Peru - Macaws and Machu Picchu (non-trek)

Tour Code: PER06

A 17-day holiday combining Peru's rich Pacific coast, the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, three nights in the Manu cloudforest at an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, and one of the world's finest wildlife spectacles: an isolated macaw clay-lick on the upper Tambopata River in the south-eastern rainforest.

17 days from
£6,795 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£5,795
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

When designing this tour to Peru back in 1999 it was difficult to know what to leave out, such are the multitude of possibilities; The highlights for us, we decided, were the spectacle of the Humboldt Current ecosystem and the world's biggest macaw clay-lick, the cloudforests of Manu and the ancient Inca strongholds of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Such is the richness and diversity experienced on this holiday that many participants fly home with the impression that they've been away for far longer than 17 days. It's almost three holidays rolled into one long rollercoaster of birds, wildlife, scenery and history/culture, all to the backdrop of the best accommodation available and outstanding tour leadership - read our client testimonials! For those who wish to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this can be done in place of the visit to Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. Early booking is essential to secure Inca Trail trekking permits.

  • Thousands of Humboldt Current seabirds and Southern Sealions
  • The world's biggest Macaw clay-lick, surrounded by pristine upper Amazonian rainforest
  • A sprinkling of exciting mammals including an outside chance of Jaguar or Tapir
  • An opportunity for serious cloudforest birding along the Manu Road
  • The world's most accessible Cock-of-the-rock lek with 3 nights at lodge of same name
  • Condor and Sunbittern among many other avian specialities
  • Short historical tours of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu - we don't ignore the culture
  • Optional hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Grading

Easy day walks only. Optional Inca Trail is fairly strenuous (Grade B+).

Peru epitomises what, for many of us, are those unique characteristics which make South America so fascinating: a profoundly rich history and culture; wonderfully varied geography and topography, including some of the most spectacular scenery and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth; and, of course, an immense bird list comprising over 1,800 species!

This tour focuses on three of the most rewarding sites in Peru. First, we visit Islas Palomino along the Pacific coast, then the south-eastern rainforest and an isolated macaw clay-lick on the remote upper Tambopata River. Finally, we visit South America’s best known and most spectacular archaeological site, Machu Picchu.

We begin our tour from Lima, with a boat trip out from Callao, Peru’s principal port. A short distance offshore lie the Palomino Islands. Bathed in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt current these small but rugged islands are home to thousands of raucous and inquisitive Southern Sea Lions, as well as Inca Terns, Peruvian Boobies, Peruvian Pelicans, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, and Humboldt Penguins. Keeping a close eye on the sea, on the journey to and from the islands, we may also see White-vented Storm Petrels, Sooty Shearwaters and Peruvian Diving Petrel. Occasionally, Bottlenose Dolphins put in an appearance too. Later in the day, after lunch, we’ll explore the quiet wetlands of Pantanos de Villa on the southern outskirts of Lima, looking for species such as Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rush-tyrant and Peruvian Thick-knee.

Next, a domestic flight takes us high over the majestic Andes and down into the Amazon Basin and the jungle boom-town of Puerto Maldonado. Following a short bus ride to the native Eséeja community of Infierno, a 45-minute motorised canoe journey takes us up the Tambopata River to a comfortable jungle lodge, our base for one night. From here we strike out upstream, away from civilisation, and stay beside one of nature’s most spectacular sights; at dawn the next day, with dry weather, we hope to see hundreds of Scarlet, Red-and-green and Blue-andyellow Macaws descending onto an almost vertical bank of red clay to take advantage of the high mineral and salt content of the soil. It should be a sight to behold, and one of the highlights of our holiday. Our days will be spent on the trails that take us through superb virgin floodplain rainforest as we search for inner forest birds, such primates as Red Howler, Dusky Titi, Brown Capuchin, Squirrel Monkeys and, with luck, the endangered Black Spider Monkey. The lowland rainforest ecosystem is a fascinating one and there is so much to learn. For those wishing to do so there are clear rainforest streams to bathe in and, on red-letter days, the sighting of a Brazilian Tapir or a Giant River Otter is not out of the question. A handful of our groups in recent years have also had magnificent views of Jaguar. After three nights in this remote, pristine setting at Tambopata Research Centre, we journey downriver to Puerto Maldonado to catch a flight to Cusco in the heart of the Andes for the final leg of the holiday.

Our first evening will wisely be spent acclimatising to the altitude in Cusco with a gentle city tour. Next, we will enjoy a day exploring the area, including a visit to the Huacarpay lakes. We will look out for Cinnamon, Speckled and Puna Teal, Andean Negrito, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-coloured Rush-tyrant, Bearded Mountaineer and Cinereous Harrier. Moving around to the north of Cusco and the Pisac ruins, we hope to see Chestnutbreasted Mountain-finch and Bearded Mountaineer amongst a fine selection of Andean birds.

We will next visit Cock-of-the-rock Lodge, located at an elevation of 5,200 feet in the Kosñipata Valley, 102 miles by mountain pass from Cusco. Over a stay of three nights we will enjoy the peace and simple comfort of this lodge, a couple of minutes’ walk from the world's largest and most accessible group of displaying Andean Cock-of-the-rocks which delight visitors with their twice-daily courting antics.

Our final highlight is the World Heritage site of The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Far too many people visit this spectacular area on a day-trip from Cusco and miss out on the time needed to fully appreciate this unique location. Ours will be an experience never to be forgotten.

Finally, we must take the train along the Urubamba Valley back to Cusco, where we stay overnight before our return to Lima and our onward flight to London.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Lima
Day 2
Islas Palomino, Lima
Day 3/6
Tambopata Rainforest
Day 7/9
Cusco and Sacred Valley
Day 10/12
Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, Manu
Day 13
Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge to Sacred Valley
Day 14
Train to Machu Picchu
Day 15
Return Cusco
Day 16
Fly Lima and depart
Day 17
Arrive UK
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    A mixture of comfortable lodges and hotels, all with private facilities. Fully serviced camping on optional trek.

  • Food:

    All included in the price except evening meals Cusco. Allow £70.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 10th Sep – Fri 26th Sep 4 £6,795
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
Wed 1st Oct – Fri 17th Oct SPACES £6,795
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 10th Sep – Sat 26th Sep SPACES £6,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
Thu 1st Oct – Sat 17th Oct SPACES £6,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


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For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
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Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!