14-Day Peru Birding Tour: Manu Road, Machu Picchu & Amazon Rainforest
From the High Andes to the Heart of the Amazon — Peru’s most complete birdwatching itinerary
The Most Complete Birding Elevation Gradient in Peru
🌊 Coast & Marine: Boat trips to see the stunning Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguins.
🏔️ High Andes: Search for the Bearded Mountaineer and high-altitude endemics at 3,500m.
☁️ Cloud Forest: Home of the bright red Andean Cock-of-the-rock and colorful tanagers.
🦜 Deep Amazon: Explore the world’s largest Macaw Clay Lick and look for Jaguars.
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR UNIQUE
🏺 Machu Picchu: Tour of the legendary Inca Citadel.
🔭 Expert Guides: Professional leaders focused on finding rare endemics and target species.
🏡 Private Access: Visit exclusive feeder stations & antpitta sites for up-close bird photography.
🚐 Small Groups: An intimate 14-day expedition designed for pasionate birders and nature lovers.
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No other Peru birding tour combines Manu Road + Machu Picchu + Tambopata + Endemics in a single itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Gateway to Pacific Birding
Welcome to Lima! Our team will meet you at the airport for a smooth transfer to your comfortable hotel. Relax and prepare for an epic 14-day birding odyssey starting tomorrow.
Day 2: Coastal Birding & Pucusana Boat Trip
Explore the Pacific coast at Chilca and Pucusana. Search for the endemic Coastal Miner, the stunning Inca Tern, and Humboldt Penguins during a scenic boat trip before catching your flight to Cusco.
Day 3: Giants of the Intermontane Valley
Witness the world’s largest hummingbird, the Giant Hummingbird, and the record-breaking Sword-billed Hummingbird at high-altitude feeder stations. We’ll explore Andean lakes for specialized waterfowl before taking the train to the base of Machu Picchu.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – The Lost City of the Incas
Experience one of the world’s most mysterious archaeological wonders. Enjoy a guided tour of the granite citadel surrounded by lush, humid montane forest—a perfect blend of history and nature.
Day 5: The High Andes to Manu’s Tree Line
Begin your descent into the world-famous Manu National Park. We’ll stop at Huacarpay Lake for endemics like the Bearded Mountaineer before reaching the misty elfin forests.
Day 6: Cloud Forest Treasures
Descend through the most productive sections of the Manu Road. Look for the rare Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and mixed flocks of dazzling tanagers as we head to the heart of the cloud forest.
Day 7: The Magnificent Cock-of-the-Rock
A full day in «Tanager Paradise». We will visit a lek to witness the bright red Andean Cock-of-the-Rock in its display ritual and search for the elusive Amazonian Umbrellabird.
Day 8: Descent to the Foothills
We explore the lower Manu Road for the recently described Inti Tanager. Arrival at Villa Carmen Lodge offers a new world of hummingbirds, including the Rufous-crested Coquette.
Day 9 & 10: Bamboo Specialists of Villa Carmen
Two full days exploring rare bamboo forest habitats. We’ll search for enigmatic species like the Manu Antbird and the endemic Fine-barred Piculet at specialized feeder stations.
Day 11: Lowland Forest & Return to Cusco
One last morning in the foothills searching for the Buff-tailed Sicklebill and Amazonian Antpitta before our ground transport climbs back up the Andes to Cusco.
Day 12: Into the Tambopata Rainforest
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and journey deep into the Tambopata Reserve. Climb a 45-meter Canopy Tower for eye-level views of toucans and macaws soaring over the endless green horizon.
Day 13: World’s Largest Macaw Clay Lick
A true wildlife spectacle! Watch hundreds of Red-and-green, Scarlet, and Blue-and-yellow Macaws gather at the Chuncho Clay Lick. Keep your eyes peeled for the Jaguar along the riverbanks.
Day 14: Sandoval Lake & Farewell
Paddle across the mirror-like waters of Sandoval Lake in search of Giant Otters and prehistoric-looking Hoatzins. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima.
Luggage & Domestic Flights
- Weight Limits: Most domestic flights in Peru allow 23 kg (50.7 lbs) for checked luggage and 8 kg (17.6 lbs) for carry-on.
- Pro Tip: Avoid overpacking to prevent additional baggage fees at the airport.
Clothing & Layers
- Field Gear: Lightweight, comfortable field pants and shirts are best for daily birding.
- For the Cold: Bring a fleece, light jacket, gloves, and a warm hat for high-altitude locations like Cusco or Marcapomacochas.
- Rain Protection: An umbrella and a rain poncho are essential for the cloud forest and rainforest.
- Style Note: Camouflage is fine, but please avoid military-style attire to remain respectful in local communities.
Footwear & Essentials
- Shoes: Rubber boots (gumboots) are highly recommended for muddy trails. Bring flip-flops or shower thongs for the lodges.
- Sun & Gear: Pack sunblock, a hat, extra batteries, and a small flashlight for night birding (owling).
- Laundry: Available in key locations like Huanuco and Oxapampa, so you can pack lighter!
Recommended Birding Gear
- Essential: Binoculars (high quality recommended).
- Optional: Camera and spotting telescope (your guide will also provide a professional scope).
General
- Our birding excursions will primarily take place along forested roads and designated trails, with a difficulty level ranging from easy to moderate.
- Throughout the journey, we will travel between 0 and 4,700 meters above sea level (15,419.95 feet), with most activities occurring between 1,000 and 3,200 meters.
- Expect diverse weather conditions; however, no specialized clothing is required.
- All our accommodations provide electricity, with 220V power outlets available in every room.
- We recommend bringing extra batteries, as power outages may occasionally occur in remote locations such as Satipo and Oxapampa.
Medical and Health Information
- Arrival in Lima: Since Lima is at sea level, there are no altitude concerns upon arrival. However, as we gradually ascend into the Andes, we will reach a maximum elevation of 4,700 meters (15,419 feet) during the tour. Most of our birding will take place along roadsides, requiring minimal physical exertion.
- Altitude Adjustment: The body’s response to high elevation varies from person to person. Some travelers may experience no symptoms at all, while others might feel mild discomfort, and a few may face greater difficulty. We will have oxygen available as a precaution.
- Common Altitude Effects: It’s normal to feel shortness of breath during the first two to three days. Other mild symptoms may include headaches, nausea, or fatigue. Your body will naturally acclimate by increasing red blood cell production, which is why staying well-hydrated is essential, as thicker blood requires more fluid intake.
Hydration & Nutrition Tips:
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can worsen altitude symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they contribute to dehydration.
- Refrain from overeating on the first day to help your body adjust more comfortably.
- Gradual Acclimatization: Our itinerary is designed to gradually adjust to different elevations as we move through diverse habitats. By the time we reach the high-altitude Puna region, most travelers should be acclimated.
- Safety First: Your health and well-being are our top priority. We will take a slow pace, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience without overexertion. I will conduct regular check-ins to ensure everyone is feeling well. If any participant experiences severe discomfort, our driver will be available to quickly transport them to a lower altitude.
- Altitude Sickness Medication: If you are concerned about altitude sickness, consult your doctor regarding preventive medication. For minor altitude-related headaches, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) can be helpful.
Travel insurance
Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.
Books
- Birds of Peru is the best field Guide.
- If you consider you can bring some other field guide are welcome.
Prices Incluide:
- Private transportation throughout the entire journey.
- Comfortable accommodations for the duration of the tour (Lima to Lima).
- Three meals per day, including breakfast, lunch (picnic or boxed lunch depending on location), and dinner. Snacks and water will be available at all times.
- Expert birding guide specializing in local avifauna.
- Personalized bird checklist for each participant.
- Entrance fees to all designated birding locations.
- Convenient transfers within Lima.
- A fully inclusive, private tour designed for a seamless and immersive birding experience.
- Oxygen bottle available for high-altitude locations.
Not Incluide:
- Laundry services, phone calls, medical expenses, hospitalization, or any other personal health-related costs.
- Excess baggage fees beyond the airline’s standard allowance.
- Travel insurance or any other personal coverage.
- Additional personal expenses not specified in the itinerary.
What I (guide) will have with me:
- Recording stuff Roland R-05/Microphone SENNHEISER ME66/K6.
- Two iPods- speakers.
- A Swarovski ATX 80 scope 20-60 zoom
- Green laser pointer
- Owling light.
- GPS.
- Personal Swarovski Binoculars.
- I will be carrying the new field guide Birds of Peru this can be found on www.amazon.com.
Should this itinerary not fully align with your preferences
Dates don’t work for you?
Prefer a shorter or longer trip?
Looking for a specific destination or species?
Inclusion of places you’d rather not visit again, or if it doesn’t feature a destination or species you’re particularly interested in,
No worries! We want your experience to be perfect for you. Let us know what adjustments you need, and we’ll design a 100% tailor-made itinerary just for you.
We will be more than happy to assist you in organizing a personalized itinerary that reflects your unique preferences.
Renowned as a world-class birding destination, Manu Road also offers exceptional opportunities for butterfly photography, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Our focus is on the lower and middle cloud forest elevations (800–2000 m), with additional exploration at higher and lower altitudes. The upper elevations host a remarkable variety of satyrs, while the diversity of skipperlings (Dalla) along this road is truly astonishing. As we descend, we encounter an incredible array of butterfly species from all families.
Manu Road is home to some of the most pristine forests, where an abundance of hairstreaks (Theclinae), skippers (Hesperiidae), stunning Andean metalmarks (Riodinidae), swallowtails (Papilionidae), and firetips (Pyrrhopygini) thrive. This tour can be easily extended to include lowland sites, allowing for a more immersive experience by staying at a single lodge for at least a week.
The Peruvian tropical rainforest offers an extraordinary variety of habitats, including terra firme forests, oxbow lakes, riverbanks, sandy beaches, and várzea forests—each teeming with hundreds of fascinating butterflies such as Morpho, Callicore, Prepona, Heliconius, Catonephele, and Ithomiini species.
📩 Contact us for a detailed itinerary, or let us design a customized tour based on your schedule and target species.
For domestic flights, you are allowed to check in 23 kg (50.7 lbs.) of luggage and carry 8 kg (17.6 lbs.) as hand luggage. Any additional weight will incur extra costs at your own expense.
We recommend lightweight, comfortable clothing such as standard field pants and shirts for the entire trip. A light jacket is sufficient for colder areas. Laundry facilities are available at the lodges where we will be staying, as we will spend several days in one location.
Essentials:
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, a hat, or a cap.
- Insect repellent: Strong mosquito or insect repellent is necessary.
- Rain gear: An umbrella and a rain poncho.
- Footwear: Rubber boots or gumboots for muddy or wet areas to get closer for better photography. (No need to wear them all day, as our transport will be nearby for easy access.)
- Lighting: A small flashlight.
- Protective gear: Knee pads and elbow pads.
- Warm clothing: A fleece or a light jacket (not a heavy winter coat) for high elevations. If you tend to feel cold easily, consider bringing a warm hat and lightweight gloves.
- Clothing color: Camouflage clothing is acceptable, but military-style outfits should be avoided.
Footwear for lodging: Shower thongs or rubber flip-flops for comfort.
Recommended Gear:
- Camera (with extra batteries).
- Flash (optional).
- Continuous light lamp (optional).
- Binoculars (optional).
- Tripod (optional).
📩 If you have any questions about what to bring, feel free to contact us!
General:
- Photography Locations: National parks, private reserves, forested roads, and trails (easy to moderate difficulty).
- Altitude Range: 0 – 3,400 m (11,155 ft), mostly between 600 – 2,200 m.
- Weather: Varied conditions, mostly tropical and pleasant. No special clothing required.
- Electricity: Available at all destinations; some lodges on Manu Road use generators (6:00 – 9:00 PM).
- Wi-Fi: Available only in some lodges, depending on weather conditions.
- Batteries: Bring extra batteries—our days will be busy, and one battery may not be enough.
Medical and Health Information:
- Arrive in Lima (sea level), then fly to Cusco, where the photo safari begins.
- We gradually ascend into the Andes, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,000 m.
- Short stay at high elevation: We only pass through by vehicle and will not remain at this altitude for long.
- Altitude affects people differently—some feel no effects, while others may experience shortness of breath, nausea, headache, or fatigue.
- Stay well-hydrated, as your body produces more red blood cells at high elevations.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they contribute to dehydration and worsen altitude effects.
- If prone to altitude sickness, consult your doctor about preventive medications.
- For mild altitude headaches, OTC pain relievers like Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can help.
- No altitude concerns at butterfly sites—our main locations are at lower elevations.
- If anyone feels unwell at high points, we carry a first-aid kit with oxygen to relieve symptoms.
- We will descend quickly if necessary to ensure safety.
📩 Have questions? Contact us for more details!
Travel insurance
Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.
Books:
There is no specific butterfly field guide available for Peru; however, we have an extensive collection of PDF files featuring butterflies from our personal photography archives.
If you have a relevant field guide, you are welcome to bring it along—it will certainly be a valuable resource during the tour.
Prices Include:
- Private transportation throughout the entire tour.
- Accommodation in all destinations (Lima/Cusco).
- Three daily meals (breakfast, lunch/picnic/box lunch depending on location, dinner), plus snacks and unlimited water.
- Expert butterfly guide specializing in Peruvian species.
- Entrance fees to all butterfly observation sites.
- Transfers in Lima and Cusco.
- Full-board, private tour experience.
Not included:
- Laundry services, phone calls, medical expenses, or hospitalization.
- Excess baggage fees, travel insurance, or personal expenses.
