Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco 1 day

Bird Watching – Huacarpay Cusco 1 day

Cusco – Huacarpay Lagoon and San Salvador -Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco  .

Situated at an elevation of 3,020 meters. This elevated Andean wetland enclave boasts an enchanting landscape comprised of four permanent lagoons and one temporary lagoon. Immerse yourself in its captivating allure as it finds its place within the esteemed Pikillaqta Archaeological Park and the esteemed National Tourist Reserve.

At the uppermost reaches of this picturesque wetland, you’ll encounter echoes of history in the form of Inca and pre-Inca remnants. These remnants, including terraces etched into the land, once served the populace that once inhabited the illustrious Pikillaqta citadel. Pikillaqta, an influential hub during the zenith of the Wari culture’s reign from 600 to 1200 AD, stands as a testament to the past’s grandeur.

Amidst the Huacarpay lake’s embrace, a symphony of avian life takes flight.Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco .

Nearly 60 resident species call this habitat home, while also providing crucial respite for migratory birds on their journeys. Within this sanctuary, endangered avian species like exotic storks and falcons find sustenance and safe haven. The avian canvas is further adorned by the radiant hues of the Sparkling Violetear, the vivacious Rush-Tyrants, the Yellow-winged Blackbirds, and the elusive Plumbeous Rail.

Bird Watching-Huacarpay (Cusco) 1 day .

Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco

Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco 1 day -the spectacle doesn’t end there. Various flycatchers, ducks, and members of the Fringillidae family gracefully share this habitat. As the day warms, the skies come alive with the majestic flight of seven species of raptors, casting a spellbinding display against the backdrop of this exquisite landscape.

In this haven of biodiversity and historical resonance, every moment is an invitation to uncover nature’s enigmatic tapestry and relive the echoes of civilizations past. Huacarpay Lagoon and its surrounding realms promise an unparalleled journey into the heart of Peru’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

Full Day: Bird Cusco – Huacarpay Lagoon / San Salvador .Bird Watching-Huacarpay Cusco . 9,908 ft -3,019 m.

In the morning we will go from Cusco to Huacarpay lakes 30km, where we will head out with a picnic lunch to the Huacarpay lakes south of Cusco, Where we are going to see a variety of Andean and wetland birds, a selection of typical highland passerines like Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Rusty and Black-throated Flowerpiercer.

We will likely see the spectacular and endemic Bearded Mountaineer feeding in Nicotianas flowering bushes near the lake a spectacular hummingbird restricted to just a few arid valleys. Other birds we may well encounter here are White-tufted Grebe, Yellow-Billed, Puna and Cinnamon Teals, Yellow-billed Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Cinereous Harrier, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Variable Hawk, Plumbeous Rail, Puna Ibis, Andean Coot, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gull, Andean Flicker, Andean Negrito,the impressive Giant Hummingbird, Sparkling Violetear, Black tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, White-crested Elaenia, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-naped and Spot-billed Ground-Tyrants, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Peruvian sierra-Finch, Mourning sierra-Finch, Golden-billed Saltator, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Hooded Siskin and many more.

We will drive one hour from Huacarpay Lagoon to San Salvador, the main target birds are the Andean Goose, Crested Duck, Silvery Grebe, Black-faced Ibis and Giant Coot. Near by the lake we will search for Andean Hilstar. There are small patch of Polylepis forest for two endemics of peru, the Creamy-crested Spinetail and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch. In the late afternoon we will come back to Cusco.