Peru - Macaws & Machu Picchu

Peru epitomises what, for many of us, are those unique characteristics which make South America so fascinating: a profoundly rich history and culture; wonderfully varied geography and topography, including some of the most spectacular scenery and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth; and, of course, an immense bird list comprising over 1,800 species!

This tour focuses on three of the most rewarding sites in Peru. First, we visit Islas Palomino along the Pacific coast, then the south-eastern rainforest and an isolated macaw clay-lick on the remote upper Tambopata River. Finally, we visit South America’s best known and most spectacular archaeological site, Machu Picchu.

We begin our tour from Lima, with a boat trip out from Callao, Peru’s principal port. A short distance offshore lie the Palomino Islands. Bathed in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt current these small but rugged islands are home to thousands of raucous and inquisitive Southern Sea Lions, as well as Inca Terns, Peruvian Boobies, Peruvian Pelicans, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, and Humboldt Penguins. Keeping a close eye on the sea, on the journey to and from the islands, we may also see White-vented Storm Petrels, Sooty Shearwaters and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Occasionally, Bottlenose Dolphins put in an appearance too. Later in the day, after lunch, we will explore the quiet wetlands of Pantanos de Villa on the southern outskirts of Lima, looking for species such as Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rush-tyrant and Peruvian Thick-knee.

Next, a domestic flight takes us high over the majestic Andes and down into the Amazon Basin and the jungle boom-town of Puerto Maldonado. Following a short bus ride to the native Eséeja community of Infierno, a 45-minute motorised canoe journey takes us up the Tambopata River to a comfortable jungle lodge, our base for one night. From here we strike out upstream, away from civilisation, and stay beside one of nature’s most spectacular sights; at dawn the next day, with dry weather, we hope to see hundreds of Scarlet, Red-and-green and Blue-and-yellow Macaws descending onto an almost vertical bank of red clay to take advantage of the high mineral and salt content of the soil. It should be a sight to behold, and one of the highlights of our holiday. Our days will be spent on the trails that take us through virgin floodplain rainforest as we search for inner forest birds, such primates as Red Howler, Dusky Titi, Brown Capuchin, Squirrel Monkeys and, with luck, the endangered Black Spider Monkey. On red-letter days, the sighting of a Brazilian Tapir or a Giant River Otter is not out of the question. A handful of our groups in recent years have also had magnificent views of Jaguar. After three nights in this remote, pristine setting at Tambopata Research Centre, we journey downriver to Puerto Maldonado to catch a flight to Cusco in the heart of the Andes for the final leg of the holiday.

Our first evening will wisely be spent acclimatising to the altitude in Cusco with a gentle city tour. Next, we will enjoy a day at leisure, followed by a day exploring the area, including a visit to the Huacarpay lakes. We will look out for Andean Negrito, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rushtyrant, Bearded Mountaineer and Cinereous Harrier. Moving around to the north of Cusco and the Pisac ruins, we hope to see Chestnut-breasted Mountain-finch and Bearded Mountaineer amongst a fine selection of Andean birds.

Our group then splits, with some choosing to visit Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge in the Kosñipata Valley, 102 miles by mountain pass from Cusco. Over a stay of three nights we will enjoy the peace and simple comfort of this lodge, close to the world's largest and most accessible group of displaying Andean Cock-of-the-rocks which delight visitors with their twice-daily courting antics. Meanwhile, others will complete a stunning 4-day trek to Machu Picchu, with the group convening again at Aguas Calientes, the village below the ruins.

Our final highlight is the World Heritage site of The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Far too many people visit this spectacular area on a day-trip from Cusco and miss out on the time needed to fully appreciate this unique location. Ours will be an experience never to be forgotten.

Finally, we must take the train along the Urubamba Valley back to Cusco, where we stay overnight before our return to Lima and our onward flight to London.