Birding Cuzco to Machupicchu 05 days

This is one of the most recommended birding programs for our classic visitors to Machupicchu and high Andes in Peru.

Focused on high Andean Birds and Cloud forest Birds in Peru, starting from Huacarpay Lake; High Andean Lakes; Polylepis forest and inter-valley mountains.

A birding route with good enough accommodations; delicious Peruvian gastronomy and excellent birding guides.

Of course, the greatest reward is to see wildlife and birds, while we visit Machupicchu. Our team always concerned about your best birding experience for you. For sure, we are proud of showing you some Southern Peru birding routes. We feel compelled to show some of our endemic bird species among some colorful ones and most liked bird species.

Day 01: Cusco – Huacarpay Lake – San Salvador Lakes – Ollantaytambo

In order to get to Huacarpay Lake (a swampy RAMSAR site), we leave Cusco early in the morning. This Andean Lake is located to the east of Cusco and we get there in about 35 minutes from your Hotel (in Cuzco). This place is an interesting spot for some key species of birds with some endemic birds from Andes Peru such as Bearded mountaineer (Oreonynpha nobilis); Rusty fronted Canastero (Asthenes ottonis) and some other species of Andean Peruvian birds such as the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas),Haws, Flaycatchers, Grebes, etc. for most of them we know the specific location points.

After lunch we keep going by the high Andean lakes of San Salvador (over 13 000 feet high) here we will see some more bird species increasing our number of species such as Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis), Giant Coot (Fulica gigantea), Shining Sunbieam (Aglaeactis cupripenis), White capped Dipper (Cinclus leucocephalus), Swallows and many more.

After we visit San Salvador high Andan lakes we leave to Ollantaytambo, we stay here in order we leave for watching birds early on next day to Abra Malaga.

Day 02: Ollantaytambo – Abra Malaga Polylepis forest – Ollantaytambo

We leave very early straight to Malaga pass Polylepis forest which is located over the 4200 m.a.s.l. (13 500 feet high). In order to see some birds such as the endemic to Peru such as the White browed tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura xenothorax); Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae); Blue Mantled Thorbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi); Tawny Tit-spinetail (Leptasthenura yanacensis); Stripe Headed Antpitta (Grallaria andicolus); and so many more. The place that we have just mentioned is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Ollantaytambo, on the way we will have box lunch and keep going down by the road expecting to see more birds.

Day 03: Ollantaytambo – Abra Malaga Cloud forest – Aguas Calientes

On this day we start early in the morning, so we start going up and down the road and finding a perfect spotting site for birds of Peru and for enjoying the breakfast with hot drinks with very good possibilities of watching birds by the Cloud forest of Abra Malaga mountain.

At Abra Malaga we have a lot of chances to see very colorful birds such as Tanagers, Chat-tyrants, Hummingbirds, Ovenbirds, flycatchers, Hawks, Eagles and more. From this place (above 9,000 feet high) located on the west slope of the Andes we keep going on the way to the entrance to the jungle of Quillabamba, which is a jungle village of fruit farmers in Peru.

In order to get to Aguas Calientes we go back to Ollantaytambo to catch the train.

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Mandor

Early by the morning we start visiting the archeological site of Machupicchu, the entrance will depend on the time of your entrance ticket to Machupicchu (Am or Pm). After two visiting Machuppicchu, we start to go down birding from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town depending on our guide we might choose to go to  Mandor Mountain for Birdwatching and looking for some Tanagers, Flycatchers, Vireos, Parakeets, Antpittas, hummingbirds and some other species until late  in order we to increase our checklist of birding.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes – Urubamba River – Cusco

As every day, our birding day starts early. Urubamba river site is the place to see Torrent Ducks (Merganetta armata); White Capped Dipper (Cinclus leucosephalus); Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea); Silver Backed Tanager (Tangara viridicollis) and many more species.

We take advantage of our birding time before taking our train to Cusco to your hotel.

Included:

• Transportation (by car).
• Birding Guide (English Spanish with Telescope).
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks).
• Entrance ticket to the private conservation properties (Thastayoc – Abra Malaga).
• Train ticket to Machupicchu (Round trip)
• Bus ticket Aguas calientes to Machupicchu
• Entrance Ticket to Machupicchu archeological site.
• Hotels (optional)

Not Included:

• Soft Drinks
• Dinners
• Tips

What to bring?

• Cotton cloths T- shirts
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Hat
• Rain poncho
• Money in cash
• Cameras

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