See Andean condors soaring canyons, waterbirds from highland lagoons near Cusco and visit a large and spectacular macaw claylick in the Tambopata River in the Peruvian Amazon. Get many more species for your list in few days. Extension to Machu Picchu, Abra Málaga and/or birding along the Manu Road to request.

DAY 1: CUSCO / OPTIONAL: CITY TOUR

Arrival to Cusco. Transfer from the Cusco’s international airport to your hotel. Free afternoon

DAY 2: CUSCO-LIMATAMBO-CHONTA-SACSAYHUAMÁN –CUSCO

Early departure towards the subtropical valleys of Limatambo to see the incredible Andean Condor that domain the heights of the Apurimac Canyon. This day will end visiting the outskirts of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. Our guide and driver will organize several convenient stops to see Andean birds from small wetlands, shrubby vegetation and mixed woodlands along the road to Limatambo. We also will see the Black-Chested Buzzard Eagle, Variable Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Puna Ibis, Eared Dove, Andean Lapwing, Giant Hummingbird, Golden-billed Saltator, Hooded Siskin, and some endemics such as the Apurimac Brush-Finch, Apurimac Spinetail, White-tufted Sunbeam, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Creamy Creasted Spinetail and Rusty fronted Canastero. (B, Box L)

DAY 3: HUACARPAY LAGOONS – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS –CUSCO

Today we will visit the Southern part of the Cusco Valley to explore the Huacarpay in search of resident and migratory species along the wetland margins and surrounding woodlands and rocky terrain. During the early morning we will see the Andean Caracara, Cinereous Harrier, several ducks such as Yellow-Billed, Puna and Cinnamon Teals, Yellow-billed Pintail, Ruddy Duck, also White-tufted Grebe, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Coot, Andean Gull, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush Tyrant and Yellow-winged Blackbird. The next part will be to drive along the Vilcanota River to travel the warm and greener Sacred Valley of the Incas and have a delicious buffet lunch. Good location to see the Andean Flicker, Andean Negrito, Sparkling Violetear, Black tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, White-crested Elaenia, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-naped and Spot-billed Ground-Tyrants, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Peruvian Sierra-Finch, Mourning Sierra-Finch, Bare-eyed Ground Dove and many more. Back to Cusco and transfer to your hotel. (B, L)

DAY 4: CUSCO-PUERTO MALDONADO- TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Flight to Puerto Maldonado. Immediate to arrival there will be a transfer to the small port at the Tambopata River to travel up the Tambopata River until the Sachavacayoc Lodge. As we travel this rainforest river we will pass large tracks of successional forests, beaches and terra firme cliffs. Great opportunity to see spectacular species of the Amazon such as the White-throated Toucan, Chestnut-eared Aracari, several species of parakeets, parrots and large macaws including the Mealy Parrot, Yellow-headed Macaw, Blue-headed Parrot, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Capped Heron, Sand-colored Nightjar, Black Caracara, flycatcher, Orinoco Goose, Pied Lapwing, Road-side Hawk, Black and Yellow-headed vultures, Black Skimmer, and other species along river beaches, banks and forests. At Sachavacayoc Lodge, the forest is more pristine and high canopies show Piping y Spix´s Guans, several colorful frugivores like Paradise Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Green-and-Gold Tanager, Black-faced Dacnis, and other canopy specialists. The towering rainforest also show many species of wood creepers, woodpeckers and antbirds very active in the lower forest levels. Besides birds we will see some monkey species as well and there is always a chance to spot some rainforest mammals along beaches and river banks. We will be birding until sunset and after our dinner we will visit some trails to see and hear nocturnal birds such as Great and Common Potoo, Tawny Screech Owl, Horned Owl, Spectacled Owl, and many other. Night at Finca Sachavacayoc. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE – MACAW CLAY LICK –CONDENADO OXBOW LAKE

Early departure to the Chuncho Macaw Claylick inside the Tambopata National Reserve. This clay lick in the Chuncho River allows views of several species of small and medium parrots and large macaws. Large numbers of Mealy and Yellow Parrots, Red-bellied Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-and-Green Macaw, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw and Scarlet Macaw could be observed and photographed. Breakfast will be served while you observe this active clay lick that offers a unique and unforgettable nature spectacle. Later river trip down the Tambopata River and hike to Condenado Oxbow Lake to see more river side species and also more birds from primary rainforest and an oxbow lake. Among the species to be found are the White-necked Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roseate Spatula, Horned Screamer, Muscovy Duck, Amazon Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Yellow-rumped Oriole, Purus Jacamar, Collared Hawk, Great Black Hawk, King Condor, Bat Falcon, Russet-backed Oropendolas, Purple and Violaceous Jays, and more. Back to Finca Sacavacayoc. More owling after dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: TAMBOPATA RIVER – PUERTO MALDONADO – FLIGHT TO CUSCO/LIMA

Breakfast while enjoying roaring distant calls of Red-howler Monkeys and also close calls of tinamues, motmots and other frenzy morning bird calls. We leave the Tambopata River as we return to Puerto Maldonado to get our bus transfer to the international airport. Flight to Cusco/Lima. (B)

- Our birding tours and activities support efforts or give economic justifications to preserve endangered habitats for the Andean Condor, fragile ecosystems along the Cusco Valley, Chonta, the Huacarpay and Lucre wetlands and also to important nature protected areas such as the Tambopata National Reserve. We are part of a growing number of active and committed operators that participate in the making of responsible tourism to help protect the spectacular nature and cultural heritage of Peru.

- Additionally, we invite our guest to donate money to support ECOAN, a local NGO fully dedicated to save the last stands of Polylepis trees left in the Peruvian Andes. Every year, ECOAN and a group of tour operators fund a unique reforestation activity that happens once a year near Cusco, where few thousands of indigenous inhabitants belonging to several Vilcanota Range Quechua communities that plant thousands of Polylepis trees to protect water sources, endemic bird species, and as a measure to fight back the effects of climate change.

- Our guides are very enthusiastic promoting the importance and relevance to save heritage sites and nature preserves in Peru, as well as locations that host biodiversity, endangered species and also unprotected archaeological monuments.

- Our operations are environmentally friendly. We do not use plastic for our box lunches or meals and we recycle water bottles to avoid littering but, more that just these, we create a broad awareness about the environmental present and future of Peru, the Andean and Amazon regions. In the same manner, we educate or inform them about treats that menace our culture and archaeological sites. We believe that our travellers could help us raise more awareness and commitment to save the planet and our heritage.

- We are respectful of local cultures and identity.

- For the fourth year, our company has been awarded the CALTUR certification sponsored by Peru's National Plan of Tourism Quality (Plan Nacional de Calidad Turistica-Peru), which enforces compliance with regulations and norms that ensure safety and the quality services in Peru.

- Our head office in Cusco, located in the historical center of Cusco City, under the Good Tourism Practices Application System (Sistema de Aplicación de Buenas Prácticas – SABP) enforced by the CALTUR certification, has successfully implemented actions to recycle paper, and save water and electricity.

- Because we rent a place in the historic and monumental area of Cusco City, we also support the UNESCO heritage program Criteria (iii) and (iv): the sum of 3,000 years of indigenous and autonomous cultural development in the Peruvian southern Andes and, because the city is a representative and exceptional example of the confluence of two distinct cultures - Inca and Hispanic - which through the centuries produced an outstanding cultural syncretism and configured a unique urban structure and architectural form.

Terra Incognita

Discover Ethical Ecotours

Peru | ECOAMERICAPERU | Birding Cusco and the Amazon Rainforest 6D5N

Peru | ECOAMERICAPERU | Birding Cusco and the Amazon Rainforest 6D5N

Login