The Ultimate South American Extreme Biodiversity

Amazon birding Manu, Peru birding tour explores a classic South American birdwatching venue. This exciting tour is both a real adventure and an extraordinary birding experience (producing a huge bird list). As we travel through Peru´s amazing Manu wilderness from the High Andes right down to the lowland rainforests.

A visit to the Manu, which extends from the High Andes to the Amazonian lowlands, is one of the world´s great birding journeys! Situated at the periphery of the upper Amazon basin, the splendid Manu National Park boasts the planet´s richest biological heritage. Spanning the entire humid east slope of the Andes and including vast tracts of adjacent Amazonian lowlands, it holds the astonishing number of over 1000 bird species, or more than ten percent of the world´s avifauna, within the boundaries of a single protected area!

Manu is one of the wildest and remotest places on earth, it still holds noncontact tribes, the Maschopiros, that have never been contacted by outsiders and a multitude of rainforest creatures that form an intricate ecological network, the secrets of which man is only just starting to reveal. Habitats range from steamy lowland rainforests to luxuriant subtropical forests, moss-draped cloudforests and contorted elfin woodland at the treeline, each sheltering an entirely different set of birds. For a long time this wilderness was virtually inaccessible, but new lodges now enable us to sample a broad array of life zones and elevations in some comfort. Even for those who have previously visited several corners of the vast Amazon basin, this adventurous tour offers a treasure trove of new and exciting birds and mammals. We will begin in Cuzco, capital of the Incas, where a visit to a fine marshland area and nearby puna grassland will provide us with a sample of birds that have adapted to the rigours of living permanently at elevations of over 10,800ft (3000m).

We shall begin our exploration of Manu National Park proper in the pristine lowland rainforests surrounding Matsiguenka Camping Lodge, where each venture along the surrounding trails is sure to yield up a variety of new and exciting birds. Located in an area presumed to be one of the great Pleistocene forest refugia, these forests hold a number of little known and localized birds, including the tiny Amazonian Parrotlet and the exquisite Black-faced Cotinga. With the absence of hunting, large showy birds such as guans, macaws and toucans are still to be found easily and nowhere else in Amazonia does one have similar opportunities for viewing forest mammals.

Thirteen species of monkeys roam the forest canopy and playful groups of the endangered Giant Otter make their home in the quiet waters of oxbow lakes. Even the sight of an Ocelot or a Jaguar along the meandering Manu river is not unimaginable here in this incomparable lost world.

Tour Details
Southeast Peru-Extreme Biodiversity
Manu-World Natural Heritage

• Length: 22 days
• Starting city: Lima
• Ending city: Lima
• physical difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Focus: Birding
• Group size limit: 8

The Ultimate Peruvian Endemics Tour Amazon Birding Central Peru birding tour is one of a series of Peru birdwatching trips we offer. This exciting tour focuses on the many species found in the central part of Peru, home to numerous specialities, ranging from Junin Grebe and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover to Bay-vented Cotinga and Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager. Forming a huge block of land on the western side of South America, Peru is one of the continent´s most mountainous countries, where isolated valleys and cordilleras have seen avian evolution in full swing. Not only boasting an amazing avifauna of about 1817 species, it also holds a considerable number of little-known and highly localized endemics, several dozens of which have only been discovered in the last few decades. Designed as the ultimate itinerary for Peruvian endemics, this fabulous journey takes us through a wide range of habitats across the topographically complex Peruvian Andes. Next we will visit the high Andean bogs of Ticlio, the haunt of the legendary Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and a handful of exciting endemics including White-bellied Cinclodes. In farther inland lies Lago Junin, the second largest lake in the country and home to the endangered Junin Grebe. Next we shall descend to Huanuco, our base for exploring the rich and bromeliad-laden cloudforests of the Carpish Mountains and the Paty Trail. An exciting set of tanagers and hummingbirds will await us here, as well as such secretive forest-floor endemics as Bay and Chestnut Antpittas, and a superb supporting cast of other cloudforest birds.

One of the highlights of the tour will undoubtedly be our trek up to the remote Bosque Unchog, where we will camp for three nights. Only first visited by ornithologists in the 1970s, this land of misty paramos and contorted elfin forests is where we shall seek out some of Peru´s most wanted endemics, including the enormous Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, the smart Bay-vented Cotinga, the awkward Pardusco and the elusive Rufous-browed Hemispingus.

Amazon Birding Northern Peru birding tour explores a less-often-visited part of one of South America´s premier birdwatching countries. This exciting tour focuses on the many species found in the northern part of Peru, home to numerous specialities, including White-winged Guan and the extraordinary Marvelous Spatuletail.

One of the topographically most complex countries on earth, Peru boasts an immense avifauna adding up to a staggering total of over 1817 species. While most Peruvian bird tour itineraries omitting almost the entire northern half of this huge country, South American bird addicts have always longed to explore the «unknown» regions of this fabulous land.

No country has seen the discovery of more birds new to science in the last few decades than Peru has, and in the late seventies and early eighties new species were described at an average rate of two per year. Since they were usually found in isolated mountain ranges and remote areas, the full scale expeditions that led to their discovery greatly increased our knowledge of South American birds in general, and more was learnt about many birds that until then were only known from a few old specimens. Notwithstanding, many of the country´s birds are still poorly known, and there are still several species of which practically nothing is known in life.

This adventurous tour focuses on the largely mountainous northern tier of the country, a fantastic treasure chest of endemic, ocalized and little-known birds. With a mountainous backbone sliced up by the mighty Maranon River and its tributaries, this region is a biogeographic jigsaw puzzle that still hasn´t given up all its secrets. Our journey will take us from the Western Cordillera of the Andes into the breathtaking Maranon Canyon, where the headwaters of the Amazon run through an arid mountain valley for over 600 miles (1000km), and from there to the forested mountainsides of the outlying eastern slopes of the Andes. Finally we will explore the deserts and foothills along the Pacific coast. During our travels we will search for some near-legendary species. Whilst focusing on the many specialities, we will also see a large variety of more widespread birds and enjoy some scenery that is among the most spectacular in the continent.

Starting out in the colonial city of Chiclayo to Tarapoto

The world´s most spectacular hummingbird, the amazing Marvelous Spatuletail. Not far away, Owlet Lodge will be our base for exploring the diverse birdlife of the cloudforests on the jagged mountain ridges of Abra Patricia and the luxuriant foothill forests of Afluente lower down. Here we will look for such legendary birds as Royal Sunangel, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant and Bar-winged Wood-Wren, while also sampling the rich east Andean cloudforest avifauna, including scores of colourful tanagers. Lower down, the foothill forest holds the endangered Ash-throated Antwren and the San Martin form of the Mishana Tyrannulet, which may represent a distinct species.

Retracing our footsteps into the Utcubamba Valley, we will look for yet more Maranon endemics near Jaen. Eventually we will descend into the Pacific coastal lowlands and adjacent foothills where, in addition to searching for the famous White-winged Guan, we will look for Peruvian Plantcutter, the rare Russet-bellied Spinetail, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Rufous Flycatcher and a number of other desert and deciduous forest specialities.

Amazon Birding: less driving more birding!

Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels/guesthouses are mostly of normal Amazon Birding standard. The hotels are simple but adequate, while the lodge at Huembo and the Owlet Lodge at Abra Patricia are surprisingly pleasant with good food and comfortable beds (each bathroom is shared between two rooms at Owlet Lodge). Road transport is by coach and roads are very good asphalt.

• Important: No camping is required on our tour, yet no sites are missed as a result.
• Walking: The walking effort is mostly easy to moderate, but there are two optional harder walks at Abra Patricia.
• Climate: Rather variable. At low and middle elevations many days are warm or hot, dry and sunny, though on other days it can be cool and overcast. At high altitudes conditions range from cool to decidedly cold in the early morning. It may well rain at times and it will be rather humid at lower altitudes.
• Bird Photography: Opportunities are worthwhile.
  Linkable Amazon birding: Central & Southern peru
• NORTHERN PERU-TUMBES AND MARANON ENDEMICS
  THE LONG WHISKERED OWLED AND MARVELOUS SPATULATAIL
  PACIFIC COAST, DRY DECIDOUS FOREST, CLOUD FOREST
  AND THE MARANON
• TOUR DETAILS
  NORTHERN PERU-CHICLAYO to TARAPOTO
  ACROSS THE TUMBES AND MARANON ENDEMICS
  *Length: 16 days
  *Starting city: Lima
  *Ending city: Lima
  *physical difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  *Focus: Birding
  *Group size limit: 9

Pristine rainforests, rugged beauty and extreme biodiversity defines the Osa Peninsula an off the beaten track location ripe for adventure. The other half of this 8 day trip takes you to the beach front town on Dominical known for its surfing, beaches, whale watching and waterfalls.

*This package trip requires a minimum of 2 people.

*Can be customized upon request, to meet travelers needs

*7 Nights Hotel/Lodge accommodation

Greece’s blue and white Greek islands are famous, yet there are also hidden aspects of this incredible country that have unique beauty of their own. Our trip starts in Athens, once the center of the ancient world, now a modern and multi-cultural capital. Get to know the great cultural heritage of the birthplace of democracy, and experience the diversity of arts and entertainment of a vivid contemporary city. After Athens, we travel to Crete, which is the biggest island in Greece, and the birthplace of Minoan civilization and the most ancient in Europe.

Escape the over toured areas, and focus mainly on the rugged splendor of the White Mountains, touring around traditional mountain villages and hiking in the areas beautiful gorges and south coast paths along the Libyan sea. With stunning and varied beaches for all types of travelers, we keep it interesting! And, last but not least, we visit Santorini. Sense the real beauty and feel the essence of the Greek Islands. Hike, swim, kayak and discover breathtaking views in our specially designed unique day trips.

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Custom Trips: Please only use this as a reference itinerary we can cater a trip to your budget and number of days.

Experience the best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National park on this 6 day adventure packed trip through two of Americans most iconic National Parks. This unique itinerary allows you to customize your guided trip experiences from day to day. Choose from activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, rafting, fly fishing and more.

Flexible Dates: We offer this trip on demand with seasonal departure dates that offer great flexibility (pending availability).

*Fully Private trips can be booked at an additional cost.

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Join us in beautiful and scenic Utah for a fully guided 5 day hiking and camping tour of Zion, Bryce and Escalante. With comfortable camping and a highly qualified guide, this is a perfect trip fora group of friends, active families and singles. The complex details are taken care of, including access to hard to reach areas of the Utah wilderness, gear, food and permits. So relax, hike, and enjoy this epic and intriguing landscape!

Trip Start: Meets in Las Vegas at 7 am on Day 1

Trip End: Drops off in Las Vegas between 3:00-6:00 pm on Day 5.

Departures: May – September

Spend a weekend exploring some of the highlights of the incredibly old, massive and famous Yosemite National Park in the U.S.A. You will spend your days exploring and hiking, learning about the area along the way from your highly qualified guide. Meandering through sweeping meadows, climbing steep and picturesque trails, you will have majestic views of ancient granite Monoliths that surround you. after hiking some of the world’s most iconic trails, we spend our evenings camping on the valley floor.

This fully guided tour gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the best of Yosemite National Park, while logistics and camping gear is taken care of for you.

Trips available: May – September

Trip Start: Meets at the Half Dome Village Parking Lot at 10am on Day 1.

Trip End: Ends at the Half Dome Village Parking Lot between 2-4pm on Day 3.

Trip Introduction

Approaching legendary Kilimanjaro from the south-west, we take the popular Machame Route, with a total trip time of nine days, thus giving us even more acclimatization time and an even better chance of reaching the summit. Lush rainforest and Alpine moorland characterize the Machame Route, a trek which is challenging, make no mistake, despite the extra time given to acclimatize. You will have a private vehicle to take you to and from the mountain. Accommodation on the mountain on this ‘Basic’ category trip will be in tented camps – a true adventure.

Trip Highlights

• Reaching the summit! Experiencing that incomparable, ‘roof of the world’ feeling
• A more relaxed pace than other routes, but longer in time and distance. But very challenging!
• Stunning views as you ascend.
• Discover Shira Plateau and Barranco.
• Climb the Lava Tower.
• Dedicated guides, porters and cooks – a great team to help you on your way.okokokokokok -ok

Trip Style
Basic

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