Villa Carmen is situated in the spectacular Manu Biosphere Reserve in Southern Peru, containing special birds like this Pygmy Antwren.

 

A landscape of hills covered in tropical forest.

The Manu road is reached by driving 4 hours south of Cuzco, the fabled capital of the Inca. It goes up the Andes and then follows a circuitous route from 4500m down the eastern slope, through a series of lush forest eco-regions into the lowlands of the Amazon basin. For the birder, naturalist, wildlife photographer and any true traveler and explorer, this road will open your eyes to the majesty of the Peruvian Andes.

 

The road itself is not good, tight bends, potholes, fallen rocks and other traffic make it a slow journey. Avoid the wet season of December, January and February as severe rain adds seriously to the difficulties and often the road is closed for short periods. Otherwise drive carefully and enjoy the profuse birds that can be seen by regularly stopping. For birders to make the most of the environment its worth stopping en-route at one or more of the lodges. Villa Carmen is at least 2 hours driving from Wayquecha, but birding en route can stretch that to 4 hours easily.

 

Villa Carmen is almost at the end of the Manu road and therefore quite low down. At 500m Villa Carmen avoids the worst of the stupifying humidity deep in the amazon basin, but it is still hot.

 

Visiting birders not used to the heat will love Villa Carmen as it is much more comfortable than either Wayquecha or Cock of the Rock. An added bonus is that the bedrooms and showers are first class. There were days at Villa Carmen that we were showering 3 times a day to cool ourselves down after a session birdwatching.

 

The birds are fabulous too, like the Golden-fronted Piculet.

 

The Blue-throated Guan

 

& the Andean Guan.