THE 48 HUMMINGBIRDS OF MANU ROAD
Cusco - Manu National Park
6 Days / 5 Nights
Difficulty: Challenging
Private Service
In 1973, Manu National Park was established as a Natural Protected Area. Later, in 1977, UNESCO designated it as a Biosphere Reserve, in addition to the territories destined for colonization that bordered the Park and the Manu Reserved Zone. Ten years after its recognition as such, Manu National Park was declared a World Natural Heritage Site because of its extraordinary universal value.
Manu National Park, located in the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, protects one of the most important ecoregions of the country and an area of megadiversity; it is perhaps the most biologically diverse park on the planet. It is one of the few territorial spaces that range from frigid highlands, which exceed 4,000 m.a.s.l., steep forested mountains that give rise to a multitude of small streams and valleys, to cloud forests of high jungle, low jungle, through the Amazon plain.
Manu National Park is an area privileged by nature, which is home to more than 1025 species of birds, representing 25% of the total number of birds in America and 10% of the world’s birds, including more than 50 species of hummingbirds.
For all these reasons and richness that Manu National Park offers us, as Peru Nature Photography, we have designed a tour specialized in photography and birdwatching inside the Cultural Zone. This program is designed for those who enjoy and develop professional and non-professional photography and who wish to enjoy the biodiversity reflected in the most vivid colors of nature and birds in a variety of unique ecological zones.
Highlights:
- Hummingbirds
- Nature
- Wildlife Photography
- Jungle
- Hermits
DAY 1: Cusco – Wayqecha Biological Station
Early in the morning (around 5:00 a.m.), we will head towards the colonial town of Paucartambo, arriving after approximately two hours. We will make a short stop for breakfast before continuing to the Acjanacu Pass (3,800 m.a.s.l.), where we will pause to explore the area and take some photos. This pass serves as the main entrance to Manu National Park.
We will then continue for another 20 minutes until we reach the Wayqecha Biological Station. There, we will begin our photography activities, searching for the following hummingbirds and bird species:
- Great Sapphirewing
- Sword-billied hummingbird
- Sparkling Violetear
- Long-tailed Sylph
- Scaled Metaltail
- Shining Sunbeam
- Cuzco Starfrontlet (endemic)
- Tyriant Metaltail
- Collared Inca
- Amethyst-throated Sunangel
- Chestnut-breasted Coronet
- Another species of birds, such as tanagers, flower piercers, flycatchers, brushfinches and others.
We will have lunch and dinner at the lodge (we may include some owls depending on the weather).
DAY 2: Wayqecha Biological Station – Cock of the Rock Lodge
Early in the morning, before breakfast, we will start our activities at the feeder taking advantage of the first light of the day, looking for some bird species and hummingbirds to improve ours pictures.
After breakfast, we will head to San Pedro Lodge. Along the way, we may stop at another feeder to photograph some tanager and other birds.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Andean Cock of the Rock lek.
Overnight at San Pedro Cock of the Rock Lodge.
DAY 3: Cock of the Rock Lodge – Pilcopata – Villa Carmen Lodge.
Early in the morning, before breakfast, we will start our activities at the feeder taking advantage of the first light of the day, looking for some birds.
Breakfast and lunch in the lodge.
Such as:
- Green Hermit
- Peruvian Piedtail
- Speckled Hummingbird
- Buff-thighed Puffleg
- Booted Racket-tail
- Violet-fronted Brillant
- Wire-crested Thorntail
- Versicolored Barbet
- Andean Cock of the Rock
- Orange-bellied Euphonia
- Blue-capped Tanager
- Blue-neck Tanager
- Paradise Tanager
- Golden-eared Tanager
- Golden Tanager
- Green-fronted Lancebill
- Lesser Violetear
- Sparkling Violetear
- Bronzy Inca
- Long-tailed Sylph and more.
In the afternoon we will drive in direction to Villa Carmen Lodge in Pillcopata, dinner and lodging there.
DAY 4: Pillcopata – Pico de Hoz Hummingbirds Feeder
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we head to the Pico de Hoz Feeder. Once there, we will organize everything to begin our birding day, having the opportunity to spot and photograph the most spectacular hummingbird in the entire area, such as:
- White-necked Jacobin
- Fork-tailed Wood nymph
- Rufous-crested Coquette
- Amethyst Woodstar
- Gray-breasted Sabrewing
- Sapphire-spangled Emerald
- Many-spotted Hummingbird
- Long-billed Starthroat
- Many-spotted Hummingbird
- Golden-tail Sapphire
- Reddish Hermit
- White-bearded Hermit
- Blue-tail Emerald
- Rufous-breasted Hermit
- Grate-billed Hermit
- Bluish-fronted Jacamar
- Black-faced Antthrush
- White-browed Hermit
- Green-fronted Lancebill
- Wire-crested Thorntail
- Scarlet-hooded Barbet
- Magpie Tanager
- Amazonian Antpitta
- Yellow-throated Woodpecker
- Speckle Chachalaca
- Pectoral Sparrow
- Rufous-capped Nunlet
- Red-billed Scythebill
- Antboo Antshrike
- Crested Oropendola
- Great Antshrike and much more.
During the day, we will enjoy lunch at the feeding place.
At the end of our activities, we will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Pilcopata – Inkamazonia Hummingbirds Garden
After breakfast we will head towards this point with the objective to spot other different species of hummingbirds not seen before, such as:
- Koepcke’s Hermit (endemic)
- Buff-tailed Sicklebill
- Pale-tailed Barbthroat
- Green Hermit
- Blue-fronted Lancebill
- Gould’s Jewelfront
- Black-throated Mango
- Reddish Hermit
- White-bearded Hermit
- Blue-tail Emerald
- Rufous-breasted Hermit
- Reddish Hermit
- Great-billed Hermit
- Bluish-fronted Jacamar
- White-browed Hermit
- White-necked Jacobin
- Fork-tailed Wood nymph
- Rufous-crested Coquette
- Amethyst Woodstar
- Gray-breasted Sabrewing
- Sapphire-spangled Emerald
- Many-spotted Hummingbird
- Long-billed Starthroat
- Many-spotted Hummingbird
- Golden-tail Sapphire
- Violet-headed Hummingbird
Like the previous feeder, this is a new entrepreneurship, being one of the hotspots for photographers and birdwatchers.
We will have lunch in the feeder area.
At the end of our activities, we will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: Pilcopata – Cusco
After breakfast we will return to Cusco. Along the way, we will make stops at different point to observe, trogons, quetzals, tanagers, woodpeckers, hawks, eagles, toucans and much more.
We will arrive Cusco city at 6:00 pm approximately, finishing our service.
Includes:
- All transportations
- All lodges on the route (5 nights)
- All meals along the route
- Snacks
- Ozonized water (we will provide it in all the tour, but you must carry your own canteen)
- Professional bilingual guide specialized birdwatcher and photographer
- All entrance fees
Not included:
- Other requirements not specified
- Dinner on last day
- Birdwatching or photography equipment*
- Tips for a staff
- Alcoholic beverages or sealed water at the lodges or over the route or feeders
- Insurance of any kind
*If you don’t have some of the required equipment, we can rent one.
To enjoy our tour, don’t forget to bring:
- Passport or ISIC card OBLIGATORY
- Binoculars
- Photograph equipment
- Extra batteries
- Camouflaged clothes
- Sun block SPF 45 – 90
- Small backpack (canteen, snacks, etc.)
- Extra clothes
- Hat or cap for the sun and sunglasses
- Repellent
- Raincoats or rain ponchos (all year)
- Slippers or tennis shoes
- Extra cash in (soles and dollars, optional).
Frequently Asked Questions
Manu Road extends from the Andean highlands of Cusco to the lowland rainforests of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, covering an incredible range of ecosystems.
Manu Road is famous for its incredible bird diversity due to its altitudinal gradient, ranging from the high Andean cloud forests to the Amazonian foothills. This unique geography makes it possible to observe a wide variety of hummingbirds, tanagers, trogons, toucans, and more.
This tour is moderate. While most birding areas are accessible by vehicle, there will be some short hikes on uneven trails. Altitude and humidity can be challenging, so proper preparation is recommended.
Yes! This tour is suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced birders and photographers. Our guide will help you identify species and provide useful insights.
You can book directly through our website or contact us by email or WhatsApp. We recommend booking in advance, as availability is limited.