Birding Expedi
tions in Peru
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White-browed Tit-Spinetail
Royal Cinclodes
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White-tufted Sumbean
Andean cock-of-the Rock
Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant
As well as being an archeological wonder, Machu Picchu is an excellent birding destination. We can lead you to bird this area, with options for the nearby Abra Malaga and related sites.
Trip
Basics
There are many ways to bird this area, and the option presented here is
simply our favourite suggestion, ask
us for other ideas for your trip.
Day
1
We will make our way from Cusco to Aguas Calientes near the Machu Picchu
ruins and bird there in the afternoon if time allows.
Day
2
We will walk the train tracks near Aguas Calientes, hoping especially
for Masked Fruiteater and tanager flocks including Golden-naped and
Silver-backed. Dusky-green Oropendolas, White-capped Dippers and Torrent
Ducks can be found along the river. The afternoon can be spent birding the
hummingbird feeders near town or visiting the ruins.
Day
3
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We will take an early bus up to the Machu Picchu ruins and walk the Inca Trail back to Aguas Calientes for the morning. This should produce birds such as Inca Wren, Green-and-white Hummingbird and White-winged Black-Tyrant as well as a chance for Black-streaked Puffbird, White-eared Solitaire, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet or other hill forest species. |
An afternoon train will take us to Cusco (to end the trip) or Ollantaytambo (to go on to the Abra Malaga area).
Day
4
We will begin the day at Peñas, looking for Creamy-crested Spinetail,
Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Rusty-fronted Canastero and White-tufted Sunbeam before heading up to Abra Malaga.
Once there, we will walk to a nearby Polylepis forest where we will
hope for Royal Cinclodes, White-browed Tit-Spinetail and Ash-breasted
Tit-Tyrant. In the late afternoon, we will descend to Canchayoc where we
will camp for the night.
Day
5
The morning will be spent in the high-elevation forest and bamboo of
Canchayoc, looking especially for the endemic Parodi's Hemispingus as well
as other good birds like Plushcap, White-browed Conebill, Undulated
Antpitta or possibly even Maroon-chested Ground-Dove. In the afternoon we
will make the return to Cusco.
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