Hoatzin
MEGA SOUTHERN PERU PHOTO TOUR
Sacred Valley, Abra Málaga, Manu National Park
20 Days
Best season from April to November
DATES
Coming soon.
OVERVIEW
Discover the diverse landscapes of southern Peru on this extensive photography tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the high pass of Abra Málaga, and the famous Manu National Park. During this adventure, you will have the opportunity to photograph a wide variety of birds (including endemic species) and other wildlife, while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the high Andes, cloud forests, and the Amazon rainforest. The famous “Manu Road” is considered one of the best routes in South America for photographing birds and other wildlife.
Our first destination will be the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will focus on photographing the endemic Bearded Mountaineer, along with many other Andean bird species.
Next, we will visit Abra Málaga, an important mountain pass in the Cusco region, standing at an impressive 4,316 meters above sea level. This area is known for its breathtaking views of the sur-rounding mountains and its endemic bird species. As we descend, we will explore the cloud forest, capturing colorful birds such as Versicolored Barbet and Inca Jay.
We will continue our journey along the slopes of the Andes into the cloud forests and Amazonian regions of the renowned Manu National Park. This UNESCO-protected park spans 1.5 million hec-tares and, with its diverse ecosystems, is home to an unprecedented variety of flora and fauna. Of the more than 1,900 bird species recorded in Peru, over 1,000 can be found within Manu National Park.
The “Manu Road,” which follows the park’s boundaries, is one of the best locations in South America for photographing birds and wildlife. Along the Manu Road, we will visit several lodges and gardens with feeders and hides, offering excellent opportunities to photograph birds such as the magnificent King Vulture, various toucans, tanagers, and hummingbirds including Rufous-Crested Coquette, Wire-crested Thorntail, as well as Agami Heron, Red-and-Green Macaw, and even the majestic Harpy Eagle to name just a few.
In addition to birds, the area hosts mammals such as several monkey species, Giant Otters, and, with some luck, a Lowland Tapir, and even a Jaguar.
There will also be fantastic opportunities for macro photography. The amount of small life in all shapes and colors like reptiles, arachnids, frogs, moths and butterflies to name just a few, is unprecedent.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at the airport in Cusco and transfer Pisac in the Sacred Valley. / Night at a comfortable hotel in Pisac.
Day 2: A photography day in different gardens (Sacred Garden, Ensifera Camp & Birds Hotel el Molino) in the Sacred Valley. / Night Birds Hotel el Molino.
Day 3: Morning photo session at Birds Hotel el Molino, in the afternoon a transfer to Abra Málaga with photo stops on the way. / Night at the Tunkiwasi Lodge.
Day 4: Full photography day at the Tunkiwasi Lodge and the nearby Inkatambo Garden. / Night at the Tunkiwasi Lodge.
Day 5: Morning photo session at the Tunkiwasi Lodge, in the afternoon a transfer back to the Sacred Valley with photo stops on the way. / Night at a comfortable hotel in Urubamba.
Day 6: Transfer the famous Manu National Park with photo stops on the way. / Night at Wayqecha Biological Station.
Day 7: A full day of photography around the Wayqecha Biological Station and a visit to a local garden with hummingbird feeders. / Night at Wayqecha Biological Station.
Days 8, 9: Two photography days around the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge and a visit to the Cock-of-the-Rock Lek. / Nights at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to the Bamboo lodge with photo stops on the way, photo session in the garden of the Bamboo Lodge. In the afternoon a transfer to Manu Biological Station. / Night at Manu Biological Station.
Day 11, 12: Two days of photographing and exploring the various trails and gardens around the lodge and visit nearby gardens of local people. / Nights at Manu Biological Station.
Day 13: Transfer by car to the town of Atalaya, followed by a boat transfer to the Hummingbird Lodge. / Night at Hummingbird Lodge.
Day 14, 15: Transfer by boat to Casa Matsiguenka where we will spend the next two days exploring the trails around the lodge and visit Cocha Salvador. / Nights at Casa Matsiguenka.
Day 16: All day transfer by boat to Manu Birding Lodge. / Night at Manu Birding Lodge.
Day 17: Full photography day around the Manu Birding Lodge. / Night at Manu Birding Lodge.
Day 18, 19: Visits to the Macaw Clay Lick and an Oxbow Lake. / Night at Manu Birding Lodge.
Day 20: Transfer by boat to the town of Colorado, followed by a car transfer to the airport of Puerto Maldonado for a flight to Lima. End of the tour.
KEY BIRD SPECIES
Agami Heron, Amazonian Antpitta, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Andean Motmot, Andean Potoo, Barred Becard, Barred Fruiteater, Bat Falcon, Black-banded Owl, Black-tailed Trogon, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Blue-crowned Trogon, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Crested Quetzal, Cuzco Brushfinch, Red-crested Cotinga, Dusky-green Oropendola, Golden-billed Saltator, Golden-collared Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, Golden-headed Quetzal, Golden-naped Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Green Jay, Hoatzin, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Horned Screamer, Inca Jay, Ivory-billed Aracari, King Vulture, Lemon-throated Barbet, Masked Flowerpiercer, Masked Trogon, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Paradise Tanager, Plushcap, Purple Honeycreeper, Razor-billed Currasow, Red-and-green Macaw, Rufous-crested Coquette, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Speckled Chachalaca, Tropical Screech-Owl, Versicolored Barbet, White-bellied Woodstar, White-collared Jay, White-throated Tyrannulet, White-winged Tanager.
Bearded Mountaineer, Black-bellied Thorntail, Blue-tailed Emerald, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Giant Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Gould’s Inca, Gould’s Jewelfront, Green-and-White Hummingbird, Green Hermit, Great Sapphirewing, Long-tailed Sylph, Rufous Booted Racket-tail, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Shining Sunbeam, Sparkling Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Violet-Fronted Brilliant, Violet-headed Hummingbird, White-tufted Sunbeam.
Mammals:
Jaguar, Lowland Tapir, Spectacled Bear, Tayra, Capybara, Eastern Lowland (Allen’s) Olingo, Giant Otter, Three-toed Sloth, Humboldt’s Woolly Monkey, Large-headed Capuchin, Black-headed Night Monkey, Toppin’s Titi, Black-capped Squirrel Monkey, Bolivian Red Howler, Black Spider Monkey, Weddell’s Saddle-back Tamarin, Emperor Tamarin.
Reptiles:
Emerald Tree Boa, Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle, Black and White Caimans.
TOUR DETAILS
Group Size: Max 6 + photography guide.
Accommodation: Basic to comfortable.
Transportation: Private car/van, private boat.
Habitats Covered: During this tour, we will be going through different habitats and landscapes. From the high mountains close to Cusco to the lowlands of Manu National Park, crossing high Andean plateaus and valleys, Elfin Forest, Cloud Forest, and Amazon Forest.
Climate: Variable – cold during the nights in Cusco and in the Elfin Forest, temperate in the Cloud Forest, and warm in the Amazon Forest.
Altitude: 400 – 3700 meters above sea level.
Possible extensions:
– Cusco Cultural Tour.
– Machu Picchu.
– Lima: Villa Marshes and Pucusana Island.
Suggested Equipment:
– Digital SLR or Mirrorless camera.
– At least 300 mm lens.
– Wide angle lens.
– Macro lens if you are interested in macro photography.
– Tripod or monopod.
– Flash
For the detailed itinerary, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
PHOTO GALLERY
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Company Address: Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104 – Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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