Suggested itinerary · 2027–2028
Peru
Photography Expedition
16 days through Peru’s
coast, forests and Andes.
Discover coastal seabirds, northern hummingbird havens and the cloud forests of Manu Road, with Machu Picchu woven into one complete journey. Our proposed program allows time to concentrate on the birds and images that matter to you.
- Duration
- 16 program days · 15 nights
- Start & finish
- Lima · Peru
- Field conditions
- Road travel, uneven paths & higher elevations
- Dates
- 2027 & 2028 · By arrangement
Arrive in Lima one day before Day 1. The additional arrival night and airport transfer will be specified in your quotation and are quoted separately unless expressly included.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 1, 3–8 and 11–14. Breakfast and dinner on Days 2, 9, 10 and 15. Day 16 meals are confirmed in your quotation.
Lima · Northern Peru · Manu Road · Sacred Valley
Bird photography.
Andean heritage.
The proposed program includes four domestic flight sectors and a guided Machu Picchu visit, with rail and local transfers.
View full-size route map
- 01Lima · Pucusana Bay & ChilcaDay 1
- 02Lima–Tarapoto flight · Arena Blanca & NaranjilloDay 2
- 03Fundo Alto Nieva · Pomacochas & HuemboDays 3–5
- 04Moyobamba · WaqankiDays 6–7
- 05Morro de Calzada · TarapotoDay 8
- 06Tarapoto–Lima flightDay 9
- 07Lima–Cusco flight · Manu Road & WayqechaDays 10–12
- 08Cusco · Sacred Valley & Machu PicchuDays 13–14
- 09Ensifera · Cusco–Lima flightDay 15
- 10Lima · International departureDay 16
Your suggested program
Day by day in Peru.
The 16 numbered days include the final departure day. Plan to arrive in Lima the day before Day 1. Exact dates, group size, trip leader and the final itinerary are confirmed in your individual proposal.
Day 01Pucusana Bay and Chilca
Travel from Lima to Pucusana Bay for Inca Terns and Red-legged Cormorants, then explore Chilca for the colorful Many-colored Rush Tyrant. Return to Lima after a rewarding introduction to Peru’s coastal birdlife.
- Overnight
- Lima
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 02Lima to Tarapoto and Arena Blanca
Fly to Tarapoto and drive through the Moyobamba region toward Arena Blanca. Begin your northern photography sessions with hummingbirds, including the delicate Wire-crested Thorntail.
- Overnight
- Naranjillo area
- Meals included
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 03Arena Blanca and Fundo Alto Nieva
Enjoy another session at Arena Blanca before continuing to Fundo Alto Nieva, where Royal Sunangel and Peruvian Racket-tail are among the photographic targets. Continue to Pomacochas.
- Overnight
- Pomacochas
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 04Huembo and the Marvelous Spatuletail
Dedicate the day to Huembo and the remarkable Marvelous Spatuletail. Unhurried sessions allow time to work on backgrounds, light and the bird’s extraordinary tail detail.
- Overnight
- Pomacochas
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 05A second opportunity for spatuletails
Return to Huembo or visit Cocachimba, according to local activity and access. A second day increases opportunities to photograph the spatuletail and other hummingbirds in different conditions.
- Overnight
- Pomacochas
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 06Fundo Alto Nieva to Moyobamba
Revisit Fundo Alto Nieva for opportunities with Ochre-fronted and Rusty-tinged Antpittas. Continue back toward Moyobamba and settle into the Waqanki area.
- Overnight
- Waqanki Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 07Waqanki hummingbirds and tanagers
Spend the day around Waqanki, concentrating on Rufous-crested Coquette and other hummingbirds, with opportunities for Paradise Tanager. Repeat sessions give you time to refine compositions.
- Overnight
- Waqanki Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 08Morro de Calzada and Tarapoto
Explore Morro de Calzada and Casa de Tangaras for a final northern photography session, then return to Tarapoto for the next stage of the journey.
- Overnight
- Tarapoto
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 09Tarapoto to Lima
Fly back to Lima. Depending on the confirmed flight schedule, enjoy free time in Tarapoto or Lima before the southern section of the expedition.
- Overnight
- Lima
- Meals included
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 10Lima to Cusco and Manu Road
Fly to Cusco and begin the scenic drive toward Manu Road. If daylight and flight timing permit, make a brief birding stop near Huacarpay; otherwise prioritize the transfer into the cloud forest.
- Overnight
- Cock of the Rock Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 11Cock of the rock and cloud forest tanagers
Look for the Andean Cock-of-the-rock at a locally arranged viewing site, then explore lodge surroundings and feeding areas. Targets include Golden-eared, Saffron-crowned and Golden Tanagers, alongside other colorful forest birds.
- Overnight
- Manu Road lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12Upper Manu Road and Wayqecha
Ascend through changing cloud forest habitats toward Wayqecha, stopping for mixed flocks and mountain birds. This day focuses on the upper Manu Road corridor and its distinctive Andean atmosphere.
- Overnight
- Wayqecha Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13Cusco and the Sacred Garden
Return toward Cusco and visit the Sacred Garden, with Bearded Mountaineer and other Andean hummingbirds among the targets. Continue into the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado) for the following day’s Machu Picchu visit.
- Overnight
- Sacred Valley
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Travel by rail and local transfers for a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Photograph its terraces, stonework and mountain setting along the confirmed visitor route, then return to the Sacred Valley. This cultural highlight forms part of the main expedition.
- Overnight
- Sacred Valley
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15Ensifera Hummingbird Garden and Lima
Visit Ensifera for Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing and other highland hummingbirds, subject to local activity. Transfer to Cusco for your flight to Lima, with the garden visit paced around the confirmed flight.
- Overnight
- Lima
- Meals included
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 16Departure from Lima
Transfer to Lima’s international airport for your onward journey, bringing home a photographic story of Peru’s coast, forests and Andes.
- Overnight
- No overnight included; departure day
- Meals included
- As confirmed in your quotation
Know what to expect
What your expedition covers.
Review the final proposal for the accommodation, flights and services confirmed for your departure.
Proposed inclusions
- Accommodation on a shared double or twin basis for the numbered itinerary: 15 nights on Days 1–15. Single rooms are available by quotation.
- Domestic flights Lima–Tarapoto–Lima and Lima–Cusco–Lima, comprising four flight sectors.
- Private ground transportation, itinerary activities and entrance fees.
- Professional trip leadership and local guiding, including a guided Machu Picchu visit with the necessary rail and local transfers.
- Meals indicated in the daily program and one bottle of drinking water per guest per day.
Items to budget separately
- International airfare and travel insurance.
- Gratuities and personal purchases.
- Meals not listed in the daily program and additional drinks.
- Any single-room supplement.
- The pre-tour arrival night and airport transfer, unless expressly included in your quotation.
Checked-baggage charges and camera baggage allowances will be specified with the selected domestic fares.
Photography & field preparation
Prepare for the forests
and higher elevations.
Expect road travel, uneven paths and potentially wet or muddy conditions, with higher elevations in the Cusco and upper Manu Road region. Share any mobility or altitude concerns before booking so we can assess the route and allow additional time where needed.
Pack camera rain protection, suitable footwear, spare batteries and storage, a telephoto lens and a wider lens for landscapes and Machu Picchu.
From waiting for a hummingbird’s pose to finding a clean background for a tanager, our focus is on helping you make the most of each photographic opportunity. Personalized field guidance, camera advice and image discussions are part of the experience.
Private groups & mixed groups · 2027–2028
Your dates. Your group.
Your personalized quotation.
Request a tailored proposal for your dates, photographic interests and preferred pace.
- Price per person
- To be quoted according to dates, group size and confirmed services, on a shared double or twin basis.
- Single-room supplement
- Available by quotation.
- Deposit & payment schedule
- Confirmed in your individual proposal.
- Pre-tour arrival
- Plan to arrive the day before Day 1. The additional night and transfer are quoted separately unless expressly included.
- Travel style
- A private group with adapted dates and pace, or a place in a mixed group on an available departure.
Booking & cancellation terms
Pricing, deposit, single supplement, payment schedule and cancellation terms depend on your dates, group size and confirmed services. Your individual proposal will set out the applicable arrangements before you confirm your booking.
Accommodation names are indicative until reservations are confirmed. The Machu Picchu visit forms part of the main expedition; its transport, entry and guiding arrangements must be confirmed for each departure.
Domestic flights Lima–Tarapoto–Lima and Lima–Cusco–Lima comprise four sectors. Baggage conditions will be specified with the selected fares.
Your expedition experience
Field knowledge.
Personalized attention.
With 38 years of experience in birding and photography, Freddy Madrigal brings field knowledge, trusted guidance and personal attention to the planning of each expedition. A Certified International Tour Manager, Freddy works with professional trip leaders and local expertise to support your journey.
The group size, trip leader, dates and final itinerary are confirmed in your individual proposal.
Meet our expedition teamLet’s plan your next experience
Tell us what you hope to discover.
Tell Freddy your Peru travel dates, target birds and group size. We will help shape your 2027 or 2028 itinerary, arrival arrangements and personalized quotation.