- 12 Days
- All year available
- Max People : 6
- Min Age : 12+
- Wifi Available
- Pickup: Airport
Birding Manu and Machu Picchu with this South-East Peru tour that visits the bigest clay lick in Tambopata. Enjoy this amazing birding tour organized by the best birding tour operators in Peru.
Begin an incredible birdwatching experience through the diverse ecosystems of southeastern Peru, where the vibrant colors and melodious calls of rare bird species will captivate your senses. This journey takes you to three breathtaking destinations: the pristine Tambopata reserve, the rich biodiversity of the Manu National Park, and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, nestled in the Andean mountains. Each locale offers a unique glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s most elusive and breathtaking bird species, making this tour an absolute must for any avian enthusiast.
We will start our adventure in Tambopata, which is known as one of the most biodiverse rainforests on the planet. This incredible region is home to over 600 species of birds, including the striking Scarlet Macaw and the elusive Harpy Eagle. As dawn breaks over the lush emerald canopy, a mesmerizing symphony of bird calls fills the air, presenting us with the chance to witness flocks of colorful birds as they search for fruit and nuts. Furthermore, we’ll explore the famous clay licks, where parrots and macaws gather to consume essential minerals, offering us a spectacular display of avian social behavior.
Machu Picchu Birding Manu
Next, we will continue our journey along the scenic Manu Road, which leads to the renowned Manu National Park, famous for its staggering variety of flora and fauna. Here, you’ll encounter endangered species such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, celebrated for its dramatic courtship dance. The park is a microcosm of ecological richness, boasting over 1,000 bird species. Stroll through the lush cloud forests and keep an eye out for the hummingbirds that dart among the blossoms.
Finally, you will conclude your tour at the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, where ancient ruins seamlessly blend with stunning landscapes. As you immerse yourself in the mesmerizing Inca architecture, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for unique avian residents, such as the Slaty Tanager and the Inca Wren. Indeed, the interplay between man-made history and natural beauty here creates a captivating backdrop for observing fascinating birds in their natural habitats.
While you hike along the historical trails, take a moment to enjoy the serene atmosphere, which allows you the chance to truly connect with the vibrant biodiversity that flourished long before the Inca civilization.
Birding Manu Machu Picchu
This birdwatching tour in Tambopata, Manu, and Machu Picchu promises unforgettable experiences as you discover the incredible beauty and diversity of Peru’s birdlife. Moreover, you are invited to join us in celebrating the rich avifauna of these iconic regions, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, grab your binoculars and prepare for an adventure that will not only spark your passion for nature but also inspire the explorer within you!
Departure & Return Location
Puerto Maldonado International Airport – Cusco city
Departure Time
11:00 am
Accomodation
Double occupancy, comfortable
Price Includes
- Bird Specialist Guide
- Lodges Accommodation
- Hotel Accommodation in Cusco
- Entrance Fees
- All Meals, Box lunch & Snacks
- All transportation in destination location
Price Excludes
- Domestic Flights
- Any Private Expenses
- Gratuities
You Should Bring
- Sunscreen, hat & sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Lightweight, quick-drying long-sleeved shirts
- Comfortable long pants
- Camera, binoculars & 400mm Lenses or more
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA – FLIGHT TO PUERTO MALDONADO
You will begin this expedition by arriving in the city of Lima,, from where you must take another flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado. Your guide, along with your driver, will be waiting for you at the Padre Aldamiz International Airport to pick you up and transfer you directly to the lodge in Tambopata. You will take a boat that will transport you to the lodge where you can begin observing birds in the Amazon. Evening night walk and dinner. Overnight at Tambopata Inn Lodge.
Birding Manu Machu Picchu
DAY 2: VISIT TO THE MACAW CLAY LICK
Today, we will carry out all our activities in areas surrounding the lodge. We will start with a boat trip to the macaw clay lick, where we will observe some of the most colorful birds in nature: Red and Green Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Blue-headed Parrot, Pigeons, and more. After this interesting activity, we will have breakfast on the boat and then return to our lodge. In the
afternoon, after lunch, we will visit the lodge’s canopy and climb to its viewpoint to observe birds from above. We will walk along the trails in search of mixed flocks. It is also possible to see the Endemic Red faced Monkey, Howler Monkeys, Capuchin Monkeys, and Capybaras, the largest rodent in the jungle. Evening night walk and dinner. Overnight at Tambopata Inn Lodge.
DAY 3: BIRDING AT THE LODGE AND RETURN TO PUERTO MALDONADO
We will continue our search for more birds, and after breakfast, we will board the boat to return to Puerto Maldonado. We will continue by car and once again take a boat at the main port to continue our adventure at Lake Sandoval, the main attraction of the Tambopata National Reserve. Here we will have another opportunity to observe Amazonian birds, including the Agami Heron, Cotingas, Tanagers, Woodpeckers,
and possibly the river otter, parrots, falcons, hawks, canopy species, tanagers, quails, and hoatzins. In the afternoon, we will take a walk around the lodge and the trails in search of nocturnal birds. Dinner and rest. Overnight at Sandoval Lake Lodge.
Birding Manu Southeast birds
DAY 4: FULL DAY BIRDING AT LAKE SANDOVAL
Today, after a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will head to Lake Sandoval. In this ecosystem, we will search for species such as the Rufous-backed Antbird, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous Casiornis, Sulphur bellied Tyrant-manakin, and Pearl-bellied Tyrant. Along the way, we will make a couple of stops to observe the Oilbird and the White-eyed Parrot and many other birds. We will enjoy our boxed lunch on the boat while continuing to observe birds and wildlife around the lake, and if we have the opportunity, we may see the Harpy Eagle. Dinner and rest. Overnight at Sandoval Lake Lodge.
DAY 5: RETURN TO PUERTO MALDONADO – FLIGHT TO CUSCO
Today, we will prepare to return to the city of Puerto Maldonado. After breakfast at the lodge, we will begin our walk towards the entrance of the Tambopata Reserve and then take the boat back to the city. Upon arrival, we will head to the airport for the midday flight to the city of Cusco. Our vehicle and driver will be waiting for you at the Cusco International Airport to take you to your hotel in Cusco, where you can rest
and spend the night. Early the next day (5:00 am), you will depart for Huacarpay Lagoon and then Manu, so you need to relax this day. Overnight in Cusco.
Manu Machu Picchu Birding Tour
DAY 6: HUACARPAY –TO MANU ROAD
Today, we will start birdwatching activities by leaving at 5:00 am towards Huacarpay Lagoon. Surrounded by beautiful Andean scenery, we will travel in our private vehicle to search for the endemic Bearded Mountaineer, Plumbeous rail, Cinnamon teal, Puna teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, White-tufted Grebe, Cinereous Harrier, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, among other Cusco birds. We will spend the day exploring the trails where this species has been sighted, enjoying an outdoor picnic breakfast. At noon, we will begin our journey toward the Manu road and then take another walk to observe birds around the lodge before dinner. Overnight at Cock of the Rock Lodge.
DAY 7: FULL DAY AT COCK OF THE ROCK LODGE
On this day of the expedition, we will start early (5:00 am) to enjoy birdwatching around the Cock of the Rock Lodge. Next, we will explore the trails of the cloud forest in search of various bird species, including the Slaty Gnateater, Chestnut breasted Wren, Cinnamon-faced Tyranulet, Spotted Nightingale Thrush, Amazonian Umbrella Bird, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Masked Trogon, Crimson Bellied Woodpecker, Black Streaked Puffbird, Paradise Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, Brown Tinamou. After our exploration, we will return to the lodge for lunch. Following that, we will continue our birding quest for more tanagers, quetzals, and hummingbirds.Throughout the day, we expect to see a wide variety of wildlife during our walk. Finally, we will enjoy dinner and spend the night at the Cock of the Rock Lodge.
Birding Manu Machu Picchu
DAY 8: VISIT TO THE COCK OF THE ROCK LEK, BIRDING LOWER MANU ROAD
This day, we will depart for the lower region of the Manu road. We will make our way to the lek of the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) to witness the male’s mating displays. Following this spectacular event, we’ll continue our journey towards our second lodge in Manu, Villa Carmen Lodge, where we will arrive by the afternoon. Later in the evening, we will carry out our owl observation, looking for other nocturnal wildlife species. Notable species include the Crested Owl, the Mottled Owl, and the Band-bellied Owl. Finally, we will spend the night at the local lodge, which offers all the comforts.
DAY 9: COCHA MACHU HUASI, ANTPITTAS, AND MORE
Today, we will again rise early to observe birds on our way to a very special lagoon, Cocha Machu Huasi. This area is particularly popular for its scenic beauty and its preferred habitat for water birds, such as the Gray-headed Greenlet, Southern Lapwing, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and the Hermits. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to another sector of the area in search of the endemic Koepcke’s Hermit, along with other interesting species, such as the Ivory-billed Aracari, the Curl-crested Aracari, the Spotted Tanager and the Amazonian Antpitta. Finally, we will return in the afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay at Villa Carmen Lodge.
Machu Picchu Birding Manu
DAY 10: ASCENT TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF MANU AND RETURN TO CUSCO
This morning, we will prepare to return to Cusco. Our private vehicle will transport us back to the city, having lunch on the way, arriving around 3:30 PM, where you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco for a well-deserved rest. Overnight in Cusco.
DAY 11: TRIP TO OLLANTAYTAMBO AND AGUAS CALIENTES
This morning, after breakfast, we will prepare to depart for the town of Aguas Calientes. Specifically, our private vehicle will take us to Ollantaytambo, stopping along the way to photograph interesting hummingbirds at a private conservation initiative that attracts these beautiful species : Green Hermit, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Speckle-faced Parrot, Sclater’s Tyrannulet, Glossy-black Thrush and the endemic Masked Fruiteater, Torrent Tyrannulet, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Slaty Tanager, Silver-backed Tanager, Capped Conebill, Chestnutcapped Brush-Finch, Orange-bellied Euphonia and many more.
birding Manu and Machu Picchu in a exciting birding tour to sotheast Peru to discover more birds of Peru!
We will reach the train station around noon to continue our journey to Machu Picchu town. Once there, the hotel will be ready to accommodate you in your rooms, and afterward, you can go out for lunch. Later in the afternoon, there will be a visit to the botanical garden and butterfly garden. Finally, there will be dinner and time to rest. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Southeast Peru Birding Manu
DAY 12: BIRDING IN MACHU PICCHU AND RETURN TO CUSCO
This morning will be the best of all, as we will head to the Machu Picchu citadel. First, after breakfast, you will leave with your guide to the bus station that will take you to the entrance of the citadel, where you will begin exploring the different birdwatching areas. During this time, we will take some time to photograph interesting birds, with a particular emphasis on finding the endemic Inca Wren. Furthermore, other species we may find in the area include the Masked Fruiteater, Ocellated Piculet, Slaty tanager, Sclater’s Tyrannulet, Torred Duck, White Capped Diper, Andean cock of the rock (Rupicola peruviana), Highland, Motmot, Mitred Parakeet, White-tipped Swift, Green-and-white Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Ocellated Piculet, Streaked Xenops, Variable Antshrike, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Yellow-bellied Seedeater and Hooded Siskin.
Later, we will descend to the town for lunch. Afterwards, from 4 PM onwards, you will return to the train station to head back to Cusco, arriving around 8:40 PM. Once we arrive, we will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco, so that the next day you can take your flight to Lima and connections.
Photos
