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Peru Birding Holidays & Tours - Machu Picchu, Manu Road & Amazon

Birding Holiday - Peru: Machu Picchu + Manu Road
Peru Birding Holidays & Tours - Machu Picchu, Manu Road & Amazon
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,689
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
7PLI12L
• Peru Birding Holidays & Tours
• Lima
• Cusco
• Machu Picchu
• Ollantaytambo Fortress
• Amazon
• Manu Road
• Cock-of-the-Rock lek
• Abra Malaga Pass
• Expert birding guide

Our exciting Peru Birding Holidays & Tours combine some of the country’s most iconic highlights with outstanding birdwatching. Explore the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, travel over Abra Malaga Pass in search of high Andean specialities, and enjoy a journey along the famous Manu Road in the Amazon, one of the world’s richest birding routes. Expect dazzling Tanagers, Hummingbirds, Trogons, Toucans, Hoatzin, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Antbirds and Woodcreepers. Expert birding guide is included.

Day 1
You will be met at Lima Airport and transferred to your hotel.
 
Check in and relax in this capital city - the largest in Peru and its gastronomical centre.
Day 2
This morning after breakfast, we drive 40 minutes to Chilca Lagoon, where we have the opportunity to spot the rare Peruvian Tern and Peruvian Martin.  Chilca Lagoon also offers excellent viewing of many shorebirds and ducks and the Peruvian Pipit. We will also have a good chance of spotting Peruvian Thick-knee, Great Grebe, and Many-coloured Rush-Tyrants.
 
We will then head to Hacienda San Andres, where we should typically find Vermilion Flycatcher, Drab, Parrot-billed, and Chestnut-throated Seedeaters, Collared Warbling-Finch, Streaked Saltator and  Rufescent Flycatcher.
 
After enjoying a light snack, we will continue to the picturesque fishing port of Pucusana, where we’ll have excellent opportunities to see the striking Inca Tern. We will take a short boat ride for closer views of Humboldt Penguin, Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Seaside (Surf) Cinclodes, Blackish Oystercatcher, Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Booby, and Peruvian Pelicans. Occasionally there is the opportunity to see the Blue-footed Booby and Peruvian Diving-Petrel.
 
If time permits, we will stop at Lima’s most renowned wetland, Pantanos de Villa.
Day 3
This morning we have a very early departure to Santa Eulalia Canyon ready to see the condors begin their morning flights.
 
We also have excellent opportunities to see the rare Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch. Other birds found here include Black-necked Flicker, Oasis Hummingbird, Purple-collared Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Bronze-tailed Comet, Great Inca-Finch, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Canyon Canastero, Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch, White-winged Cinclodes, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Streaked Tit-Spinetail, Peruvian and Mourning Sierra-Finch, plus many more.
 
We will then return to our hotel for the remainder of the day.
 
Note: A picnic breakfast and lunch is included.
Day 4
Transfer to Lima Airport for your onward flight.

This morning we have a very early flight from Lima to Cusco.
 
On arrival we will enjoy a short driving tour around Cusco’s main plaza with its cathedral, and if time permits, make a brief birding stop near the impressive Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman (meaning 'speckled falcon') on the northern outskirts, believed to have been both a military and ceremonial centre. This enormous Inca structure has massive walls of hewn stone and is strategically located on a hill overlooking the city. Here we may encounter Creamy-crested Spinetail, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Peruvian Sierra-Finch, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Chiguanco Thrush, Red-backed Hawk, Black-backed Grosbeak, Sparkling Violetear, and Golden-billed Saltator.
 
We will then continue travelling across the Chincheros plain, offering breathtaking views of the glaciers in the Vilcanota range to Ollantaytambo, where we will leave our main luggage at the hotel and take an overnight bag with sufficient clothes and toiletries to last until the following evening.
 
In the late morning we will board the train to Aguas Calientes. From the train, we will have the opportunity to spot Torrent Ducks, White-capped Dippers, and Torrent Tyrannulets in the stream running alongside the railroad tracks. These species are also commonly seen in Aguas Calientes, depending on the water levels. A packed lunch will be included on the train.
 
After checking in to our hotel, we will take the bus to the Machu Picchu citadel for an afternoon visit. This magnificent mountain top city, situated in a beautiful cloud forest, was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911. This legendary Lost City of the Incas is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built on the summit of Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Peak"), on a natural saddle between steep forested mountains, it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River some 7,972 ft (2,430 m) above sea level. With its giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally out of the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu's history remains shrouded in mystery as the Incas did not leave any written records. Enjoy a guided tour of this 14th century citadel which contains a Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds - although the actual sites you will see will depend on the circuit that you have been allocated.  
 
Near the ruins, we can hope to find the endemic Inca Wren, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Dull-coloured Seedeater, Highland Elaenia, and occasionally Peregrine or Orange-breasted Falcon and Green-and-White Hummingbird.
 
Upon returning to our hotel in the evening, we can look for Lyre-tailed Nightjar nearby.
Day 5
This morning we will have a pre-dawn breakfast before visting the area below the Machu Picchu ruins which is rich with birdlife, and where many notable species can be observed. These include the Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Mitred Parakeet, Barred Parakeet, Andean Guan, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Ocellated Piculet, White-eared Solitaire, Highland Motmot, Variable Antshrike, Black-streaked Puffbird, White-crowned, Sierran and Highland Elaenias, the endemic Masked Fruiteater, Saffron-crowned, Flame-faced, Rust-and-Yellow and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Mottled-cheeked and Sclater’s Tyrannulet, plus many more.
 
On returning to the hotel we will enjoy additional bird viewing in nearby hotel gardens, where both hummingbirds and tanagers visit the feeders.
 
After an included late lunch, we will travel to the Ollantaytambo fortress, built to protect the northern entrance to the Sacred Valley from invasion and later the centre of Incan resistance against the Spanish. The fortress and walled terraces of this town provide some of the finest examples of Incan architecture, with the six rose-coloured monoliths of the Temple of the Sun being particularly outstanding. The village itself is the best surviving example of Inca urban planning, with stone-paved streets that have been used since the 12th century.
Day 6
This morning there is an option for an early morning strenuous walk to the Polylepis woodland.  We will drive to the Abra Malaga pass at 4,200 meters before partaking in the walk. This area is home to numerous endemic and rare birds, including Royal Cinclodes, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, and White-browed Tit-Spinetail. Other specialties include Giant Conebill, Line-fronted and Junin Canastero, Puna Tapaculo, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Thick-billed Siskin, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, and Puna Thistletail.
 
Late morning we will continue to the north side and explore the wet temperate forest at Canchayoc. Here we can hope to see, Diademed Tapaculo, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Golden-collared Tanager, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Parodi’s Hemispingus, Marcapata Spinetail, Tit-like Dacnis, Plushcap, Cuzco Brushfinch, and Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant. Leimebamba, Urubamba, and Undulated Antpitta which are frequently heard but can be challenging to view.
 
We will then return to Ollantaytambo, by car where we have good chances of encountering Andean Parakeet, Tit-like Dacnis, Junin Canastero, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, and Golden-billed Saltator.
 
In the late afternoon, we will drive to Cusco, arriving in the early evening at our hotel.
 
Note: if you do not wish to take part in the walk to the Polylepis woodland, the driver will take you from the hotel to the Abra Malaga Pass to take part in the exploration of the forest at Canchayoc.
Day 7
This morning we depart Cusco and make our way to the Manu Road, which drops sharply into the Amazon cutting through amazing habitats of cloud forest, ranging in altitude from 3,600m to 600m. We will make a brief stop at Huacarpay Lake en route, to look for the endemic Bearded Mountaineer.
 
We continue over the highlands, and look for Andean Goose, Andean Lapwing, Mountain Caracara and Andean Flicker.
 
In the afternoon we visit a Cock-of-the-Rock lek, where during the breeding season, these fiery-orange birds are famous for their competitive courtship displays, which occur in the early morning and late afternoon, although this can never be guaranteed (entrance fee $10 payable locally)  before checking into our lodge.
Day 8
Today we will spend the morning at the bird feeders at the lodge.
 
The lodge has a number of hummingbird feeders and plants that attract hummingbirds, as well as fruit tables for tanagers. Some of the varities we can see are Violet-fronted Brilliant, Many-spotted Hummingbirds, Speckled Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Wire-crested Thorntail, Wedge-billed Hummingbird. There is also the chance to see Buff-tailed Sicklebill and Peruvian Piedtail.
 
We may also be able to see Brown Capuchin Monkey, Woolly Monkey, Tayra and Brown Agouti which can be found at the lodge.
 
In the afternoon we will travel to Villa Carmen, home to thriving bamboo forests. Whilst here we can hope to see Yellow-billed Nunbird, Pheasant Cuckoo, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Peruvian Recurvebill, Bamboo Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Ornate Antwren, Manu Antbird, Flammulated Bamboo-Tyrant, Large-headed Flatbill and White-cheeked Tody-Tyrant.
Day 9
Today we will visit Cocha Machu Wasi, a small oxbow-lake where we can get closer to some waterbirds including Horned Screamer, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Black-capped Donacobious and with some luck Sungrebe and Rufous-sided Crake.
 
En route we will stop at two hummingbird feeding stations where an enormous variety of hummingbirds can be seen. Species include Gould’s Jewelfront, Koepcke’s Hermit, Rufous-crested Coquette, Wire-crested and Black-breasted Thorntail, White-tipped Sicklebill, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Grey-breasted Sabrewing and many tanagers such as Magpie Tanager and Masked Crimson-Tanager.
 
Returning to the lodge we can enjoy the feeding stations where we can hope to see Amazonian Antpitta, as well as Black-capped Tinamou and other tinamous. There is also a small pond that is home to Hoatzin and Sunbittern. Mammals can also been seen here and these include the Red Howler Monkey, Saddle-backed Tamarin, Squirrel Monkey and Night Monkey.
 
Note - Hummingbird feeding station entrance fees to be paid locally (appoximately US$10.)
Day 10
This morning we will enjoy the birding trails at Villa Carmen.
 
Afterwards we continue to the high altitude Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station (2,900m) in the temperate cloud forest zone.
 
Once we have checked in at Wayqecha we will look for Swallow-tailed Nightjar at dusk.
Day 11
After breakfast we leave Wayqecha and start our journey back to Cusco where we will make several stops en-route.
 
The area near Wayqecha is very good for Red-and-White Antpitta and Rufous-capped Thornbill. There are also often good tanager flocks which if we are lucky will pass at close range for good photo opportunities. The flocks include Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Masked Flowerpiercer, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner and many more.
 
We will also make stops at hummingbird feeders that attract Gould's Inca and also look for Scaled Metaltail which are often seen nearby.
 
As we enter the Sacred Valley, we look for the endemic Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch and Bearded Mountaineer.
 
On arrival in Cusco you will be dropped at your hotel, where the remainder of the evening will be at your leisure.
Day 12
Transfer to Cusco Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Santiago Airport and transferred to the capital of Santiago de Chile.
 
On arrival enjoy a private tour of this city, which was founded in 1541. In this relatively compact city, where modern buildings have transformed the landscape, we start at the Plaza de la Constitución, where the Government Palace ('La Moneda') is located. We then continue to the Plaza de Armas in the heart of the old colonial city, with its many shops, street performers and vendors. Here you can see some beautiful Neo-classical buildings – including the 18th century Cathedral of Santiago and the early 19th century Royal Court Palace, which now houses the National History Museum. You can also view the Municipal Offices and the Post Office. Close to this historical centre are the Central Market, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Lastarria neighborhood, where some stops are planned.
 
We then head to San Cristobal Hill, which we ascend by cable car for wonderful views of the city. Here we suggest you taste a typical 'empanda' (small pie) and the famous Mote con Huesillo, a Chilean drink.
 
Afterwards check in to your hotel in this sophisticated and cosmopolitan city situated in a valley, surrounded by the snow-capped Andes Mountains and the beautiful Chilean Coastal Range.
 
Note: The cable car and most museums are closed on a Monday, when you can either walk up San Cristobal Hill to enjoy the view, or drive up Santa Lucia Hill instead.
Day 13
Transfer to Santiago Airport for your flight home.