The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge offers the world's best Andean Cock-of-the-Rock experience in a pristine Cloud Forest Reserve in Manu, Peru. The lodge itself is nestled in a pristine Andean Cloud Forest, beckons the enthusiastic birder and adventurous nature lover, and protects and supports a 12,500-acre private cloud forest reserve. It consists of 10 double-occupancy bungalows with private bath facilities, and a separate complex with a large dining room. A local highland family staffs the lodge, and they also work as rangers, patrolling the private reserve.

The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge is located in the pristine Manu cloud forest on the verdant eastern slopes of the Andes. Opened in 1,997; it is named after the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru's large, bright-red national bird that puts on a colorful, noisy mating display adjacent to the lodge every morning. Spectacled Bears, Woolly Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, quetzals and a host of other colorful birds inhabit the surrounding forest, and a bubbling mountain stream tumbles past the lodge.

Situated at an elevation of 5,000 ft. (1,600 m.) in the cool, mosquito-free Kosñipata Valley at the South East of Peru; close to the wild Cusco - Shintuya road, and along the amazingly wild single lane road from Cusco to the Manu lowlands.

Your journey to the lodge is also filled with wildlife, as it passes through two Andean mountain chains with altitudes of up to 13,100 ft. And across the beautiful puna grassland. This is the habitat of the rare Huemal Deer, Vizcachas, Mountain Caracara and the giant Andean Hummingbird. As the road reaches the eastern edge of the Andes it plunges downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and clouds, to emerge in a forest of stunted evergreen trees, draped with mosses, lichens and bromeliads.

The incredible 110-mile (180 km.) drive from Cusco to this biological Eden, takes 6 hours or so but most travelers prefer to spend 8-10 hours along the route to savor the eye-popping scenery, excellent birdwatching, and colorful orchids, fuchsias, heliconias, and other exotic flowers. The drive typically lasts 8 hours, including stops in Andean towns and opportunities to walk and experience on foot the upper cloud forest habitat. Often groups will take even more time to savor the unforgettable scenery, excellent birding and abundant cloud forest flora.

*It is possible to combine the Cock of the Rock Lodge with Manu Wildlife Center or Manu extended Camp; these Manu Biotrips are the ultimate Amazon wildlife experience.