Hi ,
Just a short COVID update from Peru and what it means for birders wanting to visit.
#ONE
COVID numbers are still coming down in Peru. Now more people are released from hospitals than people entering. We are at record low in new cases. Of course, there is concerns for a possible third wave, but so far the delta variant of COVID has not yet gotten a stronghold here. Regardless, with very low numbers of COVID there is a great opportunity to go to Peru right now.
#TWO
Plenty restrictions from entering Peru have been suspended.
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With proof of vaccination you don't need to show PCR or Antigen test.
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Visitors to Brazil and India are now allowed to enter Peru without quarantine.
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It is only South Africa for which there are restrictions in entry.
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For vaccinated US birders this makes it much easier, as no test is needed before entry to Peru, and only a Antigen test (with results in just 1 hour) is necessary when flying back.
#THREE
Changes for Dutch entry regulations from Peru and other South American destinations now makes it much easier for anyone coming from the Netherlands. It is no longer necessary to quarantine and there are no fines. Just having a negative PCR test before the flight suffice.
I am imagining that the change of Dutch regulations are also reflected on other EU countries. For instance, I am flying from Peru to Sweden via Amsterdam and Paris, as I write this. I did not have to take a COVID test before flying and when transiting through Amsterdam and Paris. To enter Sweden for a Swedish citizen there is no requirement of a test, although I plan to get a test anyway.
#FOUR
Remember the special offer in the last newsletter for birding in Central and Northern Peru during September? We charge only a base price of only $200/day with minimum two people and $300 per day for just one person. Since the Dutch rules changed Dutch World birder took us up on the offer for a tour in Central Peru.
Why don't you join him Sep 11 to Sep 26. The price is unbeatable. Only $3200 for sixteen days.
Here is an outline of the itinerary.
Sa. 11 Day 1 Lima – Lomas de Lachay – Paraiso – Pativilca - Hostal Pativilca
Su. 12 Day 2 Pativilca – Conacocha Lake – Caraz Oasis Hotel
Mo. 13 Day 3 Quebrada Llanganuco – Dona Josefa – Union
Tu. 14 Day 4 Union - - Huanuco Hotel Bahia
Wed. 15 Day 5 Bosque Unchog Hotel Bahia
Th. 16 Day 6 Bosque Unchog – Carpish Tunnel Hotel Bahia
Fr. 17 Day 7 Carpish Tunnel – Junin Hotel Orvel
Sa. 18 Day 8 Junin Lake – La Merced La Merced TBD
Su. 19 Day 9 La Merced Hacienda Amorique Hacienda Amorique
Mo. 20 Day 10 Villa Rica or Alto Pichita Hotel Satipo
Tu. 21 Day 11 Satipo Road Satipo Lodge
Wed. 22 Day 12 Satipo Road
Th. 23 Day 13 Andamarca Valley Colibri Cloud Forest
Fr. 24 Day 14 Satipo Road
Sa. 25 Day 15 Satipo – Ticlio Bog – San Mateo Chez Victor
Su. 26 Day 16 Upper Eulalia Canyon - Lima
Highlights include Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Junin Grebe, White-cheeked Cotinga, Cloud-Forest Screech-Owl and a bunch of central Peru endemics including many of the recently split and newly described Antpittas and Tapaculos.
If you can't join for the full 16 days, you could fly into Huanuco on Sep 14 and join the group there. You could also join at La Merced on Sunday morning Sep 19, by taking a comfortable sleeper night bus from Lima on Saturday night.
I'll be back with a new newsletter in a couple of days, presenting the itineraries for Namibia, Madagascar and Usambaras in Tanzania.
Additionally, I am scheming to go to South Africa and Flock to Marion in January, and while at it set up a couple new short 7WB type birding trips in South Africa, of which one would be a program centered around the possibility to see an Aardvark.
Is this something of interest to you?
Saludos
Gunnar
