SHORT TOURS
Are you coming to Peru on a business or cultural trip and you like birding? We offer short tours (1 to 2 days) around Lima and Cusco that offer great opportunities to see and photograph many interesting and endemic bird species in a variety of beautiful environments. The short tours can be booked as birding or photography tours.
For itineraries, prices, and more information about the tours, please get in touch with us.
It is also possible to design your own short tour. We are happy to help you.
LIMA
VILLA MARHES
One Morning
OVERVIEW
The Villa Marshes or Pantanos de Villa in Lima are protected wetlands composed of brackish water lagoons, islands, channels, Totora Reed beds, salt marshes and grasslands. It is a great birding spot and a very nice to escape the hectic city. There are around 210 bird species recorded of which 70 % are migratory species. The marshes are one of the most important places for feeding and shelter for migrant birds from Southern South America, North America and the Andes Mountains.
We will leave the city early in the morning for a short drive to the marshes, where we will spend a full morning.
KEY SPECIES
Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Blue-winged Teal, Upland Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Swallow, Laughing Gull, Osprey, Sora, Bank Swallow, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs (North American migrants – September to April).
Chilean Flamingo, Andean Gull, Puna Ibis (Andes Migrants – April to August).
Many-colored Rush Tyrant, Peruvian Thick-knee, Peruvian Meadowlark, Least Bittern, Great Grebe, Belcher’s Gull, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
VILLA MARSHES & PUCUSANA
1 Day
OVERVIEW
For the Villa Marshes see the description and species above. The fishing village of Pucusana, 60 km south of Lima, is located inside a small cove and protected by the island Isla Chuncho. From the port we will embark on a boat to navigate the waters around the island and further onto sea to observe interesting pelagic species. It is also possible to see Common Dolphins, Dusky Dolphins, and Bottle Nosed Dolphins, as well as Humpback Whales between the months of July to October.
KEY SPECIES
Red-legged Cormorant, Inca Tern, Blue-footed Booby, Blackish Oystercatcher (endemic), Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Humboldt Penguin, Markham’s Storm-Petrel, Ringed Storm-Petrel, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, Southern Giant-Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Peruvian Booby, Guanay Cormorant, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Swallow-tailed Gull, Sabine’s Gull, Chilean Skua, Parasite Jaeger, Red-necked Phalarope, Waved Albatross, Buller’s Albatross, Black-browed Albatross.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
SANTA EULALIA
2 Days
OVERVIEW
A 2 -days tour to the dry Andean Santa Eulalia Valley, located on the western flank of the Andes cordillera. This is an excellent zone for endemic species, as well as other Andean species.
Day 1: Very early in the morning, we will cross the desert in eastern direction in our private car towards the mighty Andean Mountain Range. Within 3 hours, we will reach the Santa Eulalia Valley. This dry Andean valley is a splendid area for endemic bird species like the Black-necked Woodpecker, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail (endemic), Thick-billed Miner, Rusty-bellied Brushfinch and Great Inca-Finch. Along the road, we will check farm fields, valleys, and eucalyptus forests for other interesting species, such as the Canyon Canastero, Streaked Tit-Spinetail, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Andean Swift, Mountain Parakeet, Raimondi’s Yellow-Finch, and the different species of hummingbirds like the Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Comet (endemic), among others. We may also see the mighty Andean Condor sailing through the air.
We will have a box lunch the field, dinner and night at the charming Casa de Peter Lodge in the town of Santa Eulalia.
Day 2: We will start our birding day very early, because we have to reach the highest part of the valley, located at 4500 meters above sea level. In this zone we will explore different enviroments and look for more endemic birds such as the Black-breasted Hillstar, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, White-bellied Cinclodes, Striated Earthcreeper, White-cheeked Cotinga, Junin Canastero, Dark-winged Miner, as well as other interesting Andean species like Puna Snipe, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe, and with a bit of luck, the beautiful Diademed Sandpiper Plover.
We will return to Lima in the afternoon.
KEY SPECIES
Endemic species: Black-necked Woodpecker, Great Inca-Finch, Bronze-tailed Comet, Thick-billed Miner, Rusty-bellied Brushfinch, Black-breasted Hillstar, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, White-bellied Cinclodes, Striated Earthcreeper, White-cheeked Cotinga, Junin Canastero, Dark-winged Miner.
Other species: Tschudi’s Nightjar, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Oasis Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Collared-warbling Finch, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Puna Tinamou, Black Siskin, Diademed Sandpiper PloverAndean Goose, Andean Condor.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
LOMAS DE LACHAY
1 Day
OVERVIEW
Reserva Nacional de Lachay is a protected area, located 105 kilometers north from Lima. The “lomas” or sand hills of Lachay form a characteristic ecosystem in the Peruvian coastal desert, where flora and fauna exist thanks to the seasonal presence of dense humid fogs coming from the ocean. Two distinct seasons characterize this unique ecosystem: a wet season (between June and October) with a humidity of 100% due to the pacific fogs, in which the hills turn green; and a dry season, with strong sunlight and absence of fog, in which the greenery disappears completely.
The biological diversity of Lachay is represented by an exuberant flora that consists of more than 200 species: mosses, ferns, trees, shrubs, herbs and cacti. It is an interesting place for birding, with more than 90 bird species registered. Among them, the endemic Cactus Canastero, Coastal Miner and Thick-billed Miner. Other interesting species that we might see in different parts of the reserve are Yellowish Pipit, Black-lored Yellowthroat, Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Grayish Miner, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Burrowing Owl, Peruvian Meadowlark, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Tinamou, Mountain Parakeet, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird and different finches like Band-tailed Sierra-finch, Collared Warbling-finch and Raimondi’s Yellow-Finch. On the way to the reserve, we will look for the Peruvian Thick-Knee in the desert.
KEY SPECIES
Cactus Canastero (endemic), Coastal Miner (endemic), Thick-billed Miner (endemic), Peruvian Thick-Knee, Raimondi’s Yellow-Finch.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
CUSCO
SACRED VALLEY
1 Day
OVERVIEW
A full day birding adventure in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
On our way to the Sacred Valley early in the morning, we will make our first birding stop at the Huacarpay Lake, situated 30 km south of Cusco. Huacarpay is home to more than 100 different bird species like the pretty Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Plumbeous Rail, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Puna Teal, and the White-tufted Grebe.
Our next two birding stops are the Sacred Garden and Ensifera Camp in the Sacred Valley. The beautifully designed Sacred Garden is visited by different species of hummingbirds like Giant Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, the endemic Bearded Mountaineer and Green-and-white Hummingbird. Other species are Golden-billed Saltator, Black-backed Grosbeak and the endemic Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch.
The lush Ensifera Camp with green plants and flowers, is home to many interesting hummingbird species as well. One of them is the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird, after which the garden is named. Other species are Tyrian Metaltail, White-tufted Sunbeam, Shining Sunbeam, White-bellied Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch. Another fantastic species that we can see here is the Undulated Antpitta that is coming to the feeder.
KEY SPECIES
Giant Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Bearded Mountaineer (endemic), Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-tufted Sunbeam (endemic), Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (endemic), Undulated Antpitta.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
ABRA MÁLAGA
2 Days
OVERVIEW
During this 2-days birding tour, we will explore different areas of Abra Málaga. This important pass between Cusco and Quillabamba, is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and has an impressive altitude of 4316 meters above sea level. This route with its variety of landscapes due to the different altitudes, offers great birding opportunities with many species.
The unique Polylepis forests at the higher part of Abra Málaga are the habitat for the endangered Royal Cinclodes, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant and the endemic White-browed Tit-Spinetail. In the highest part with puna grasslands we can find Andean Ibis, Junin Canastero (endemic), Black Siskin, Puna Snipe, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe. Following the road down in the direction of the Huayopata and Calquiña Valley, we will pass through Elfin and Cloud Forest where we can see species like Puna Thistletail, Diademed Tapaculo, Thrush-like Wren, Rufous-chested Tanager, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, and the endemic Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant (endemic), Creamy-crested Spinetail, Red-and-white Antpitta, Masked Fruiteater (endemic), Parodi’s Hemispingus (endemic), and the punky Cuzco Brush-Finch (endemic). We will spend the night at the charming Tunkiwasi Lodge with its beautiful Cloud Forest gardens where the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is living and the Versicolored Barbet, Inca Jay, Bronzy Inca among others are visiting the feeders. During the second day we will slowly make our way back to Cusco with many birding stops on the way to look for species that we have missed. We will arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon.
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, Rufous-chested Tanager, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager, Masked Fruiteater (endemic), Cuzco Brush-Finch (endemic), Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Versicolored Barbet, Inca Jay.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
ENDEMIC BIRDS AND ANDEAN CONDORS
Mollepata, Soraypampa & Chonta Canyon
2 Days
OVERVIEW
A 2-day birding tour to explore the Andean landscape in the Cusco region, home to many endemic species and the mighty Andean Condor.
Day 1: We will leave Cusco early in the direction of the valley of Limatambo (2577 meters above sea level) where we can see species like the endemic White-eared Puffbird, Creamy-crested Canastero, and the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero.
After exploring the Limatambo area, we will continue our way to Mollepata (2970 meters above sea level) home to species such as Apurimac Brushfinch (endemic), Rusty-and-yellow Tanager, White-tufted Sunbeam (endemic), Vilcabamba Tapaculo (endemic), Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (endemic), Rusty-fronted Canastero (endemic). We will spend the night glamping at the comfortable Peru EcoCamps in Mollepata. During the night, we will try to find Koepcke’s Screech-Owl, Band-winged Nightjar and with good luck the Buff-fronted Owl.
Day 2: Early in the morning we continue our birding tour to Soraypampa located at high altitudes (3850 meters) where we will have great 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, Creamy-crested Spinetail (endemic), Apurimac Spinetail (endemic), Apurimac Brush-Finch (endemic), Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker and the Andean Condor.
Chonta Canyon (3800 meters above sea level) is our last, but certaintly not least, birding stop. It is a fantastic place to observe the Andean Condor soaring through the air at eye level. We will take our time to enjoy this impressive bird that the Inca considered sacred, before we make our way back to Cusco.
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.
Andean Condor, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl, Red-crested Cotinga, D’orbigny’s Chat Tyrant, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker,Bar-bellied Woodpecker.
For the tour details, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Company Address: Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104 – Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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