- Cusco
- Professional guide
- 3.850 m.s.n.m
- Bus, boat.
- 3 - 4 hours.
- 7
- 69
- 6 - 10
Bird Watching Manu
Bird Watching Manu
Bird Watching Manu, The Manu National Park is a protected natural area located in southeastern Peru, partially spanning the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, between the provinces of Manu and Paucartambo.
With an area of 1,909,806 hectares, it is divided into three main zones: the national park with 1,716,295 hectares, the reserved area, and the buffer zone.
It extends from 300 meters above sea level at the confluence of the Manu River with the Alto Madre de Dios River to over 4000 meters above sea level at the summit of Mount Apu Kañaqway.
In 1968, the area was declared a national reserve, and later, on May 29, 1973, the Manu National Park was established through Supreme Decree No. 0644-73-AG. On July 14, 2002, the park’s surface area was expanded through Supreme Decree No. 045-2002-AG.
In 1977, UNESCO recognized the park as a biosphere reserve, and in 1987, it was declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity.
Itinerary
Bird Watching Manu You leave Cusco early in the morning (appr. 05:30 am) by private transportation to travel the famous “Manu Road”.
Lake Huacarpay is reached after 40 minutes, where we spend time to observe highland lake with marsh birds and butterflies. We look for the Plumbeous Rail, which is not as elusive here as rails normally are, the Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant and two endemics, the Rusty-fronted Canastero and the spectacular hummingbird, the Bearded Mountaineer.
This site should also provide our first Peruvian butterflies with Gulf Fritillary and Brazilian Painted Lady amongst the target species. In the early afternoon you arrive at the Ajanaco pass at 3530 m and the beginning of our descent of the eastern Andes. This is also the beginning of the Manu National Park, where the slope forests, unlike at other parts of the eastern Andes, are almost completely untouched.
In between the clouds we look for flocks of many different tanager species. Also the Andean Guan, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, White-collared Jay, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and the endemic Puna Thistletail belong to this altitude. Butterflies here include Clouded Yellows and various Skippers.
Overnight at Posada San Pedro, where we will be able to run a moth lamp for the two nights we are staying here.
Bird Watching Manu During these two days we will explore the different altitudes along the Manu Road. One day we go higher up to the temperate and upper subtropical zone, where we hope to meet Blue-banded Toucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Marcapata Spinetail, Red-and-white Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater, Fulvous Wren and many more. At dusk we will search for Lyre-tailed Nightjar and Owl butterflies.
Bird Watching Manu The other day we stay close to our campsite in the transition zone between the sub-tropical and upper-tropical habitat, at around 1500 metres. First we pay an early morning visit to a nearby Cock of the Rock lek before exploring the rest of the cloud forest.
This avian-rich zone is home to many species of tanagers and hummingbirds but we also have the change to encounter the splendid Versicoloured Barbet, Highland Motmot, Green Jay and Cock-of-the-Rock amongst others. It is also a great area for butterflies in the families of Skippers, Daggerwings, Adelphas and Sulphurs which often gather to imbibe moisture from seepages and rocky pools along the river and in the vicinity of small waterfalls.
The moths in this sort of habitat are no less stunning than the butterflies and birds in both their sheer number and variety, although identifying them is more of a challenge.
Bird Watching Manu We leave early to be able to look for the birds of between 1500 and 1000m in the good hours of the day.
We will start to see more tropical birds like Russet-backed - & Crested Oropendolas, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Stripe-chested Antwren, Long-tailed Tyrant, vultures and kites. Some of the specials are the Amazonian Umbrellabird and Black-banded Tody-Tyrant. In Atalaya we change into a motorized canoe.
We navigate down the Alto Madre de Dios: a relaxed way of observing birds, such as the Capped Heron and the Fasciated Tiger-Heron, vultures, possibly King Vulture, and overflying macaws. If river conditions are suitable, we will look out for butterflies imbibing moisture from sandbanks.
Sometimes these aggregations can run into many hundreds of individuals – an incredible sight. In the afternoon we are welcomed at Pantiacolla Lodge (450 m). At dusk we sit near the river and enjoy the Sand-coloured Night-hawks.
Bird Watching Manu Hikes on the well designed trails around Pantiacolla Lodge take you through at least eight different habitat types with many rare and endemic species of bird.
The many different tinamous, antbirds and manakins are only a fraction of the already 600 species of bird found until this day.
On the more shady trails, Glasswing butterflies are commonplace, all very similar in appearance but several different species. In the more open areas, it is the brightly coloured Callicores and Panaceas that catch the eye, with their metallic upper side markings contrasting with their brilliantly marked undersides.
With luck, we should also see our first Morphos as they flap through the jungle with their iridescent blue wings. As always in between the tangling leaves of primary rainforests, one has to work hard to see wildlife, but it is certainly worth the effort.
Bird Watching Manu For variation, one can sit in the garden of the lodge and wait for a passing mixed-species bird flock, while enjoying the ever-present hummingbirds.
The longest trail takes you up the Pantiacolla Mountains, to one of its miradors, at 920 m, with an incredible view over the vast Amazonian expanse. The mirador is located in an isolated patch of cloud forest at 900 m altitude.
This area is one of the most likely sites to encounter the extremely rare Black Tinamou. We start this hike before dawn, still being able to hear the sounds of the Great- and the Long-tailed Potoo, while diurnal birds just start their daily activities.
Pantiacolla Lodge has eight different recorde monkey species, and both white-lipped and collared peccaries are commonly see. One of the mornings we visit a nearby clay lick for parrots and the Military- and Blue-headed Macaw, Manu's two rarest macaws.
Bird Watching Manu Going back now upstream the same river as on day 4 we arrive at at Amazonia Lodge at 9 a.m.
While the staff is bringing our luggage to the lodge we walk the 2 km long so-called Jeep-trail. Tinamous, Trogons, Purple-throated Cotinga, Long-tailed Tyrant and different parrots are some of the possibilities.
Bird Watching Manu The lodge has a very nice garden where you will see 6-10 different species of hummingbirds with the male Rufous-crested Coquette and Wire-crested Thorntail as being the most attractive ones. Amazonia is also a good place to see one of more of the 3 species of Potoos.
A small oxbow lake close to the lodge gives us the possibility to see Hoatzin, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Rufescent Tiger-heron, all species that you normally don´t see at Pantiacolla.
Bird Watching Manu After a last walk at the grounds of Amazonia the boat takes us to the other side of the river, where our car is waiting to bring us back to Cusco. It is a long drive of 8-9 hours with some breaks for birding, coffee and lunch.
Important note: Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the programme could be subject to changes at any time
Includes:
- - Bird- and butterflywatcher guide in English and Spanish
- - Private transportation by road and by river from Cusco to Pantiacolla Lodge and back
- - Overnights in Posada San Pedro
- - Overnights in Pantiacolla Lodge
- - Overnight in Amazonia Lodge
- - Visit of cloud forest Cock of the Rock lek
- - Visit of Pantiacolla clay lick for the Blue-headed Macaw
- - Meals
Not included:
- -Soft drinks and beer
- -Personal expenses
Frequently asked Questions
The trip to Manu National Park is classified as a Grade B or moderately difficult level. Therefore, anyone in good shape can undertake this hike, even if they have no previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. So, as long as you want to, you’ll be able to do it.
On average, you walk about 1 to 3 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 2hrs and one or two days can be as long as 4hrs.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Cusco. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Soles. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Pilcopata is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
