Southeast Peru: Manu Biosphere Reserve Wildlife Expedition
A classic south-east Peru Manu corridor journey that moves from the high Andes down to the Amazon lowlands, with full days at each key site from Wayquecha to the Bonanza and Manu Wildlife Center.
Expedition Highlights
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Journey at a Glance
Follow the route and discover the defining experiences of the expedition.
Complete route
See the full expedition route before focusing on each chapter.
Lima
Spend one day around Lima, following the route through the key places and experiences of this stage.
Cusco & the High Andean Wetlands
Meet the tour in Cusco and spend a full afternoon birding the high wetland of Huarcapay Lakes, framed by Inca and pre-Inca ruins.
The Eastern Slope Cloud Forest
Cross the last Andean pass at Ajcanacu and descend into humid cloud forest, based at the Wayquecha Biological Station at 2800 m.
Cock of the Rock Cloud Forest
Base at Cock of the Rock Lodge beside a spectacular lek, with dawn mating displays, lodge trails and the 1500 m zone.
Into the Foothills
Bird the vanishing upper tropical zone from San Pedro down to Amazonia Lodge at 500 m, crossing the Madre de Dios.
The Amazon Lowlands
Leave the foothills by canoe and spend three full days at the little-visited Bonanza Eco-Lodge, known for its tapir lick.
Manu Wildlife Center & Blanquillo
Three full days at Manu Wildlife Center, upriver from the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, with canopy, oxbow lakes and a mammal lick.
Exit to Puerto Maldonado
Travel down the Madre de Dios to Boca Colorado and overland into Puerto Maldonado before the flight home.
Detailed itinerary
Arrival in Lima
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer
Cusco and Huarcapay Lakes
- Flight Lima to Cusco
- Huacarpay Lake Highland Wetland Birding
- Cusco to Huarcapay Lakes Return Drive
Ajcanacu Pass to Wayquecha
- Private Transport from Cusco to Wayquecha via Ajcanacu Pass
- Inter-montane Valley Endemic Birding Stops
- Ajcanacu Pass Viewpoint and Birding
- Birding Descent of the Eastern Andean Slope
- Evening Search for Swallow-tailed Nightjar
Tree Line and Humid Forest Birding
- Full-Day Humid Forest and Tree Line Birding at Wayquecha
Cloud Forest Road to Cock of the Rock
- Cloud Forest Road Birding Descent from 2800 m to 1300 m
Cock of the Rock Lek
- Cock-of-the-Rock Lek Watch
- Cock of the Rock Lodge Trails and Grounds Birding
The 1500 m Cloud Forest Zone
- Birding the 1500 m Cloud Forest Zone
- Night Birding at Cock of the Rock Lodge
San Pedro to Amazonia Lodge
- San Pedro Cloud Forest Descent Birding to 500 m
- Birding Boat Transfer Atalaya to Amazonia Lodge
Amazonia Lodge Birding
- Amazonia Lodge Grounds and Canopy Tower Birding
- Atalaya-Pilcopata Road Birding with Picnic Lunch
Amazonia Lodge Birding
- Amazonia Lodge Grounds and Canopy Tower Birding
- Night Birding at Amazonia Lodge
Alto Madre de Dios to Bonanza
- Early Morning Birding Near Amazonia Lodge
- Motorized Canoe Trip from Amazonia Lodge to Bonanza Eco-Lodge
Bonanza Forest Types
- Bonanza Eco-Lodge Forest Type Trails Birding
Canopy Tower and Tapir Lick
- Bonanza Canopy Tower Birding
- Bonanza Tapir Lick Visit
Bonanza Forest Trails
- Bonanza Eco-Lodge Forest Type Trails Birding
- Bonanza Canopy Tower Birding
Transfer to Manu Wildlife Center
- Transfer from Bonanza Eco-Lodge to Manu Wildlife Center
Blanquillo Clay Lick and Trails
- Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick
- Manu Wildlife Center Trails and Bamboo Birding
- Manu Wildlife Center Canopy Tower Birding
Oxbow Lakes and Mammal Lick
- Manu Wildlife Center Oxbow Lake Birding
- Night Birding at Manu Wildlife Center
- Manu Wildlife Center Large Mammal Lick Visit
Manu Wildlife Trails and Night Birding
- Manu Wildlife Center Trails and Bamboo Birding
- Manu Wildlife Center Canopy Tower Birding
- Night Birding at Manu Wildlife Center
Madre de Dios to Puerto Maldonado
- Comfortable Boat Journey Down the Madre de Dios to Boca Colorado
- Local Transport Ride from Boca Colorado to the Inambari River
- Private Transfer from the Inambari River to Puerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado Departure
- Morning Birding Around Puerto Maldonado and the Cusco Road
- Flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 13.295 USD (665 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 11.495 USD (575 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 9.295 USD (465 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 7.995 USD (400 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Lima Airport Hotel (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Cusco (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station — 2 nights · Ecolodge
- Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge — 3 nights · Ecolodge
- Amazonia Lodge — 3 nights · Ecolodge
- Bonanza Eco-Lodge — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Manu Wildlife Center — 4 nights · Ecolodge
- Hotel in Puerto Maldonado (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van, 4x4), as well as Boat / Ferry, Local transport
- Domestic flights
- Meals indicated in the program: 4 breakfasts, 2 lunchs
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Breakfast on day 2, day 6, day 7, day 9, day 10, day 11, day 12, day 13, day 14, day 15, day 16, day 17, day 18, day 19 and Departure day, Lunch on Arrival day, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6, day 7, day 8, day 10, day 11, day 12, day 13, day 14, day 15, day 16, day 17, day 18, day 19 and Departure day, Dinner on Arrival day, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6, day 7, day 8, day 9, day 10, day 11, day 12, day 13, day 14, day 15, day 16, day 17, day 18 and day 19
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (2.789 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
