The Birding of Machu Picchu 5 days
Discover The Birding of Machu Picchu of the Andes: A 5-Day Birdwatching Adventure Around Cusco and Machu Picchu
Embark on a remarkable 5-day birding tour in the breathtaking region surrounding Machu Picchu, with Cusco as your central base. Perfectly tailored for avid birdwatchers and nature lovers, this immersive experience blends world-class birding with the cultural richness of Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Explore the lush cloud forests, high-altitude grasslands, and Andean slopes, where the diversity of birdlife is nothing short of extraordinary. From colorful tanagers and dazzling hummingbirds to elusive endemics like the Inca Wren, Bearded Mountaineer, and the Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, each day brings new opportunities to spot rare and iconic species in their natural habitat.
The itinerary typically includes key birding hotspots such as Abra Malaga, Huacarpay Lake, and Mandor Valley near Aguas Calientes, offering a variety of ecosystems and microclimates that support over 400 bird species. Whether you’re scanning tree canopies for mixed flocks or pausing to admire the iridescent flash of a Sword-billed Hummingbird, the region offers some of the best high-Andean and cloud forest birding in South America.
But this journey isn’t just about birds.
It’s also an enriching cultural exploration. Between early morning birdwatching walks and high-elevation treks, you’ll have the chance to visit ancient Inca ruins, vibrant local markets, and of course, the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu itself — all while surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery the Andes has to offer.
This combination of natural biodiversity and cultural heritage makes the Machu Picchu region an ideal destination for birders who want more than just a checklist. With expert local guides, comfortable accommodations, and well-planned routes, this birding tour is designed to maximize sightings while giving you a deep appreciation for Peru’s ecological and historical treasures.
Day 1: Cusco Machupicchu to Huacarpay / Ollantaytambo / Peñas .
We pick up our passengers early from the hotel to begin our activities of the Machupicchu Birdwatching of bird observation in Laguna Huacarpay which is 30 minutes from Cusco at 3400 m.a.s.l. where the guide will give his
knowledge and show the more important birds, for example: Rusty fronted canastero, Bearded mountaineer, Plumbeous Rail, AndeanBlack, Rufous naped Ground tyrante, streak fronted thornbird, cinnamon teal, puna teal,
yellow billed pintail, greenish yellow finch, Black chested Buzzard eagle and many more. Later we continue to Urubamba where we have lunch and then travel to Ollanta y Peñas where we can view birds such as: White tufted
sunbeam, chestnut breasted mountain finch, Great sapphiwing, golden billed saltator, Peruvian pygmy Owl, cream
crested Spinetail, green and white hummingbirds, among others. After, we return to the hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Activity Machupicchu Trek and Amazon Birding Manu
Day 2 : The Birding of Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo/ Canchayo /Carrizales / san Luis / Machupicchu Birdwatching .
We will be leaving Ollanta at 4:30 am in our bus for 1.5 hrs to Canchayoc where we begin to view birds such as:
White Browed conebill, Marcapata Spinetail, Puna thistletail, parodis Hemispin, Sapphire vented puffleg, tit like
dacnis, sword Billed Hummingbird, purple Backed thornbill, Rufous Antpitta, Inca wren, cusco brush finch, Gray breasted mountain Toucan, Scarlet bellied mountain tanager, Golden collared Tanager, and others. In the
afternoon we return to the hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Night walking Machupicchu.
Day 3 : The Birding of Machu Picchu -Cusco to Ollantaytambo –
We leave Ollanta at 5:30 after breakfast to go to Abra Malaga, the high part of Polylepis at 4230 m.a.s.l. which is 45 minutes from Ollanta. We climb the hill where we will be for 4 hrs to observe: Andean condor, royal Cinclodes,
puna tapaculo, ash breasted tit tyrant, junin canastero, White browed tit spinetail, tawny tit spinetail, Giant
conebill, Stripe headed Antpitta, puna Ground tyrant, rufous naped Ground tyrant, White winged Diuca finch, olivaceopus thornbill, Andean Hillstard and many more bird communities. Later we go down the trail to have
lunch. Then we continue to observe more birds and at 4 PM return to Ollanta to take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will have dinner and stay in the hotel.
jungle trek Birdwatching to sandoval lake amazon peru
Day 4: Aguas Calientes to Mandor / Machupicchu Birdwatching.
We leave the hotel after breakfast at 6 :00 Am to begin viewing birds such as: White capped dipper, torrent Duck, green and White hummingbird, Highland Motmot, Ocellated piculet, Variable Antshrike, Andean Cock Of The
Rock, Masked fruiteater, Inca Flycatcher, Sclater•s Tyranulet, Inca Flycatcher, silver Backed tanager, slaty
tanager, collared Inca, black streak puffbird, Pale legged Warbler, White eared Solitare, and others. Then we
return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and a rest. In the afternoon we continue observing birds in the high part then we return to the hotel for dinner. macaw clay lick tambopata tours
Day 5 :Return Machu Picchu to Cusco / Machupicchu Birdwatching.
Today after breakfast we climb in the bus to go to the archaeological zone to appreciate the incredible Incan
construction where we can see temples, agricultural parts, astrological zones, and many more things. After that
visit, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before our departure to Cusco where sadly but surely the tour comes to an end.
NOTE .
Some tried the cuy, others the alpaca. The train ride to Aguas Calientes had us all smiling and yelling out “Another Torrent Duck!” or in Jose’s case, “Motmot!” Lucretia walked us through the phenomenal site of Machu Picchu; the impressively laid stones and the 360-degree view of jagged Andean peaks, well, it was almost too much to take in .Our
experiences in Aguas Calientes didn’t end there, as Mandor Valley offered a different perspective on the Incan site, as well as some awesome birding:
what about that mega flock?
And the grounds of Inkaterra (coffee in hand) — do we really have to leave?
Back to Ollantaytambo, and birding the pass of Abra Malaga birdwatching with the high peak known as Veronica in her white dress. She’s always lovely, but especially so in the early morning sun. We birded both slopes: the drier west side, and the more humid east. A visit machupicchu to Maxima’s house, enjoying her warm potatoes, and we marvelled at her strong, yet lonely existence. Plus, y’all climbed the ridge above the pass (14,500′ or so), breaking trail through snow, to stand on hallowed ground. So quiet, peaceful, just the wind, the valley below… and soaring condors. It was a pleasure guiding this group. I hope to see you again soon. Until then, safe travels and always good birwatching.
jungle machupicchu
