
Wayqecha Cloud Forest Birding Lodge
Parque Nacional Manu, Peru
Lodge










Just 3.5 hours northeast of Cusco—via a spectacular drive through the snow-capped Andes—Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station is one of the world’s best sites to explore the lush cloud forest ecosystem bordering Manu National Park. Situated where the eastern slopes of the Andes meet the Amazon lowlands, the cloud forest absorbs moisture from passing clouds and is often blanketed in mist and fog. The constant supply of moisture allows a remarkable diversity of plants to grow here, which in turn supports thriving populations of birds, amphibians, and mammals.
The 1,400-acre property serves as a protective buffer for Manu National Park, located immediately across the road. At Wayqecha, explore over nine miles of trails and see where the Andean grasslands transition into lush cloud forests and montane forests below. Winding through elfin forest, you can have close encounters with tanager flocks, maybe sighting a Grass Green or Golden-collared. Listen for the endemic but fairly common Red-and-white Antpitta, or a Marcapata Spinetail. Maybe catch sight of the recently seen Orange-breasted Falcon.
The elevation at Wayqecha is 9,880 feet, lower than the 11,500 feet in Cusco.
Rooms:
At Wayqecha, six freshly renovated cabins offer the perfect view to watch the clouds roll across the Andes. Each cabin features comfortable beds (your choice of single or double), a table and chair, a luggage and clothes rack, and its own private bathroom with hot showers. A brand new dining room, lounge and bar welcome you for meals and provide comfortable seating for reviewing your lists at the end of the day.
Max occupancy 18 (3 per cabin), minimum stay 1 night.
Children must be accompanied by their parent(s) but are welcome throughout Wayqecha. Children under age 13 are eligible for a discounted stay.
Facilities:
Limited internet is available in the dining hall during evening hours. Smoking is prohibited indoors.
Wayqecha is not handicap accessible; paths include steps fashioned from a variety of materials including loose gravel, cement, or dirt. Physical limitations should be considered when contemplating hikes or other excursions.
Meals include local, fresh Peruvian cooking, with some ingredients grown on site in the kitchen garden.
Wayqecha is located approximately 3.5 hours by road from Cusco. The road is paved for the first two hours of the journey, and the remainder is a winding dirt road. The picturesque drive passes through grasslands, several Andean communities, cultural sites, and the town of Paucartambo where you can buy fresh-made bread and fruits from area farmers.
Wayqecha Lodge - protecting the Peruvian Rainforest
Accommodation
Single Rooms
Double RoomsCabins
Facilities
Private Facilities 24hr – Electricity Generator Hot & Cold Water Fans Mosquito Nets HeatingWifi Non Smoking
Naturalist / Guide
Guide can be arrangedNight Walks / Drives Near National Park / Reserve (less than 50km)Butterfly Garden Reference BooksMapsSightings Book / BoardChecklists
Trails
Private TrailsWithin accommodation grounds or up to 1 mile away
Food
Restaurant / DiningBreakfastLunchDinner Bar
Species List - English
- Red-and-white Antpitta 1km
- Golden-collared Tanager 1km
- Rufous-capped Thornbill 1km
- Marcapata Spinetail 1km
- Band-tailed Fruiteater 1km
- Yungas Pygmy Owl 1km
- Andean Potoo 1km
- Violet-throated Starfrontlet 1km
- Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan 1km
- Andean Cock-of-the-Rock 11-50km
- White-collared jay 1km
- Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager 1km
- Inca Flycatcher 2-10km
- Plushcap 2-10km
- Rust-and-yellow Tanager 1km
- Golden-headed Quetzal 2-10km
- Blue-banded Toucanet 2-10km
- Jameson’s Snipe 2-10km
- Tit-like Dacnis 2-10km
- White-browed Conebill 2-10km
- Slaty Tanager 2-10km
- Barred Antthrush 2-10km
- White-throated Screech Owl 2-10km
- Black-and-chestnut Eagle 1km
- Puna Thistletail 2-10km
- Creamy-crested Spinetail 2-10km
- Stripe-faced Wood Quail 2-10km
- Parodi’s Hemispingus 2-10km
- Black Tinamou 2-10km
- Versicolored Barbet 2-10km
Species List - Scientific
- Grallaria erythroleuca 1km
- Iridosornis jelskii 1km
- Chalcostigma ruficeps 1km
- Cranioleuca marcapatae 1km
- Pipreola intermedia 1km
- Glaucidium bolivianum 1km
- Nyctibius maculosus 1km
- Coeligena violifer 1km
- Andigena hypoglauca 1km
- Rupicola peruvianus 11-50km
- Cyanolyca viridicyanus 1km
- Delothraupis castaneoventris 1km
- Leptopogon taczanowskii 2-10km
- Catamblyrhynchus diadema 2-10km
- Thlypopsis ruficeps 1km
- Pharomachrus auriceps 2-10km
- Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis 2-10km
- Gallinago jamesoni 2-10km
- Xenodacnis parina 2-10km
- Conirostrum ferrugineiventre 2-10km
- Creurgops dentatus 2-10km
- Chamaeza mollissima 2-10km
- Megascops albogularis 2-10km
- Spizaetus isidori 1km
- Asthenes helleri 2-10km
- Cranioleuca albicapilla 2-10km
- Odontophorus balliviani 2-10km
- Hemispingus parodii 2-10km
- Tinamus osgoodi 2-10km
- Eubucco versicolo 2-10km