Wildlife Encounters in Peru: Amazon Wildlife Discovery

Incomparable biodiversity in Manu National Park
Watch the fascinating mating dance of the Andean cock-of-the-rock and visit a macaw clay lick
Search for Spectacled bears at Machu Picchu
Discover the towns, temples and fortresses of the Incas
Stay in remote rainforest lodges and tented camps

The Amazon Rainforest is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, and on this trip we travel deep into the Manu National Park, Peru's largest park, staying in remote lodges and tented camps to maximise our chances of seeing some of the rare and spectacular species which live in the forests. Given the density of the vegetation, many of the mammals which live here are hard to spot, making chance sightings of jaguars, tapirs and primates such as tamarins and monkeys especially memorable.

Alongside the variety of mammals, the jungle houses innumerable bird species, and we visit a collpa (clay lick) to watch macaws feeding en masse, as well as a mating site for the striking Andean cock-of-the-rock. All this is combined with time spent in the highlands around Cuzco and the cloud forest surrounding Peru's most iconic sight - the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. We visit the regions main archaeological sights, but on this trip even our sightseeing excursions have been given a new twist as we incorporate walks to look for rare birds, the shy Spectacled bear and discover the unusual flora of the Andes.

What makes this trip responsible?

For the rainforest portion of this trip, we work with the Crees Foundation, a charitable organisation who operate a number of sustainable tourism initiatives. The Crees Foundation works directly with local communities in Manu National Park, with a focus on agricultural initiatives designed to reduce human impact on the forest. They also provide environmental education programmes for researchers and local students, and they operate a centre in Manu which hosts a number of conservation research projects.

In addition, a number of the lodges used in Manu are owned by a non-profit conservation organization, Peru Verde, which works to protect the cultural and biological diversity of the region and contributes heavily to the maintenance of the national parks and reserves.

The lodges used on the trip are sustainably managed to limit the impact of our visit on the rainforest, and we stay in small, locally-owned hotels in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Peru

Day 1

Depart London.

Day 2

Arrive Cuzco; afternoon walking tour of the old Inca capital, including the Koricancha sun temple.

Day 3

Early morning visit Lake Huacarpay for birdwatching; return to Cuzco via archaeological sites of Pikillacta and Tipon.

Day 4

Travel to Huaran in the Sacred Valley for birdwatching in rare Polylepis forest; visit Pisac market and fortress; drive to Ollantaytambo to explore village and immense fortress/temple complex.

Day 5

Mid-morning train to Aguas Calientes; short walk through cloud forest to look for birds, including the Andean Cock of the rock, and other wildlife.

Day 6

Early start to visit Machu Picchu; after a guided tour, free time to explore or join optional walk to look for Spectacled bear and the Incawren; evening train to Cuzco.

Day 7

Free day for further exploration of Cuzco or optional activities, including morning walk along the Saphi River to Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

Day 8

Early start for drive to Manu Cloud Forest, with great birdwatching opportunities and incredible views over the Amazon Basin.

Day 9

Rise early to visit a Cock of the rock lek to watch mating dance; continue by road and boat deep into Manu Reserve.

Day 10

Travel further into the reserve with possibilities of seeing turtles, caimans, nesting birds and possible even jaguars; afternoon excursion to view Giant otters; overnight in permanent tented camp.

Day 11

Full day exploring around the camp in boats, including ascent of an observation tower.

Day 12

Three-hour boat ride to Manu Wildlife Centre; afternoon free to relax or take a short trail walk.

Day 13

Early visit to a macaw clay lick then search for otters in an oxbow lake; afternoon explore jungle trails looking for tamarins and the rare Goeldi's monkey; optional night camp to look for tapirs, Brocket deer and other nocturnal mammals.

Day 14

Long journey by boat and bus (approx. 7 hours) to Puerto Maldonado; fly to Cuzco.

Day 15

Depart Cuzco.

Day 16

Arrive London.

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Andean cock-of-the-rock