Trekking and birding in the Peruvian Andes

The Trek and Machu Picchu

This is a 9 day cloud forest/montane rainforest birding trek which is centered around the Sacsara Valley in the Vilcabamba region with three nights camping and the rest in lodges. The basic trek features the following:
• A four-day birding trek exploring the cloud forest, montane rain forest, and the puna regions of the Sacsara Valley with views of the legendary peak, Pumasillo
• Montane rain forest birding on the trail to the Toctomayo waterfall
• A hike to Llactapata (a small Inca site on a mounatainside with a truly impressive overview of Machu Picchu) which also offers excellent birding
• A day birding in the forests below Machu Picchu and a visit to Machu Picchu itself

* This trip can easily be combined with 6 days visiting the most imporatnt sites of Cusco and the Sacred Valley with stops for birding wherever we can.

The Birds

We'll look for birds all along the route, but the main focus of this trip is the birds of the Vilcabamba. We'll explore forest between about 4000 meters in altitude down to about 1500 meters. We'll see birds in a wide range of habitats from the high puna to cloud forest to montane rain forests. We'll visit places in which it is not unusual to find oneself suddenly surrounded by mixed flocks with so many birds that you can't decide which way to look. Then they disappear seemingly to nowhere. We commonly see two species of toucans, many different colorful tanagers, highland motmots, Andean cock-of-the-rocks, several species of hummingbirds, woodpeckers, birds of prey, parrots, jays, all sorts of flycatchers and plenty more.

Photography

There are usually plenty of opportunities to get some great bird photos on these trips, but please bear in mind that the route does not currently have feeders or blinds in place, so getting up-close photos requires a degree of luck.

For more information contact us: lostcitytreks@gmail.com

Season

The Vilcabamba is in a rainy region which always has the potential for downpours, especially in January-March. Keeping that in mind, we are open to doing these trips at any time of the year. Tropical birds tend to be more active in the rainy season, so sometimes the rain can work to our advantage.

Difficulty

We go at a birder's pace, so these treks aren't particularly difficult, but the trails can be very rough and slippery. Be prepared to be on your feet all day and you'll be walking uphill some considerable distances, albeit at a relaxed pace.

For more information contact us: lostcitytreks@gmail.com