Birding • Nature • Culture

Testimonies

“…We had an amazing day where everything fell into place perfectly. The food was exactly what we desired, and we were fortunate enough to have the guidance of two knowledgeable companions”

Ross & Anne Thompson

“We LOVED our tour with David and Ceero! David was very knowledgeable of the birds in all locations and we felt quite comfortable with our driver, Ceero. The breakfast, snacks, and lunch provided were delicious and the locations we went to were awesome. We had a chance to learn about other wildlife (wild guinea pigs!) and interact with local Peruvians on our tour through the mountains. This trip was not just a great bird tour, but a chance to see a different way of life and experience the Andes”

Amanda Shafer

"David, our guide, was excellent, and his expertise shows as we saw 54 bird species!! Breakfast and lunch were tasty and kept us very happy throughout the day! I would not hesitate to recommend Endemic Peru to my friends when traveling to Peru! Thank you so much for everything! I cannot tell you how happy we were! :)"

Kevin, Bob and Ashley

Full-Day Birding Tour in Cusco: San Salvador & Huacarpay Lake

Overview

This full-day birdwatching tour explores two of the best birding sites near Cusco: the high-Andean lakes of San Salvador and the famous Huacarpay wetland.
Located just over an hour from Cusco, these areas offer excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of Andean bird species, including several Peruvian endemics.
It is common to record over 70 bird species in a single day.

San Salvador (High Andes Birding)

The small village of San Salvador is surrounded by high-altitude lakes such as Rumichaca and Mamacocha, located between 3,900 and 4,200 meters.
These lakes provide habitat for specialized high-Andean species rarely seen at lower elevations.
Key Species:
• Andean Goose
• Giant Coot
• Silver Grebe
• Andean Hillstar
• Creamy-crested Spinetail (Endemic)
• Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (Endemic)

Huacarpay Lake (Wetland Birding)

Huacarpay Lake is one of the most important birding sites near Cusco, with over 165 recorded species.
This wetland attracts both resident and migratory birds, offering a completely different ecosystem compared to the high Andes.
Key Species:

• Bearded Mountaineer (Endemic)
• Rusty-fronted Canastero (Endemic)
• Many-colored Rush-Tyrant
• Puna Teal
• Andean Duck
• Black-tailed Trainbearer

Birding Highlights

This tour offers a great combination of high-Andean and wetland birding, allowing you to observe a diverse range of species in a single day.
Typical sightings include 70+ species, with chances to see several Peruvian endemics.

Itinerary

We begin with a 5:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
Our first stop is San Salvador, where we bird around Rumichaca and Mamacocha lakes while enjoying a scenic sunrise in the Andes. Breakfast and lunch are served in the field.
As we descend, we make strategic stops to observe key species such as the Creamy-crested Spinetail.
In the afternoon, we continue birding at Huacarpay Lake before returning to Cusco around 4:30 p.m.
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Tour Details

• Duration: Full Day
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 3,100 – 4,200 m
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Included

• Private transportation with driver
• Expert birding guide
• Telescope (scope)
• Breakfast, hot drinks, and box lunch
• Bottled water and soft drinks
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Not Included

• Binoculars (available for rent)
• Tips
• PayPal transaction fees (5%)
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Birding in Cuzco - Peru

Optional Add-On

Half-Day Birding Tour at Huacarpay Lake (Cusco)
A 6-hour morning birding experience can be arranged upon request.
Please let us know in advance to include this option in your itinerary.

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