Detailed Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco → Huacarpay Lake → Manu Cloud Forest → Wayqecha Biological Station

Early morning departure from Cusco in a private vehicle toward Huacarpay Lake, an important high-Andean wetland where we begin our birding experience. Here we look for waterbirds and Andean specialties before continuing toward the eastern slopes of the Andes.

After birding at Huacarpay, we drive through the Andean highlands toward the Manu Biosphere Reserve, stopping at Paucartambo for lunch.

After lunch in Paucartambo, continue toward the Acjanaco Pass (3,550 m), the official entrance to the Manu Biosphere Reserve, offering panoramic views of the Andes and Amazon basin. Begin birding as we descend into the high-elevation cloud forest, making frequent roadside and short trail stops.

Arrive at Wayqecha Biological Station in the afternoon. Guided birding walk along the station’s trails, focusing on mixed-species flocks and understory species.

Possible bird highlights:
Golden-headed Quetzal, Blue-banded Toucanet, Mountain Tanagers, Andean Guan, hummingbirds.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Wayqecha Biological Station

Day 2: Full Day Birding at Wayqecha Biological Station

Early morning birding to take advantage of peak activity. Explore Wayqecha’s extensive network of trails covering different elevations and forest types.

Mid-morning visit to a nearby Canopy Walk-way and trails habitats rich in mixed-species flocks.

Afternoon birding targets canopy and understory species, with time to focus on difficult forest birds around the Acjanaco Mountain Pass..

Optional night birding walk in search of owls, nightjars, and other nocturnal wildlife.

Possible bird highlights:
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Scaled Fruiteater, Long-tailed Sylph, Collared Inca, Andean Potoo, cloud forest owls.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Wayqecha Biological Station

Day 3: Wayqecha → Manu Cloud Forest → Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge

Early morning birding around Wayqecha before breakfast, focusing on species active at dawn.

After breakfast, descend along the Manu Road toward lower cloud forest elevations, stopping frequently for birding. This elevation change significantly increases species diversity.

Arrive at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge around midday. Lunch at the lodge followed by afternoon birding along forest trails and around fruiting trees near the lodge.

Possible bird highlights:
Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Blue-banded Toucanet, tanagers, flycatchers, monkeys.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge

Day 4: Full Day Birding at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge

Early morning walk to the lodge’s Cock-of-the-Rock lek for close-up views and photography of displaying males.

Continue birding along forest trails, bamboo patches, and river edges. This area is ideal for mixed-species flocks and foothill cloud forest specialties.

After lunch, afternoon birding focuses on hummingbirds, tanagers, and canopy species. Optional late-afternoon birding along the Manu Road.

Optional night walk to search for nocturnal birds and wildlife.

Possible bird highlights:
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Golden-collared Toucanet, Pygmy Antpitta, owls, nightjars.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge

Day 5: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge → Manu Road → Cusco

Early morning birding around the lodge and nearby trails for final species.

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Cusco, birding along the Manu Road at different elevations. Stop for mixed-species flocks, roadside birds, and scenic viewpoints.

Lunch en route. Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.

Possible bird highlights:
Quetzals, tanagers, trogons, raptors, hummingbirds.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• End of Tour: Cusco