Hi again ,

COVID continues record low and internal tourism is flourishing, while the UK have us among RED countries and the US classify us as Level 3. 

I have learned one thing:
With COVID, one has to plan to plan for changes. The couple I had confirmed for September had to change their dates, because there are no entry tickets for Machu Picchu available until October. (There is a reduction of daily entrances because of COVID with only 144 people entering per hour).

So for us, this leaves a complete empty slate for most of  September and no scheduled work for our guide, vehicle and driver. 

If you want to bird Central or Northern Peru, and if you are not tied down by your own country's COVID regulations, here is an offer you should consider. (We can of course also set up i.e. Manu road on short notice, but be aware of the Machu Picchu situation). 

Between Monday Aug 30 and Sep 24, with at least two people in the party the cost per day is ONLY $200/day. If you are on your own the cost is still reasonable at $300/day.

Top notch guiding with Juan Julca, professional driver and a comfortable Hyundai H1 van. Good, clean budget hotels, field breakfasts and lunches, and a cooked meal for dinner in  restaurants. 

The only additional costs are for entrance fees, other means of transport such as buses or boats, surcharges for more fancy hotels, drinks to meals and costs of personal nature such as tips.

The first person to reply to this message asking for birding in Peru during this time frame will get to chose the itinerary. 

 

The only confirmed Peru trip in September is at the end of the month Sep 26-30 with Marvelous Spatuletail, 40 hummingbirds and Long-whiskered Owlet. 

I still have no sales for the Southern Spain tour September 12-17, that I will run with minimum of two people. I am very flexible, as I am in Europe anyway. Let me know where you would like to go in the old world. 

Perhaps our exciting one week Uganda program. As the scheduled Uganda trip also lack punters, I have no problem changing the dates. 
There is no quarantine to enter Uganda. 

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, both Namibia and Tanzania are in production for October. Let me know if you are interested in any of these two destinations.

I like to include non-birding items in this newsletter to make it more interesting. Let's start with a rant.

 

I can't stand radio stations that keep on playing the same songs from the 80s and the 90s over and over again. In Peru, these are the only ones available on FM. 
It makes me feel old, and that absolutely nothing has happened musically in the last 30-40 years! It also completely destroys artist that I used to like, to hear the same few of their songs over and over again. 

OK, I know one can find new music online, but I would expect that at least some of the popularly played music on the radio should be new.

Even my two daughters 12 and 14 listen mostly to these same radio stations and are fans of Michael Jackson, Queen and Madonna (albeit a limited repertoire).

Having said that, my youngest daughter has recently become fanatic over Billie Eilish. This is refreshing!
Her last hit Happier than Ever is absolutely brilliant. Check it out.

I'll be back in a few days presenting the new Namibia and Tanzania programs that are still not uploaded to 7 Wonders Birding. Meanwhile, check the Kilimanjaro program if you haven't done so already. 
Also, in the upcoming newsletter, our confirmed trips for October.

P.S. In episode 2, season 2 of the Naturally Adventurous podcast there is a lot of talk about Northern Peru featuring Marvelous Spatuletail and Long-whiskered Owlet as Charley retells his adventures of his first year in Peru. Check it out!
Also, listen to Ken's tales about Helmet Vanga in Madagascar.