7-day wildlife expedition to the Andean forests/ alpine ecotones of Cusco, Peru

Length of participation Minimum 7 days, please contact for longer periods Location and target species The region will be in the Andes of the Cusco Region, near the Manu National Park. It is covered by a temperate forest and alpine meadows known as ‘Puna’, ranging from 2.600 to 3.500 meters above sea level. Species of interest range from large mammals such as puma and bears, to less known carnivores such as the Endangered Andean cat, and (usually) large birds such as hawks, macaws, guans and tinamous. Base camp We'll have a supporting cabin to have our meals prepared, with shower and bathrooms. Visitors usually sleep in tents provided by the project, but it is optional. Schedule We leave everyday before sun rise to cover trails up to 4 km in length at low speed, recording species or preparing tools to record them, and return at 4 pm. Goal Our goal is to record species using a grid approach, meaning that it will be possible to record how spread or common a species is in the region, and how this may or may not change over time (over the years). Such data will then instantly inform how common (widespread) a species is, and how any eventual changes in landscape or management strategies may also change its status.