birding southern peru amazon
Imagine embarking on unforgettable birding expeditions where you’ll witness the graceful flight of vibrant tropical birds, and hear the melodious songs that fill the air. But our experiences don’t stop there! We take you beyond birdwatching, offering thrilling adventures to observe the most elusive wildlife in one of the best destinations for birding in Peru-the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
Excellent adventure at different habitats to find a variety of birds from southern Peru, especially designed for photography lovers. A tour from Lima through the Andes to the deep rainforests of Manu. We could not conceive of a birdwatching trip in southern Peru without including the world’s most famous touristic site, Machu Picchu, where we will marvel at one of the wonders of the New World.
Day 1: Arrival in Peru – Lima
After arrival at Lima International Airport, transfer to your hotel. Your guide will give you a short briefing on the upcoming trip. If the flight schedule allows, we will visit the Pantanos de Villa coastal reserve south of the city. These coastal marshes are home to many of the resident avian species affiliated with mixed coastal areas. They are also, at the right times, very interesting staging areas for migratory birds. At the end of the day, return to your hotel for some rest. For those who wish, there is also the possibility of visiting the colonial districts of the Peruvian capital at your own pace.
Dinner and overnight stay in a charming hotel in Lima in the peaceful Miraflores district.
Great Grebe, White-cheeked Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Peruvian Thicknee, Plumbeous Rail, Belcher’s Gull, Kelp Gull, Gray-headed Gull, Franklin’s Gull, Black Skimmer, Yellowish Pipit, Peruvian Meadowlark, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Grassland Yellowfinch
Day 2: Lima – Cuzco – Huacarpay lake
This morning we will take the first flight to the ancient Inca capital, Cuzco. As soon as we arrive, we will board our private transport and head south of the city to the high altitude lake of Huarcapay. Here, a classic array of high altitude aquatic species awaits us. We will also look for some species of Furnaridae typical of these xerophytic Andean environments. Finally, our main objective will be to observe the rare and incredible Bearded Mountaineer hummingbird, which forages on Tobacco flowers. Return to Cuzco in the early afternoon for a peaceful visit of the city. Discover the highlights of the colonial and pre-Hispanic architecture and history of the Inca capital.
Dinner and overnight stay in a charming hotel.
White-tufted Grebe, Silvery Grebe, Andean Ruddy Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Puna Teal, Andean Gull, Giant Hummingbird, Bearded Mountaineer, Andean Negrito, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Golden-billed Saltator, Line-fronted Canastero, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Puna Thistletail, Diademed Tapaculo, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, White-browed Conebill, Three-striped Hemispingus, Drab Hemispingus
Day 3: Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo
This day will be essentially a day of relaxation, we will visit the historical and archaeological highlights of one of the most emblematic Inca areas in South America. We will take our transport to explore different archaeological sites in the “Sacred Valley” to the small Inca village of Ollantaytambo. We will stroll through the traditional Sunday market of the colonial village of Pisac, between Andean tubers, wool handicrafts and traditional clothes. We will also have the opportunity to visit part of the archaeological site of Pisac, which overlooks the city. Lunch in a local country restaurant in or around Urubamba. Departure to the village of Chinchero, which is less popular with tourists. We will then stroll through the streets of the village to discover some of the remains of the Incan past of this high altitude mythical place. Arrival at the end of the day in Ollantaytambo. There are two options for the late afternoon. Those who wish can visit the Inca site of Ollantaytambo freely. The rest of the group can go for a short bird walk around the village in search of some of the specific species of this dry and xerophytic Andean area.
Dinner and overnight stay in a charming hotel in Ollantaytambo.
White-tufted Sunbeam, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Junin Canastero, Bearded Mountainer, Tit-like Dacnis, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch.
Day 4: Abra Malaga – Aguas Calientes
Early this morning we will head to the highlands and the Abra Malaga pass. This famous birding site is home to a number of special ecosystems. On the way up we will look for several endemic hummingbirds in the mixed alto-andine forests and flower gardens. At the pass, we will explore extremely specific environments at an altitude of more than 4000 meters: scrub, herbaceous areas, Polylepis woods and rocky peat bogs. After surveying these high altitude ecosystems we will then descend along the eastern side of the pass to areas of subtropical forest and clouds. We will pay particular attention to the large bamboo patches (Chusquea) that line the road. At the end of the day we will return to Ollantaytambo where we will take the last train to Aguas Calientes, the last village at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Dinner and overnight stay in a charming hotel.
Andean Goose, White-winged Diuca-Finch, Giant Conebill, Tit-like Dacnis, Line-fronted Canastero, Puna Thistletail, Streak-throated Canastero, Tawny tit-Spinetail, White-browed Tit-Spinetail, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Puna Tapaculo, Royal Cinclode, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Inca Wren, White-browed Conebill, Slaty Tanager, Three-striped Hemispingus, Parodi’s Hemispingus, Scaled Metaltail, Marcapata Spinetail, Rufous Antpitta, Diademed Tapaculo, Golden-collared Tanager, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Early in the morning (5:30 am), we will leave for the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, a mysterious Inca citadel, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham. We will visit the Plaza de Armas, the Circular Tower, the royal dwellings and the Temple of the Three Windows. We will also have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the ruins. We must not forget our binoculars to enjoy the rich birdlife around the ruins, we will look for the Inca Wren, the Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, the Masked Fruiteater, the Sclater’s Tyrannulet or the Variable Antshrike. After the arrival of the hordes of tourist buses from Cuzco, we will descend to Aguas Calientes, through the high altitude temperate forests.
Dinner and overnight stay at the same hotel.
Day 6: Aguas Calientes – Cuzco – Ajcanacu – Pillahuata – Wayqecha
This morning we will take the train to Ollantaytambo and then our private bus to take the southern route through the sandy landscapes of the eastern cordillera, discovering different ecosystems and typical Andean landscapes, between ornithological and archaeological stops. It is a long way to the Tres Cruces pass. The panorama from this point is breathtaking. Here begins the famous Manu road. We descend gently through high altitude elfin forest and temperate forest sectors to the Wayqecha lodge located 15 kilometres from the pass. Several endemic species are present along this route, we will try to find them. We arrive at the Wayqecha lodge, in the heart of the high part of the Manu road in the late afternoon. For the more courageous there will be the possibility to go out at night during the next two evenings.
Dinner and overnight in Wayqecha.
Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Andean Hillstar, Andean Flicker, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Chuiguanco Thrush, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Scribble-tailed and line-fronted Canasteros, Puna Wren, Puna and Diademed Tapaculo, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, White-browed Conebill, Collared Jay, Mountain Cacique, Swallow-tailed Nightjar.
Day 7: Wayqecha Biological Station
We will spend the whole day in the heart of the Wayqecha reserve. This reserve is home to a vast territory covered by a magnificent temperate forest. We will walk extensively along the various trails of this conservation area in search of the many specialities of the area. We will look for the gigantic flocks of Tanagers that can be seen in this area. We will also listen for the characteristic songs of the Antpittas present at this altitude. In the afternoon we will walk along the main road, where the slightly more open environments will allow us to make some nice additional observations as well as easier photographic shots. We will take advantage of the nightfall to make a nocturnal excursion in search of the nocturnal birdlife of the area. The Swallow-tailed Nightjar is also quite common here.
Dinner and overnight at the same lodge.
Golden-plumed Parakeet, Andean Parakeet, Yungas Pygmy Owl, White-throated Screech-Owl, Gould’s Inca, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Violet-throated Startfrontlet, Scaled Metaltail, Long-tailed Sylph, Masked Trogon, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Pearled Treerunner, Trilling Tapaculo, White-crowned Tapaculo, Barred Fruiteater, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Barred Becard, White-eared Solitaire, White-collared Jay, Grass-green Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Moustached Flowerpiercer.
Day 8: Wayqecha – Cock Of The Rock Lodge
Today we will take the day from the temperate forests around Wayqecha Lodge to the subtropical forests of the legendary Cock of the Rock Lodge. Along this incredible altitudinal gradient we will make a number of stops at well-known sites such as the “tunnels”, but also wherever the magnificent forest seems favourable. The flocks will be carefully observed. We will arrive in the middle of the afternoon at the Cock of The Rock Lodge where we will be able to use the last hours of the day for some “Veranda Birding”.
Dinner and overnight stay in Cock of the rock lodge.
Hooded Tinamou, Solitary Eagle, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Blue-banded Toucanet, Marcapata Spinetail, Rufous-backed Treehunter, Red-and-white Antpitta, White-throated Antpitta, Band-tailed Fruiteater, Inca Flycatcher, Fulvous Wren, White-eared Solitaire, Black-faced Brushfinch.
Day 9: Cock Of The Rock Lodge
Early in the morning, we will enjoy one of the most fabulous spectacles that the Andean subtropical forests can offer: the parade of the fabulous Cotinga, the Cock-of-the-Rock. After a long observation of the incredible positions adopted by the orange males of this eastern subspecies, we will leave the concert of raspy cries and other gurgles to walk along the paths of the lodge in search of the specialities of the area. After a well deserved meal and some time to relax on the veranda watching the incessant ballet of hummingbirds, we will head back to the main trail to bird around the lodge until nightfall. After dinner we will enjoy a night walk in search of the nocturnal birdlife of the area as well as some mammals and reptiles.
Dinner and overnight at the same lodge.
Black Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Torrent Duck, Rufescent Screech-Owl, Black-Streaked Puffbird, Lanceolated Monklet, Versicolored Barbet, Ash-browed Sponetail, Scaled Antpitta, Crested Quetzal, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Yungas Manakin, Cerulean-capped Manakin, Hazel-fronted Pygmy-Tyrant, Moustached Wren, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Slaty Tanager.
Day 10: Cock Of The Rock Lodge – Villa Carmen
Last observations throughout the morning on the different ecosystems of the reserve, gallery forests, swamp areas and adjacent bamboo forests before taking our dugout canoe up the Madre de Dios River to Atalaya, where our transport will be waiting for us for a short transfer to our next accommodation: the scientific station of Villa Carmen (500m), near Pillcopata. After settling in to this new accommodation recently opened to tourism and receiving a short briefing on the project, we will start exploring the surroundings of the station.
Dinner and overnight stay in a standard Biological Station.
Horned Screamer, White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant, Flammulated Tody-Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill, Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Manu Antbird, Goeldi’s Antbird, Red-billed Scythebill, Bamboo Antshrike, White-lined Antbird, Ornate Antwren and Dot-winged Antwren, Scarlet-hooded Barbet.
Day 11: Villa Carmen’s bamboo forests
The particular bamboo ecosystems of the Manu bio-region have generated a very particular evolutionary process. Here, in the Amazonian foothills, the biota has undergone a process of speciation around these monotypic forests and particularly the avifauna that has populated the different vegetative strata and a very particular food niche. Leaving the forests of these giant Poaceae, we will also have the opportunity to visit and explore the great hydric valley of Piñipiñi and its different types of vegetation that host a large number of understorey species, including many antbirds (thamnophilidae) and ant thrushes (formicaridae). The night walks here can also be very productive, both in terms of birds and mammals, nocturnal monkeys, Tayra, Kinkajou, Opossum, etc…
Dinner and overnight at the same charming lodge.
Military, Blue-headed and Chestnut-fronted Macaws, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Manu, Striated, Goeldi’s, and White-lined Antbirds, Ihering’s Antwren, Bamboo Antshrike, Large-headed and Dusky-tailed Flatbills, Flammulated Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-capped Nunlet, Brown-rumped and Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaners, Red-billed Scythebill, Dot-winged Antwren, Ornate Antwren, Rufous-breasted Piculet, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Peruvian Recurvebill, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Amazonian Antpitta, Red-necked Woodpecker, Striolated Puffbird, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Fine-barred Piculet.
Day 12: Villa Carmen – Atalaya – Manu Wildlife Center
From Villa del Carmen we continue our descent to the small port village of Atalaya to board our canoe down the Madre de Dios River, leaving behind the green ridges of the eastern foothills to plunge deeper into the wet lowlands, where the first bird sightings will soon come. Careful scanning of the riverbank may reveal some new species: Sand-colored Nighthawk, Cormorant, the curious Orinoco Goose, Black-Hawk, the rare Sunbittern and perhaps some Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent. With a bit of luck we should also be able to spot the majestic and iconic Razorbill Curassow, a species driven to near extinction in most of the Amazon, but still quite common here. Cocoi and Capped Herons, Tantalus, the enormous Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbill,
Horned Screamer, Greater yellow-headed Vulture, Plumbeous kite, the graceful Swallow-tailed Kite, Crane Hawks, but also Black Caracara, Bat Falcons, Pied Plover, and many species of Terns, Macaws, Kingfishers, Cotingas, Cowbirds and Oropendolas are all encountered along this mythical river. Finally, we arrive at the Manu Rainforest Lodge, where we well settle into our cabins.
Dinner and overnight stay in a superior lodge.
Day 13: Claylicks and hides
This will be another day full of observations and photographic opportunities. We will visit a number of hides, strategically placed in front of natural feeding areas called collpas, which attract a wide range of species emblematic of the Amazon basin. This morning we will focus on two particular sites, firstly a clay lick where an extraordinary number of parrots (psittacidae) gather every morning. The rest of the day will be dedicated to the observation of some species of hummingbirds around the lodge and to the exploration of different trails in terra firme.
Dinner and overnight stay at the same superior lodge.
Day 14: Laguna Blanco & tapir claylick
Early departure to the oxbow Blanco lagoon for a variety of bird, mammal and reptile observations. From the floating platform we will spend some time observing and immortalizing all these species. Back on land we will go on different trails to look for new species, many of them endemic. Many ecosystems are mixed here, bamboo forest, Varzea, Terrafirme, giving us a huge variety of biotope to visit. Armed with a lot of patience we will also visit the mammal salt pan where, with a bit of luck, we will be able to observe Tapir, Peccary and why not Jaguar.
Dinner and overnight stay at the same superior lodge.
Day 15: Manu Wildlife Center – Puerto Maldonado – Lima
After breakfast, we descend from the Madre de Dios for 3 hours to reach the town of Boca Colorado, the gold capital of the region. From there, we will take the road to San Carlos, for 45 minutes. A new 15 minutes crossing by canoe will allow us to explore the Inabari river and reach Puerto Santa Rosa. The last two hours of the trip will take us to Puerto Maldonado, on the Brazilian border, for our flight to Cuzco. Immediate flight to Lima for our international connection.
Group size:
from 2 to 8 people.
Individual price:
$4,950 USD
Group price:$4,290 USD $3,999 USD
per person
Departure dates:
20 – 27 December, 2023
06 – 13 March, 2024
*These are confirmed group.
*The tour is available all the year.
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