7-Day Peru Amazon & Machu Picchu Birding Tour
Amazon Rainforest | Difficulty: Moderate
Combine Peru’s mega-diverse lowland Amazon rainforest with high-elevation Andean birding and iconic Inca heritage. Search for over 300+ avian species—including 15+ endemic and regional specialties—across a steep elevational gradient from 180m to 2,400m masl.
At-a-Glance Tour Key Facts
- Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Main Destinations: Tambopata National Reserve, Chuncho Clay Lick, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.
- Target Species: Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni), Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoazin).
- Pace & Difficulty: Moderate physical effort; early morning birding excursions combined with river transfers, trail walking, and historic site visits.
- Guiding Specialist: Native Peruvian ornithologist and cultural guides (Bilingual English/Spanish).
- Group Size: Small groups (Maximum 6 participants) to ensure optimal field optics and zero trail noise.
- Starting Price: From $1,990 USD per person (Double Occupancy).
Executive Tour Summary
Designed specifically for birdwatchers, naturalists, and wildlife photographers who refuse to choose between species density and world-class culture, this 7-day curated itinerary bridges two completely distinct biomes.
You will begin in the pristine lowland rainforest of the Tambopata National Reserve, traveling along Amazonian riverways to witness the sunrise feeding frenzy at the world-famous Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Search tranquil oxbow lakes for rare Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and prehistoric Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoazin).
Next, ascend into the Peruvian Andes to explore the high-altitude cloud forests and feeder stations of the Sacred Valley, targeting unique taxa such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera). Cap off your journey with an expert-led cultural and birding exploration of Machu Picchu, searching bamboo thickets for the endemic Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni).
Signature Tour Highlights
- Lowland Amazon Rainforest in Tambopata Reserve
Explore protected terra-firme and varzea micro-habitats inside the world-famous Tambopata National Reserve. Guided river journeys and trail routes yield opportunities for toucans, trogons, woodcreepers, and understory mixed-species antbird flocks.
- Sunrise at Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
Witness hundreds of large psittacines assemble at dawn along river bluff clay deposits. Observe Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), Red-and-green Macaws (Ara chloropterus), and Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) in an extraordinary sensory display.
- Oxbow Lake Ecology & Rainforest Night Exploration
Navigate silent oxbow lake margins via non-motorized catamaran to locate family pods of Giant Otters, Black Caimans, and marsh birds. After sunset, venture onto forest paths with specialized night-vision lights to spot amphibians, arachnids, and nocturnal roosting birds.
- High-Andean Hummingbird Sanctuaries
Ascend into the Sacred Valley to visit world-renowned feeder systems like Ensifera Camp. Get close-up photo opportunities with high-elevation trochilids, including the Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) and the restricted-range Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis).
- Machu Picchu Historic Citadel & Sanctuary Birding
Pair an insightful archaeological walk inside the world’s most iconic Inca citadel with targeted cloud-forest birding inside the surrounding UNESCO Sanctuary—home to Andean Cock-of-the-rock, tanagers, and restricted-range cloud-forest endemics.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Maldonado & Travel into Tambopata Reserve
- Route: Puerto Maldonado (PEM) Airport → Birding Peru Trips Operations Office → Tambopata River Transfer → Lodge
- Elevation: ~180 m (590 ft)
- Habitat: Lowland Amazonian Várzea & Terra-Firme Rainforest
- Target Species: Toucans (Ramphastidae), Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptinae), Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)
Upon arrival at Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM) in Puerto Maldonado, you are met by your expert Birding Peru Trips naturalist guide. Make a brief stop at our local headquarters to repack gear into provided river dry bags before transferring to the river port.
Board a motorized river vessel and head upstream into the buffered zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. Along the sandbars, keep optics ready for Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), Capped Heron (Pilherodius leucolophus), White-banded Swallow, and roosting Sand-colored Nighthawk. Upon lodge arrival, complete check-in and head out on an introductory trail walk targeting understory species and canopy mixed flocks.
- Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Finca Sachavacayoc Lodge (or confirmed partner lodge)
Day 2: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick & Primary Forest Trails
- After Route: Early Morning River Navigation to Chuncho → Return to Lodge → Primary Forest Trail System
- Elevation: ~180 m (590 ft)
- Habitat: Clay Lick River Bluff & Terra-Firme Primary Forest
- Target Species: Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus), Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota)
Depart prior to first light to reach the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick at dawn. As light breaks, watch dozens of macaw species, green parrots, and parakeets descend on the exposed mineral-rich river bluff to ingest sodium-dense clay that helps neutralize dietary seed toxins.
After a field breakfast along the riverbank, return to the lodge to walk primary forest trails. Your guide will help you search for army-ant swarms to spot obligate ant-following species, including woodcreepers and various Thamnophilidae antbirds, while scanning mid-story branches for trogons and puffbirds.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Finca Sachavacayoc Lodge (or confirmed partner lodge)
Day 3: Oxbow Lake Wildlife, Rainforest Ecology & Night Walk
- Route: Oxbow Lake Exploration (e.g., Lake Sachavacayoc System) → Botanical Walk → Nocturnal Trail Walk
- Elevation: ~180 m (590 ft)
- Habitat: Oxbow Lake, Mauritia Palm Swamp (Aguajal), Secondary & Primary Fores
- Target Species: Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoazin), Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
After breakfast, explore a quiet oxbow lake by paddle catamaran. Gliding along palm-fringed shorelines provides opportunities to observe family groups of Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Black Caiman, Sungrebe, and noisy feeding groups of the primitive Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoazin).
Return to the lodge for lunch and mid-day relaxation. In the late afternoon, take an educational walk focusing on giant Ceiba trees, medicinal rainforest plants, and leaf-cutter ant colonies. Following dinner, equip your headlamps for a night walk searching for poison dart frogs, tree frogs (Hylidae), tarantulas, and nocturnal birds such as the Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Finca Sachavacayoc Lodge
Day 4: Tambopata to Cusco & Private Cusco City Cultural Tour
- Route: Lodge → River & Road Transfer to PEM Airport → Domestic Flight to CUZ → Historic Cusco Tour
- Elevation: 180m → 3,400 m (11,150 ft)
- Habitat: Inter-Andean Valleys & Urban Mountain Center
- Focus Day: Ecosystem Transition & Historical Context
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing the lodge via boat back to Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco. Ascend from the warm Amazon Basin straight into the heart of the high Andes.
Upon landing at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ), meet your Andean tour leader and check into your hotel. Take time to hydrate and adjust to the altitude. In the afternoon, enjoy an expert-guided historical walking tour through Cusco, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán, and Qorikancha (The Incan Temple of the Sun) to set the historic foundation for your trip into the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Boutique Hotel in Cusco
Day 5: Sacred Valley Hummingbird Sanctuary, Ollantaytambo & Train to Aguas Calientes
- Route: Cusco → Sacred Valley Hummingbird Camp → Ollantaytambo Citadel → Train to Aguas Calientes
- Elevation: 3,400m → 2,800m → 2,040 m (6,690 ft)
- Habitat: Andean Scrub, Montane River Valleys & Cloud-Forest Transition
- Target Species: Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis), Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas), White-collared Jay (Cyanolyca viridicyanea)
Depart early (approx. 5:30 AM) into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit specialized feeder stations and sanctuaries such as Ensifera Camp. Observe high-altitude trochilids, including the remarkable Sword-billed Hummingbird—the only bird with a bill longer than its entire body length—alongside the Giant Hummingbird and endemic Bearded Mountaineer.
After an authentic highland lunch, explore the Inca fortress and living town of Ollantaytambo. In the late afternoon, board the scenic train tracking along the rushing Urubamba River into the cloud-forest gorge of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Handpicked Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 6: Machu Picchu Historic Citadel & Sanctuary Cloud-Forest Birding
- Route: Aguas Calientes → Shuttle Bus to Citadel → Guided Sanctuary Circuit → Mandor Valley Trail
- Elevation: 2,040m – 2,430 m (7,970 ft)
- Habitat: Subtropical High-Altitude Cloud Forest
- Target Species: Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni – Regional Endemic), Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), Masked Fruiteater, Saffron-crowned Tanager (Tangara xanthocephala)
Board the early morning shuttle bus up to the iconic Machu Picchu Citadel for your scheduled entrance. Tour the agricultural terraces, sacred plaza, and stone temples with your licensed cultural guide, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Following the cultural circuit, focus on cloud-forest birding within the surrounding Machu Picchu Sanctuary and the Mandor River Valley. Search dense bamboo thickets for the restricted-range endemic Inca Wren, alongside colourful tanagers, mountain-toucans, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and green jay species.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Handpicked Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 7: Morning River Birding, Train to Cusco & Departure
- Route: Aguas Calientes → Morning Hotel Grounds Birding → Return Train → Transfer to CUZ Airport
- Elevation: 2,040m → 3,400 m
- Habitat: High-Gradient Torrent Rivers & Andean Valleys
- Target Species: Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata), White-capped Dipper (Cinclus leucocephalus)
Enjoy a relaxed morning with an optional early walk along the Urubamba River bank to search for specialists of rushing water, including the Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper.
Return to your hotel for breakfast, check out, and board the return train through the Sacred Valley. Your private transport meets you at the station to shuttle you directly to Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) for your evening flight connection to Lima and onward international flights home.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
What’s Included?
- Transfers & Ground Logistics: All private ground transport, river boat journeys in Tambopata, and round-trip train tickets (Vistadome or Expedition class) to Aguas Calientes.
- Domestic Airfare: Internal flight ticket from Puerto Maldonado (PEM) to Cusco (CUZ).
- Specialist Guiding: Dedicated, bilingual native Peruvian birding guides in the Amazon and Andes + licensed historic guides for Machu Picchu.
- Accommodations: 6 nights in carefully vetted eco-lodges and boutique hotels (double occupancy basis).
- Permits & Entry Fees: Official access fees to Tambopata National Reserve, Sacred Valley ruins, and reserved entry permits to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
- Meals Included: 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners as clearly detailed per day.
What Is Not Included
- International Airfare: Flights into Lima (LIM) and onward flight to Puerto Maldonado (PEM).
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, and alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities: Voluntary tips for drivers, boat captains, lodge personnel, and lead birding guides.
- Travel Insurance: Mandatory comprehensive medical, cancellation, and evacuation policy cover.
Tour Pricing & Private Group Rates
At Birding Peru Trips, we offer 100% private birding tours in Peru, including the iconic Amazon Birding & Machu Picchu Adventure tour. Perfect for birders, wildlife lovers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts, our tours are designed for flexibility, comfort, and the best possible sightings.
Enjoy:
- Expert birding guides in Peru
- Access to top birding hotspots and leks
- A flexible pace for birdwatching, wildlife, and photography
Group Size and Price Per Person (USD)
- 1 Person: USD 3070.00 per person
- 2 Persons: USD 2410.00 per person
- 3 Persons: USD 2210.00 per person
- 4 Persons: USD 2130.00 per person
- 5 Persons: USD 2070.00 per person
- 6 Persons: USD 2030.00 per person
Custom Groups (6+ Travelers)
Traveling in a larger group? We offer custom private birding tours in Peru with an additional guide to ensure the best experience.
👉Contact us today to plan your Amazon Birding & Machu Picchu Adventure tour in Peru and receive a personalized quote.
Essential Packing List for Your Peru Birding
To ensure maximum comfort, success, and enjoyment on your Peru birding and wildlife photography trip, we highly recommend the following packing essentials:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting
your tour, bring both the old and new passports! - Lightweight, quick-dry shirts & pants: Choose neutral colors (greens, browns, grays) for optimal birding and wildlife viewing, as bright colors can sometimes startle animals. Long-sleeved options are crucial for sun and insect protection in the Amazon.
- Light rain jacket or poncho: Absolutely essential for the Amazon rainforest, where sudden showers are common. Look for breathable, waterproof options.
- Warm layers (fleece or jacket): Necessary for cool evenings in Cusco and Machu Picchu, and at higher altitudes in the Andes.
- Comfortable walking shoes / hiking boots: With good ankle support and excellent grip for forest trails and archaeological sites. Waterproof options are highly recommended.
- Sandals or lodge shoes: For relaxing evenings at the lodges.
- Essential Gear for Birding & Photography:
- Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42 recommended): Your most important tool for bird identification and close-up views. Ensure they are waterproof and fog-proof.
- Spotting scope & tripod (optional but highly useful): For detailed views of distant birds and for digiscoping. Our guides will also carry one.
- Camera with telephoto lens: Crucial for exceptional bird and wildlife photography. Consider a lens with a focal length of 300mm or more. Bring a sturdy camera bag to protect your equipment.
- Extra memory cards and batteries: You’ll be taking many photos! Portable power banks are also highly recommended.
- Daypack: For daily excursions, carrying water, snacks, camera gear, and personal items.
- Headlamp or flashlight: With extra batteries, essential for night walks and navigating lodges in the dark.
- High-quality insect repellent: Containing DEET or picaridin is strongly recommended for the Amazon.
- Sunscreen & wide-brimmed hat: Protection from the strong equatorial sun is vital.
- Refillable water bottle: To stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.
- Personal medications & small first-aid kit: Including any prescription drugs, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, and blister treatment.
- Passport: Absolutely necessary for all domestic flights and for entrance to Machu Picchu. Ensure it has at least six months validity beyond your travel dates.
- Small amount of local currency (Peruvian Soles): For small purchases and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How difficult is the terrain on this trip?
This trip requires moderate physical conditioning. Trail walks in Tambopata are generally flat but can be humid, muddy, or uneven. In the Andes and Machu Picchu, you will encounter uneven historic stone steps and high elevation. We keep a comfortable, unhurried pace designed for observing wildlife.
2. What equipment should I bring for birding and photography?
We recommend bringing 8×42 or 10×42 waterproof binoculars, a lightweight raincoat or poncho, moisture-wicking gear in natural colors (khaki, green, brown), a sturdy dry bag for river travel, and a headlamp for night walks. Photographers will want a telephoto lens (400mm–600mm equivalent).
3. How do we manage high elevation in Cusco and the Sacred Valley?
We carefully design our route sequence to assist with natural altitude adjustment. Day 4 transitions you to Cusco (3,400m) for rest, followed by descending slightly to lower elevation in the Sacred Valley (2,800m) and Aguas Calientes (2,040m). We recommend staying well hydrated and avoiding heavy meals or alcohol upon immediate arrival in the Andes.
4. Are bird sightings guaranteed?
While wild animals move freely and sightings can vary with weather and season, our local guides use current field reports, vocalization playbacks where appropriate, and local knowledge to give you the highest possible chance of finding key target species.
5. Do I need to be an expert birder to enjoy this tour?
Not at all. Our tours are designed to be inclusive. Our guides are highly trained naturalists and expert birding guides who provide clear explanations, offer spotting-scope views for close-up observations, and offer support for all levels – from casual birders and nature enthusiasts to seasoned listers. Your passion for nature and birds is all that’s required.
6. What exactly is included in the tour price?
The tour price includes comfortable accommodations, all ground transportation, domestic flights (Puerto Maldonado–Cusco), all national park entrance fees, archaeological site fees (including Machu Picchu), the services of a professional birding tour guide, and most meals as specified in the itinerary. International airfare, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.
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