6 Days I Andean Endemics and Tropical Birding

Tour Features

• Habitats: Andean puna, Polylepis woodland, cloud forest, intra-Andean valleys, wetlands
• Birding Facilities: Strategic lodge base (Birds Hotel Molino), feeders and gardens, hydrohide, lakesides, trails
• Species Count: ~100+
• Endemics: Vilcabamba Thistletail, Red-and-white Antpitta, Urubamba Antpitta, Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Cuzco Bushfinch, Inca Wren, White-tufted Sunbeam, Bearded Mountaineer, Green-and-white Hummingbird , Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Parodi’s Hemispingus, Masked Fruiteater

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Itinerary

Day 1: Lima - Cusco – Sacred Valley

Upon arrival in Cusco, enjoy a scenic two-hour drive to the Sacred Valley. Check-in at Birds Hotel Molino located near Ollantaytambo and have lunch.

In the afternoon, explore Birds Hotel Molino gardens, which attract a wide variety of hummingbirds and other species. We'll also offer settings for artistic photography in natural habitat to help you capture the beauty of our bird visitors and residents.

Overnight at Birds Hotel Molino.

Target Bird Species: 

White-tufted Sunbeam, Green-and-white Hummingbird , Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Golden-billed Saltator, Shining Sunbeam, Gould's Inca, Violet-throated Starfrontlet

Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Great Sapphirewing, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, White-bellied Woodstar, Undulated Antpitta, Bronzy Inca, Gould's Inca, Violet-throated StarfrontletAndean Parakeet, Mitred Parakeet, Taczanowski's Tinamou, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Giant Hummingbird.

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Cloud Forest

At dawn we depart for Inkatambo/Tunkiwasi, descending into the lush cloud forest. This habitat is home to an extraordinary diversity of birds, including many colorful and specialty species. Birding will occupy most of the day as we explore forest trails.

Overnight at Tunkiwasi.

Target Bird Species: 

Speckled Hummingbird, Andean Motmot, Summer Tanager, Green Jay, Red-crested Cotinga, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Slate-throated Whitestart, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Golden-naped Tanager, Red-crested Finch, Blue Dacnis, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Amazonian Oropendola, Parodi’s Hemispingus (E), Masked Fruiteater (E), Golden-headed Quetzal.

Day 3: Cloud Forest – Sacred Valley

We spend the morning birding in the cloud forest, advancing as far as Ipal Lodge taking advantage of its rich avifauna and photographic opportunities. After lunch, we travel back to the Sacred Valley, returning to Birds Hotel Molino for a restful evening.

Overnight at our usual home base, Birds Hotel Molino.

Target Bird Species: 

Speckled Hummingbird, Andean Motmot, Summer Tanager, Green Jay, Red-crested Cotinga, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Slate-throated Whitestart, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Golden-naped Tanager, Red-crested Finch, Blue Dacnis, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-olive Woodpecker , Amazonian Oropendola, Parodi’s Hemispingus (E), Masked Fruiteater (E), Golden-headed Quetzal.

Day 4: Abra Málaga

Early morning departure to Abra Malaga, a prime site for high-altitude birding. Explore Polylepis forests, montane scrub, and open paramo, scanning for hummingbirds, finches, antpittas and tapaculos along the trails.

Late afternoon descent to Birds Hotel Molino for overnight stay.

Target Bird Species: 

Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (E), Cusco Brushfinch (E), Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Rusty-fronted Canastero (E), Vilcabamba Thistletail (E), Red-and-white Antpitta (E), Urubamba Antpitta (E), Vilcabamba Tapaculo (E), White-browed Spinetail, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Undulated Antpitta, Spectacled Redstart, Slate-throated Whitestart, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, Sierran Elaenia, White-crested Elaenia, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Puna Ibis, Black-faced Ibis, Andean Flicker, Andean Coot, Andean Gull, Andean Goose, Blue-mantled Thornbill.

Day 5: Huaypo, Chacán & Surroundings

This day is devoted to birding around lake Huaypo Lake, Chacán, and nearby habitats. The mix of wetlands, fields, and woodland patches makes this area a rewarding destination for a variety of species. Picnic lunch in the field. In the evening, we return to Birds Hotel Molino.

Overnight at Birds Hotel Molino.

Target Bird Species: 

Yellow-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Crested Duck, Peruvian Torrent Duck, Andean Duck, Ruddy Duck, Cinnamon Duck, Puna Teal, American Golden Plover, Black-necked Stilt , White-rumped Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Andean Coot, Many-coloured Rush-tyrant, Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Chilean Flamingo, Silvery Grebe, White-tufted Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Burrowing Owl,  Lesser Horned Owl,  Peruvian Pygmy-Owl.

Day 6: Sacred Valley – Cusco – Lima

Morning birding at Birds Hotel Molino's gardens. After breakfast, head toward Cusco. Depending on your flight schedule, there will be time to stroll through Cusco’s cobblestone streets and admire its blend of Inca and colonial architecture before catching your flight back to Lima.

Target Bird Species: 

White-tufted Sunbeam, Green-and-white Hummingbird , Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Golden-billed Saltator, Shining Sunbeam, Gould's Inca, Violet-throated Starfrontlet 

Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Great Sapphirewing, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, White-bellied Woodstar, Undulated Antpitta, Andean Parakeet, Mitred Parakeet, Taczanowski's Tinamou, Tangara naranjera (Tangara azul y amarilla), Colibrí gigante.

Tour Timing

• While this tour is available year-round, some species may not be observable during certain months.
• Contact us in advance if you’re aiming to see specific bird species.

Photos: Holmes Pantoja