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ABOUT COCK OF THE ROCK LODGE - in their own words:

The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, located at 5000-feet elevation in the Kosñipata Valley, 165 kilometers by road from Cusco, and situated within the 10 000 acre cloud forest reserve of the conservation group Peru verde and Selva Sur, has 10 double-occupancy bungalows, hot showers, flush toilets and a rustic dining room.   And just a 7-minute walk from the lodge is the world's largest, most accessible and tamest known group of displaying Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock.

In just 7 to 8 hours by bus from Cusco it is possible to relax in the rustic comfort of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, from which you can explore the valley and the narrow, switchback road that the world's leading bird tour company has called "the best road in the world".

Itinerary 

Day 01 - Cuzco/Cloud Forest:
After an early breakfast we pick you up by bus from your hotel and set off for the Manu cloud forest.   We pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna.   On the way we pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people and will hope to catch site of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara.

After a delicious boxed lunch at Ajanaco which, if clear, affords views over the cloud forest and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rain forest, the road suddenly descends down the eastern slope of the Andes.  We plunge downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and cloud, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes.   Nestled in this forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, If there is time available, we will have a chance to briefly began our exploration of the surrounding forest before dinner.

Day 02 - Cloud Forest:
Rising before dawn we visit the traditional display ground of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, which has become famous among scientists, tourists and the international press, as there is no other spot in the world where so many of these spectacular blazing red birds can be seen so easily.   From our observation blind, which is within 30-feet of the narrow switchback road that runs through the center of the reserve, we will watch as between 6-20 or more male birds display at a traditional mating ground, 15-feet in front of the blind.   We will watch as these outrageous birds strut, curve their wings and dip their crested heads in the hope of attracting a mate.    Please note that the very best months for viewing Cocks-of-the-Rock are in September, October and November, although the males display every month of the year.

Returning for breakfast the rest of the day can be spent exploring the forest overhanging the single lane road near the lodge, or some of the miles of trails that wind through the valley, to see high elevation cloud forest birds, such as the Golden-headed Trogon, as well as numerous, brightly-colored tanagers and hummingbirds.   If you are very lucky you might see a troop of muscular-limbed Woolly Monkeys or Brown Capuchin Monkeys, which regularly forage through the reserve, or perhaps even a Spectacled Bear.   Bears are present, but they are shy and hard to see.

This mysterious cloud forest harbors species of flora and fauna new to science.   Indeed, in 1995 two Peruvian biology students, sponsored by Peru Verde and Selva Sur, carried out basic survey work on orchids, reptiles and amphibians. They recorded two entirely new (previously undescribed) species of orchids, and four new species of reptiles and amphibians for Peru.

After an exhilarating exploration of the road and trails, bathe in the cool, clear waters of the San Pedro stream as it flows from the virgin forests of the surrounding mountains toward the rushing Kosñipata River.

Day 03 - Cloud Forest/Cuzco:
We will rise again before dawn for another chance to see the displaying Cocks-of-the-Rock.   We will return to the lodge for breakfast and then board the bus for the return journey to Cusco, arriving in the early evening for dinner.