Peru
Peru – Birds of the Andes - Huacarpay and Abra Málaga (3 Days)
Peru – Birds of the Andes - Huacarpay and Abra Málaga (3 Days)
Duration
3 days
Start/End
Cusco
Tour type
Individual · Group
Level
Easy to moderate
Overview
This short trip is ideal for travelers with little time who want to combine birding with a visit to Machu Picchu. It is designed not only for birders but for all nature lovers. On the first day you watch waterbirds and hummingbirds at the Huacarpay wetlands before heading into the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. The second day is dedicated to the Abra Málaga pass: in the Polylepis (queñua) forests on both sides of the pass we search for high-Andean endemics. On the third day we bird once more at Abra Málaga or in the Sacred Valley – depending on which species we are still missing – before returning to Cusco. Birding guide, private transport, 2 nights in Ollantaytambo and meals as per itinerary are included.
Tour Code
Tour language
English, SpanishMaximum altitude
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco – Huacarpay Wetlands – Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Huacarpay wetlands and Sacred Valley
Early in the morning your birding guide picks you up in Cusco and we drive to the Huacarpay wetlands. In the reeds and on the water we look for Yellow-billed Pintail, Puna Teal, Plumbeous Rail, White-tufted Grebe, Many-colored Rush Tyrant and Wren-like Rushbird. Flowering tobacco attracts hummingbirds such as Giant Hummingbird and the endemic Bearded Mountaineer. We then drive into the Sacred Valley, birding along the way in gardens, scrub and along the Urubamba River. Overnight in Ollantaytambo.
Cusco – Huacarpay Wetlands – Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo
Day 1
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Huacarpay wetlands and Sacred Valley
Early in the morning your birding guide picks you up in Cusco and we drive to the Huacarpay wetlands. In the reeds and on the water we look for Yellow-billed Pintail, Puna Teal, Plumbeous Rail, White-tufted Grebe, Many-colored Rush Tyrant and Wren-like Rushbird. Flowering tobacco attracts hummingbirds such as Giant Hummingbird and the endemic Bearded Mountaineer. We then drive into the Sacred Valley, birding along the way in gardens, scrub and along the Urubamba River. Overnight in Ollantaytambo.
Day 2
Abra Málaga – Polylepis Forests
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Full day of birding at the Abra Málaga pass (up to 4,440 m)
Early in the morning we drive from Ollantaytambo up to the Abra Málaga pass (4,440 m). All day we bird in the Polylepis (queñua) forests on both sides of the pass, searching for high-Andean endemics such as Royal Cinclodes, White-browed Tit-Spinetail and Giant Conebill. Depending on the weather and our target species, we also explore the more humid slopes on the eastern side of the pass. In the afternoon we return to Ollantaytambo.
Abra Málaga – Polylepis Forests
Day 2
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Full day of birding at the Abra Málaga pass (up to 4,440 m)
Early in the morning we drive from Ollantaytambo up to the Abra Málaga pass (4,440 m). All day we bird in the Polylepis (queñua) forests on both sides of the pass, searching for high-Andean endemics such as Royal Cinclodes, White-browed Tit-Spinetail and Giant Conebill. Depending on the weather and our target species, we also explore the more humid slopes on the eastern side of the pass. In the afternoon we return to Ollantaytambo.
Day 3
Abra Málaga or Sacred Valley – Cusco
Birding for target species · Return to Cusco
On the last day we decide together where to bird: once more at Abra Málaga or in the Sacred Valley – depending on which species we are still missing. Afterwards we drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. If you are continuing to Machu Picchu, you can also be dropped off at Ollantaytambo station on request.
Abra Málaga or Sacred Valley – Cusco
Day 3
Birding for target species · Return to Cusco
On the last day we decide together where to bird: once more at Abra Málaga or in the Sacred Valley – depending on which species we are still missing. Afterwards we drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. If you are continuing to Machu Picchu, you can also be dropped off at Ollantaytambo station on request.
Price from
€590.00
Services
What's included
Pre-trip briefing: Detailed briefing with your guide the evening before – in person at your hotel in Cusco or online.
Birding guide: Professional bilingual birding guide (Spanish and English) for all 3 days, with a high-quality spotting scope and field guides.
Transport: Private transport from and to your hotel in Cusco and all transfers as per itinerary.
Entrance fees: All entrance fees as per itinerary.
Accommodation: 2 nights in a comfortable hotel in Ollantaytambo in a double or twin room.
Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches (partly as a picnic) and 2 dinners, plus water and snacks; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly on request.
What's not included
Flights: International and domestic flights to and from Cusco.
Travel and health insurance: Mandatory.
Meals: Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 3 after returning to Cusco.
Drinks and personal expenses: Alcoholic and other drinks outside meals, personal expenses and extras.
Tips: Voluntary tips for guide, driver and hotel staff.
Personal equipment: Binoculars, camera and warm clothing.
Character of the trip
Fitness
Easy to moderate
Altitude
Hoch (bis 4.440 m)
Culture / nature
Nature-focused
Fitness – easy to moderate: Short, slow-paced birding walks on trails and dirt roads. At the Abra Málaga pass we walk leisurely through the Polylepis forest at high altitude.
Altitude – high: Ollantaytambo lies at 2,870 m, the Abra Málaga pass at 4,440 m. We recommend acclimatizing for at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand.
Culture / Nature – nature-focused: Waterbirds and hummingbirds at Huacarpay, species of the Sacred Valley and the rare specialists of the Polylepis forests – for birders and nature lovers alike.
Hotel: 2 nights in a comfortable hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Dates and prices
Individual dates
Optional
Cusco City Tour (half day)
Public tour – you can find the private tour under “Day Tours”.
€20.00
per person
Groups of 5 or more: contact us for special prices and tailor-made offers.
Notes on the trip
Good to know
Who is it for: Ideal for travelers with little time who want to combine birding with a visit to Machu Picchu – for birders and nature lovers alike.
Itinerary: The schedule may vary slightly to make the most of the best birding opportunities.
Fitness: Easy to moderate. We walk slowly on trails and dirt roads; at Abra Málaga keep in mind the high altitude and the cold in the early morning.
Acclimatization: The Abra Málaga pass lies at 4,440 m. Plan at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the tour.
Best time to travel: Possible all year round. In the dry season (May to October) skies are usually clear and trails dry; from November to April nature is lush and green and birds sing and display most actively – don't forget rain gear.
Diet: Allergies and special diets (e.g. coeliac, vegan, lactose-free) are taken into account at all meals – please let us know when booking.
Single room: A single room supplement is available on request.
What to bring
Binoculars: Waterproof, ideally 8x42 or 10x42.
Daypack: Lightweight, 20–30 litres.
Clothing: Layered functional clothing for temperatures between 0 and 24 °C, plus a warm jacket, hat and gloves for the pass and a waterproof rain jacket.
Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes or light trekking boots.
Protection: Insect repellent and sun protection.
Camera: Spare batteries – they drain faster in the cold mountain air.
Original passport: For hotel check-in and possible checkpoints.