Cusco
and Machu Picchu Birding Itinerary
|
Day
|
Date
|
Meals
Incl
|
Services
|
|
1
|
Daily
|
BL
|
Cuzco
Today we will bird a mosaic of habitats that include Andean
scrub, an Andean lagoon and surroundings. Huacarpay Lagoon
is located at about a 30-minute ride from the royal city
of Cuzco. Huacarpay bears magnificent scenery combined
with equally impressive birds. In the scrubby area we
should find the endemic Rusty-fronted Canastero and elusive
Streak-fronted Thornbirds near their enormous nests made
out of thorns. At the edge of the scrub we will look for
flushes of gray and white indicating the presence of Bearded
Mountaineer, a large and patterned hummingbird endemic
to a small area in southern Peru. In the cattail surrounding
the lake Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds (a close relative
of our Red-winged Blackbird) should be readily seen. Further
into the lake, White-winged Negrito should be found foraging
on floating vegetation along with Plumbeous Rails. In
areas surrounding the lake herons, Puna Ibis, and Andean
Lapwings are likely to be seen, and Cinereus Harriers
seem to constantly patrol the entire area. We will keep
our eyes open for raptors such as Aplomado Falcon, Black-chested
Buzzard-Eagle and Variable (Red-backed) Hawks. In the
afternoon hours we will take another short trip on the
opposite direction to the Sacsayhuaman Ruins. In the surrounding
scrub and agricultural fields we will look for Chestnut-breasted
Mountain-Finch, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Golden-billed
Saltator, and Black-throated Flower-Piercer among others.
Night at selected hotel in Cuzco. |
|
2
|
Daily
|
BL
|
Cuzco/Machu
Picchu
We take a 4.5 h train ride from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.
This trip takes us from the arid temperate zone to the
subtropical forest in Machu Picchu area. Good portion
of this trip is made along the Urubamba River where Torrent
Ducks are rather common. In the morning we take a guided
trip to the ruins. In the afternoon we will look for the
relatively recently described Inca Wren. Wrens can be
found just around the very ruins! Then we go dawn to the
bottom at the Urubamba River for late afternoon birding.
Night in Aguas Calientes. |
|
3
|
Daily
|
BL
|
Machu
Picchu/Cuzco
We leave early in the morning to birds the subtropical
forest along the Urubamba River. Here some species are
easier to see than in areas previously visited. However,
we will focus on species that we did not see on our trip
to Manu. We will be looking for flocks in search of Sclater's
Tyrannulet, and well as the canopy of trees for Bolivian
Tyrannulet. Other specialties of Machu Picchu are Oleaginous
Hemispingus, Silver-backed Tanager, and Capped Conebill.
The endemic and little-known Green-and-white Hummingbird
is surprisingly common in this area. We will bird most
of the morning. After lunch we take the train back Cuzco.
Night at selected hotel in Cuzco. |
|
4
|
Daily
|
B
|
Cuzco/Lima
We will be driven to the airport. Arrival in Lima and
transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon |
|
5
|
Daily
|
B
|
Lima
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to
Lima. |
Prices
per person in USD
Tourist
class service Prices start from USD 798 per person
in double accommodation
Others
Extensions available:
Cuzco
and Malaga birding itinerary
Classic
Cuzco
Lima
Stopover
Lima
and Paracas extension
Contact
us for more details or special quotes
if your groups is from 3 to more clients.
Return
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