Manu National Park Photography Tour – 6-Day Amazon & Andes Wildlife Expedition
Step into one of the most biodiverse places on Earth — Manu National Park, Peru, with our 6-Day / 5-Night Photography Expedition tailored for passionate photographers, nature lovers, and wildlife storytellers. From the lush Andean cloud forest to the vibrant Amazon lowland jungle, this immersive tour delivers unforgettable wildlife, bird life, and landscape photo opportunities every day. With expert photographic guides, exclusive access points, and flexible shooting schedules, you’ll be ideally positioned to photograph legendary species like the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, colorful macaws at clay licks, rare river fauna, and dramatic Amazon river landscapes.
Amazon Rainforest Photo Tour: Manu National Park 6D/5N
Depart Cusco via the scenic Manu Road, birding stops along puna grasslands and Polylepis patches.Afternoon birding and photography near Wayqecha Lodge, set at the transition between high Andes and cloud forest.
Target Birds:
Gray-breasted Mountain
-Toucan
Barred FruiteaterS
carlet-bellied Mountain Tanager
Hooded and Masked Flowerpiercers
Night at Wayqecha Lodge
Day 1: Cusco – Wayqecha Cloud Forest Lodge (2,900m)
Day 2: Wayqecha – Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge (1,600m)
Sunrise shoot over cloud forest canopy.Slow descent with birding and photography along the lush elfin forest corridor.Afternoon visit to the Cock-of-the-Rock lek—the highlight for any bird photographer.
Target Birds:
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (lek display!)
Golden-headed Quetzal
Blue-banded Toucanet
Versicolored Barbet
Buff-throated Saltator
Night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
Day 3: Cock-of-the-Rock – Manu Biological Station (500m)
Morning bird photography around the lodge and trails.Descent into the Amazon basin with photo stops along the way.Arrival at Manu Biological Station, deep in the regenerating Amazon rainforest.
Target Birds:
Rufous Motmot
Amazonian Umbrellabird
White-lined and Black-tailed Trogons
Plumbeous Kite
Night at Manu Biological Station
Day 4: Manu Lowlands – Jungle Trails & River Photography
Early morning jungle hike with photography hides for lowland species.Riverbank photography session at golden hour.Possible clay lick visit depending on season.
Target Birds:
Hoatzin
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Chestnut-fronted Macaw
Cream-colored Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Night at Manu Biological Station
Day 5: Manu Biological Station – manu endemic reserve
Dawn photo session along trails or canopy tower (if available).Gradual return through the altitudinal range with birding en route.Overnight stop back at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge or nearby cloud forest base.
Target Birds (en route):
White-capped Dipper
Torrent Duck
Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant
Night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
Photography Highlights
✔ Iconic South American Birds: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek, vibrant tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds — ideal for action-and-portrait photography.
✔ Macaw & Parrot Clay Lick Action: Vivid color, dynamic flight shots, and dramatic feeding scenes along riverbanks — a telephoto lens must.
✔ Amazon River Wildlife: Photograph giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, and possibly jaguars from your boat vantage.
✔ Cloud Forest to Lowland Transitions: Capture landscapes that shift from misty Andean slopes to rich Amazon jungle expanses.
✔ Behavior & Environmental Portraits: Candid shots of wildlife in natural habitat, ecological interactions, and local culture.
Why This Tour Is Unique
Manu National Park is a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot spanning cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and river ecosystems — considered one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
✔ One of the Highest Biodiversity Raids on Earth: Home to over 1,000 bird species and hundreds of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians — unmatched for wildlife photography.
✔ Custom Photo Focused Experience: Designed specifically for photographers — with optimal shoot times, expert guidance, and personalized field instruction.
✔ Exclusive Access & Flexible Schedule: Less structured than standard tours — more time in the field during sunrise & sunset light — perfect for dramatic imagery.
✔ Diverse Shooting Environments: Cloud forest canopy, dense tropical understory, jungle riverbanks, clay lick spectacle zones
Day 6: manu endemic reserve Return to Cusco
photography walk.
Scenic return drive to Cusco with final stops for any missed high-elevation species.
Wrap-up session and photo sharing
Included:
Why Photographers Love This Tour
Private ground transport from Cusco and throughout the route
5 nights lodging at Wayqecha, Cock-of-the-Rock, and Manu Bio Station
All meals and snacks
Photography-focused naturalist guide with scope and ID expertise
Bird checklist and species photo list
Entrance fees and permits.
Wayqecha Biological Station & Cloud Forest Lodge.
Location: ~2,900 meters above sea level, on the edge of the cloud forest near the entrance to Manu National Park.
Purpose & Importance:Managed by ACCA (Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica).
Functions as a high-elevation research station, protecting a transitional zone between the Andes and the Amazon.
Home to many cloud forest endemics, orchids, mosses, and rare birds like the Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan.
Supports long-term ecological studies on climate change, species migration, and biodiversity.
For Nature & Conservation:
Preserves fragile cloud forest ecosystems that are highly sensitive to climate shifts.
Hosts scientists and students conducting biodiversity and ecosystem research.
Offers eco-friendly lodging for birders, photographers, and nature lovers to support conservation financially.
Golden hours in each zone with flexible time to set up tripods and shoot.
Multiple ecosystems: Highland, cloud forest, and lowland rainforest in one trip.
Lodges with feeding stations and proximity to trails.
Chance to capture over 400 bird species in just 6 days.
Expert bilingual guides with birding and photographer-friendly pacing.
Manu Learning Centre / Manu Biological Station Lodge.
Location: ~500 meters elevation in the lowland Amazon rainforest, along the Madre de Dios River.
Purpose & Importance:Operated by CREES Foundation, a conservation NGO.
Acts as a lowland Amazon research station in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Focuses on forest regeneration, wildlife monitoring, and community engagement.
For Nature & Conservation:
Located in regenerating rainforest—shows how nature rebounds with the right support.
Important site for studying Amazon ecology, mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants.
Provides environmental education and promotes sustainable tourism as an alternative to deforestation.
Why Visit These Stations on a Birding Tour?
You're directly supporting conservation-based tourism.
You get access to prime wildlife habitats not overrun by general tourism.
Your stay helps fund research, reforestation, and local employment.
Price Based Per Person:2026
1 people : US$3260.00 per person
2 people : US$1750.00 per person
3 people: US$1700.00 per person
4 people : US$1650.00 per person
5 people : US$1600.00 per person
6 people : US$1550.00 per person
