In a previous newsletter, I introduced the concept of a Birding Sandwich (check out this link) promoting a trip to Central Peru starting on a Saturday until the following Sunday. In effect, that is 5 days off from work, sandwiched between two weekends which, would give you 9 days of birding.
Nothing new about this really, since it is probably a birding strategy that you have applied in the past for a quick birding trip. But I
thought it was a good name for a short, very focused trip. The Central Peru tour quickly got 3 passengers. It starts this coming Saturday on June 14, with Juan Julca as the guide and with me as the driver. (Yes, I am doing the driving, and some birding, but Juan is the main guide, since I need to be on the computer taking care of business and also fit in some runs.)
In the last newsletter, I also announced that July this year is a completely blank slate for Kolibri
Expeditions. Nothing is booked. Not even a day trip. Not good. I said I would put together a Birding Sandwich for Manu Road in July and try to sell it in my next newsletter. Well, the itinerary is ready now!
I used these guidelines to come up with a perfect short trip for the serious,, experienced birder.
- 9 days Saturday-Sunday
- Hardcore very intense birding. Maximize the time in the field.
- Cover the endemics, and the special bamboo and Polylepis
birds of SE Peru
- Try to reduce the cost, by avoiding staying at expensive lodging as much as possible (some lodges are necessary though).
So here is the tour I came up with. Manu Road, Abra Malaga and Vilcabamba in 9 days starting on July 12.
If you are a hard
core birder wanting to get quality birds, work very hard from predawn to after dark, this is the trip for you.
Special Discount on the Premier Trip.
The price of the tour comes to $2960/person including the domestic flights based on 5 participants.
But realistically, I shall probably not get 5 people for this trip with this short notice. Normally there would be a surcharge, but then the trip would possibly feel prohibitively expensive. A
discount is in order, right?
The list price of $2960 will be given with only 3 people in the group. Normally, it would be $450 surcharge in this case.
If there are just 2 people in the end there will be a surcharge of $440 - $3400/person in total. (normally there would be a $900 surcharge/person).
If you get some friends together, or if this email generates a lot of bookings because of this offer, then it gets even
better.
With 4 people in the group the price is $2700/person
With 5 people the price is $2420/person.
Let's get this pilot trip off the ground. And let's see if we can get more species on this trip than the Central Peru equivalent.
I will get a fantastic guide for you. I have already asked around and know that there are a few very good guides available.
Other tours
coming up.
I planning another newsletter in a couple of days to my other mailing list. The Bucket List Birding Newsletter. I will copy this newsletter to Kolibri News so you don't miss out. For now I will be brief here with some upcoming trips in the pipeline.
- Taiwan is kawaii. It has the
cutest endemic birds in the world, plus two spectacular pheasants and iconic Taiwan Blue-Magpie. Our new Taiwan-program for September 14 is ready. Check it out!
- Felt you missed out on the Central Peru Birding Sandwich? Well, you can still join the Complete Central Peru in August. It is Peru's most endemic dense region. With the intent of not missing a single endemic.
- Our Peru Bird Photography itineraries in September are catching a lot of interest. Make sure to signup before they fill up completely if you want to make great photos of the most spectacular birds. There are two departures. One guided and one self-guided with a good driver who knows the birds. Only 6 spots in total on each.
- Brazil. Want to see a Jaguar, Ocelot and Hyacinth Macaw? I noticed I have some time left over in August. Just enough
time to offer a Pantanal trip. I would be guiding personally. Start Aug 16. Domestic flights from Sao Paulo are included in the trip price.
- Birding Petra in the end of August. I am working on a program. Petra is one of the New 7 Wonders. We offer a short birding and culture
program. Now is the time to visit Jordan, because being neighbor to Israel - and with the horrible destruction of Gaza in the news every single day, the tourists have practically abandoned Jordan, in spite of Jordan not being part of any conflict. It will be wonderful to see Petra without the hoards of tourists that are usually there. The program will be presented in the next Bucket List Birding newsletter.
- Borneo again! End of October. Details on the new program
follows in the same newsletter. But the changes are mentioned on the Borneo webpage. Gunnar guiding with local guides
- Complete Manu Road, Peru. October 3. We have a few people interested in this trip so it looks like it will run. I am rewriting the itinerary somewhat to improve it (and hopefully make it a bit cheaper). The length will be the same.
Now, I will stop talking about birding.
Some personal updates.
- The running is going well. Two days ago, I ran a very fast 5K for my age.
I am very pleased with 20:24. I think I could do under 20 minutes on a flatter course,
- I am going to the Global Bird Fair again this year between July 11-13. Maybe I will see some of you of the old continent.
Anyone in the UK, who wants to volunteer and help me out in the stand? Offering entry badge, exhibitor car pass and a couple of pints. - I am turning 65 on July 25. Maybe I should retire? Haha!
- I am thinking
about language trading. The best way to learn a language is speaking it. With Language trading you trade the languages you are fluent in with someone fluent in the language you want to learn who wants to learn your language.
I am fluent in Spanish, Swedish and English. (I would say Portuguese to, but there are grammar points and words that sometimes get me. Too close to Spanish I guess. The same applies to Norwegian and Danish - to close to
Swedish).
Anyone who speaks fluent Japanese, French, German, Italian and Mandarin who want to trade languages with me?
One can make a video call of say 30 min, with 15 minutes dedicated to each language to start with. This method will have you talking a language far faster than spending the equivalent time on DuoLingo
To understand how it works, check out this video.
