Peru, the third largest country in South America, has a rich cultural history and variety of landscapes: mighty Andes mountains, a vast desert, Cloud and Amazon Forest, and a long Pacific coastline. Due to the many different ecosystems, Peru is home to a wider diversity of plants and animals than most other countries on Earth. For example, it is the world’s first country in species of fish, butterflies, and orchids, and ranks second with more than 1900 species of birds.

Long before Peru became a country, the Andes and desert were a cradle for many ancient Pre-Colombian cultures, who left their marks in the landscape and in the Peruvian culture. Their societies were very well organized, their building style and handcrafts, like textile and jewelry, highly developed. There are many museums and archeological sites where the richness of Peru’s past is still tangible. One of the most important and well-known cultures were the Inca, who lived around 600 years ago. Their empire reached all the way from Chile to Colombia, with its heart in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

This tour combines Peru’s birds and historical culture. A unique experience for birders who enjoy a touch of historical culture as well. Your guide will be just as passionate and knowledgeable about birds, the natural environment, as about the rich cultural past of the Cusco region.

During this tour we will explore the cultural past of Cusco. This old Inca capital still harbors many Inca treasures, like the remains of Coricancha: the most important temple, devoted to the Sun god Inti. We will also visit two impressive Inca sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.

The cherry on the cultural pie will be a visit to the famous “lost city of the Incas” high upon a mountain in the Cloud Forest: Machu Picchu. This magnificent place is one of the world’s Seven Wonders. Machu Picchu can be reached by train and the ride alone is worth it. The train follows the Urubamba River with spectacular views of the mountains, high plateaus, and the Cloud Forest.

After these days of culture and history, it is time for some birding days around the pass Abra Málaga (4316 meters above sea level). We will explore the high pass with grasslands and follow the road down through Elfin and Cloud Forests. We will be looking for endemic birds, like Creamy-crested Spinetail and other interesting species of different altitudes, like Plushcap, Marcapata Spinetal, Royal Cinclodes, Puna Tapaculo, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and the beautiful Golden-headed Quetzal.

During the last day of the tour, we will dive into Cusco’s rich Inca past again, with a visit to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the temple for Mother Earth in Q’ enqo, the military complex Puka Pukara, and the temple dedicated to the water and regeneration of the land at Tambomachay.

In our blog Birding & Culture Tours you can read more about the places that we will is it during this tour.