Manu Road (Bamboo Forest). Waking up to the songs of Andean Solitaire and Paradise Tanager, we will spend the day slowly birding down to an altitude of around 500m (1,500 ft). The upper tropical zone forest we will be passing through today has sadly disappeared from much of the Andean slopes throughout South America due to its suitability for cash crops such as tea, coffee and cocoa, but in this part of Peru, the forest remains virtually untouched. Some of the birds we will be searching for in this specialised habitat include Rufous-breasted Wood Quail, Plum-crowned Parrot, Chestnut-collared Swift, Three-striped and Three-banded Warblers, Long-tailed Sylph, the scarce Lanceolated Monklet, Versicolored Barbet, Russet Antshrike, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Olive-tufted and Golden-crowned Flycatchers, Dusky-green Oropendola, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-winged Tanager and the striking Yellow-throated Bush Tanager. At this altitude we will also find stands of Gadua bamboo. This interesting forest is home to an exciting group of birds that are only found in this habitat. These will hopefully include Rufousheaded Woodpecker, Bamboo Antshrike, Whitelined, Manu and Goeldi s Antbird, Peruvian Recurvebill, Dusky-cheeked and Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Flammulated Pygmy-Tyrant, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher and Duskytailed and Large-headed Flatbill. Other species Round-tailed Manakin by Dubi Shapiro

8 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 8 inhabiting these bamboo thickets include Pavonine Cuckoo, Red-billed Scythebill, Cabanis s Spinetail and Ornate and Dot-winged Antwrens. Day 7: Mid-elevation Manu Road to Andean Foothills. We have some more time on the bamboo forest trails for any species we may be missing, before heading to the town of Atalaya. A short boat ride across the Rio Madre de Dios takes us to our comfortable lodge in the foothills of the Amazon. Day 8: Andean Foothills. We have a day and a half to explore this fabulous family-run, converted tea hacienda. The lodge is situated in the transitional zone between the foothills of the Andes and the flat lowlands of the Amazon Basin proper, and boasts an almost unbelievable bird list of over 550 species! A Golden-tailed Sapphire by Rob Williams canopy tower on the nearby hillside also enables us to watch upper-story foothill flocks with ease, and the numerous butterfly bushes often attract a variety of hummingbirds, including the attractive Rufouscrested Coquette, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Western Emerald, Black-eared Fairy and Black-bellied Thorntail. We will be birding through a variety of habitats including floodplain and hill forest. While the avian possibilities are enormous, some specific species we will be searching for include Black-capped Tinamou, Blackish Rail, Wattled Guan, Military and Blue-headed Macaws, Pheasant Cuckoo, the endemic Koepcke s Hermit, Rufous-webbed Brilliant, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Fine-barred Piculet, Red-billed Scythebill, Dark-breasted Spinetail, Bamboo Foliage-gleaner, Bamboo and Chestnut-backed Antshrikes, Amazonian and Thrush-like Antpittas, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Red-billed Tyrannulet, Johannes s Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-browed and Blackbacked Tody-Flycatchers, Ornate Flycatcher, Cuzco Warbler, the rare Buckley s Forest Falcon, Black-faced Dacnis, and Band-tailed, Fiery-capped and Round-tailed Manakins. We will also have the option of night birding here and possibilities include Mottled and Black-banded Owls, Tawnybellied Screech Owl and Great, Long-tailed and Common Potoos. Day 9: Andean foothills to Campamento Aguaje. We will have time for some more birding around our lodge this morning before boarding our boat to head up the legendary Madre de Dios River. With growing excitement, we will move deeper and deeper into the lowland rainforest and enter Manu National Park, one of South America s last great wildernesses. White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher by Clayton Burne

9 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 9 At Boca Manu we will head up the narrower Manu River and will now be in virtually untouched lowland rainforest. Today will largely be a travel day and we can hope to see some exciting birds from the boat, including Horned Screamer, Orinoco Goose, Fasciated Tiger- Heron, King Vulture, Plumbeous Kite, the fantastic Sunbittern, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Tern, Black Skimmer, Collared Plover and Pied Lapwing. As we travel along the Manu River we will keenly scour the river banks for the small but very real chance of sighting the apex predator of Amazonia, the Jaguar. Eventually we will come to our tented camp set in one of the most birdrich forests in the world! Day 10: Campamento Aguaje. Near to our camp is the Black-banded Owl by Rob Williams famous Cocha Salvador oxbow lake. This cocha is wellknown for its population of Giant Otters and we hope to spend some quality time with this amazing mammal. Paddling around the lake in our catamaran we will see abundant birdlife, hopefully including Hoatzin, Agami and Rufescent Tiger Heron, Muscovy Duck, Black-collared Hawk, Black-capped Donacobius, plus 5 species of kingfisher: Ringed, Amazon, Green, Green-and-rufous and American Pygmy. This more open area can be great for observing parrots and especially macaws with Blue-and-yellow, Scarlet, Red-and-green and Chestnut-fronted all likely! We will also spend time working the trail system that runs through the terra firme forest. High on our wish list will be Black-faced Cotinga which was discovered here in the 1970s, although we will certainly need to have luck on our side to connect with this. We will also hope to see some of the shy ground birds that creep along the forest floor here. In particular, we will hope for an encounter with a group of the shy Pale-winged Trumpeters or perhaps a huge Razor-billed Currasow, Undulated Tinamou or Rufous-capped Antthrush. With over 500 species of birds known from this small area the list of possibilities as we slowly wander the trails seems also endless, but some species we hope to see include Blackbellied Cuckoo, Pavonine Quetzal, Black-tailed Trogon, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Western Striolated Puffbird, Gilded and Lemon-throated Barbets, White-throated Toucan, Yellow-tufted and Red-necked Woodpecker, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Screaming Piha, Blue-backed Manakin and a whole host of antbirds, woodcreepers, foliage-gleaners and flycatchers. Day 11: Campamento Aguaje to Manu Wildlife Centre. After another morning birding session around our lodge we will head back down the Manu River and reconnect with the Madre de Dios. The journey will offer more chances for birding from the boat and again a slim chance for sighting a Blue-headed Macaw by Niels Poul Dreyer

10 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 10 Jaguar. Our outstanding lodge is situated in the heart of pristine Amazonian habitat absolutely teeming with wildlife and swarming with birds, and we have three full days based at the Manu Wildlife Centre, offering us an incredible chance to explore this area supporting the highest diversity of life on Earth! Days 12 to 14: Manu Wildlife Centre. The fabulous Manu Wildlife Centre is undoubtedly one of the world s greatest wilderness preserves. Over 13 species of monkey occur here, Giant River Otter still survives in the oxbow lakes and over 600 bird species have been recorded! Our lodge is situated just upriver from the Blanquillo Macaw Lick, and one morning we will take time to visit this site and observe the spectacle of hundreds of colourful parrots and macaws at close quarters from the camouflage of a well-situated blind. Here we will see the beautiful Orange-cheeked Parrot, hundreds of Blue-headed Parrots and also Mealy and Yellow-crowned Amazons. Other Pale-winged Trumpeter by Dubi Shapiro visitors include White-eyed and Cobalt-winged Parrotlets. Later on we will also visit the large mammal lick in the forest, which apart from attracting the rare Brazilian Tapir, Collared and White-lipped Peccaries and maybe even Jaguar, allows us to watch for equally attracted guans, curassows and chachalacas, as well as Painted and Black-capped Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlet. The extensive trail system in this area has been designed to offer access to the many diverse forest types in the Amazon, and we will gradually work our way along these trails thoroughly birding each unique habitat as we go. These include extensive varzea, large stands of bamboo, tierra firme, and mature transitional floodplain forest. The combination of these habitats supports a mind-boggling variety of birdlife. Ornithological investigations suggest that this area holds more species of bird than anywhere else in the world! There is also a wonderful canopy observation tower accessed by a spiralling metal stairway where we will spend considerable time watching canopy flocks, which could include Sclater s Antwren, Chestnut-winged and Lineated Foliage-gleaners, Three-striped Flycatcher, Redbilled Pied Tanager and Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak, as well as a multitude of other tanager, dacnis and honeycreepers species. In dense stands of bamboo, we will have another chance at any of the bamboo specialists we may have missed along the Manu Road including Rufousheaded Woodpecker, Manu Antbird and Ihering s Antwren. Black spotted Bare-eye by Dubi Shapiro

11 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 11 Some of the scarcer forest species we will be actively searching for include Bartlett s Tinamou, Razor-billed Curassow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Sunbittern, the littleknown Elusive Antpitta, Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Striolated and Collared Puffbirds, Rufous-capped Nunlet, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Ruddy Spinetail, Plain Softtail, Eastern Woodhaunter, Sclater s Antwren, Banded and White-throated Antbirds, Ash-throated Gnateater, Black-spotted Bare-eye, Blackfaced Cotinga, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, White-bellied Tody-Tyrant, Amazonian Royal Flycatcher, Musician Wren and Pale-eyed Blackbird, to name just a few! We will also visit several ox-bow lakes where we will seek out water-associated birds including the bizarre Hoatzin, secretive Sungrebe, Large-billed Seed Finch, Silvered and Band-tailed Antbirds, the rarely recorded Agami Heron, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, elusive Rufous-sided and Collared Puffbird by Clayton Burne Grey-breasted Crakes and, with a little luck, we may even find one of the two Giant Otter families that reside in the area. Night birding can be productive and we have a chance at Long-tailed, Great and Common Potoos, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Spectacled Owl, Ocellated Poorwill and Silky-tailed Nightjar. Day 15: Manu Wildlife Centre to Puerto Maldonado. We will set out early today on our river journey towards Puerto Maldonado, giving us another opportunity to enjoy parrot flocks and riverside birds as we voyage along the Madre de Dios River through unspoilt forest. Our journey down the Madre de Dios takes us past pristine forest until the town of Boca Colorado, affording us a great chance to search for riverside birds and raptors. As the journey continues we ll also see evidence of gold panning before finally arriving at our destination of Boca Colorado. Leaving our boat, we ll then travel by vehicle across the Inambari River, birding along the way until reaching the bustling frontier town of Puerto Maldonado where we ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel. Day 16: Puerto Maldonado and final departures. We will do some final early morning birding around Puerto Maldonado for new species that may include Red-breasted Blackbird, White-tailed Kite, Grassland Sparrow, Grey-breasted Crake, Black-faced Tanager, Barred Antshrike, Southern Crested Caracara, Lesser Yellowheaded Vulture, Small-billed Tinamou, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Rusty-margined and Giant Otter by Adam Riley

12 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 12 Sulphury Flycatchers, and several species of seedeater. The tour will conclude at Puerto Maldonado Airport where some will fly to Lima for their international departures while those continuing onwards with the Lake Titicaca & Arequipa Extension will fly to Juliaca on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca & Arequipa Extension Titicaca Grebe by Jonathan Rossouw This extension takes us to the arid highlands of south western Peru. Lake Titicaca, the world s highest navigable lake, and Colca Canyon, the world s deepest canyon will form an incredible backdrop to our birding here. Surrounded by the rich and colourful Quechuan culture we will seek out the hardy birds that survive in this stark and beautiful area. Beginning at Lake Titicaca we will enjoy the flightless Titicaca Grebe amongst an abundance of waterbirds. We will then transit to the Colca Canyon area, famed for the eye-level viewing of Andean Condors and with a suite of high elevation birds like Canyon and Dark-winged Canastero, Andean Flicker and the impressive Giant Hummingbird. Crossing high mountain passes will give us a shot at seeing Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, before we end up in Arequipa. The area around this historic city has Polylepis forest harbouring many specials including Black Metaltail, Straight-billed and Whitethroated Earthcreeper and Thick-billed Siskin, while a saline lake may hold all three Andean flamingos: Chilean, Andean and James s in addition to Andean Goose, Puna Plover and Andean Avocet. Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Juliaca (Lake Titicaca). This afternoon we will arrive to the high Andean city of Juliaca, the hub of the Puno region. At the lofty heights of 3,825 meters above sea level it is one

13 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 13 of the highest cities in all of South America. Located near the shores of the mighty Lake Titicaca, it is the perfect base to explore the area. Day 2: Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. With a surface area of 8,372 square kilometers and a depth of up to 281 meters, it is also the largest lake in South America. Spanning the borders of both Peru and Bolivia, the area boasts a rich history and has been inhabited by a number of diverse cultures, most notably the Uru people that live on 42 different floating islands in the lake. This will be our backdrop to a very interesting day of birding around the lake. The prime target today will be the Titicaca Grebe. This endangered and flightless grebe has its stronghold on this enormous water body. Diademed Sandpiper-Plover by Dubi Shapiro Other species of waterbirds which we can expect to see today include Puna, Cinnamon and Yellow-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Duck, White-tufted Grebe, Chilean Flamingo, Puna Ibis, Andean Coot and Andean Lapwing. The extensive reed beds should hold Plumbeous Rail, Wren-like Rushbird, Manycolored Rush Tyrant and Yellow-winged Blackbird. The surrounding arid country may produce sightings of Spot-winged Pigeon, Bare-faced and Black-winged Ground Doves, Mountain Caracara and perhaps the recently split Puna Pipit. Day 3: Juliaca to Colca Canyon. After a final check along the shores of Lake Titicaca, we will drive through some spectacular high Andean scenery as we make our way towards Chivay. As we drive through this arid country we will likely encounter small herds of Vicuna, one of the two wild Camelid species in South America. We will make a number of stops in search of the hardy birds that eke out an existence in this stark landscape. Species we may see today could include Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Vicuña by Clayton Burne

14 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 14 Spot-winged Pigeon, Bare-faced and Black-winged Ground Dove, Andean Swift, Andean Flicker, Mountain Caracara, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Andean Negrito, Andean Swallow and Ash-breasted Sierra Finch. We will stop at some water bodies to seek out some highland water birds which could include Giant Coot, Andean Avocet and Puna Plover. Upon arrival in Chivay we will soon appreciate that much of the Quechuan culture is well presered and on display here, before we head out for some explorations of the legendary Colca Canyon. This 100kilometer long canyon is the world s deepest, with a maximum depth of an extraordinary 3,400 meters! This underappreciated geological wonder is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The views of the canyon and the setting sun this evening should be memorable! Grey-breasted Seedsnipe by Dušan Brinkhuizen Day 4: Colca Canyon to Arequipa. This morning we will bird the Colca Canyon. With the world s deepest canyon below us, we hope to see some very range restricted furnariids - Canyon and Dark-winged Canastero and Slender-billed Miner. Other species we may well see include the massive Giant Hummingbird, Andean Hillstar and Andean Swifts, Rufousnaped Ground Tyrant, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Chiguanco Thrush, Hooded Siskin and Peruvian, Mourning and Band-tailed Sierra Finches. As the day heats up we will position ourselves for eye-level views of Andean Condor. The Colca Canyon is well-known for offering some of the best viewing opportunities for this impressive species! Other raptors that should be sharing the thermals are Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle and Mountain Caracara. After our morning s birding, we will drive to Arequipa. This drive will take us over some high mountain passes and offer some more stunning scenery. We will make some birding stops and even have a small chance seeing Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. Other high altitude birds that are possible today include Andean Goose, Crested Duck, Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, White-winged Cinclodes, Cordilleran Canastero, Taczanowski s, Puna and White-fronted Ground Tyrant, Andean Swallow, Whitethroated Sierra Finch and White-winged Diuca Finch. In the afternoon we will arrive to the historic and beautiful city of Arequipa. It is Peru s second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Andean Condor by Rich Lindie Day 5: Chiguata & Laguna Salinas. This morning we will head up to the Chiguata Canyon which gives us an opportunity to access Polylepis forest, a highly threatened Andean

15 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 15 habitat which harbours its own suite of specialized birds. Targets this morning will include Black Metaltail, Oasis Hummingbird, Straight-billed and White-throated Earthcreeper, Dark-winged Canastero, d Orbigny s Chat-Tyrant, Thick-billed Siskin and perhaps even Tamarugo Conebill. From here we will continue up to Laguna Salinas. If water levels are right we will be able to observe all three Andean flamingos: Chilean, Andean, James s. Other high altitude birds that may be around are Andean Goose, Andean Lapwing, Puna Plover, Andean Avocet, Puna Snipe, Puna Ground Tyrant and Bright-rumped Yellow Finch. Day 6: Final departure from Arequipa. After breakfast, we head to Arequipa airport where our tour will conclude. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below. This includes: All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16 of the main tour; and from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6 of the Lake Titicaca and Arequipa Extension; Bottled drinking water; All lodgings; Ground transportation; Reserve entrance fees; Extra activities as mentioned in the itinerary; and All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services). The tour fee does not include: Visa fees; ANY flights; Any beverages (including mini-bar charges at hotels); Special gratuities; Telephone calls and Laundry and other items of a personal nature. Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBL cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share. IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged.

16 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 16 c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader/s. If, therefore, you feel that he/they have given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them. Special Notes: Since we have some longish drives and as space in the vehicles is limited, it is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20 kg (44lb) for check in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage. Fitness: We will be birding some mountainous and high altitude areas on foot and along forest trails. Trails are sometimes steep and, depending on weather conditions, slippery. A good level of fitness is required for this tour. Peru is a large country and there is great variety in the climate, mostly determined by altitude. While we time our tours to coincide with the relative dry season, rain is always possible and you should bring adequate rain gear as well as an umbrella. We spend some days at particularly high altitudes that are often very cold and windy with the potential for snow and sleet; warm gear is certainly required. The thinner atmosphere exposes one to higher concentrations of ultraviolet light, precautions should, therefore, be taken against sunburn and sunglasses are advised. Crime is not commonplace for tourists in Peru; however, it is prudent to exercise caution as you would for any travel destination. Do not unnecessarily flaunt cash and valuables and do not leave valuables exposed in the vehicle. We will be birding in some remote areas well away from modern medical facilities. The hotels are generally of a comfortable, yet sometimes basic standard throughout. ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include any airfares. The Main tour will begin with a welcome dinner at our Cusco hotel on day 1. Although this is scheduled as an arrival day, please do arrive in Cusco by 17:00 to join us for dinner. The tour will conclude around mid-morning at Puerto Maldonado airport on day 16. The Lake Titicaca & Arequipa Extension will begin with an internal flight from Puerto Maldonado to Juliaca. (Day 16 of the Main Tour). The extension will conclude at Arequipa Airport after breakfast on day 6. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office. FLIGHTS: Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima (IATA: LIM) is the main port of entry for international flights into Peru for this tour, and is serviced by most international airlines. Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco (IATA: CUZ) is the primary point of departure for some of our tours. While

17 RBL Peru: Manu Biosphere + Ext Itinerary 17 some international traffic departs from Cusco, most international departures leave from Lima, necessitating a short internal flight. Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour. Rockjumper Birding Ltd Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: info@rockjumperbirding.com Alternative rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com Website: