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An Avian Odyssey of 10 Days – Manu National Park

(3 Reviews)
  • Max Guests : 8 plus guide
  • Wifi (some lodges)
  • Discount on fixed dates
  • Early Booking Discounts
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Birdwatching in Peru 10 Days

The Most Complete Manu National Park Birding Program 

If you’re looking for the ultimate birdwatching experience in Peru, this is it. Our Birdwatching in Peru 10 Days expedition is the most complete program we operate in Manu National Park, designed for serious birders, listers, and wildlife-focused travelers who want to cover the park properly—from the high Andes and cloud forest all the way down to the Manu Reserved Zone.

Unlike shorter Manu trips that stay in the foothills, this itinerary goes deep. You’ll overnight at carefully chosen lodges in key habitats and spend two nights inside the Reserved Zone at Jaguar Ecolodge, giving you premium access to intact rainforest, river wildlife, and remote birding hotspots that few visitors reach.

Price Includes

  • Birding Specialized Guide with Spotting Scope
  • 9 Nights at Birding Lodges (Wayquecha, Cock of the Rock, Guadalupe, Dorado, Jaguar Ecolodge)
  • Entrance Ticket to the Birding Sites
  • Overland Transport (Air Conditioned Minivan or SUV)
  • Roofed Motor Boat
  • Group eBird List
  • Snacks (Fresh Fruits, Cookies Juices )
  • Bottled Water
  • Transfer in City (only to accesible streets)
  • Meals (according the itinerary)
  • Rubber Boots
  • Free storage room in Cusco
  • First Aid Kit (Antivenom)
  • Macaw Clay Lick Activity
  • WIFI (available to some locations, lodges)

Price Excludes

  • Binoculars
  • Breakfast Day 1 / Dinner last day
  • Single Supplement Rate
  • Alcoholic Drinks

What to Expect / Highlights

  • Huacarpay Wetlands: Scan waterbirds, reed specialists, and migrants in soft morning light.
  • Manu Road Gradient: Andes-to-foothills route boosts species variety with productive roadside stops.
  • Cock-of-the-rock Lek: Witness dazzling courtship displays—Manu’s iconic, photographer-friendly birding moment.
  • Bamboo Specialists: Seek Peruvian Recurvebill, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher in bamboo.
  • Palm Forest & Macaws: Bird Mauritia palms for parrots, Blue-and-yellow Macaws, palmcreepers.
  • Hummingbird Gardens: Close-range hummingbird photography—coquettes, sicklebills, and nonstop feeder action
  • Machuhuasi Oxbow Lake: Canoe birding for hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, rails, and more.
  • Oxbow lake birding: Calm waters, edge habitats, and nonstop activity for kingfishers, hoatzins, herons, and more.
  • Jaguar possibility by boat: River travel through remote forest gives real chances for jaguar sightings along the banks.
  • Two+ clay licks included: Multiple sessions to watch parrots, parakeets, and macaws gather at mineral-rich banks.
  • Giant river otter chances: Oxbow lakes offer one of the best settings for observing giant river otters.
  • Most complete Manu program: Andes-to-Reserved Zone coverage for maximum species diversity and life-list potential.

Why This is the “Dream Trip” for Birders

Covers the entire Manu gradient (not just the easy section)

You’ll bird across multiple ecosystems in one continuous journey: High Andes / puna and elfin forest /Classic Manu cloud forest / Amazon foothill rainforest (including bamboo and palm habitats) / Lowland Amazon and Reserved Zone rainforest

Premium wildlife + Hardcore birding

This tour is built for people who want birds everywhere, but also value big wildlife encounters. The Reserved Zone section delivers some of the best chances in Peru for observing rainforest mammals and river wildlife alongside world-class birding.

Manu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason: it’s one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Over 10 days, the habitat gradient and field time create real potential for an exceptional species count—often 350+ bird species depending on season, conditions, and pace.

Birdwatching in Peru 10 Days 

 Why This is the “Dream Trip” for Birders

Covers the entire Manu gradient (not just the easy section)

You’ll bird across multiple ecosystems in one continuous journey:

  • High Andes / puna and elfin forest
  • Classic Manu cloud forest.
  • Amazon foothill rainforest (including bamboo and palm habitats)
  • Lowland Amazon and Reserved Zone rainforest 

 

 

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco → Wayqecha Lodge (High Andes + Elfin Forest)

This journey is an intensive birdwatching expedition that begins with a scenic drive from Cusco to Huacarpay Lake, a prime wetland habitat for diverse bird species.

The trip continues along the Manu Road with expert guides, heading to the high-altitude Puna region. Here, you’ll search for unique species like the Sedge Wren and Junin Canastero. As you descend the Acjanacu Pass, you’ll look for birds adapted to the scattered vegetation, including the Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager. The descent leads to misty forests, where you’ll find productive bird flocks, including specialists like the Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and Plushcap.

The afternoon is spent birding in the elfin forest around Wayquecha Lodge, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 2 Wayqecha → Paradise / Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge (Cloud Forest Transition)

Today starts with a morning walk to find the endemic Red-and-White Antpitta and Urubamba species. You’ll explore the Tuneles and Esperanza areas to spot species like the Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan and Chestnut-crested Cotinga.

As you descend through the Cloud Forest, you’ll search for the Golden-headed Quetzal, Stripe-faced Wood-quail, and Yungas Pygmy Owl. At lower elevations, you’ll look for Peru’s national bird, the Cock-of-the-rock, often found displaying at their leks.

In the evening, you’ll seek more high-elevation species, including the Yungas Manakin, Versicolored Barbet, Orange-eared Tanager, and possibly the Lyre-tailed Nightjar at dusk. The night is spent at the Cock of the Rock Lodge.

Day 3 Cock-of-the-Rock Lek + Hummingbirds → Guadalupe Lodge (Foothills)

This day’s itinerary focuses on birdwatching, starting with a viewing of the Cock-of-the-rock at a lek, where males perform mating rituals. Following this, you’ll visit flower feeders to see a variety of hummingbirds, including the Booted Racket-tail and Wire-crested Thorntail.

In the afternoon, you’ll depart the lodge to search for specific targets, with a chance to spot the Umbrellabird. You’ll also pass by a swamp to observe a variety of birds, including Hoatzins, Brazilian Teals, and several types of woodpeckers and kingfishers. The day concludes with an arrival at the Guadalupe lodge, where you may spot Common Pauraque nightjars at dusk.

Day 4Guadalupe → River Boat → Parrot/Macaw Clay Lick → Machuhuasi Lagoon + Hummingbird Gardens

This day starts with an early departure from Guadalupe Lodge to a macaw clay lick on the Alto Madre de Dios River. This location is a prime spot to see a variety of large macaws, parakeets, and parrots as they gather to consume minerals.

Afterward, the tour returns to the lodge, stopping at hummingbird gardens to observe various species like the Rufous-crested Coquette and Buff-tailed Sicklebill. Following lunch at the lodge, the afternoon is spent exploring a bamboo forest, where you’ll look for specialized species such as the White-cheeked Tody-flycatcher and Bamboo Antshrike.

 

Day 5Guadalupe Lodge - Atalaya port - Machuhuasi Lake - Dorado Lodge

This day begins with a transfer to Atalaya port, where you’ll board a motorboat to navigate the Madre de Dios River. After a 40-minute ride, you’ll stop to explore the trails of the Machuhuasi Lagoon to spot species like the Amazonian Antpitta and the clumsy but common Hoatzins, rails and horned screammers.

The journey continues with a 5-hour boat ride, offering opportunities to see aquatic wildlife, including capybaras and caimans. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the primary forest, searching for bird families and other wildlife, and you’ll visit a mammal clay lick. The night is spent at Dorado Lodge.

Day 6Dorado Lodge → Limonal ranger station → Jaguar Eco Lodge

This day begins with a motorboat journey up the Madre de Dios River to its confluence with the Manu River. After a brief stop at the Limonal ranger station for check-in, you’ll continue upriver.

The journey is focused on a search for the elusive Jaguar, as the river is a prime location for sightings. As you travel, you’ll observe diverse wildlife, including swallows, butterflies, wildcats, and other creatures on the sandbars. The day concludes with an arrival at the Casa Machiguenga Lodge in the heart of Manu National Park, with optional night walks available for exploration.

Day 7 Jaguar Eco Lodge - Macaw Clay Licks-Trails

This day is dedicated to exploring the wilderness of Manu National Park, beginning with a visit to the Salvador oxbow lake. This lake is known for its population of Giant River Otters, which can be observed fishing or sunbathing.

You’ll use a floating catamaran to comfortably view birds and wildlife, including Hoatzins, Agami herons, and various colorful macaws. In the forest around the lake, you’ll also look for monkey species like the White-fronted Capuchin and Pygmy Marmoset.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Terra Firme forest, which is an excellent place to see troops of monkeys and to visit a Macaw Clay Lick to watch the magnificent Red-and-green Macaws. You’ll spend the night at the Jaguar Eco Lodge

Day 8 Jaguar Eco Lodge- Dorado Lodge

This day’s itinerary involves a boat journey down the Rio Manu, with a stop at the Otorongo Oxbow Lake. Here, you’ll explore the forest, which includes a trail network with a canopy tower and platforms for observing aquatic wildlife and alligators. You’ll also see one of the largest kapok trees.

The boat trip continues, offering opportunities to see a variety of bird activity on the sandbars, side-necked turtles, and another chance to spot a Jaguar. After stopping at the Limonal Ranger Station, lunch will be served on the boat. You’ll arrive at Dorado Lodge by mid-afternoon, where you can explore the area and learn about the Matsiguenka culture. Optional night walks are available.

Day 9Dorado Lodge - Guadalupe Lodge

This day begins with a morning exploration of the trails, followed by a five-hour boat journey up the Madre de Dios River back to Atalaya. This final leg of the journey offers one last chance to spot the world’s largest rodent, the Capybara.

You’ll also keep an eye out for raptors, including kites, vultures, and eagles. A key highlight of the journey is a stop at a natural hot spring for a relaxing bath. The trip concludes with a final observation of bird activity on the river’s sandbars before arriving at Atalaya and transferring by ground to Guadalupe Lodge.

Day 10Guadalupe Lodge - Cusco

This day offers an optional morning walk to see blue and yellow macaws and other birds like toucans and woodpeckers. After breakfast, you will pack and begin the journey back to Cusco. The return trip provides more opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the cloud forest scenery, including waterfalls and cascades. The estimated arrival time in Cusco is 4 p.m.

Map

FAQ

What should I pack for a 10-day Manu birding tour?

Essentials include: binoculars, rain jacket/poncho, quick-dry clothes, warm layers for high elevations, waterproof bags, insect repellent, sunscreen, headlamp, hiking shoes, and personal medications. Photographers should bring a telephoto lens and gear protection. review the full packing list 

How big are the tour groups?

Birding groups are small usually 6 – 8 people 

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

It can be arranged either way depending on your preference and availability. Private tours are ideal for photographers and serious birders who want more control over pacing.

Can I use eBird and Merlin during the tour?

Absolutely. We encourage it. eBird is excellent for hotspot checklists and recent sightings, and Merlin helps with quick identification in the field.

Do I need a spotting scope?

Not required. A scope is very useful at Huacarpay, and the guide can bring one to help everyone get good views of distant waterbirds.

What time is pickup set in Cusco?

Pickup is usually between 5:30 AM. Please be ready outside your hotel or at the confirmed meeting point during this window, with luggage packed and easy to load

Is Guadalupe Lodge good for birding?

Yes. Guadalupe Lodge sits in a productive foothill habitat and private reserve, with bird activity often close to the lodge. This reduces driving time and increases time on trails and key microhabitats.

 Which lodges do we stay at?

We typically stay at:

  • Wayquecha Lodge (upper cloudforest) 1 night 
  • Cock of the Rock (Cloud Forest) 1 night 
  • Guadalupe Lodge (Foothill Forest) 3 nights 
  • Doralo Lodge  (lowland rainfores) 2 nights
  • Jaguar Ecolodge (Manu Reserved Zone) 2 nights

Can you customize the itinerary for my target species?

Yes, within the 4-day structure. If you share a target list (quetzals, tanagers, bamboo specialists, antpittas, etc.), we can adjust stops and timing to focus on your priorities.

Are bird sightings guaranteed?

No. Birds are wild and movement changes with weather and season. However, the itinerary is designed around proven habitats and peak birding times to maximize your chances.

What Time is the tour ending ?

The Tour is ending by 6:00 PM 

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners enjoy it because sightings are frequent and habitats are easy to observe. Experienced birders appreciate it for endemic targets and the efficient route.

What are the accommodations like (electricity, hot showers, Wi‑Fi)?

Most lodges offer comfortable rooms and basic amenities; Wi‑Fi and electricity can be limited or intermittent depending on location. Hot water may vary by lodge and time of day.

What makes this the most complete Manu birding tour?

It covers the full Manu gradient—Andes, cloud forest, foothills, lowland Amazon, and the Manu Reserved Zone—with overnights placed in the most productive habitats, not just the easy-access areas.

How physically demanding is the tour?

Moderate. Birding involves short-to-medium walks on forest trails plus roadside stops. The main challenges are altitude (early days), humidity (lowlands), and early starts.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour typically starts and ends in Cusco City . Pickup is usually available from the airport, bus terminal, or hotel in City (based on your operator’s policy).

Is this tour good for bird photography?

Yes. The Manu Road offers:

  • Frequent roadside birding (good angles and light at times)
  • Lek opportunities
  • Lodge trails with consistent activity A telephoto lens and rain protection for gear are strongly recommended.

What altitude and climate should I expect?

You’ll experience major changes:

  • Cooler, misty cloud forest at higher elevations
  • Warm, humid foothill rainforest at lower elevations Bring layers plus rain protection

What is the best time of year for birding in Manu?

Birding is good year-round, but:

  • May–October (drier months): clearer weather, easier road conditions, excellent visibility
  • November–April (wetter months): greener forest and active birds, but more rain and variability

Is bamboo forest birding included?

Yes. Bamboo habitat is included when possible to target specialists such as:

  • Yellow Billed Nunbird
  • Rufous-headed Woodpecker
  • White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher These birds can be elusive, but the habitat is an important part of the program.

 Do you visit an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek?

Yes, the tour is planned to target a Cock-of-the-rock display area (lek) when conditions allow, since it’s one of Manu’s signature birding experiences.

What are the main birding highlights?

Common target highlights include:

  • Andean Cock-of-the-rock
  • Golden-headed Quetzal
  • Motmots and mountain toucans
  • Mixed tanager flocks
  • Hummingbirds and macaws (species vary by day and habitat)

Is this tour inside Manu National Park?

This itinerary birds the Manu Road corridor and the Manu buffer-zone/foothill regions, and extent into the Manu Reserved Zone.

How far in advance should I book?

For high season (especially May–october) we recommend 4 months in advance / during low season can be 1 days in advance, depends of specialized birding guides availability*

What are the main highlights of this program?

Top highlights include:

  • Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek viewing
  • Parrot clay lick along the Alto Madre de Dios River (boat access)
  • Hummingbird gardens for close-range photography
  • Machuhuasi oxbow lake for aquatic and lakeside species
  • High diversity along the Manu Road elevation gradient

Is the parrot clay lick guaranteed to be active?

Clay lick activity depends on weather, river levels, and seasonal patterns. We plan the timing to maximize chances, but wildlife behavior cannot be guaranteed.

What makes Machuhuasi Oxbow Lake special for birding?

Oxbow lakes concentrate birds. Machuhuasi is excellent for aquatic and wetland species such as hoatzins, kingfishers, herons, rails/crakes, and more—often with calmer, photo-friendly conditions.

Are the hummingbird gardens included, and what can I see there?

Yes, when logistics allow. Gardens can produce close views of hummingbirds such as Rufous-crested Coquette, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Butterfly coquette and other foothill/cloud forest species depending on location and season.

What altitude will we reach?

The tour crosses a large elevation gradient—from high Andes near passes (4,000 meters) and upper cloud forest down to warm foothills. If you’re sensitive to altitude, it’s best to acclimatize in Cusco before Day 1.

I have flight on the of birding , can you drop me off at the airport ?

Yes, participants can be delivered at the airport in Cusco at the end of the tour (night time flights recommended)

Does this tour go into the Manu Reserved Zone?

Yes. This program includes deep Amazon exploration and 2 nights inside the Manu Reserved Zone at Jaguar Ecolodge, maximizing both bird diversity and wildlife observation opportunities.

How many bird species can we expect on a 10-day Manu birding tour?

It varies by season, weather, and pace, but this itinerary is designed for high totals—often 300+ species, with strong potential to reach 350+ under good conditions.

Is this tour suitable for “hardcore birders” and listers?

Yes. This is ideal for serious birders because it prioritizes field time, endemic/specialty habitats (bamboo, palm, oxbow lakes), and remote Reserved Zone birding.

Is this tour also good for wildlife watching (not only birds)?

Yes. Manu is exceptional for wildlife. The Reserved Zone segment is especially strong for mammals and river wildlife alongside birding.

What activities are included during the tour?

Expect early morning bird walks, lodge trail birding, roadside birding stops along the Manu Road, motorboat excursions, clay lick sessions, oxbow lake exploration, and optional night walks when conditions allow.

Are bird (and wildlife) sightings guaranteed?

No. Birds and mammals are wild and behavior changes with weather, fruiting cycles, and river levels. The itinerary is built around proven hotspots and optimal timing to maximize chances.

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The Download Files tab provides travelers with easy access to all essential documents related to your birding tour. Organized in a simple PDF format, this section ensures that you can quickly view, save, and print the information you need for your journey.

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Leisyka Lee

Couple Traveller

We just finished a 10 day bird watching trip into the Amazon basin with Simon as our guide. They picked us up at the airport in Cuzco and we met up with 1 other couple from NZ then drove to Wayqecha Lodge, birding along the road enroute. Simon knows his Peru birds and where to find them. We felt very lucky to have such a knowledgeable and friendly guide. He took excellent care of our group making sure all of our needs were met every step of the way. He offered early morning walks, night hikes, and took us to primo birding hotspots that are only known to locals. We saw a Jaguar, sloths, giant otters, 8 different species of monkey, agouti, capybara and over 400 species of birds on our 10 day adventure. The trip was a great value and included all of our lodging, food, logistics, transportation (van, truck, boat) and guide. Everyone knew & showed great respect for Simon. He’s obviously the most experienced guide in the Manu area and many guides/drivers/chefs sought his advice. I really like Wild Watch Peru as it’s owned & operated by Peruvians, everyone was super friendly and helpful. Simon & Luis were the only ones that spoke English. You definitely need a guide service to get this deep into Manu NP. Many of the lodges did not have a restaurant so wild watch Peru organized chefs to come with us to those lodges to make sure we were fed. They also carted around big 5 gallon jugs of purified water so we did not have to use any plastic bottles and always had plenty to drink. I highly recommend this company for excursions into Manu NP.

22 October, 2025

Ashok & Gita

Group Traveller

We are back in India taking a bit of rest. You are a very good organiser of programs as per customer desire. We really appreciate what you did for us. Your team was excellent kind lovely people. Sending Simon and Felix for Manu part of the program was a brilliant idea by you as I have so many bird photos even with my low quality camera. Again thank you and your team

15 August, 2025

Milo Owen

Group Traveller

This 10-day birding expedition in October 2024 was a dream come true for hardcore birders, meticulously designed to maximize sightings across Peru’s most spectacular habitats. Every aspect of the trip was laser-focused on serious birding, led by expert guides who knew exactly where and how to find the most sought-after species. From the misty cloud forests of Wayqecha to the untouched wilderness of Manu, every destination was chosen with birding excellence in mind, and thanks to Simon’s top-tier skills, nearly all of our target birds were successfully spotted. The lodges—Cock-of-the-Rock, Guadalupe, Casa Matsiguenka, and Pankotzi—were selected not for luxury, but for prime birding access, placing us right where the action was. Every day was spent tracking elusive species, scanning treetops, listening for calls, and making sure no key bird went unnoticed. Even outside Manu, the extensions to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Abra Málaga, and Chonta Condor Watching were designed to maximize birding opportunities, ensuring that no moment was wasted. This was not a casual nature tour—it was pure, immersive, non-stop birding, where dawn-to-dusk fieldwork paid off with spectacular sightings, expert guidance, and a lifetime’s worth of unforgettable encounters. If you’re a serious birder looking for high-intensity, results-driven birding, this is the ultimate experience!

20 October, 2024