Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu

Birding this route with terrific local guides makes this one of the world's most memorable bird watching journeys. Manu in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and the cloudforests of the Andes above are full of diverse bird life with many endemic and rare species making this a bird watchers dream holiday.

Ascend over the high Andes reaching around 4,000m, as you leave the cultural centre of Cusco before descending through the cloudforests of the Andes where the male Cock-of-the-Rock puts on spectacular displays at a lek; to the Amazon rainforest and the very special area of Manu at around 500m above seal level, where well over 500 species have been recorded in the area.

A long day from Cusco will yield ducks and egrets, eagles and seed eaters as you enjoy your first bird watching at the wetlands of Huarcarpay before passing over the grasslands of high Andean passes that reach 3900m before plummeting into forests and gorges along the only road in this part of Peru that descends to tributaries of the mighty Amazon. With plenty of stops en route you will should see mountain finches, quetzals, motmots, numerous species of the ubiquitous tanagers, flycatchers including the Inca flycatcher and as evening draws in perhaps nightjars. After a night at Wayquecha Biological Station you will move on to stay at the aptly named Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge for 2 nights with a full day bird watching on the trails around the lodge and can enjoy visiting the lek.

A final morning here allows time for some more birding before you descend further to Amerindian villages and Amazonia Lodge which is great for hummingbirds. Another day brings you to Pantiacolla Lodge which has some very good trails. Rise early in the morning and you can hike around 8km and witness sunrise from the ridge above the lodge with views seemingly out over the whole of the Amazon.

A river trip down the Madre de Dios River is a delight as you bird from the river constantly scanning the banks and the sky. It will bring you to Manu Wildlife Centre. King vultures, skimmers and many other species can be seen en route. You will spend 3 nights here in the rainforest where macaws come to the trees around the cabins.

At Manu a highlight is an early morning bird watching at the collpa or clay-lick that sees macaws and many parrot species on their daily visit. Later you can explore the trails looking for enigmatic forest species such as antbirds, antwrens, antshrikes, foliage gleaners, tanagers, grossbeaks and barbets.

On the mammalian side of things, Manu Wildlife Center also has a lick frequented by tapir.

Finally you will enjoy your final bird watching of the holiday as you travel downstream by boat to Los Amigos Biological Station for a final night in the wilds. Travel by river and road to reach Puerto Maldonado from where you can fly to Lima and connect with your international flight with your head whirring from so many terrific bird watching encounters.

April - November

Highlight species

	Galapagos penguin
	South American fur seals
	South American sea lions
	Blue-footed boobies
	Frigate birds
	Darwin finches
	Andean Cock-of-the-rock
	Motmots, hummingbirds & many more bird species
	Andean condor
	Northern viscacha

Cost from £

Please contact us for a cost for when you wish to travel.

Departure Dates

Fixed departure dates, please enquire.

Private departures based on 4 persons travelling

Difficulty

Generally easy birding although some rough and steep ground can be expected. Some long days in boats on the river.

Flights

No direct flights from the UK. International flights via European centres or hubs in the USA.

Time

GMT -5 hours

Visit Machu Picchu and surrounding cloudforest.