BIRDING
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Peruvian Birds and Culture

Peru where the old blends with the new, high mountain terrain contrasts with the coastal plains,  the world`s richest ocean current and the greenery of its extensive tropical áreas. A legacy of fascinating cultures and civilizations, delicious acclaimed gastronomy, imposing archaeological complexes makes Peru the perfect destination. This birds and culture tour allows you to enjoy one of the birdiest countries in the world with several specialties and endemics along with the magic of Machupicchu and other Peru highlights.

Highlights

  • Delight with a private visit to the magical citadel of Machupicchu in the company of your own expert local guide
  • Bird the world`s richest Humboldt Marine Current
  • Embark on a private city tour of capital city of the Incas, Cusco with its fascinating cobbled stone streets where the ancient connects to the present
  • Add several exciting specialties and endemics to your life list
  • Discover the delights of the acclamined peruvian cuisine at the country`s finest dining establishments
  • Bird at one of the highest passes in the andes the famous Malaga Pass (14,200 ft)
  • Enjoy great vistas of the Massif Huakaywillka (18, 500 ft)
  • Bird one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth the Polylepis forest
  • Wonder through the beautiful rooms of the Old Aliaga Mansion in downtown Lima

Day by Day

Lima the City of the Kings known for its colonial architecture and mouthwatering Ceviche!
Upon arrival to Perùs capital meet and greet at the airport with a local representative who will have a sign under your name, transfer to selected hotel in the quiet neighborhoods of Miraflores or San Isidro. Time to rest and enjoy a good night sleep. 
Have a relaxing morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare you for the activities of the day. Mid-morning pick-up from your hotel by your Lima guide who will share with you important information of this marvelous place its past and present. This tour includes the visit of the iconic San Francisco Church, the Lima Cathedral, the Aliaga Colonial Mansion own by the same family for 17 generations since colonial times and the Larco Herrera Museum for an introduction of the rich cultural heritage of the country with its amazing collection of ancient artifacts.
Early morning departure from hotel for a short drive to the south of Lima to bird the Villa Marshes (Ramsar site since 1997)where a great selection of exciting species awaits for us like the gorgeous White-cheeked Pintail, White-tufted Grebe, the  striking Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Gray-hooded Gull, Yellow-hooded Blackbird and many more. We continue our drive farther south to the very happening fishing village of Pucusana where we will bird in a local fishing boat around the bay where we hope to spot the endemics Surf Cinclodes, the delicate Inca Tern and Humboldt Penguins others include the gorgeous Red-legged Cormorants, numerous Peruvian Boobies and Pelicans, Guanay Cormorants and various others. Lunch at local favorite restaurant, afternoon return to selected hotel.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas offers great vistas at a lower elevation than Cusco and a serene atmosphere. After a well deserve sleep transfer to airport on time for your morning flight tú Cusco, upon arrival meet and greet your local guide and continue with the various activities on program for you. Drive to the south of the Cusco Valley to the Wetlands of Huacarpay for high elevation birding, we hope to come across with flocks of Andean Gulls, Andean Lapwings, Puna Ibis, the very attractive Puna, Yellow-billed Teals, the secretive Plumbeous Rails and the list goes on. After various stops around the wetland we continue to the Urubamba Valley where we will have lunch at a local restaurant and spend quality time exploring the very happening market of Pisaq. Pisaq also features a great cidatel atop the mountain with complex farming terraces, residential buildings, irrigation systems and more. The nearby gorges offers chances to add other exciting bird species to today`s list like Andean Flicker, Bare-faced Ground-dove, fly-overs of Andean Swifts and others. Afternoon arrival to selected hotel in the quiet Urubamba valley.
Full day exploration of this gorgeous valley in the company of your guide with ocassional birding, today we will enjoy a visit to the interesting site of Ollantaytambo with its cobbled stone streets and very happening local atmosphere, the agricultural ancient lab of Moray and the Salt Pans of Maras, short easy hikes are possible between these places depending on your energy level. Delight with a delicious lunch prepare with organic ingredients from her own orchad at Tati`s Home in the town of Maras with unsurpassed vistas of the Urubamba Range of Mountains.
Full day birding to the famous Malaga Pass along the Cusco-La Convencion road offering a great variety of habitats with andean scrub, high elevations grasses, paramo, upper montane and tropical cloud forest with a great selection of specialties and endemics. We hope to come across with mixed species flocks that may content Spectacled-red Starts, Rust and Yellow Tanagers, Pearled Treerunner, various species of conebills and flycatchers. If luck is with us we may spot the master of the andean skies the Andean Condor. Afternoon return to hotel.
Pre-dawn departure to reach the Malaga Pass to start an easy 4-5 hour hike in one of the most remote habitats of the andes, the trail is easy and passes a big patch of polylepis forest, the list of the day wont be big but certainly will contain highly restricted species to this hábitat such as Line-fronted Canastero, Tawny Tit-spinetail, Giant Conebill endemics such as White-browed Tit-spinetail, Royal Cinclodes and several others. We meet our transport in one of the road bends on time to reach the Ollantaytambo Train Station to board an afternoon train to Machupicchu. Enjoy a scenic ride along the Urubamba Intermontane Valley that gives place to the deep Urubamba Canyon at Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival transfer to selected hotel.
Early morning dedicated to bird the surrounding forest in Aguas Calientes in search of colorful tanagers, hummingbirds and others. Mid-morning visit of the magical citadel of Machupicchu in the company of your guide. The site of Machupicchu offer good chances for the peruvian endemic Inca Wren . Late afternoon train back to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to selected hotel.
Morning visit of this amazing city spending quality time at the very happening and colorful San Pedro Market, the most important temple of our people in their capital city the Koricancha Sun Temple, the Cusco Cathedral and the magnificent site of Sacsayhuaman where the incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors. Enjoy a delicious meal in one of Cusco`s finest restaurants. Afternoon at leisure. Night in Cusco at selected hotel.
After a good sleep and a delicious breakfast, transfer to airport on time for your flight back to Lima and international connections.

Included

  • Personalized itinerary planning
  • Seamless 24/7 support
  • All hotel accommodation
  • Services of Habitats Peru Travel expert bird-guides
  • All special events, private tours and entrance fees
  • Support vehicle
  • All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
  • Route suggestions and wáter bottle
  • All baggage transportation
  • Pre-arrange pick-up and drop-off from Cusco and Lima airports

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