This bird photography tour is focused on one of the most spectacular elevational gradients in Peru, following the famous Manu Road from the high Andes to the Amazonian foothills. The itinerary has been carefully designed for photographers, combining excellent bird diversity, accessible photography locations, and opportunities to capture many of the region’s most sought-after species.
As we descend from the Andean highlands into the cloud forests and eventually the Amazonian foothills, we will encounter a remarkable variety of habitats, each supporting its own unique bird community. The route offers exceptional opportunities to photograph colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, trogons, cotingas, antpittas, toucans, and many endemic species.
The forests along the Manu Road remain among the best-preserved in Peru, providing outstanding photographic opportunities in natural settings. Feeders, fruiting trees, forest trails, and lek sites allow close views and excellent conditions for bird photography.
Highlights of the tour include the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Versicolored Barbet, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Golden-eared Tanager, Wire-crested Thorntail, Booted Racket-tail, Peruvian Piedtail, Gould’s Jewelfront, and numerous cloud forest specialties. In addition to birds, there are also opportunities to photograph mammals such as Gray Woolly Monkey and other wildlife.
Whether your goal is portfolio-quality images, documenting new species, or simply enjoying bird photography in one of the world’s richest ecosystems, the Manu Road offers an unforgettable experience.
Meals: Box lunch, Dinner.
Overnight: Wayquecha Biological Station
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight: Cock of the Rock Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,Dinner.
Overnight: Villa Carmen Biological Station
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Villa Carmen Biological Station
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
End of the Tour in Cusco city
Our photography adventure begins upon arrival in Cusco. After breakfast, we head south to Huacarpay Lake, one of the best high-Andean bird photography locations near Cusco. The wetlands, reedbeds, and surrounding agricultural areas offer excellent opportunities to photograph several endemic and highland species.
Target species include the endemic Bearded Mountaineer, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Puna Ibis, and a variety of waterbirds and Andean passerines.
After a box lunch, we continue along the famous Manu Road, stopping at strategic photography locations through inter-Andean valleys and high-elevation habitats. Species of interest include Andean Flicker, Black-throated Flowerpiercer, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Line-fronted Canastero, Diademed Tapaculo, and Puna Tapaculo.
As we descend toward the cloud forest, mixed-species flocks become increasingly common, providing opportunities to photograph Mountain Tanagers, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, White-collared Jay, and Mountain Cacique.
We arrive at Wayqecha Biological Station in the late afternoon, surrounded by pristine cloud forest and excellent photographic possibilities around the station grounds.
Overnight: Wayqecha Biological Station
Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,300 ft
Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner
Many colored rush tyrant
Today we descend through spectacular cloud forest habitats, one of the richest bird photography regions in Peru. Throughout the day we make frequent stops to photograph mixed flocks, fruiting trees, and hummingbird activity.
Target species include Barred Fruiteater, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, White-bellied Woodstar, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-eared Tanager, Highland Motmot, and Crested Quetzal.
As we continue descending, we search for additional photographic opportunities with Masked Trogon, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Black-streaked Puffbird, Paradise Tanager, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, and the impressive Amazonian Umbrellabird.
By late afternoon we arrive at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, where feeders and forest trails provide excellent close-range photography opportunities.
Overnight: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
Elevation: 1,400 m / 4,900 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Grass green Tanager
This full day is dedicated to bird photography around the lodge and nearby viewpoints.
Early morning is spent photographing mixed-species flocks around El Mirador, where target species include Blue-necked Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Bush Tanager, Mountain Woodcreeper, Mountain Foliage-Gleaner, Blue-banded Toucanet, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Golden-olive Woodpecker, and Highland Motmot.
After lunch, we focus on the lodge gardens and hummingbird feeders, excellent locations for close-up photography of species such as Booted Racket-tail, Wire-crested Thorntail, and several other hummingbirds.
In the afternoon we visit one of Manu’s most iconic photography locations: the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Here photographers can capture spectacular images of displaying males as they perform their courtship dances in the forest.
Overnight: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
Elevation: 1,400 m / 4,900 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Andean cock of the rock
This morning offers another opportunity to photograph the Cock-of-the-Rock lek before continuing toward the Andean foothills and lowland rainforest.
The changing habitats provide excellent photographic diversity, with chances to photograph Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Red-billed Scythebill, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Foothill Antwren, White-backed Fire-eye, Stripe-chested Antwren, and Cabanis’s Spinetail.
Special attention will be given to photographing regional specialties such as the endemic Peruvian Piedtail and Fine-barred Piculet.
Upon arrival at Villa Carmen Biological Station, we will explore gardens, forest edges, and nearby trails, all excellent locations for bird photography.
Overnight: Villa Carmen Biological Station
Elevation: 550 m / 1,760 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Goulds jewelfront
Our final morning offers one last opportunity for bird photography in the foothill forests before returning to Cusco.
As we ascend Manu Road, we revisit cloud forest habitats searching for mixed flocks, tanagers, flycatchers, and high-Andean specialties. The changing scenery provides spectacular photographic backdrops throughout the day.
Target species may include Mountain Tanagers, Chat-Tyrants, Elaenias, and a variety of cloud forest birds that may have been missed earlier in the tour.
After a box lunch, we continue toward Cusco, arriving in the late afternoon and concluding this remarkable bird photography journey through one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Golden headed Quetzal
Included in your trip :
Not Included
USD.00