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DAY 01
CUSCO / COCK-OF-THE-ROCK
We
will leave early to the Manu cloud forest to pass over two
Andean chains at almost 4,000 meters elevation and descend
through the cloud forest. This transect is a paradise for
birders. After approximately 7 hours on the road, we arrive
at the Cock-of-the-Rock lodge in the Selva Sur Private cloud
forest reserve and will spend the night within earshot of
a mountain river.
DAY 02
COCK-OF-THE-ROCK / PANTIACOLLA
We will get up early to visit the leak of the Andean Cock-of-Rock
- Breakfast and depart for Atalaya by bus to arrive after
3-4 hour bus ride to Pantiacolla lodge. If there is time,
you will be able to start you exploration on one of the 20
kilometers of griddled forest trails, which surround the lodge.
DAY 03 PANTIACOLLA
/ TAMBO BLANQUILLO
After breakfast, if the time permits, you can take a small
hike on the lodge trails before leaving for Tambo Blanquillo.
After a journey of 9 hours we will arrive at Tambo Blanquillo,
a box lunch will be provided for the journey. Dinner will
be served at the lodge.
DAY 04 TAMBO
BLANQUILLO
Early
wake up (05:30 am) to be transferred to our blind or catamaran
on the Madre de Dios River that serves as a floating observation
platform to watch the activities
at the ccollpa Blanquillo (clay lick) that is located on the
riverbank about 10 minutes downstream from the lodge - Breakfast
will be served at the blind and there is a toilette facility
aboard if needed - A typical day at the ccollpa (weather permitting)
will start around 06:00 am when the first pairs of parrots
fly in to land in the treetops above the lick. They are followed
by hundreds who screech and squawk until the first ones (generally
blue-headed parrots) descend on to the clay. Around 08:00
am the first of the larger macaws arrive in family groups
and perch in the treetops. The most common are red and greens,
the scarlet and the blue and yellow macaws. Macaws continue
to arrive through the morning. The exact arrival time of each
species may vary slightly, but the order seems surprisingly
fixed. Not until 10:30 am (by which time, between 40 and 200
macaws will have gathered) do the birds begin their descent
to the clay. The birds apparently relaxed remain alert for
eagles. If one is spotted, between 50 and 100 macaws often
of different species, will circle and mob it, generally succeeding
in chasing it from the area. We will return to Tambo Blanquillo
around 11:30 AM - Lunch - A motorized canoe is boarded for
40 minutes upstream ride to Cocha Blanco, which is oxbow lake
(formerly a part of the Madre de Dios River). After 10 minutes
walk from the riverbank, there is a small catamaran that is
boarded and passengers are encouraged to help with the rowing
to visit different parts of the lake. In this lake, hoatzins,
wild turkey and herons are easily seen also there is a family
of giant river otters, which frequently make appearances not
to far from the catamaran - Around 17:00 pm, the motorized
canoe will be boarded for the return trip - Dinner and overnight
DAY 05
TAMBO BLANQUILLO
Early transfer (05:00 am) to Boca Manu airstrip via motorized
canoe. Snack breakfast will be served aboard - Flight to Cusco
in a small aircraft
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Good binoculars - Bottle or canteen for water - Hay, preferably
with a cord - Long cotton pants - Hiking boots or sneakers
- Small flash light and one larger for night walks - Insect
repellent - Camera gear, plenty of film and batteries - Sunglasses
- Rain suit or rain poncho - T-shirts - Long sleeved cotton
shirts - Suncreen lotion - Socks absorbent type - Bandana
- Personal toiletries and medication.
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