Birding at Cusco Apurimac 8 days

Birding at Cusco Apurimac 8 days

Our Bird Watchers Cusco Apurimac – Cusco and Apurímac Jewels” itinerary offers an exceptional array of endemic, range-restricted, and classic Andean bird species. In just one week, you’ll explore Cusco, a world-renowned destination known for its rich cultural and archaeological heritage. While thousands of tourists flock to Cusco annually, many are unaware of the region’s diverse ecosystems and numerous unique bird species found nowhere else . Rainforest Tours

Our journey begins in Cusco -Bird Watchers Cusco Apurimac.

Where we’ll visit the Huacarpay wetlands to spot various Andean species, including our first endemic, the Rusty-fronted Canastero. From there, we’ll head to the charming town of Ollantaytambo and stay at the cozy Hotel Pakaritampu. The hotel’s gardens are home to our second target, the endemic Bearded Mountaineer. Hotel Pakaritampu will serve as our base for three nights as we explore the renowned Abra Malaga Pass.

We’ll spend a full day in the Polylepis temperate forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the Andes, at the base of the snow-capped Veronica mountain. Here, we aim to find several endemics: the White-browed Tit-Spinetail, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Junin Canastero, White-tufted Sunbeam, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, and, with luck, the Critically Endangered Royal Cinclodes. As we descend the mountain pass into the cloud forest, we’ll look for mountain tanagers, including the endemic Parodi’s Hemispingus, and have our first opportunity to spot the endemic Inca Wren and Cuzco Brushfinch

Birding at Cusco Apurimac –

Bird Watchers Cusco Apurimac  An extraordinary journey meticulously designed to immerse you in the captivating world of birdwatching. Over the span of eight days, you’ll discover a diverse selection of endemic, range-restricted, and classic Andean bird species within the stunning landscapes of Cusco and Apurímac. This adventure promises an unrivaled opportunity to explore rich ecosystems and encounter avian treasures that are unique to this region.

Day 1-3: Cusco Exploration -Bird Watchers Cusco Apurimac.

Our expedition commences in the vibrant city of Cusco, renowned for its cultural heritage. Beyond its historical significance, Cusco is home to an array of distinct ecosystems harboring rare avian inhabitants. At the Huacarpay wetlands, you’ll be introduced to Andean species and seek out the Rusty-fronted Canastero, an endemic gem. Transitioning to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, our base at the cozy Hotel Pakaritampu unveils the opportunity to observe the endemic Bearded Mountaineer within its charming gardens. Over the next three nights, we delve into the Abra Malaga Pass mountain area, where the endangered Polylepis temperate forest cradles treasures like the Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Tit-Spinetail, and more.

Day 4-5: Machu Picchu Marvels .

A train journey transports us to Aguas Calientes, now Machu Picchu Pueblo. The iconic Machu Picchu site beckons, offering a glimpse into history. While our time here is brief, it’s an ideal moment to capture the elusive Inca Wren. The lush tropical forests surrounding Machu Picchu house the Masked Fruiteater and the Slaty Tanager, adding to the avian spectacle.

Day 6-8: Apurímac Exploration

The Apurímac valley near Cusco is a treasure trove of endemic species. Species like Apurímac Spinetail, Apurímac Brushfinch, and Vilcabamba Tapaculo await discovery. The majestic Andean Condor graces us with its presence at the Chonta condor viewpoint. The enigmatic Buff-fronted Owl may reveal itself, offering a remarkable sighting to conclude our expedition.

Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac 8 days

This meticulously crafted itinerary unveils the captivating realm of avian life in the Andes Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac . A fusion of breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and endemic species, the “Birding Tour Peru: Cusco and Apurímac” promises an unparalleled journey for avid birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Join us in this immersive experience that transcends observation and fosters a deep connection with the natural world

 Day 01. Flight to Cusco, birding the Cusco area, transfer to Ollantaytambo .Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac.

We will have an early flight from Lima to the city of Cusco and transfer to the Huacarpay Lake. We will explore the arid scrub surroundings, looking for the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero. The reeds around the lake hold Yellow-winged Blackbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant, and Wren-like Rushbird. Other birds include Band-tailed Seedeater, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Chiguanco Thrush, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Andean Flicker,Green-tailed Trainbearer, Golden-billed Saltator, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Lapwing, and several waterfowl such as Puna Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Yellow-billed Teal, Cinnamon Teal, White-tufted Grebe, Andean Coot, Puna Ibis, and others. We will then transfer to Ollantaytambo, where we will spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the hotel gardens, looking for Black-throated Flowerpiercer and the endemic Bearded Mountaineer.
Overnight: Hotel Pakaritampu, Ollantaytambo

Watch Bird Day 02. Birding the Abra Malaga mountain pass .Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac .

We will have an early start to explore the famous Abra Malaga mountain pass at the base of the Veronica snowcapped mountain. This area is good for several range-restricted Polylepis species such as White-browed Tit-Spinetail, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Line-fronted Canastero, Streak-headed Antpitta,Puna Tapaculo, Tit-like Dacnis,Junin Canastero, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, and with some

luck the Critical Endangered (IUCN) Royal Cinclodes. Other birds in the area might include our first chance for Andean Condor,Andean Goose, Great Sapphirewing, the endemic White-tufted Sunbeam, Shining Sunbeam,Andean Parakeet, Short-billed Pipit, and Mountain Caracara.
Overnight: Hotel Pakaritampu, Ollantaytambo

Day 03. Birding the Quillabamba road -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac.

Today we will focus on species that occur at the lowest parts of the Abra Malaga mountain pass along the Quillabamba Road. We will look for the endemics Parodi’s Hemispingus,Inca Wren, Cuzco Brushfinch,Marcapata Spinetail, and Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, and forGolden-collared Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Plushcap,Black-eared Hemispingus, Three-striped

Hemispingus, Puna Thistletail, Diademed Tapaculoand Yungas Pygmy Owl.
Overnight: Pakaritampu, Ollantaytambo

Day 04. Visit to Machu Picchu and birding the Area -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac .

After a 1.5-hour train ride from Ollantaytambo we will reach Aguas Calientes, the gateway to the world-famous Machu Picchu ruins. We will spend a couple of hours visiting the ruins and looking for the endemic Inca Wren and for Pale-legged Warbler. In the afternoon we will walk along the railway, looking for Highland Motmot, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Saffron-crowned and Blue-necked

Tanagers, Azara’s Spinetail, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Torrent Tyrannulet, White-bellied Hummingbird, Slate-throated Whitestart, and others.
Overnight: Casa Andina Classic Machu Picchu

 Day 05. Birding the Mandor Valley -transfer to Cusco -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac

We have a full morning to explore the lush forest on the way to the Mandor Valley near Aguas Calientes, looking for the endemic Masked Fruiteater, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-naped and Silver-backed Tanager, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, White-eared and Andean Solitaires, Ashy-headed, Plumbeous-crowned, Mottled-cheeked, and Sclater’s Tyrannulets,Ocellated Piculet, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch,

Mitred Parakeet,Plum-crowned Parrot, Slaty Tanager, Barred Becard, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Capped Conebill, the endemic Green-and-white Hummingbird, and Dusky-green Oropendola.

In the afternoon we will return to Ollantaytambo by train and then transfer to Cusco.
Overnight: Casa Andina Cusco Hotel

Day 06. The Andean Condor and Limatambo -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac .

We will drive to Limatambo and explore the condor viewpoint at Chonta, where we will have close-up encounters with Andean Condor.

Other birds in the area include American Kestrel,Variable Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. Our lodge grounds are good for the seldom-seen Buff-fronted Owl (which will be the main target here), Pacific Pygmy Owl, and the localized race of the endemic Koepcke’s Screech Owl (sometimes called Apurímac Screech Owl).
Overnight: Yoga Limatomba Guesthouse, Limatomba

Day 07. Birding the Mollepata Area -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac .

Today we will explore the Mollepata valley, looking for the localized and endemic Vilcabamba Tapaculo,Creamy-crested Spinetail, Apurímac Brushfinch, Apurímac Spinetail,Chestnut-breasted Brushfinch,Tyrian Metaltail, and others.

Here we also will have a second chance for Buff-fronted Owl after dusk.
Overnight: Yoga Limatomba Guesthouse, Limatomba

 Day 08. Departure tour -Bird Watchers Trip Cusco Apurimac .

After an exciting week of birding in the Andes we will return to Cusco to connect with our domestic flight back to Lima, where the tour ends.

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors.