Birding From The Andes To The Amazon 10D/9N

Detailed Itinerary:

This meticulously planned 10-day, 9-night birding and wildlife photography tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through Peru’s most biodiverse regions, from the high Andean cloud forests to the lush Amazonian lowlands. Each day is designed to maximize birding opportunities and wildlife encounters, guided by expert naturalists.

Day 1: Cusco to ACCA – Wayquecha: High-Altitude Birding & Cloud Forest Transition

Our Peru birding adventure commences early in Cusco, as we embark on a scenic drive towards the cloud forest. Our first significant stop is the Huacarpay Wetland, a vital habitat for a diverse array of local and migratory bird species. Here, we’ll focus on specialties such as the Yellow-billed Pintail, Puna Teal, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Duck, Andean Tinamou, and the elegant White-tufted Grebe. The dense reeds often reveal the elusive Many-colored Rush-tyrant and Wren-like Rush-bird. The surrounding nicotiana flowers are a magnet for vibrant hummingbirds, including the Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Giant Hummingbird, and the spectacular, endemic Bearded Mountaineer. The xerophytic vegetation in this area is home to the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Puna Tinamou, and the very rare Darwin’s Nothura, among other fascinating species.

Mid-morning, our journey continues through puna habitats, where we’ll search for high-altitude specialists like the Slender-billed Miner, Peruvian Sierra-finch, Andean Flicker, and Variable Hawk. At midday, we reach the Aqjanaco pass, the gateway to Manu National Park, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. This transition marks our entry into more lush vegetation and significantly higher biodiversity. Aqjanaco provides access to the pristine and delicate Elfin forest, offering excellent opportunities for specialties such as the endemic Urubamba & Red-and-white Antpittas, Puna Thistletail, Puna & Diademed Tapaculos, Moustached Flowerpiercer, Scribble-tailed Canastero, and the spectacular Gray-breasted Mountain-Tanager. Mixed flocks in this region are vibrant with colorful tanagers like Scarlet-bellied & Hooded Mountain-tanagers, Golden-collared & Grass-green Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Yunga’s Pygmy Owl, and Grass Wren. We spend the night immersed in the humid montane forest, with opportunities for nocturnal birding, seeking out species like Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-banded Owl, and Swallow-tailed Nightjar.

Day 2: Wayquecha Biological Station: Exploring the Elfin Forest

Today is dedicated to exploring the Wayquecha Biological Station, nestled within the unique Elfin Forest at 3,000 meters elevation. This chilly, humid environment is often shrouded in clouds and is a hotspot for both avian diversity and numerous orchid species. After an early breakfast, we’ll engage in morning bird watching along the station’s gardens and the Manu Road. Our targets include the elegant Long-tailed Sylph, Scaled and Tyrian Metaltail, Shinning Sunbeam, and the distinctive “Cuzco” Starfrontlet (recently split from Violet-fronted Starfrontlet). The rich birdlife here also features the Hooded Tinamou, Stripe-faced Woodquail, Semi-Collared Hawk, majestic Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Masked Trogon, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Puna Thistletail, Band-tailed Fruiteater, the endemic Red and White Antpitta, Leymebamba Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulet, the endemic Inca Flycatcher, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-collared Jay, Masked Flowerpiercer, Hooded & Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Golden-Collared, Superciliared (Urubamba) Hemispingus, and Pale-legged Warbler. Beyond birds, this area is also home to the impressive Spectacled Bear and Culpeo (Andean fox). After lunch and a rest, we’ll explore the canopy walkway, an excellent vantage point for further birding. Overnight at Wayquecha Station.

Day 3: Wayquecha – Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Spectacle

Our day begins with early activities on the trails around Wayquecha, focusing on more high-elevation species such as the Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Red-and-white Antpitta, Puna Thistletail, Marcapata Spinetail, and Rufous-capped Thornbill. We’ll continue to observe the abundant birds and orchids that thrive in this beautiful locale. After a delicious breakfast, our birding adventures continue with frequent spontaneous stops, hoping to spot a brilliantly feathered quetzal, a trogon, Blue-banded Toucanet, Handsome Flycatcher, or the elusive Andean Potoo. We anticipate encountering several good mixed flocks, which could include a variety of vibrant tanagers, as well as the Versicolored Barbet, Striped Treehunter, Inca Flycatcher, and even the Barred Fruiteater or the wild turkey-like Guan. In the late afternoon, we arrive at our comfortable Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, perfectly timed to visit the nearby viewing platform for the spectacular display ground, or “lek,” of Peru’s dazzling national bird, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana). Witnessing their full, raucous courting display is often the highlight of this long, fulfilling day.

Day 4: Cock of The Rock Lodge: Cloud Forest Immersion & Photography

Today, we take a gentle drive partway up the road to the highlands from the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, making frequent stops whenever we spot something interesting. This promises to be an enchanting day, rich with birding opportunities. We expect to encounter at least a couple of magnificent mixed flocks, which could feature an incredible diversity of tanagers, including the Golden-eared (uncommon), Golden-naped, Black-goggled, Orange-Eared, Fawn-breasted, Yellow-throated, Spotted, Paradise, Golden, Bay-headed, and Black-goggled Tanagers. Other species to look for include the Golden-olive Woodpecker, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Grey-mantled Wren, Streak-necked, Slaty-capped and Lemon-browed Flycatchers, the restricted-range Bolivian Tyrannulet, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Tropical Parula, Russet-crowned and Three-striped Warblers, Slate-throated Whitestart, Deep-blue and Bluish Flower-piercers, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, the restricted-range Slaty Tanager, Yellow-throated and Common Bush-Tanagers, and Black-faced Brush-Finch, Yellow-rumped and Yellow-breasted Antwren, and Ash-browed Spinetail. Away from the flocks, we’ll actively search for the majestic Crested and Golden-Headed Quetzal, Andean and White-eared Solitaires, the unique Amazonian Umbrellabird, and the powerful Solitary and Black-and-chestnut Eagles, as well as the rare and difficult-to-detect Black-Streaked Puffbird. As we amble through the woods and past waterfalls, we also have a good chance of sighting Woolly and/or Brown Capuchin monkeys. Night birding, though often slow, may yield sightings of the Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Band-Bellied Owl, and potentially the Rufescent Screech-Owl.

Day 5: Cock of the Rock Lodge – Biolodge (Villa Carmen): Transition to Lower Elevations

Our day begins with early morning birding in the gardens of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, where we may observe species such as the Many-spotted Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Booted Racket-Tail, and sometimes even the Wire-crested Thorntail and the rare Buff-Tailed Sicklebill. The iconic Andean Cock-of-the-Rocks are also frequently seen in this area. After breakfast, we drive down towards the Kosñipata valley, a prime location for seeking out some very challenging endemics: the Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher, Cerulean-capped Manakin, and Peruvian Piedtail. There are many other exciting species to hope for, including the Lanceolated Monklet, Two-banded Warbler, Cuzco Warbler, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Stripe-chested Antwren, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Ornate and Lemon-browed Flycatcher, and Cabanis’s Spinetail. We arrive at the Biolodge (Villa Carmen) in the afternoon, where we’ll immediately begin birding in the garden, which features an active hummingbird feeder station. This offers a fantastic chance for close-up views and wildlife photography of species like the Rufous-crested Coquette, Black-eared Fairy, Long-billed Starthroat, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, and Gould’s Jewelfront. Fruit feeders attract Lemon-throated Barbet, Thick-billed Euphonia, Green Honeycreeper, Blue & Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Turquoise, Yellow-bellied, Paradise & Spotted Tanager, and the impressive Great Potoo, providing excellent opportunities for photographers. Our evening includes dedicated night birding, targeting species such as the Stripe, Black-banded and Spectacled Owl, along with the Tropical and Tawny-Bellied Screech-Owl.

Day 6: Biolodge (Villa Carmen): Bamboo Patches & Oxbow Lake Exploration

Today, we dedicate our morning to intensive birding at the Biolodge (Villa Carmen), which provides exceptional access to extensive bamboo patches. These unique habitats are home to specialized species such as the Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, White-cheeked Tody-flycatcher, Bamboo Foliage-gleaner, 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, and Rufous-breasted Piculet. If fortune favors us, we might even spot the elusive Peruvian Recurvebill, though these are typically difficult and rare species. The lodge’s extensive trail system guarantees excellent birding for restricted species like the Fine-barred Piculet, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Foothill Antwren, Brownish-headed Antbird, and Cabanis’s Spinetail. After lunch, we journey to the Machuwasi Oxbow Lake, a tranquil aquatic environment where we expect to see the unique Hoatzin, Blackish Rail, Gray-cowled Woodrail, Riparian Antbird, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Pale-eyed Blackbird, and Black-Billed Seedfinch. An additional garden hummingbird feeder near the lake attracts White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Koepcke’s Hermit, Amazonian Antpitta, and Rufous-sided Crake. We also have possibilities of observing Red Howler and Squirrel Monkeys.

Day 7: Villa Carmen Biological Station – Manu Wildlife Center: Journey to the Amazon Lowlands

Following breakfast, our journey continues as the mountains gradually give way to low rolling hills and expansive farmland, signaling our approach to the Amazonian lowlands. We reach Atalaya, a small port where the Piñipiñi River converges with the Alto Madre de Dios. Here, the true lowland rainforest portion of our Peru birding tour begins. Rivers serve as the vital highways of the rainforest, and from this point forward, we will travel in large, comfortable dugout canoes, shaded by protective canopy roofs and propelled by powerful outboard motors. As we navigate the broad, rushing course of the Alto Madre de Dios River, passing the final foothills of the Andes, our ever-changing route offers exciting sightings of new bird species, including various terns, cormorants, White-winged Swallows, Southern Lapwing, Anhinga, Little Blue-heron, Pied Plover, Little Ground-tyrant, and flocks of nighthawks flushed from their daytime lairs by the sound of our engine. Splashes of brilliant yellow, pink, and red foliage adorn the forest-clad slopes around us, and the air is filled with the heady perfumes of the tropical forest. We pass the mouth of the Manu River, the symbolic gateway to the heart of Manu National Park. We pause during our journey to stretch our legs and visit Boca Manu, a village a short distance downriver, where we can observe the local boatyards where the essential dugout canoes are constructed. We anticipate arriving at the renowned Manu Wildlife Center in the mid-afternoon. Our day will conclude with an ascent to the lodge’s impressive canopy tower, standing 34 meters high atop an emergent tree, offering unparalleled views over the rainforest canopy. This vantage point typically yields at least one active mixed flock during our stay, which can include species like Chestnut-shouldered and Sclater’s Antwren, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Black-capped Becard, Rufous-tailed Xenops, Grey Elaenia, and Lineated Woodcreeper. We’ll also keep a keen eye out for the vibrant Spangled Cotinga, White-throated and Channel-billed Toucans, Ivory-billed and Curl-crested Aracaris, Plumbeous Kite, the noisy Red-throated Caracara, and various trogons, including Black-tailed, Blue-crowned, Amazonian, and Collared Trogons. The majestic blue and yellow, red and green, and scarlet macaws are also frequently seen from this elevated perspective, often very hard to spot from the ground.

Day 8: Manu Wildlife Center: The Spectacular Macaw Clay Lick

Another early start, typical for wildlife expeditions, is followed by a short boat ride downstream from the Manu Wildlife Center. We then take a 35-minute trail through palm plantations to a cut-off channel of the river, where we find the famous Macaw Clay Lick. A spacious hide, equipped with individual chairs and convenient places for cameras and binoculars, provides our ringside seat for what is usually a truly spectacular show. We enjoy a full breakfast here while patiently waiting for the main actors to arrive. In groups of twos and threes, the magnificent Red-and-Green Macaws come flapping in, landing in the treetops as they survey the main stage below – the eroded clay banks of the old channel. Meanwhile, the supporting cast begins to appear: these may include Blue-headed, Mealy, Yellow-crowned, and Orange-cheeked Parrots – and occasionally, an unwelcome Great Black Hawk. The drama unfolds with tentative, then bolder, approaches to the lick, until finally, nearly all the macaws, parrots, and parakeets form a colorful and noisy spectacle on the bare banks, squabbling as they scrape clay from the hard surface. (Please note that the clay lick is most active from August to October and less so during the months of May and June.) The Manu Wildlife Center is an emblematic lodge for birding in the Tropics. It boasts an excellent system of trails specifically designed by and for birders, covering diverse habitats including creek and river sides, terra firme, bamboo, varzea, disturbed vegetation, and tall mature forest. Some species we can expect to encounter on these trails include the Razor-billed Curassow, Festive Coquette, Great Jacamar, Pavonine Quetzal, White-throated Woodpecker, Golden-collared Toucanet, White-cheeked Tody Flycatcher, Black-tailed Leaftosser, Round-tailed, Blue-backed & Band-tailed Manakin, Red-billed Pied Tanager, Brazilian Tinamou, Dot-winged Antwren, Little Ground-tyrant, Royal Flycatcher, and Rufous-fronted Antthrush, though the possibilities are immense. Owling at the lodge is generally productive, with sightings of Crested, Mottled & Spectacled Owl, and Ferruginous & Amazonian Pygmy-owl.

Day 9: Manu Wildlife Center: Oxbow Lake and Tapir Clay Lick

We set off early for an old oxbow lake, a serene body of water filled with water lilies and sunken logs. As we circle the lake on our catamaran, we might encounter the resident Giant Otter family on a fishing expedition, or troops of monkeys crashing noisily through the trees. Wattled Jacanas step lightly on the lily pads, dainty Sun Grebes paddle across the water, supple-necked Anhingas air-dry their wide, black wings, and perhaps an Osprey scans for fish from a high branch. Among the bushes near the waterline, Hoatzins, which resemble rust-colored, punk chickens, announce their presence with distinctive, bizarre wheezing and grunts. Woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, toucans, and parakeets all eventually swoop into the trees surrounding the lake, many of them roosting there for the night. After lunch, we embark along the “collpa trail,” which leads us to the lodge’s famous Tapir Clay Lick. Here, at the most active tapir lick known in the entire Amazon, our research has identified 8-12 individual 600-pound Tapirs who regularly visit to consume clay from under the tree roots around the edge. This unusual snack helps absorb and neutralize toxins in the vegetarian diet of the Tapir, the largest land animal of Latin America. The lick features a roomy, elevated observation platform, 5 meters (17 feet) above the forest floor, equipped with freshly made-up mattresses and pillows, each covered by a spacious mosquito net. The 10-meter-long, elevated walkway to the platform is covered with sound-absorbing padding to prevent our footsteps from making noise. This Tapir Experience is unique and incredibly exciting because these normally very shy creatures are visible up close, and flash photography is not just permitted, but encouraged. The only challenge for modern city dwellers is to remain still and silent for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.

Day 10: Departure from Puerto Maldonado

After a final breakfast at the Manu Wildlife Center, we begin our journey back. This involves a scenic boat ride along the river, followed by a comfortable van transfer to Puerto Maldonado. From Puerto Maldonado, you will board a commercial flight to either Cusco or Lima, concluding your unforgettable birding and wildlife tour in Peru.