This unique tour combines Peru’s exceptional birdlife with its rich cultural heritage—perfect for birders who also enjoy a touch of history.

Peru, the third-largest country in South America, is known for its rich cultural history and remarkable diversity of landscapes and wildlife. Thanks to its many ecosystems, it ranks among the most biodiverse countries on Earth, including over 1,900 bird species.

Long before Peru became a country, the Andes and the desert were the cradle of ancient pre-Columbian cultures that left their mark on both the landscape and Peruvian culture. Among the most important were the Inca, whose empire—centered in Cusco and the Sacred Valley—once stretched from Chile to Colombia.

Cultural Part of the Tour:

During this tour, we explore the rich cultural past of Cusco. The former Inca capital still harbors many impressive remains, including Qoricancha, the most important temple dedicated to the sun god Inti. We will also visit two remarkable Inca sites in the Sacred Valley: Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.

The highlight of the cultural experience is a visit to the famous “Lost City of the Incas,” perched high on a mountain in the cloud forest: Machu Picchu. This iconic site is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

On the final day of the tour, we return once more to Cusco’s rich Inca past with visits to the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the temple of Mother Earth at Q’enqo, the military complex of Puka Pukara, and the ceremonial site of Tambomachay.

Birding Part of the Tour:

The second part of the tour focuses on birding around the Abra Málaga pass. This important mountain pass between Cusco and Quillabamba is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and reaches an impressive altitude of 4,316 meters (14,160 feet) above sea level.

Thanks to the wide range of elevations along this route, it offers excellent birding opportunities and the chance to observe a great diversity of species, including several endemics.

We explore habitats ranging from puna grasslands to Polylepis forest, and continue down through elfin and cloud forest into the lower valleys.

Along the way, we may encounter a variety of endemic species such as Junin Canastero, White-browed Tit-Spinetail, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Marcapata Spinetail, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Red-and-white Antpitta, Masked Fruiteater, Parodi’s Hemispingus, Inca Wren, White-tufted Sunbeam, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-finch, Streak-crowned Mountain Tanager, and Cuzco Brushfinch, as well as a variety of tanagers, hummingbirds, and other Andean specialties, including the endangered Royal Cinclodes and the attractive Plushcap.

We will spend a night at the charming Tunkiwasi Lodge, where cloud forest species such as Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Versicolored Barbet, and several colorful tanagers can often be seen in the surrounding gardens.

In the lower parts of the valley, we will stay one night at Ipal Lodge, where we look for additional specialties, including Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and the endemic Creamy-bellied Antwren, before making our way back to Cusco.

Design Your Own Birding & Cultural Tour:

Extensions to other fascinating archaeological Inca sites near Cusco are always possible, and we are happy to design a personalized Birding & Cultural Tour tailored to your interests.

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