Birding Manu Biosphere – Manu Birding Lodge

Day 0: Arrival

• Depending on arrival time in Lima, transfer to the hotel in Lima or connect to Cusco.

Day 1: Cusco to Wayqecha Biological Station (2950m)

• Early departure, birding through intermontane valleys.
• Stops for endemics like Creamy-crested Spinetail and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch.
• Altitudinal transect with various bird species.
• Night at Wayqecha Biological Station.
• Meals: L, D

Day 2: Wayqecha Biological Station to Cock-of-the-rock Lodge

• Target birds like Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Blue-banded Toucanet.
• Explore cloudforests for diverse hummingbirds and mixed flocks.
• Overnight at Cock-of-the-rock Lodge.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Cock-of-the-rock Lodge (Lower Manu cloud forest 1400m)

• Witness Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek.
• Search for specialities like Black-billed Treehunter, Slaty Gnateater.
• Birdwatching in the lower cloud forest.
• Night birding for Rufescent Screech-Owl and Lyre-tailed Nightjar.
• Overnight at Cock-of-the-rock Lodge.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Lower Manu road to Amazonia Lodge

• Morning birding in cloudforests.
• Descend further to Amazonia Lodge, scanning for Black Phoebe and White-capped Dipper.
• Birding upper tropical forests for various species.
• Cross Alto Madre de Dios river to Amazonia Lodge.
• Night at Amazonia Lodge.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 5: Amazonia Lodge 500m (1,750 feet)

• Explore varied habitats for birds like Blue-headed Macaw, Rufous-crested Coquette.
• Observe hummingbirds at lodge feeders.
• Night birding for Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, Black-banded Owl, etc.
• Night at Amazonia Lodge.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 6: Parrot Clay Lick to Hummingbird Lodge

• Visit Parrot Clay Lick for Red-and-green Macaws and other species.
• Board motorized canoe for Amazon Wildlife Center Lodge.
• Bird along the river.
• Stay at Hummingbird Lodge for the night.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 7: Hummingbird Lodge to Amazon Wildlife Center

• Final birding at Hummingbird Lodge.
• Boat ride to Amazon Wildlife Center for a 4-night stay.
• Explore trails for diverse forest species.
• Night birding for Long-tailed, Great and Common Potoos, etc.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 8: Macaw Clay Lick & AWC Trails

• Visit Macaw Clay Lick in the morning.
• Bird AWC trails for various species.
• Night at Amazon Wildlife Center.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 9: Blanco Oxbow Lake & Tapir Clay lick

• Visit Blanco Oxbow Lake.
• Birding around the lake for lakeside species.
• Visit Tapir Clay Lick for mammals and birds.
• Night at Amazon Wildlife Center.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 10: Amazon Wildlife Center & Manakin Leks

• Bird extensive trail systems for various forest types.
• Look for Rufous-fronted Antthrush and other forest species.
• Optional visit to large mammal Clay lick.
• Night at Amazon Wildlife Center.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 11: Canopy Tower to Puerto Maldonado City

• Early visit to the canopy tower.
• Birdwatching for canopy species.
• Downriver journey with riverside birding.
• Transfer to Puerto Maldonado City.
• Bus ride to Puerto Maldonado.
• Overnight in Puerto Maldonado.
• Meals: B, L, D

Day 12: Puerto Maldonado to Lima

• Birding near the airport and road to Cusco.
• Midday flight to Lima via Cusco.
• Arrival in Lima, end of the tour.
• Overnight in Lima.
• Meals: B

Day 13: Flight home

• Departure from Lima.

Trip Considerations

Climate:

• Hot and humid in the lowlands to very cold at Abra Malaga.
• Possibility of a “Friaje,” a strong cold front moving up from the south, bringing periods of unusually cool weather and rain during dry season.

Difficulty:

• Moderate.
• Some long journeys and early starts, but walking is usually fairly easy.
• Optional walk up to Polylepis; those not interested can stay with the bus.

Accommodation:

• Jungle lodges are comfortable but simple.
• Some lodges may lack full-time electricity but provide a generator for a few hours daily to charge batteries.
• Hotels in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, and Puerto Maldonado are Amazon Birding Standard.
• Lima hotel choice depends on flight schedules; may use a convenient airport hotel (noisy) or one in a better part of the city.

Bird Photography:

• Opportunities are worthwhile.

Linkable Amazon Birding:

• Central & Northern Peru

What to Bring:

• Binoculars and photo equipment.
• Spotting scope (if available).
• Flashlight for night birding.
• Light daypack.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt.
• Comfortable pants (jeans or quick-drying nylon).
• Cotton socks.
• Sweater, jacket, or fleece for night birding.
• Light jacket, water-resistant, or poncho.
• Hiking boots or sturdy shoes.
• Sandals for after hours.
• Hat and sunglasses.
• Plastic bags for camera, clothes, etc.
• Personal toiletries (shampoo, towel, etc.).

Note:

• In the rainy season, umbrellas and rubber boots are provided in various sizes for rainy days.