Day by Day

Day 01: Ollantaytambo to Pacha Conservancy

Early morning departure to bird our way to the high Malaga Pass, various interesting hábitats are birded on route in search of the endemics such as Creamy-crested Spinteail, Chesnut-breasted Mountain-finch and others. The bunches of tabacco (Nicotiana sp) bushes may produce Great Shapphire-wing, Giant Hummingbird, Tyrian Metailtail and other delicate hummers. As we reach the pass the bunches of grass and bogs may produce various species of ground-tyrants, finches, seedeaters, canasteros and even a seedsnipe¡¡. Once over the pass the hábitat change is quiet dramatic as we enter the cloud covered forest below us, colorful mountain tanagers, woodpeckers and more can be spotted on this section. We hope to come across a mixed flock that could have Cuzco Brushfinch, Unstreaked Tit-tyrant, Plush-capped Finch, Citrine Warbler, Marcapata Spinetail and other beauties. Afternoon arrival to our inn at the Pacha Conservancy Project on time for a relaxing shower and a cold beer.

Day 02: Pacha Conservancy

Afer a good night sleep, we rise up early and set off to bird the nearby trails in search of Green Jay, Speckled –faced Parrot, Golden-crowned Flycatcher and the very attractive Andean Cock of the Rock which often can be seen in the gardens. Various hummingbird species such as the endemic Green and White Hummingbird, the tiny White-bellied Woodstar, Blue-tailed Emerald, Chesnut-breasted Coronet, the gorgeous Long-tailed Sylph to mention some. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with fresh fruit, hot coffe and other goodies. .
The Project has been able to succefully recuperated over 400 individuals of delicate orchids of various species, the garden has over 102 species. Pacha Conservancy grounds has a list of 180 species of birds and we will spend our day trying to find as much as we can, we hope to have great views of the peruvian endemic Inca Wren found in the various patches of Chusquea Bamboo which are quiet abundant in the área, others include the elusive Scaled Antpitta, Variable Anthrike, Ocellated Piculet, Gray-mantled Wren, Versicolored Barbet and lots more. One of forest trails leads us to the Lucumayu River where we have excellent chances to spot the shy Fasciated Tiger Heron, White-capped Dipper and the gorgeous Torrent Duck.
Close to dust we will take our time to visit a nearby Lyre-tailed Nightjar lek where we hope to see a beautiful male with its elegant tail streamers as they perform during their nocturnal mating rituals.

Day 03: Pacha Conservancy to Polylepis Woodlands

Early breakfast, we will take a straight drive over to the Malaga Pass to start a 4 to 5 hours hike along a big patch of Polylepis forest, this forest belongs to the community of Thastayoq whichs is located in the vecinty of the pass. Thanks to various efforts and the essential help of ECOAN Organization (Asociation for Andean Ecosystems), Birdlife International and others this patch is protected and certainly there is a good reason for it, this forest is quickly dissapering due over grazing, fires and logging. Polylepis trees endemic to the andes of southamerica, support a highly specialized avifauna and associted flora and fauna, we will have the unique opportunity to explore this forest in seach of probably the rarest birds on earth due the high elevation. We wont have a huge list at the end of the day but certainly the birds to be seen here are very unique and critically endangered. The endemics Royal Cinclodes, White-browed Tit-spinetail, others Striped-headed Antpitta, Giant Conebill, Andean Condor, Blue-mantled Thornbird, Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant, Rufus-webbed Tyrant, Tawny Tit-spinetail and many more. At the end of our walk we will meet our transport in one of the road bends and then continue into Ollantaytambo.