MANU ROAD BIRDING TOUR
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- USD 2050
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Trip Outline
Birding in Manu Road is a once-in-a-lifetime journey through one of the most biodiverse corridors on Earth. From the high Puna Grassland to the lush Amazon basin, this breathtaking route unveils a spectacular fusion of ecosystems that make Manu a true paradise for birdwatchers.
The cloud forests here form a natural bridge between highland and lowland species, offering a dynamic and unforgettable birding experience. As you descend through ever-changing landscapes—misty forests, verdant hills, and dramatic mountain vistas—you’ll encounter a dazzling variety of species, including rarities and endemics. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Manu’s untouched beauty and unmatched avian diversity make it a dream destination for nature lovers. Join us and be swept away by the sights, sounds, and soul of this iconic Birding in Manu Road adventure.
We will start our tour in Cusco, where highland water fowl is present and Rusty-fronted Canastero (E), Creamy-crested Spinetail (E), Chestnut-breatested Mountan-finch (E). The gates of the Manu National Park holds Puna Tapaculo, Scribble-tailed Canastero, White-throated Screech-owl, Urubamba Anpitta (E), Red-and-white Antpitta (E), Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan. Later, Cloud forest present an incredible number of tanager in mixed flocks and an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek at eye level!. The endemics Peruvian Piedtail (E) and Cereulean-capped Manakin (E) and Yungas Manakin, Blue-moustached Barbet, White-backed Fire-eye, Stripe-chested Antwren, White crowned Tapaculo, Marroon-belted Chat-tyrant, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet. Finally, the foothills present a very interesting habitats of lowland amazon, bamboo patches and aquatic enviroments where we can find Black-backed Tody-tyrant (E), Fine-barred Piculet, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Amazonian Antpitta, Hoatzin , Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Manu Antbird, etc.
Itinerary
Cuzco - Wayquecha lodge.
The journey starts early in the morning in Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. The road takes us first to Huacarpay, a Ramsar Wetland, which provides habitat for a wide variety of local and migratory species. Some of the specialties include waterfowl such as Yellow-billed Pintail, Puna Teal, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Duck, Andean Tinamou, White-tufted Grebe, and the reeds may show us Many-colored Rush-tyrant and Wren-like Rush-bird. The lake surroundings also hold nicotiana flowers, which attract Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Giant Hummingbird, and the spectacular and endemic Bearded Mountaineer (E). Finally, the xerophytic vegetation holds the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero (E) , Streak-fronted Thornbird, Puna Tinamou, and the very rare Darwin's Nothura, among several others.
At mid-morning, we will get back to the road, driving along puna habitats where Slender-billed Miner, Peruvian Sierra-finch, Andean Flicker, Variable Hawk, etc.
At midday, we will finally get back to the Aqjanaco pass, the entrance to start our birding on Manu Road, for a picnic lunch, leaving dry intermountain valleys and starting our way towards more lush vegetation and higher diversity. Aqjanaco presents access to one of the most pristine and delicate habitats, the Elfin forest. The opportunities here are excellent for specialties such as the Endemic Urubamba (E) & Red-and-white (E) Antpittas, Puna Thistletail, Puna & Diademed Tapaculos, Moustached Flowerpiercer, Scribble-tailed Canastero, and the spectacular Gray-breasted Mountain-Tanager. Finally, the mixed flocks here hold colorful Tanagers like Scarlet-bellied & Hooded Mountain-tanagers, Golden-collared & Grass-green Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Yunga's Pygmy Owl, Grass Wren, and many others.
Night at Wayquecha Lodge
Wayquecha – San Pedro.
Wayquecha is located in the Elfin forest on the upper part of Manu Road. Chilly and humid, the place is always “on” clouds. Very little is known about this delicate habitat. At 3,000 meters elevation, the place is known, not only for the birds, but several sp. of orchids are found here too. The garden regular visitors are Long-tailed Sylph, Scaled and Tyrian Metaltail, Shinning Sunbeam, “Cuzco” (E) Starfrontlet (Split from Violet-fronted Starfrontlet). The bird life here includes Hooded Tinamou, Stripe-faced Woodquail, Semi-Collared Hawk, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Sword-Billed Hummingbird, Masked Trogon, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Puna thistletail, Marcapata Spinetail, Band-tailed Fruiteater, Rufous-backed Treehunter, Red and White Antpitta (E), Leymebamba Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulet, etc. This area is home for Spectacled Bear and Culpeo (Andean fox) as well.
Night at Cock of the Rock.
San Pedro
San Pedro is located at 1500 meters elevation, on the middle section of Manu Road. This place is particularly special for it´s Andean Cock of the Rock Lek, a wonderful show where groups of bright and colorful males gather here to display attracting dull females. There is a plattaform conveniently placed at the Lek to enjoy it eye-level.
Other wildlife speciallities here are: Brown Tinamou, Rufous-breasted Woodquail, Rufescent-Screech-Owl, Buff-thighed Puffleg, Rufous-booted Raquet-tail (E), Peruvian Piedtail (E), Violent-fronted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, Blue-banded Toucanet, Highland Motmot, Blue-moustached Barbet, White-backed Fire-eye, Stripe-chested Antwren, White crowned Tapaculo, Marroon-belted Chat-tyrant, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet, Crested Quetzal, Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, Yellow-rumped antwren, Yellow-breasted Warbling Antbird, Yungas Manakin, Cereulean-capped Manakin, Inca Jay, White-capped Dipper, Andean Solitaire, Olive Finch, Two-banded Warbler, Carmiol´s Tanager, Russet-backed Oropendola. Among a large list of multi-colored Tanagers and others. In addition, a Tanager new for science have been reported and photographed. A restricted population of the Andean Wooly Monkey lives here as well as the Shock-headed Capuchin Monkeys.
Nights in Cock of the Rock
Foothills - Manu Biolodge (Villa Carmen)
We will arrive to the next lodge for afternoon, the formerly called Villa Carmen is now renewed as one of the most important biological station and open for tourism as Manu Biolodge at the foothills of Manu Road. 3,000 hectares of preserved forest at 500 masl at the Foothills.
We will spend 2 days birding at the lodge and surroundings which permits access to great habitats. Bamboo patches offers Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Manu Antbird, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, White-lined Antbird, White-cheeked Tody-flycatcher, Bamboo Foliage-gleaner and the several trails in the lodge guarantee good birding of restricted species such as Fine-barred Piculet, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Foothill Antwren, Brownish-headed Antbird, Cabani´s Spinetail among others. Trails show White Hawk, Military Macaw, Blue-headed Macaw, Great Potoo, Lanceolated Monklet, Rufous-capped Nunlet, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Yellow-breasted Warbling-antbird, Blackish Antbird, Ornate Flycacher, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Fiery-capped Manakin, Band-tailed Manakin and many more.
Acuatic enviroments regularly offer Hoatzin, Gray-cowled Woodrail, Riparian Antbird, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Black-Billed Seedfinch, etc. Additionally a garden hummingbird feeder holds White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Rufous-crested Coquette, Koepcke´s Hermit (E) and find Amazonian Antpitta, King Vulture and Rufous-sided Crake at the feeders.
Night Monkey (Aotus sp.), Urubamba Titi- Monkey and Spider Monkey are also possibilities. Villa Carmen Lodge stands as an oasis of comfort and natural beauty. Surrounded by the lush cloud forests and foothills of Manu National Park, this lodge offers a tranquil retreat and excellent activies for birding with its charming wooden cabins that blend seamlessly with the landscape.
Nights are very productive since Black-banded & Striped Owl, Common Pottoo and Tropical Screech-Owl use to be found near the lodge.
Nights in Manu Biolodge (Ex - Villa Carmen).
Back to the mountains
We will spend our last morning birding around the Villa Carmen, where Black-capped, Little & Undulated Tinamou as well as Amazonian Antpitta come to the feeders near the lodge. Other birds are White hawk, Blued-headed & Military Macaw, Rufous-capped Nunlet, White-linned Antbird, Sooty Antbird, Bamboo Antshrike, Foothill Antwren, Johanne´s Tody Flycatcher, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Black-backed Tody-flycatcher (E), Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Cuzco Warbler among many other species.
Later , we will get back to the road back to the mountains and will make some stops along the way for missing species or better views for Urubamba Anpitta (E), Cereulean-capped Manakin (E), Yungas Manakin, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, White-backed Fire-eye, Slaty Gnateater, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Inca Flycatcher (E), Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, Black-throated Tody-tyrant, Golden-headed & Crested Quetzal, White-collared Jay, etc.
ON at Wayquecha Lodge.
Back to Cusco
After an early breakfast and birding at trails, we will get back to the road back to the mountains. We will make some stops along the way for missing species and search for Superciliared (Urubamba) Hemispingus (E), Pale-legged Warbler, Black-faced Brush-Finch, Dusky-green Oropendola, Mountain Cacique on our way back to Cuzco trying to get some highland missing species.
Arrival to Cuzco in the mid-afternoon and transfer to hotel or airport.
END OR SERVICES
Trip Includes
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Lodges:
- 02 nights in Wayquecha Lodge
- 03 nights in Cock of the Rock Lodge
- 02 nights in Manu Biolodge (ex Villa Carmen)
Meals:
- 02 lunches will be at the field in order to improve birding opportunities
- All meals included except first breakfast and last dinner
- All meals can be adapted for vegetarian or vegan options or any other dietary restriction
Road Condition
- Manu Road is a famous bird watching road and well known for being a bumpy dirt road, but it has been lightly paved since 2020 and is now much more comfortable, but we still have some dirt and bumpy stretches left.
