Practical Information

In the Sacred Valley, the early morning hours are typically the optimal time for aquatic birding. Many of the prime birding spots are just a short, one-hour drive from our lodge, giving us ample time to enjoy the morning at the water's edge. 

We conduct all of our tours using our custom-made hydrohide. Here’s why they make a difference:

Access to Prime Birding Locations 

The hydrohide’s floating design lets you silently drift into prime birdwatching spots, such as the middle of a lake or along the edges of a wetland, where birds are most active and difficult to approach from land.

Keeping Your Lens at Water's Surface Level

By floating at the bird's level, you gain unobstructed views, which makes it easier to capture dynamic and stunning photo compositions.

Minimizing Bird Disturbance

Like other hides, the hydrohide allows you to approach birds without disturbing them, so you can observe and photograph their natural behaviors without causing any stress.

Enhanced Comfort

Unlike traditional blinds that can be uncomfortable during long hours of observation, the hydrohide floats on the water, providing a relaxed birdwatching experience. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended sessions—just remember to wear a proper wetsuit for added warmth.

List of Acuatic Bird Species You Can Watch with Us

ANSERIFORMES

• Anatidae:
• Anas: Yellow-billed Teal (Anas flavirostris), Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica)
• Chloephaga: Andean Goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)
• Lophonetta: Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides)
• Merganetta: Peruvian Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata leucogenys)
• Oxyura: Andean Duck (Oxyura ferrugínea), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
• Spatula: Cinnamon Duck (Spatula cyanoptera), Puna Teal (Spatula puna)

CHARADRIIFORMES

• Charadriidae:
• Pluvialis: American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica)
• Laridae:
• Chroicocephalus: Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus)
• Recurvirostridae:
• Himantopus: Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
• Scolopacidae:
• Calidris: White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)
• Tringa: Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)

GRUIFORMES

• Rallidae:
• Fulica: Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca)

PASSERIFORMES

• Tachurididae:
• Tachuris: Many-coloured Rush-tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra)

PELECANIFORMES

• Ardeidae:
• Ardea: Great Egret (Ardea alba Egretta), Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
• Nycticorax: Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
• Threskiornithidae:
• Plegadis: Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
• Theristicus: Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)

PHOENICOPTERIFORMES

• Phoenicopteridae: 
• Phoenicopterus: Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis)

PODICIPEDIFORMES

• Podicipedidae:
• Podiceps: Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis)
• Rollandia: White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)