17 Day Birding Tour in Cusco and Manu National Park

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Chonta - Limatambo - Mollepata

The goal before reaching Mollepata is to visit “The Mirador of Chonta”, Chonta is a place where we can see Andean Condors. At the same time along the way we will do some stops for Birding that are very good to observe the Black chested buzzard Eagle, puna Ibis, Spot Winged Pigeon, Andean Flicker, Bare face Ground Dove, Peruvian Sierra Finch, Ash Breasted Sierra Finch and Band Tailed Sierra Finch. We will also look for the following birds. White Bellied Hummingbird, Black Backed Grossbeak, Golden Billed Saltator and Eared Dove. In the Afternoon we will continue traveling towards Mollepata another good place to observe some endemic species like***Chestnut Breasted Mountain Finch, ***Rusty fronted Canastero, ***koepcke’s Screech Owl, Aplomado falcon, Rust and yellow tanager, Cinereous Conebill, Buff-fronted Owl and Black throated Flowerpiercer. We will spend the night at Mollepata

Day 2: Mollepata to Soraypampa - Ollantaytambo

Early morning after breakfast at the hostel we will travel towards Soraypampa, along the road as well as in Soraypampa we will have great chances to observe the following endemic species: ***Creamy Crested Spinetail, ***Apurimac Spinetail, ***Apurimac Brush Finch, ***White Tufted Sunbeam, ***Vilcabamba Thisthletail. Among the other bird species we can observe this day are: Tufted tit Tyrant, Purple Backed Thornbill, Tawny Rumped Tyrannulet, White Banded Tyrannulet, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Bar Bellied Woodpecker, D’orbigny´s Chat Tyrant, Red crested Cotinga, Creamy Winged Cinclodes, Tit Like Dacnis, Andean Condor, Mountain Caracara, Variable Hawk and many other Bird species.
In the afternoon we will travel back and before reach Cusco we will head to Ollantaytambo that is found in the Sacred valley

Day 3: Ollantaytambo - Abra Malaga - Cloud forest – Ipal Lodge

Today again we will leave early and travel by bus from Ollantaytambo to Abra Malaga, in the area we will look for several endemic species and some other interesting bird species such as: ***Inca wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni), *** Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca marcapatae), ***Cusco Brush Finch (Atlapetes canigenis), Parodi's Hemispingus (Hemispingus parodii), ***Unstreaked tit tyrant (Anairetes agraphia), and Puna Thistletail (Asthenes helleri), and a lot more birds traveling in flocks. In the afternoon we will spend the night at Ipal Lodge.

Day 4: Ipal Lodge - Abra Malaga – Ipal Lodge.

Today we will start our day birding at 4,316masl. In a Polilepys forest that has unique specialized birds to the area; the birds we can see are: ***White browed tit Spinetail (Leptasthenura xenothorax), Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae), Puna Tapaculo (Scytalopus simonsi), Andean Hillstart (Oreotrochilus estella), Giant conebill (Oreomanes fraseri),*** Creamy Crested Spinetail (Cranioleuca albicapilla), ***White tufted Sunbean (Aglaeactis castelnaudii),***chestnut Breasted mountain finch (Poospiza caesar), Stripe Headed Antpitta (Grallaria andicolus), and many more Birds.

Day 5: Ipal Lodge all Day.

This day we will visit a Lek of the Andean cock of the rock (Rupicola peruvianus) along the way we will also observe Green jay (Cyanocorax luxuosus), Swallow-tailed hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura), Red-crested Finch (Coryphospingus cucullatus), Masked trogon (Trogon personatus), among other tropical and semi-tropical species.

Day 6: Ipal Lodge – Abra Malaga - Ollantaytambo.

Today after breakfast we will explore the road that connects our lodge with Ollantaytambo, we will spend the night in Ollantaytambo.

Day 7: Ollantaytambo – Ensifera garden – Sacred garden – Wayqecha Biological Station.

This day we will visit the Ensifera bird garden where several uniquespecies of birds like the sword-billed hummingbird, Great sapphirewing, later we will visit another bird garden where we can see the endemic and beautiful Bearded mountaineer. From here we will head to the border of Manu Park Jungle, in order to reach Huayquecha Lodge we will have to drive around three and a half hours.

Day 8: Wayqecha Biological Station - Cock of the Rock Lodge

Today we will head to Cock of the Rock lodge. In the way we will search birds such as: Golden collared tanager (Iridosornis jelskii),Grass green Tanager (Chlorornis riefferii), Scaled metaltail (Metallura aeneocauda), Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus), white collared jay (Cyanolyca viridicyanus), Barred parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola), Barred fruiteater (Pipreola arcuata), Band tailed fruiteater (Pipreola intermedia), *** Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca marcapatae), Red and white antpitta (Grallaria erythroleuca), Blue Banded Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis), Hooded Mountain Tanager (Buthraupis montana), Black and Chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori), Black solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius), White throated Antpitta (Grallaria albigula), Slaty Tanager (Creurgops dentatus),Slaty Backed Chat tyrant (Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris), Fulvous Wren (Cinnycerthia fulva), Chestnut crested Cotinga (Ampelion rufaxilla), Crested Quetzal (Pharomachrus antisianus),Golden Headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps), Black Streaked Puffbird (Malacoptila fulvogularis),Yellow Throated Tanager (Iridosornis analis), Buff Breasted Mountain Tanager (Dubusia taeniata),Superciliary Hemispingus (Hemispingus superciliaris) and many more. This night we will look for Rufous-bellied Nighthawk (Lurocalis rufiventris).

Day 9: Cock of the rock lodge all day.

In order to visit the “Lek” of the Peruvian National Bird called the Andean Cock of the Rock we will have to start the tour very early in the morning. At the lek we can see the “Gallito de las Rocas” displaying; besides the Andean Cock of the Rock we can also see species like: White crowned Tapaculo (Scytalopus atratus), Yungas Manakin (Chiroxiphia boliviana),Crested Quetzal (Pharomachrus antisianus), Versicolored Barbet (Eubucco versicolor), Orange Eared Tanager (Chlorochrysa calliparaea), Highland Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis), and many more. After the morning activity we will return to the lodge for breakfast then go out for a walk along a trail to see more birds and such as: Slaty Gnateater (Conopophaga ardesiaca), Chestnut breasted Wren (Cyphorhinus thoracicus), Cinnamon faced Tyranulet (Phylloscartes parkeri), Spotted Nightingale Thrush (Catharus dryas), Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus), Tyrannine Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla tyrannina), Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus), Crimson Bellied Woodpecker (Campephilus haematogaster), Black Streaked puffbird (Malacoptila fulvogularis), Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis), Saffron Crowned Tanager (Tangara xanthocephala), Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus), Brown Tinamou (Crypturellus obsoletus), and possibly monkeys. Later we will return to the lodge for lunch, around the lodge we have flowers that attacks hummingbirds; in total we will be able to see around 13 species of them: Booted Racket Tail (Ocreatus underwoodii), Wire crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii), Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy), Buff Tailed Sicklebill (Eutoxeres condamini), Many Spotted Hummingbird (Taphrospilus hypostictus), Violet Fronted Brilliant (Taphrospilus hypostictus),White Bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant),Peruvian Piedtail (Phlogophilus harterti), long Tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingi), Wedge Billed Hummingbird (Schistes geoffroyi),Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys),Fawn Breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides), and common Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans), are the species of hummingbirds we can see. After lunch we will take another walk along the road to see the (Uropsalis lyra) and the Rufescent Screech Owl (Megascops ingens). Then we will return to the lodge to have dinner.

Day 10: Cock of the Rock Lodge - Manu lodge

After breakfast we will drive towars our third lodge, in the way we will have chances to observe birds like Ornate flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus), Lanceolated monklet (Micromonacha lanceolata),Peruvian piedtail (Phlogophilus harterti),Black backed tody flycatcher (Poecilotriccus pulchellus), Black faced tanager (Schistochlamys melanopis), Blue headed Macaw (Primolius couloni),Chestnut fronted Macaw (Ara severus), Fiery capped Manakin (Machaeropterus pyrocephalus), White eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalma), Chestnut backed Antshrike (Thamnophilus palliatus), Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus), Orange eared Tanager (Chlorochrysa calliparaea), Black solitary eagle (Buteogallus solitarius),and much more. In the lowlands around the Lodge we will be able to see: Rufous crested coquette (Lophornis delattrei), Violet headed humminbird (Klais guimeti), Golden tailed sapphire (Chrysuronia oenone),koepcke´s Hermit (phaethornis koepckeae),Amethyst woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina), Rufous webbed Brilliant (Heliodoxa branickii),and Gould´s jewelfront (Heliodoxa aurescens). Along the trails we can also see: Amazonian Antpitta (Hylopezus berlepschi), Blue headed macaw (Primolius couloni),Great Tinamou (Tinamus major), Spot back antbird (Myrmeciza exsul), Hoalzin (Opisthocomus hoazin),Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica),Chestnut capped puffbird (Bucco macrodactylus), among other birds. After dinner we will return to the trail to observe owls such as: Tawny bellied screech owl (Megascops watsonii), Long tailed potoo (Nyctibius aethereus), Black bandad owl (Strix huhula), Great potoo (Nyctibius grandis), and Band Bellied owl (Pulsatrix melanota).

Day 11: Manu lodge All Day

This day we will start our day after breakfast and do some birding along the trail as well as from a observation tower where we may see canopy bird species such as: Plum-throated Cotinga (Cotinga maynana), Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana), Opal rumped tanager (Tangara velia), Turquoise tanager (Tangara mexicana), Round tailed Manakin (Ceratopipra chloromeros), Striolared puffbird (Nystalus striolatus), Half collared Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris), Tawny-throated Leaftosser (Sclerurus mexicanus), Razor billed Corassow (Mitu tuberosum), Military Macaw (Ara militaris), and much more. Then we will return to the lodge for lunch before hiking into another trail to observe: Scarlet Hooded Barbet (Eubucco tucinkae), Lemon throated Barbet (Eubucco richardsoni), Buff Throated Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatus), Red Billed Tyrannulet (Zimmerius cinereicapilla), Fine Barred Piculet (Picumnus subtilis), Double Toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus), Undulated Tinamou (Crypturellus undulatus), Rufous breasted Piculet (Picumnus rufiventris), and Plain browen Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla fuliginosa), Blue crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui), Red Throated Caracara (Ibycter americanus), Chestnut fronted Macaw (Ara severus), Black Capped Tinamou (Crypturellus atrocapillus), Cinereous Tinamou (Crypturellus cinereus), Bluish fronted Jacamar (Galbula cyanescens), Pygmy Antwren (Myrmotherula brachyura), Goldi’s Antbird (Myrmeciza goeldii), and others. Late in the afternoon we will return to the lodge for dinner

Day 12: Manu Lodge – Mammal Clay Lick

Today we will drive to Atalaya port and from there we will continue with our tour by boat. we will pass by Alto Madre de Dios river with its relatively clean waters, before lunch we will stop at Manu Hot Springs where we will relax. In the afternoon we will arrive at our lodge and from there we will head towards the Tapir Clay lick where we will spend the night in the middle of the jungle.

Day 13: Mammal clay Lick - Tapir Lodge

This day we will continue with our journey by boat through the Alto Madre de Dios River, along the river we will have to see Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar - the world’s third largest cat. Night walks are included in the area.

Day 14: Tapir Lodge - Macaw Clay Lick - Cocha Blanco - Tapir Lodge

Very early in the morning we will walk back to the lodge and from there we will travel down river towards the largest Macaw Clay lick found in Manu Park, The activity at the clay lick begins about 5:30 am as medium sized parrots arrive with the dawn, pair by noisy pair, and land in the treetops above the lick. Hundreds of screeching birds clamber about in the branches in preparation for their descent to the riverbank. Eventually, cascades of green, blue, and red parrots circle down to the clay wall. About 7:00 or 7:30 am large macaws start to arrive. After about 40 to 100 have gathered and deemed the lick safe, they begin to descend. This colorful and noisy scene continues for 20 to 40 minutes while the birds eat their fill of clay or until danger arrives in the form of a hawk, eagle, or ocelot. There are normally between 80 to 100 macaws and 600 or more other parrots. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles. After this activity we will sail up river towards an oxbow lake called “Cocha Blanco” where we will have great chances to see Giant otters. Late in the afternoon we return to our lodge where we will spend the night.

Day 15: Tapir Lodge All day

Today we will be birding the extensive trail systems which have been designed to visit different forest types. The area around this lodge has the most forest types of anywhere in the Manu area, and thus the highest biodiversity – which means the most species of birds. With the extensive Varzea, Tierra Firme and Mature Transitional Floodplain Forest, this means a mind-boggling variety of bird-life. We expect this lodge area to hold more species of birds than anywhere else in the world and the bird list is already 567. We will look for the Rufous-fronted Antthrush we have located on territory here. Some of the scarcer forest species we will be on the lookout for that we have seen here previously include : Bartlett’s Tinamou, Razor-billed Curassow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Sunbittern, Elusive Antpitta Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Striolated Puffbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Collared Puffbird, Ruddy Spinetail, Plain Softail, Striped Woodhaunter, Sclater's antwren, Banded Antbird, Ash-throated Gnateater, White-throated Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye, Black-faced Cotinga, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, White-bellied tody-tyrant, Royal Flycatcher, Musician Wren, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Yellow-shouldered Grosbeak to name but a few. Night birding may produce Long-tailed, Great and Common Potoos, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Spectacled Owl, Ocellated Poorwill and Silky-tailed Nightjar amongst others. Optional another visit to the large mammal Clay lick in the forest, apart from attracting Tapirs, Peccaries and maybe a Jaguar, also attracts Guans, Curassows, Chachalacas as well as Rose-fronted and Rock Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlet. Night at Tapir Lodge

Day 16: Tapir Lodge - Yanayacu Lodge

First day journey back to civilization!

Day 17: Yanayacu Lodge - Cusco

On our last day in the jungle, we will keep sailing along the Alto Madre de Dios River until Atalaya Port and from there we will continue with our trip by car all the Way to Cusco. We will be arriving in Cusco around 8pm.