Peru: Gateway to the Amazon

      Puerto Maldonado, Peru

      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews
      Aug 1 - 9, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 10
      Peru: Gateway to the Amazon
      Puerto Maldonado, Peru

      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews

      Aug 1 - 9, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 10

      About this trip

      Second only to Columbia in terms of bird diversity, Peru boasts an astronomical list of more than 1,840 bird species, 113 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Peru owes much of its biodiversity to the majestic Amazon Forest, the most species-rich bioregion on Earth. Please join us on this venture as we explore the wide variety of incredible habitats present in the world-famous Amazon region of southeastern Peru.

      We start our 9-day examination in southwestern Peru, the most species-rich region of the Amazon Basin, if not the world. We enter the Amazon in the town of Puerto Maldonado, located at the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. From here, we will take an hour-long boat ride to our lodge inside some of the most pristine tropical rain forests in the world. From our lodge we will visit an oxbow lake where we will likely see the prehistoric-looking leaf-eating Hoatzin, a bamboo forest to look for specialists of this unique habitat, and two scaffolding towers where we’ll get an eye-level view of birds present in the Amazon Forest’s canopy. We’ll also explore several forest trails where we’ll look for understory mixed species flocks that follow army ant swarms; these flocks may contain 30-40 (or more!) bird species. Perhaps the highlight of our Amazon trip would be a visit to the world’s largest macaw clay lick where up to sixteen species of parrots congregate daily to forage for minerals! When we

      get back to Puerto Maldonado, we should have seen at least 250 to 350 bird species. A bonus is that the financial support to the region during our visit to the region would’ve made a meaningful direct impact on the native Amazonian community of Infierno and their ongoing conservation projects.


      PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary involves a lot of walking, and as such require moderate level of fitness. We may encounter rain on any day, even during the longer hikes, so be sure to have rain protection for optics. It is also worth noting that most of the tour involves forest birding, so please dress appropriately, in dark/neutral clothing. Tour participants are of course welcome to opt out of any of the tour activities for any reason.

      What’s included

      • Food
      • Accommodation
      • Ground transportation
      • Guide services

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Laundry
      • Gratuities
      • Items of personal nature

      Available Packages

      Double Occupancy

      Room-sharing

      $4,600
      Deposit: $400
      Single Traveler

      For those wanting their own room

      $5,000
      Deposit: $400


      Your Organizer


      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      85 reviews
      Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

      Reviews

      MC
      Great trip. Vicky knows her ducks and other waterbirds and where to find them. We look forward to more trips with her as a guide
      By Mike C for Duck Day in Asheville on Feb 13, 2024
      The trip was very enjoyable, in spite of the cold weather. Michael Werndley is a great guide and fun to be with. The main attraction was the chance to see up to ten species of owls, many of which can often be seen after migrating down from more northern areas in Canada. The group saw a Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl, Barred Owl, and (the major attraction) two impressive Great Gray Owls! Other local species included Snow Buntings, Common and Hoary Redpolls, a Northern Shrike, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeaks, Golden Eye, numerous Bald Eagles, and a Merlin (sitting atop our hotel in Minneapolis). In addition, the group saw many winter species common to our own area. An unexpected treat was the sight of three wolves totting along the frozen harbor shoreline in Duluth! A great time was had by all!
      By Peter H for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 05, 2024
      Weather was a lot better than I anticipated, but even if it had been exceptionally cold, this trip is definitely worth it. To see the snow-covered landscape scenes, the beauty of the Black Spruce trees, all the native habitat for the Great Gray Owl, was an exciting and enjoyable experience. The food choices were fantastic as were the views of Lake Superior. Dress warmly and go for it!
      By Shirley A for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 04, 2024
      This was our second trip with Keith Watson and it was very special - he is wonderful to bird with, and to just be with. Our group was small and it made the trip that much more meaningful. We saw beautiful places, beautiful birds, and had lots of good food and good company. We had difficult weather at times and Keith was able to keep our spirits up and make it feel adventurous rather than adverse. Very grateful.
      By RHONDA B for Cranes Galore at Hiwassee on Feb 03, 2024
      This was a uniquely wonderful birding trip. Great group and great birding, with fantastic local guide, Sean, and always wonderful, Simon Thompson. We had our own chefs, one of whom traveled with us, with wonderful food and some Suriname local food. The Surinamese people were warm and welcoming. Fantastic trip!1
      By Toni M for Suriname 2023 on Dec 15, 2023
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