Southern Peru with Machu Picchu Birding with Nature Travel Birding

Upon arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, you will be met by your Nature Travel Birding guide and transferred to a comfortable hotel. Peru's vibrant capital lies on the Pacific coast, where desert landscapes meet fertile river valleys and the cool Humboldt Current creates a unique coastal climate. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity for relaxed birding in the city's parks and green spaces, offering an enjoyable introduction to Peru's remarkable birdlife.

Urban gardens, tree-lined streets and open parklands provide habitat for a variety of widespread and regional species. Key targets may include Pacific Parrotlet, Vermilion Flycatcher, West Peruvian Dove, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Blue-and-white Swallow, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Bananaquit, Scrub Blackbird, House Wren, Saffron Finch, Eared Dove and Black Vulture.

In the evening, meet your fellow travelers over welcome drinks before enjoying dinner and preparing for the exciting birding adventure that lies ahead across Peru's extraordinary landscapes.

After an early breakfast, travel to the Ramsar-listed Pantanos de Villa, one of Peru's most important coastal wetlands. This unique mosaic of brackish lagoons, reedbeds and marshes, surrounded by desert, supports an outstanding diversity of waterbirds and wetland specialists. Birding here focuses on key species including the endemic Coastal Miner (E), Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Peruvian Thick-knee, Plumbeous Rail, Peruvian Meadowlark, Andean Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Great Grebe, Neotropic Cormorant and a variety of gulls, herons and shorebirds.

Continue to the picturesque fishing village of Pucusana for an exclusive private semi-pelagic excursion along Peru's productive Pacific coastline. These nutrient-rich waters offer excellent opportunities to search for Humboldt Penguin, Inca Tern, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Guanay Cormorant, Red-legged Cormorant, Blackish Oystercatcher and the endemic Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes (E). Elegant Tern, Surfbird and, with favourable conditions, petrels or shearwaters may also be encountered.

After lunch, there may be time to visit nearby coastal habitats around Puerto Viejo and San Andres for additional birding before returning to Lima. An afternoon flight then crosses the Andes to the historic city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to Peru's spectacular mountain birding. Upon arrival, transfer to your comfortable hotel for dinner and a restful evening in preparation for the adventures ahead.

Following an early breakfast, transfer to Poroy Station and board one of the world's most scenic rail journeys as the route winds through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Surrounded by steep Andean slopes and lush cloud forest, this picturesque town lies beside the Urubamba River and provides access to one of Peru's finest birding regions.

After lunch and check-in at the hotel, spend the afternoon birding along the Urubamba River and nearby cloud forest trails. Fast-flowing rivers, humid forest and forest edges support an impressive diversity of Andean species. Key targets include the endemic Green-and-white Hummingbird (E) and Masked Fruiteater (E), together with White-capped Dipper, Torrent Duck, Torrent Tyrannulet, Collared Inca, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Cinnamon Flycatcher, White-crested Elaenia, Variable Antshrike, Mitred Parakeet, Dusky-green Oropendola, Blue Dacnis and colourful mixed flocks featuring Rust-and-yellow, Bay-headed, Golden-naped and Silver-backed Tanagers.

Return to the hotel for dinner and prepare a small overnight bag for the next two days exploring the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, while your main luggage remains securely stored in Cusco. A restful evening completes another memorable day in one of Peru's most spectacular birding landscapes.

Rise early for the first bus to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, one of the world's greatest archaeological treasures. Perched high above the Urubamba River, this remarkable Inca citadel is surrounded by lush montane forest, offering a unique combination of history, breathtaking scenery and exceptional birding. Spend the morning exploring the ancient ruins and surrounding trails while searching for some of Peru's most sought-after Andean birds.

The cloud forest and rocky slopes around Machu Picchu provide excellent habitat for several regional specialities. Key targets include the endemic Inca Wren (E) and Masked Fruiteater (E), together with Highland Motmot, Andean Guan, White-eared Solitaire, Ocellated Piculet, Mountain Caracara, Collared Inca, White-bellied Hummingbird, Capped Conebill, Golden-billed Saltator, Azara's Spinetail and colourful Rust-and-yellow and Saffron-crowned Tanagers. White-collared Swift and Andean Swift often patrol overhead, while the majestic Andean Condor may occasionally be seen soaring above the surrounding peaks.

After lunch, board the scenic train through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, another remarkable Inca settlement framed by dramatic mountain scenery. Before reaching the nearby hotel, there is time to bird the surrounding fields and scrub, where Chiguanco Thrush, Aplomado Falcon, Band-tailed Seedeater, Cinereous Conebill, Plumbeous Sierra Finch and Black-backed Grosbeak are among the highlights. Dinner and overnight in Ollantaytambo.

After an early breakfast, travel to Peñas, where dry Andean scrub and rocky slopes provide excellent birding among a remarkable diversity of high-altitude species. This area is particularly rewarding for hummingbirds and regional endemics, with highlights including the endemic Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (E), White-tufted Sunbeam (E), Rusty-fronted Canastero (E) and Creamy-crested Spinetail (E). Other sought-after species include Giant, Black and Green-tailed Trainbearer, Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Andean Parakeet and Golden-billed Saltator.

Continue to the spectacular Abra Malaga Pass and the nearby Polylepis forests of Carrizales, one of Peru's premier high-Andean birding destinations. Birding on foot at this elevation offers opportunities for some of the country's most desirable mountain specialists, including the endemic Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (E), White-browed Tit-Spinetail (E) and Junin Canastero (E). Other key targets include Giant Conebill, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Red-crested Cotinga, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Pearled Treerunner, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Thick-billed Siskin, Blue-mantled Thornbill and, with luck, the magnificent Andean Condor.

Descending from the pass, the habitat changes to humid montane forest with extensive Chusquea bamboo, providing another opportunity for regional specialities. Here, search for the endemic Parodi's Hemispingus (E), Marcapata Spinetail (E) and Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant (E), together with mountain tanagers, conebills, flycatchers and the elusive Puna Tapaculo.

On the return journey to Cusco, stop at Huaypo Lake, where reedbeds, open water, mudflats and surrounding grasslands attract a variety of high-Andean waterbirds. Key species include White-tufted Grebe, Andean Goose, Puna Ibis, Andean Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Yellow-billed Pintail, Puna Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Andean Coot and Common Gallinule before returning to Cusco for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, begin the journey along the legendary Manu Road, one of South America's most celebrated birding routes. Traveling from the high Andes towards the Manu Biosphere Reserve, the route passes through a remarkable sequence of habitats and elevations, offering exceptional bird diversity throughout the day.

The first birding stop is Huacarpay Lake, an Andean marsh surrounded by reedbeds, open water and grassland. This productive wetland is home to a wealth of high-altitude waterbirds and regional specialities. Key targets include the endemic Bearded Mountaineer (E) and Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (E), along with Andean Ibis, Puna Ibis, Andean Duck, Plumbeous Rail, Puna Plover, Andean Lapwing, White-backed Stilt, Andean Negrito, Cinereous Harrier, Variable Hawk, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird and Yellow-billed Pintail.

After birding the wetlands, continue through the scenic Andean countryside to the historic village of Paucartambo for lunch before climbing to Acjanaco Pass, the gateway to the southern edge of Manu National Park. As the road enters humid montane forest, new habitats reveal an exciting range of cloud forest species. Look for Andean Parakeet, Chestnut-collared Swift, Slender-billed Miner, Torrent Tyrannulet, Gray-breasted Wood Wren, Hooded Siskin, Sedge Wren, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Great Thrush, Plain-colored Seedeater and Black-throated, Moustached and Masked Flowerpiercers.

Arrive at Wayqecha Biological Station in the late afternoon, surrounded by pristine cloud forest at the entrance to the Manu Biosphere Reserve. After settling into this outstanding birding location, enjoy dinner and prepare for the next stage of exploring one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots.

After an early breakfast, spend the morning exploring the exceptional habitats surrounding Wayqecha Biological Station, where the high Andean grasslands meet the cloud forests of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Birding takes place along forest trails and the famous Manu Road, with spectacular viewpoints overlooking mist-covered valleys that regularly attract mixed feeding flocks and a remarkable diversity of mountain birds.

This rich cloud forest is one of the best places to search for the endemic Red-and-white Antpitta (E), while colourful tanagers such as Grass-green, Blue-capped, Golden-collared and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager are frequent highlights. Other key targets include Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Stripe-faced Wood Quail, White-collared Jay, Barred Fruiteater, Band-tailed Fruiteater, Scaly-naped Parrot, Andean Solitaire, Pearled Treerunner, Mountain Cacique, Fulvous Wren, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Rufous-capped Thornbill and Lesser Violetear.

After lunch, continue descending the legendary Manu Road, stopping at carefully selected locations as changing elevations reveal new forest communities and fresh birding opportunities. Each stop offers the chance to add more cloud forest specialists before arriving at the renowned Cock-of-the-rock Lodge, set within pristine montane rainforest.

The lodge is named after Peru's spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-rock, whose famous display grounds are located nearby and provide one of the tour's most memorable wildlife experiences. After settling into the lodge, enjoy dinner and relax in this remarkable forest setting before another rewarding day of birding.

Spend a full day exploring the outstanding cloud forests surrounding Cock-of-the-rock Lodge, one of the classic birding destinations along the legendary Manu Road. Situated within a 5,000-hectare private conservation area bordering Manu National Park, the lodge provides access to an extensive network of forest trails, quiet roads and hummingbird feeders, allowing excellent birding from dawn until dusk.

The pristine montane forest supports an exceptional diversity of birds, including the endemic Cerulean-capped Manakin (E), Inca Flycatcher (E) and Peruvian Piedtail (E). Other highlights include Amazonian Umbrellabird, Crested Quetzal, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Blue-banded Toucanet, Andean Motmot, White-rumped Hawk, Solitary Eagle, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Scaled Fruiteater, Scaled Antpitta, Slaty Gnateater, Yungas Manakin, Bronzy Inca, Blue Dacnis, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer and colourful mixed flocks featuring Paradise, Beryl-spangled, Spotted and Saffron-crowned Tanagers.

Between birding sessions, relax at the lodge's hummingbird feeders, where a constant stream of species provides outstanding photographic opportunities. The surrounding forest also offers excellent chances to encounter antbirds, foliage-gleaners, woodcreepers, parrots, parakeets and a variety of flycatchers that are often difficult to observe elsewhere.

After dinner, venture back into the forest for an exciting night birding excursion. Possible highlights include Andean Potoo, Rufous-banded Owl, Foothill Screech Owl, Rufescent Screech Owl and the spectacular Lyre-tailed Nightjar before returning to the lodge for another peaceful night in the heart of the Manu cloud forest.

After breakfast, there is time to revisit the lodge trails and surrounding forest in search of any species still missing from the list before continuing deeper into the Peruvian Amazon. Following lunch, descend to Atalaya, where a short boat journey along the Alto Madre de Dios River leads to Amazonia Lodge. The river itself offers excellent birding, with opportunities for species such as Black Caracara, Large-billed Tern, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Great Kiskadee, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Collared Plover and, with some luck, Sand-colored Nighthawk.

Amazonia Lodge is situated on a river island near the end of the famous Manu Road, where regenerating forest blends with extensive tracts of pristine foothill rainforest. An excellent trail network, canopy observation tower and feeding stations provide access to an outstanding variety of Amazonian birds across several forest levels.

The surrounding rainforest is renowned for its mixed-species flocks and exceptional diversity. Key targets include Blue-headed Macaw, Horned Screamer, Festive Coquette, Bamboo Antshrike, Bluish-slate Antshrike, Round-tailed and Band-tailed Manakin, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Flammulated Pygmy Tyrant, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Lemon-throated Barbet, Striolated Puffbird, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Plumbeous Kite, Southern Caracara, Russet-backed Oropendola, Swallow Tanager and Magpie Tanager, together with an impressive selection of antbirds, antwrens, swifts and flycatchers.

Arrive at the lodge in the afternoon with time to settle into your accommodation and enjoy the activity around the feeders before dinner. Surrounded by the rich biodiversity of the Amazon foothills, this remarkable location provides the perfect introduction to one of the world's greatest rainforest birding destinations.

Today is dedicated to exploring the exceptional bird-life of Amazonia Lodge, where an extensive network of rainforest trails, forest edge, secondary growth, canopy viewpoints and feeding areas provide access to one of the richest birding sites in the Peruvian Amazon. Morning and afternoon birding sessions maximize opportunities to experience the remarkable diversity of this lowland rainforest.

Amazonia Lodge has recorded around 650 bird species, making it one of Peru's premier birding destinations. Highlights may include Blue-headed Macaw, Military Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Hoatzin, Wattled Guan, Buckley's Forest Falcon, Great Antshrike, Black-capped Tinamou, Amazon Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Fine-barred Piculet, Red-billed Scythebill, Black-faced Dacnis, Masked-crimson Tanager, Olive Oropendola, Crested Oropendola, Violaceous Jay, Purplish Jay, Blue-headed Parrot, White-eyed Parakeet, Koepcke's Hermit, Rufous-webbed Brilliant, Wire-crested Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Sabrewing and Rufous-crested Coquette. Forest specialists such as Amazonian Antpitta, Thrush-like Antpitta, Gray Antbird, Pygmy Antwren, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Johannes's Tody-Tyrant and Cuzco Warbler are additional highlights.

Following a midday break at the lodge, continue birding during the afternoon as activity increases once again in the rainforest. As darkness falls, head out on an optional night excursion to search for nocturnal species including Black-banded Owl, Mottled Owl, Tawny-bellied Screech Owl, Great Potoo, Long-tailed Potoo and Common Potoo before returning to the lodge for dinner and another night surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon.

After breakfast, travel deeper into the legendary Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A scenic boat journey of approximately five hours along the Madre de Dios River provides outstanding opportunities for birding while entering the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Riverbanks, oxbow channels and pristine lowland forest offer a constantly changing selection of species throughout the journey.

Key targets along the river and around Manu Wildlife Center include Scarlet, Red-bellied and Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Razor-billed Curassow, Ivory-billed Aracari, Spix's Guan, Jabiru, Cocoi Heron, Wood Stork, Green Kingfisher, Black Skimmer, Plumbeous Kite, Casqued Cacique, Olive Oropendola, Screaming Piha, Palm, Opal-crowned and Turquoise Tanagers, together with Tui, Rose-fronted and Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Dusky-billed Parrotlet and numerous Amazonian flycatchers, foliage-gleaners and antwrens.

The reserve's bamboo thickets and mature rainforest add another exciting dimension to the day's birding. Search for specialties including Peruvian Recurvebill, Flammulated Bamboo Tyrant, Manu Antbird, Striated Antbird, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Brown-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Dusky-cheeked Foliage-gleaner, Ihering's Antwren and Ornate Antwren. Other sought-after forest birds include Pavonine Quetzal, Royal Flycatcher, Black-faced Cotinga, Striolated Puffbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet, White-bellied Tody-Tyrant, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Ash-throated Gnateater and Musician Wren.

A visit to the forest mammal lick provides an opportunity to observe one of the Amazon's fascinating wildlife spectacles. In addition to attracting guans, curassows, chachalacas, Rose-fronted Parakeets, Rock Parakeets and Dusky-billed Parrotlets, the area is regularly visited by South American Tapir and peccaries, while Jaguar remains an exciting possibility.

Arrive at the comfortable Manu Wildlife Center in the late afternoon and settle into this exceptional rainforest lodge, perfectly positioned for exploring one of South America's premier birding destinations. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, travel by boat to the famous Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, one of the Amazon's greatest wildlife spectacles. Here, hundreds of parrots, parakeets, parrotlets and macaws gather on the exposed clay banks to obtain essential minerals, creating an unforgettable display of colour and sound. Expected highlights include Scarlet, Red-and-green, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied Macaws, together with Blue-headed, Mealy, Yellow-crowned and Orange-cheeked Parrots, Amazonian and Dusky-billed Parrotlets, and Cobalt-winged, Tui and Dusky-headed Parakeets.

After lunch, continue to the tranquil Blanco Oxbow Lake, where birding takes place from a stable floating catamaran. This pristine wetland, surrounded by mature Amazon rainforest, offers excellent opportunities to search for Hoatzin, Agami Heron, Horned Screamer, Sungrebe, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Green Ibis, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Gray-breasted Crake, Rufous-sided Crake, Black-billed Seed Finch, Silvered Antbird, Band-tailed Antbird, Amazonian Streaked Antwren and Pale-eyed Blackbird.

The oxbow lakes and surrounding waterways are also home to three family groups of the Endangered Giant Otter, making this one of the best places on the tour to observe these charismatic mammals in their natural habitat.

Return to Manu Wildlife Center in the late afternoon before heading out for another rewarding night birding excursion around the lodge. Possible nocturnal highlights include Spectacled Owl, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, Long-tailed Potoo, Great Potoo, Gray Potoo, Ocellated Poorwill and Silky-tailed Nightjar. Dinner and overnight at Manu Wildlife Center.

After breakfast, begin the journey back towards Puerto Maldonado, travelling by boat through the heart of the Amazon with a packed lunch. The three-hour river journey offers excellent birding along the riverbanks and sandbars, with opportunities to search for Orinoco Goose, Capped Heron, Sand-colored Nighthawk and, with a measure of luck, even Jaguar along the shoreline.

At Colorado Village, continue overland by local transport, crossing the Inambari River before reaching the bustling Amazon gateway of Puerto Maldonado. Surrounded by the protected forests of southeastern Peru, this region serves as the entrance to some of the country's finest rainforest reserves and remains an excellent location for lowland Amazon birding.

Throughout the day's journey, keep watch for a wide variety of Amazonian birds, including Red-bellied Macaw, Hoatzin, Purus Jacamar, Wood Stork, Large-billed Tern, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Black-banded Crake, Limpkin, Southern Lapwing, Double-collared Seedeater, Palm Tanager, Saffron Finch, Eastern Kingbird, Smooth-billed Ani, Neotropical Palm Swift, Short-tailed Swift, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Blue-black Grassquit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper and both Black and Greater Yellow-headed Vultures.

Later, transfer to Padre Aldamiz International Airport for the flight across the Andes to Lima, bringing an unforgettable journey through Peru's extraordinary landscapes and world-class birding regions to a close. Depending on international flight schedules, an overnight stay near the airport may be required before onward departures.

Depending on your international flight schedule, there may be time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast before transferring to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. As your journey comes to an end, depart with unforgettable memories of Peru's extraordinary landscapes, from the Pacific coast and towering Andes to the pristine Amazon rainforest, together with an exceptional collection of birding experiences from one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots.