EXPERIENCE BEST BIRDING TRIP IN MANU !
Target Species Guaranteed
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Additional Info
- Similar Tours
What's included
- Accommodation on double bed room
- All meals included (vegetarian, vegan mentioned in advance)
- Best available Lodges in the area
- Birdlist of the Location
- Box lunch
- Duffel Bags for Travelling Light
- Entrance Fees to the Guadalupe Ecological Reserve
- Free Storage Room in Cusco
- Illustrated map of Manu National Park
- Macaw Clay Lick Entrances Tickets
- Nights at Cock of the Rock Lodge
- Nights at Guadalupe Lodge
- Rubber Boots
- Snacks (fresh fruits, cookies, chocolate)
- Specialized Birding Guide with Spotting scope
- Touristic Transportation
- Unlimited Purified Water
- Alcoholic Drinks
- First day breakfast
- International flights
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Birding Journey, from the Andes to the Lowland Amazon
Our Manu Birdwatching Tour 8 days is designed to discover the richness of the Manu Avian diversity. Sheltering a vast amount of birds and endemism. This significantly contributes to this ever growing and these mega diverse lands. The Manu road is a vertical transect from the high mountains to lowland rainforest. Bird activity here is incredible. This is without a doubt a Birding hotspot, here you can visit the most species of bird. Due to these transitional habitats that differ drastically in elevation and environment.
Manu Biosphere Reserve should be on your bucket list. And here we will certainly explain why!
Above all, we have a great team here at Wild Watch Peru. With expert knowledge from our local tour guides. We have hand crafted the best Birding experience. Allowing you to encounter some of these luscious birds in their natural habitat. Also, to see birding opportunities like no other. We know the best hotspots. The specific feeding times. Because, we know these birds. We have carefully monitored and prepared the trip of a lifetime for you to share with them.
Therefore, an incredible week will be spent here in Manu. Search for birds at the Lowland Rainforest. Observe birds from a canopy tower. With a real bird’s eye view. Paddle a catamaran while exploring oxbow lakes. Not to mention the motorised boat journeys down river. Ending with a bang, finally the tour will take you to one of the richest spectacles of the rainforest. Visiting the Macaw Clay Lick at Banquillo. Optionally exiting via Trans-Amazonian Road to Puerto Maldonado.
Habitats Covered in Manu Birdwatching Tours
For an overall productive experience. Our Manu Birdwatching Tours focus on visiting and exploring the diverse types of forest that is home to these unique birds. Exclusively, day to day. A habitat monitored by our expert local guides. Encountering more and more of these uncommon species along the route.
While exploring the cloud forest in Manu. The Andean bird species predominate with a large number of tanagers forming the basis of the large mixed-species flocks that are often encountered here. Other specialties include; the Peruvian Endemics; Red and White Antpitta, Peruvian Pied-tail, Cerulean Capped Manakin, Peruvian Recurbill, Black-Backed Tody-Flycatcher.
During this trip, you will stay at our different Lodges. Located specifically in order to experience the best birding opportunities. Situated in different environments. These lodges are the best of the best in Manu. The range of landscapes you will encounter. Shows the vastness and diversity of which these birds dwell.
The Palm forest around Guadalupe Lodge
The Mauritia palm forest at Guadalupe Lodge gives an incredible contrast. Locally known as the, Aguajales (Mauritia palm forest) it forms a complex habitat and permanently wet swampy areas. These areas attract the best of the best in terms of birding. In contrast to the landscapes and the diversity of plants here.
This complexity gives rise to the high diversity of birds. Just looking up you encounter brightly coloured birds soaring in two’s, hearing them call to one another. Rather, a well known Birding hotspot. Essentially psittacines including; Blue-headed macaw (Pionus couloni) Blue and Yellow Macaw, Sulphury Flycatcher.
Foothill Colinas Forest.
Furthermore, birding on the higher part of these hills is quite an interesting experience. To say the least. Regular sightings of birds seen here are; Golden collared toucanet, fascinated antshrike, red-billed pied tanager, ornate Antwren, rusty belted tapaculo, Semi-collared puffbird, masked, yellow backed, green and gold, paradise tanagers, pavonine cuckoo, and military macaws. If you are lucky, you might spot some raptors; harpy eagle, Buckley’s and barred forest falcon. The bird species recorded over this location can be found in Ebird as Reserva Ecologica Guadalupe
Bamboo Forest
The Bamboo Forest, which should certainly not be missed while experiencing Birdwatching Tour in Manu. This is a highlight spot when following the winding trails through the forest. You will not miss the bird calls and see them swooping from tree to tree. Bamboo thickets in western Amazonia provide an important habitat for several bird species. As a result, some of which are restricted to such thickets communities.
The species that you can see here are; Rufous Headed Woodpeckers, White Cheeked Tody-flycatcher, Peruvian Recurbill, Ornate Antwren, Large Headed Flat Bill, Manu Antbird, Dot Winged Antwren, Dusky Cheeck Foliage Gleaner, and others.
The Lagoon in Patria
We exclusively use this location during our Manu Birdwatching Tour. It also holds second-growth specialist and the endemic Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher. See birds swoop over you. Watch them as curious as they are. Taking quick dips in the waters, due to the glare of the hot sun.
A great number of migrant and shores birds are reported in this location, such as; Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Osprey, Least grebe, Yellowlegs, Stilts, Semipalmated Plover. Earlier reports of Southern Lapwing, Brazilian Teal, and Southern CaraCara.
The most common birds of the lagoon are; Hoatzin, Flycatchers, woodpeckers, herons kingfishers, Amazonian Antpitta, Silvered Antbird, little cuckoo, and Black Billed Seedfinch. Nowadays, this area alone holds a record of around of 80 species in EBird.
The Macaw Clay Lick at Blanquillo
Blanquillo Clay Lick is one of the largest of it’s kind. As a result of this, it provides birdwatchers with impeccable chances to see more of the colourful parrots than anywhere else. Catching glimpses of the bright reds and greens of the parrots’ feathers stand out against the muddy wall.
These birds are mostly macaws. Though smaller parrots and mealies of all sorts group at the clay lick as well. Our exclusive Manu Birdwatching 8 days tour invites you to visit this avian highlight!
Oxbow Lake.
Even more, this habitat attracts a large number species. Around the banks of the lakes edges. From paddle boats you can encounter birds soaring overhead. Some of these aquatic birds and shores birds include; Purus jacamar, egrets, herons, kingfishers, rails, crakes, screamers, flycatchers.
Manu Cloud Forest – Cock of the Rock lodge
During our Manu Birdwatching Tours. You will stay one night in the middle of the cloud forest at 1,500 meters elevation. At Cock of the Rock Lodge. Above all, what these birds do for cloud forests. We can only begin to imagine what cloud forest’s do for birds. Cloud forests sustain an impressive diversity of endemic and near-endemic species, see the list at Ebird.
If you have a keen eye, and the thrill for adventure. Here is definitely the tour for you. Get your binoculars and cameras at the ready. To capture the experience of a lifetime. While, sharing your time with birds of the jungle.
If this sounds like your kind of tour. To see some of the most beautiful and brightly coloured birds in this area. Then look no further. We have the best spots, and resources for spotting wildlife where it counts. As a tour company, it is most important to record and monitor these species. It is our job to monitor and protect. In order to preserve and keep tabs for the welfare of these exquisite animals. With your help we can save some endangered species. And most importantly, educate our world on some of these creatures. To help with understanding and respecting the wildlife at our doorstep. Here in Peru we are lucky to call this home to so many. Join us now, at Manu Birdwatching tours. We await to hear from you. Contact us for any enquiries you may have.
For a more in-depth, day to day itinerary go to our Tour Plan page to see exactly what is in store for you.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
Cusco - Cock of the Rock Lodge
- Breakdown of Day 1;
- Full day of Birding. - Puna, Acjanaca Pass, Cloud Forest
- Overnight at Cock of the Rock Lodge.
Driving uphill we will reach the high mountains which is locally known as Puna, we will be searching diligently for Sedge Wren, Line Fronted and Junin Canastero. While descending the Acjanaca Pass (1066 feet) the vegetation is scattered and we will look for birds of this habitats such as; Chestnut Bellied, Hooded, Scarlet Bellied Mountain Tanager and the bird’s flocks that travel at this misty forest are quite productive also to find some specialists at this elevation, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Plushcap, White Banded & throated Tyrannulet, Pearled Treerunner, Puna Thistletail, Black Throated Tody-Tyrant, Sierran Eleania, Golden Collared, Grass Green, Blue Capped Tanagers, Band-tailed and Barred Fruiteater, Streaked Tuftedcheeck, Purple Backed Thornbill among others in the mixed flocks as they are more frequently to find them flying across the road.
Other interesting targets at Tuneles and Esperanza location are; Gray Breasted Mountain Toucan, Chestnut Crested Cotinga the Endemic Red and White Anpitta, while transecting along the Cloud Forest as we keep driving down into the mountain the vegetation will gradually have changed into a more dense vegetation it holds birds species like Golden Headed Quetzals, Stripe-faced Wood-quail, Yungas Pigmy Owl , Blue-Banded Toucanet, Collared Jay Mountain Cacique, Greater Scythebill,
At Much lower target bird would be the Cock of the rocks (Peru’s national bird) it more easy to find them while they are displaying at their lek, (the male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and as many as several dozens get together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called Lek)
After this fascinating experience we will searching diligently for more species that are still found at this high; Yungas Manakin, Versicolored Barbed, Orange Eared Tanager, Streak Necked Flycatcher, Andean Motmot, Green Jay among others.
If lucky enough we may see the lyre tailed night during dusk. Overnight at Cock of the Rock Lodge
Cock of the Rock Lodge - Guadalupe Lodge
- Breakdown of Day 2;
- Cock of the Rock. - LEK
- Hummingbird Watch. - Forest, trails walk.
- Overnight at Guadalupe Lodge.
Today we wake up very early to observe Cock of the rocks (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird from a platform. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and as many as several dozen get together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called “Lek”
After this we will visit the flowers / feeders that attracts hummingbirds, we will be able to see the following species; Booted Racket Tail, Wire crested Thorntail, Green Hermit, Many Spotted Hummingbird, Violet Fronted Brilliant, White Bellied Woodstar, Peruvian Pied tail, Long Tailed Sylph, Wedge Billed Hummingbird, Speckled Hummingbird and the common Sparkling Violetear.
Along the walk we can also see and heard species like: White crowned Tapaculo, Yungas Manakin, Crested Quetzal, Striped Faced Wood-Quail and the Black and Chestnut Hawk Eagle.
During the afternoon we will sadly leave the lodge to look for target species along the road, Chestnut breasted Wren, Cinnamon Faced Tyranulet, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Masked Trogon, Crimson Bellied Woodpecker, Black Streaked Puffbird, Tanagers, Brown Tinamou, and possibly Lanceolated monklet, Peruvian Piedtail and the Yellow Breasted Antwren.
Continuing the journey, we pass by swamp that is packed by Hoatzins known as pre-historic birds due its appearance, most of the bird sights here are also; Brazilian Teals, Southern Lapwings, Flycatchers, Amazon, Green Kingfishers, Little, Lineated and Spot Breasted Woodpeckers, Gray Breasted and Rufous Sided Crake, Capped Heron, Little Cuckoo, Silvered Antbird, Purple Gallinule and many more.
If lucky enough we may see the umbrella as far driving down the mountains we will arrive to our lodge Guadalupe just on time to see the nightjars (Common Pauraque) these elusive birds used to catch insect during dusk, the road it’s by far the best place to see them.
Guadalupe Lodge - Bamboo and Riverine Forest
- Breakdown of Day 3;
- Bamboo Forest - Full day of Birding.
- Palm Forest.
- Overnight at Guadalupe Lodge.
We will wake up with the amazing variety of birds call that emerges out from the forest. The diversity of call is incredible here, the most frequently heard are specialist from bamboo forest; Mustached and Scaly Breasted Wren, Golden Bellied and Buff Rumped Warbler, Warbling Antbird, Dot Winged Antwren, Bluish Fronted Jacamar, Manu , Striated, White Line Antbird, Stripe Chested Antwren among others. Calls you hear coming just behind your cabins, we also heard the calls of the Blue and Yellow Macaws over flying during the sunrise.
After Breakfast we will ultimate our birding experience here, exploring the bamboo forest interior that holds a unique collection of birds, our expert guides will do their best to shows us the jewel of the dense bamboo thickets " White Checked Tody-flycatcher" the birding at the bamboo Forest Patch its quite Interesting for cool and challenging birds such as; Red Billed Scythebill, Bamboo Antshrike, Ornate, White Eyed and Dot Winged Antwren, Peruvian Recurbill, Dusky Cheeked, Ruddy, Buff Throated Foliage Gleaner, Large Headed Flatbill, Manu and Black Antbird, the Unmistakable Rufous Headed Woodpecker, Yellow Billed Nunbird.
During the Afternoon, we will be exploring part of the palm forest to look for psittacidos, Blue Headed, Chestnut Fronted Macaw, Blue Headed , Yellow Crowned Parrots are commonly observed around the Palm Forest, the riverine forest also offers a great spot to look for the Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Sunbittern, Black Phoebe, Torrent Tyrannulet and others. Overnight at Guadalupe Lodge.
Guadalupe Lodge - Foothill Forest Exploration
- Breakdown of Day 4;
- Bamboo Forest - Full morning of Birding.
- Foothill Forest exploration.
- Overnight at Guadalupe Lodge.
Our dining room at Guadalupe Lodge its privileged located, which provides wide view of the garden and the bamboo forest. While having breakfast we get views of the hummingbirds flying around the heliconias and berbenacea flowers; Golden Tailed Sapphire, Blue tailed Emerald, Rufous Breasted, White Bearded and White Browed Hermit, Gray Breasted Sabrewing, Buff Tailed Sicklebill, Rufous Crested Coquette, Golden Tailed Sapphire.
During the afternoon we explore another complex forest type to explore would be the foothill forest that is quite good to spot the Golden Collared Toucanet, Fasciated Antshrike, Red Billed Pied, Masked, Green & Gold, Yellow Bellied, Yellow Crested, Yellow Backed Tanagers all used to be spotted while flocking up and few other unexpected Forest Falcons and large predators such as Harpy Eagle.
The understory at this type of forest that hold incredible species like; Rusty Belted Tapaculo, Black Faced Antbird, Golden Bellied Warbler. Overnight at Guadalupe Lodge.
Guadalupe Lodge - Amazonia Lodge
- Breakdown of Day 5;
- Madre de Dios River - boat journey.
- Machuhuasi lagoon.
- Overnight at Amazonia Lodge.
At dawn each animal songs with its own unique voice being a natural awake call, after breakfast will descend out of the foothills to keep looking for a birds along the road few stops including the beautiful Blue and Yellow Macaws, Trogons, Woodpeckers, Tanagers and many second growth specialist such as; seedeaters, flycatchers.
The road crosses a low set of hills where we get the Alto Madre de Dios River starts along the boat journey there will be chances to observe shore birds which often seen foraging on the rocky gravel bars and we will keep a close watch raptor.
While exploring the trails to Machuhuasi lagoon (1900 ft) we will have chances to look for the Amazonian Antpitta, Rufous Breasted Piculet, Cabannis Spinetail. Arriving to the lagoon we will be welcomed by the noisy and clumsy hoatzins which is one of the most commons birds next to the Black Capped Donacobious, Horned Screamers, Blackish Rai, Black Billed Seed-Finch, Orange Backed Troupial, Red Capped Cardinal, Pale Eyed Blackbird, Rusfous Sided Crake . Overnigh at Amazonia Lodge.
Amazonia Lodge - Tambo Blanquillo
- Breakdown of Day 6;
- Hummingbird Watch.
- Madre de Dios River - boat journey.
- Forest walk - bird watch.
- Overnight at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge.
This morning will be productive to observe the hummingbirds at the Lodge feeders, Rufous Crested Coquette, Golden Tailed Sapphire, Violet Headed Hummingbird, Koepcke’s Hermit, the feeders also attracts other interring birds like; Gray Cowled Wood-rail, Oropendolas.
We sadly depart the lodge by midmorning and navigate the Alto Madre de Dios river where we will be observing more of shore birds such as; egrets, terns, rosette spoonbills, plovers and interesting raptors and vultures.
Arriving to the lodge by the afternoon foremost we shall take one of the trails in order to find species such as: Rusty Belted Tapaculo, Foliage Gleaner, Pale Winged Trumpeter, Razor Billed Curassow, Aracaris, Spix’s Guan
We will have the possibility to look for Spectacled Owl, Crested Owl, Tropical and Tawny Bellied Screech Owls, Ocellated Poorwill Overnight at Tambo Blanquillo.
Tambo Blanquillo - Macaw Clay Lick - Canopy Tower - Oxbow Lake
- Breakdown of Day 7;
- Madre de Dios River - boat journey.
- Macaw Clay Lick.
- Canopy Tower - bird watch.
- Oxbow Lake, - Catamaran Journey.
- Overnight at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge.
On this morning we will leave early in the morning and head towards the river, after 20 minutes’ walk we will reach the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, where we can observe several Parrots, Parakeets and Macaws, Mealy Parrots, Blue Headed Parrots, Yellow Crowned Parrots and the Orange cheeked Parrots as well as the Red and Green Macaws, Scarlet Macaws, Tui and Cobalt Parakeets.
After the beautiful macaw show we will visit the canopy tower anchored in the giant Ceiba Tree a tower of 148 feet, from here we can observe the following species: Guira Tanager, Lemon Throated Barbet, Oropendolas, Caciques, Gilded Barbet, Woodcreeper and raptors among others interesting birds that flock on the upper level of the forest.
During the afternoon we explore the Blanco Oxbow Lake, the lake is open to explore paddling a Catamaran looking for Least Grebe, Black Collared Hawk, Sungrebe, Muscovy Duck, Rufous sided Crake, Wattled Jacana, Green and Rufous Kingfisher, Purus Jacamar, Hoatzin, Silvery Antbird. If we are lucky we might also see Giant Otters. Overnight at Tambo Blanquillo.
Tambo Blanquillo - Cusco or Puerto Maldonado
- Breakdown of Day 8;
- Tambo Blanquillo.
- Madre de Dios - Boat journey.
- Colorado mining town, drive - Inambari River journey.
- Depart for Cusco or Puerto Maldonado, arrive in evening.
Today we make our way Out by motor boat somewhat 2 hours of navigation along the Madre de Dios River and passing by the Colorado mining town once over there we will switch to overland transport, all-terrain vehicle and drive towards Inambari River, from here we will continue our trip to Puerto Maldonado or Cusco by the new Interoceanic road.
More about this tour
Packing List
Equipment /Clothing | Comments |
Wellington Boots
Provided at the lodge |
Experience has taught us that Wellies are by far the most appropriate footwear for your time in the Jungle. You'll hopefully have noticed we asked for your shoes size on the application form; this is so we can buy you some new ones in Cusco ready for your departure so you don't have to lug them with you. However, please be aware that is difficult to get Wellington boots over European size 43 so if that's you please ensure you bring some with you. |
Flip flops | Useful for use in the bathrooms and for walking around the lodges. |
T-shirts, cottonshirts and a light sweatshirt | You should bring a mix of short and long sleeved to protect your arms from mosquito bites |
Underwear | Cotton is recommended rather than nylon. |
Socks | These should be long and made from breathable wool to ensure optimum comfort inside your boots. |
Sunblock Cream Sun Glasss
Insect Repellent Fleece/Sweatshirt |
at Least 40 % DEET |
Trousers & shorts | It’s important to be wearing long bottoms for protection from bugs and sun. We recommend full cut khaki bottoms or khaki type pants that can be zipped into shorts. Lighter |
Waterproofraincoat/poncho | Even in the dry season the rain can be heavy so it's good to come prepared! |
Flashlights | For night activities such as night walks , Caiman Search and for using when the power from the lodges runs off. |
User Reviews & Comments
Bryan Gossman
Lifetime experience birding along the Manu Road and clay lick
10 October, 2018