SHORT BIRDING TOURS
CUSCO
Are you visiting Peru for business or on a cultural trip and interested in birdwatching?
We offer short birding tours (1–2 days) around Cusco — a great opportunity to see endemic and other fascinating bird species in a variety of beautiful natural habitats.
For itineraries, prices, and further information about our tours, please get in touch with us.
It is also possible to design your own short tour — we are happy to assist you.
Si desea recibir un itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
HUACARPAY LAKE & SACRED VALLEY
1 Day
OVERVIEW
A Full-Day Birding Adventure in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. As we head toward the Sacred Valley, our first birding stop will be at Huacarpay Lake, located about 30 km south of the city. This scenic highland wetland is home to over 100 bird species, including Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Plumbeous Rail, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Puna Teal, and White-tufted Grebe.
Our next two birding stops are the Sacred Garden and Santuario de Colibríes – Ensifera Ensifera, both located in the Sacred Valley.
The beautifully designed Sacred Garden attracts several species of hummingbirds, including the impressive Giant Hummingbird, Black- and Green-tailed Trainbearer, the endemic Bearded Mountaineer, and near-endemic Green-and-white Hummingbird. Other notable species found here include Golden-billed Saltator, Black-backed Grosbeak, and the endemic Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch.
The lush Santuario de Colibríes – Ensifera ensifera, filled with green plants and colorful flowers, is also home to many fascinating hummingbird species. One of the highlights is the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird, after which the garden is named. Other hummingbird species that visit the feeders include the endemic White-tufted Sunbeam, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, White-bellied Hummingbird, and Great Sapphirewing.
Another remarkable species in this sanctuary is the Undulated Antpitta, which visits the feeding station during certain times of the year.
At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
KEY SPECIES
Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Hooded Siskin, Yellow-winged Blackbird, Peruvian Sierra Finch.
White-tufted Grebe, Plumbeous Rail, Slate-colored Coot, Black-necked Stilt, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Andean Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Puna Teal, Yellow-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Crested Duck.
Giant Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-and-white Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Bearded Mountaineer (endemic), Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-tufted Sunbeam (endemic), Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, White-bellied Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing.
Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (endemic), Golden-billed Saltator, Black-backed Grosbeak, Undulated Antpitta.
CONTACT
For tour details, prices, or any questions you may have, please feel free to contact us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
ABRA MÁLAGA
2 Days
OVERVIEW
A 2-day birding tour to explore different areas of Abra Málaga
Abra Málaga is an important mountain pass between Cusco and Quillabamba 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 begin the tour by picking you up from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a scenic drive of several hours toward Abra Málaga.
The unique Polylepis forests in the higher parts of Abra Málaga provide habitat for the endangered Royal Cinclodes, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, and the endemic White-browed Tit-Spinetail.
In the highest areas, with their puna grasslands, we may encounter the endemic Junin Canastero, Black Siskin, Andean Ibis, Puna Snipe, and Gray-breasted Seedsnipe.
Following the road down toward the Huayopata and Calquiña Valleys, we pass through elfin and cloud forest, where we may see species such as Puna Thistletail, Diademed Tapaculo, Thrush-like Wren, Rufous-chested Tanager, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, and a variety of endemic species including Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Red-and-white Antpitta, Masked Fruiteater, Parodi’s Hemispingus, and the punky Cuzco Brush-Finch.
We will spend the night at the charming Tunkiwasi Lodge, surrounded by beautiful cloud forest gardens, where the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Andean Motmot are resident and species such as Versicolored Barbet, Inca Jay, White-throated Quail-Dove, Blue-necked Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager and Bronzy Inca regularly visit the feeders.
We will also visit the feeders at Inkatambo Garden, located near our lodge. Guido and his family will warmly welcome us into their home, where we will have excellent opportunities to observe species such as Gould’s Inca, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, and Chestnut-breasted Coronet. Tanagers, including the pretty Golden-naped Tanager, Silver-beaked Tanager, Silvery Tanager, and Hepatic Tanager, as well as other species like the colorful Versicolored Barbet, regularly visit the feeders.
On the second day, we slowly make our way back to Cusco, with several birding stops along the route to look for species we may have missed. We expect to arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon, where we will drop you off at your hotel.
KEY SPECIES
White-browed Tit-Spinetail (endemic), Junin Canastero (endemic), Royal Cinclodes, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant (endemic), Parodi’s Hemispingus (endemic), Diademed Tapaculo, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager, Masked Fruiteater (endemic), Cuzco Brush-Finch (endemic), Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Versicolored Barbet, Inca Jay, Andean Motmot, White-throated Quail-Dove.
Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-chested Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Silver-beaked Tanager, Silvery Tanager, Hepatic Tanager.
Bronzy Inca, Gould’s Inca, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Chestnut-breasted Coronet.
CONTACT
For tour details, prices, or any questions you may have, please feel free to contact us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
ENDEMIC BIRDS & ANDEAN CONDORS
Mollepata, Soraypampa & Chonta Canyon
2 Days
OVERVIEW
A 2-day birding tour exploring the Andean landscape in the Cusco region, home to many endemic species and the mighty Andean Condor.
Day 1: Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and head towards the Limatambo Valley (2,577 meters / 8,455 feet above sea level), where we will look for endemic species such as White-eared Puffbird, Creamy-crested Spinetail, and Rusty-fronted Canastero.
After exploring the Limatambo area, we will continue to Mollepata (2,970 meters / 9,744 feet above sea level), home to a variety of endemic species including Apurímac Brushfinch, White-tufted Sunbeam, Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, and Rusty-fronted Canastero, as well as other species such as the pretty Rust-and-yellow Tanager.
We will spend the night glamping at the comfortable Peru EcoCamps in Mollepata. During the night, we will try to find the endemic Koepcke’s Screech-Owl, Band-winged Nightjar, and, with good luck, Buff-fronted Owl.
Day 2: Early in the morning, we continue our birding tour to Soraypampa, located at high altitude (3,850 meters / 12,631 feet above sea level), where we will have excellent chances to observe Purple-backed Thornbill, Puna Tapaculo, Streak-throated Canastero, Red-crested Cotinga, d’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant, Creamy-winged Cinclodes, Tit-like Dacnis, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, and endemic species like Creamy-crested Spinetail, Apurimac Spinetail, and Apurimac Brushfinch.
Chonta Canyon (3,800 meters / 12,467 feet above sea level) is our last, but certainly not least, birding stop. It is a fantastic place to observe Andean Condors soaring at eye level. We will take our time to enjoy this impressive bird, which the Inca considered sacred, before making our way back to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.
KEY SPECIES
Endemic: White-eared Puffbird, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Apurimac Brushfinch, Apurimac Spinetail, Creamy-crested Spinetail, White-tufted Sunbeam, Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl.
Andean Condor, Red-crested Cotinga, D’orbigny’s Chat Tyrant, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Purple-backed Thornbill, Puna Tapaculo, Streak-throated Canastero, Creamy-winged Cinclodes, Tit-like Dacnis, Band-winged Nightjar, Buff-fronted Owl.
CONTACT
For tour details, prices, or any questions you may have, please feel free to contact us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
HUAYLLARCOCHA WETLAND
Wetland and Highland Birds of the Andes
Half Day
OVERVIEW
Join us for a half-day birding tour to the wetland of Huayllarcocha and the surrounding high Andes near Cusco — an ideal destination for birders interested in both wetland and high-Andean species.
The small lake of Huayllarcocha, located at 3,800 meters / 12,467 feet above sea level, is home to a wide variety of high-Andean birds, including waterbirds such as Slate-colored Coot, Puna Ibis, Andean Gull, and Andean Goose, as well as several duck species, including Andean Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Teal, and Yellow-billed Pintail.
Huayllarcocha is a popular destination for visitors from both Peru and abroad, which means the birds are accustomed to human presence and can often be observed at close range.
In the high-Andean fields around Huayllarcocha, we can find interesting species such as Junin Canastero, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Andean Hillstar, Mourning Sierra-Finch, Peruvian Sierra-Finch, Hooded Siskin and, with a bit of luck, Boulder Finch.
Huayllarcocha is located right next to the beautiful Inca sites of Tambomachay and Puka Pukara, which are not included in the tour but can be added as an optional visit.
The tour starts and ends in Cusco. We will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off there as well.
KEY SPECIES
Slate-colored Coot, Puna Ibis, Andean Gull, Andean Goose, Andean Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail.
Peruvian Sierra-Finch, Hooded Siskin, Junin Canastero, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Andean Hillstar, Mourning Sierra Finch, Boulder Finch.
CONTACT
For tour details, prices, or any questions you may have, please feel free to contact us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Company Address: Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104 – Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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