Cusco, Sacred Valley – Calca – Abra Lares – Yanatile 3 Days / 2 Nights

Day 1 we leave the city of Cusco towards the Sacred Valley – Calca (2900 meters)

with some stops to observe birds at viewpoints, then we begin the ascent towards Abra Lares (4460mts), the highest point of the route, passing through typical shrubby vegetation of the inter-Andean Valleys, we will get to see the boggy areas near the Abra to observe High Andean Birds that inhabit the mountains such as Andean Ducks, Andean Geese, Andean Woodpeckers, Puna Ibis and different species of Hummingbirds on route.We will have lunch on route enjoying the impressive landscapes of snow-capped peak and mountains following the narrow zigzagging road we will find relicts of Puyas of Raimondi visible from the road jewels in terms of vegetation unique to the area, we will notice the change from Grassland to Elfin Forest, Fragmented cloud forest as well as potato crops, quinoa, high altitude corn.Once we are in the Cloud Forest, the climate changes and we will find colorful Mountain Tanagers, beautiful Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, a sample of the diversity of birds in the area. The road follows the Lares River where we can see the White-capped Dipper, Torrent Duck, Mitred Parakeets, as well as coffee, cocoa, coca, fruit trees (Oranges, Avocados, Bananas) among others. To end the day, we will rest and have dinner at the Copacabana hostal – Yanatile lodge (1100mts).

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

Day 2 we follow the road at Yanatile Quebrada Honda – Abra Bellavista – Lacco valley route.

The day begins with breakfast and we will go out in search of the Cloud Forest birds, we will take the unpaved road to the Lacco Valley, which provides ideal conditions for bird watching with little vehicle traffic, passing through Chusquea Bamboo patches and local villagers’ farms where we will find Scissor-tailed Hummingbirds, Small Toucans, Colorful Tanagers, Hawks, it is worth mentioning that this Cloud Forest is found from 2000 to 2900mts is a pristine Forest keeps a great diversity of little impacted birds where we can find Quetzals, Versicolor Barbet, Toucans, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, Woodcreepers, the latter forming part of the Mixed Flocks of bird species, a true paradise of birds moving on the branches of the trees, a dream come true for bird watchers.At noon we will have lunch at the Mirador Bellavista with an impressive landscape of the Cloud Forests of Yanatlle – Lacco Valley, the forest is changing in the Abra Bella Vista 2800mts where we can find and observe the Gray-bellied Mountain Toucan one of the most sought after, Marcapata Spinetail (Endemic), gradually ascending and descending on the zigzag road, we will be able to appreciate epiphytic plants such as orchids of singular beauty that attract the attention of travelers, finding Fruiteaters, Cotingas, birds associated with the Andean Cock of the Rock as well as their predators such as Solitary Eagle and Black and Chestnut- Eagle associated with these Cloud Forests.Continuing with the day we will visit the local initiative of hummingbird feeders, an ideal place for photography, with representative species of this elevation. Inca Collared Hummingbird, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Long-tailed Sylph among others.In the afternoon we will appreciate the sunset over the Yanatile valley, a natural event of beauty, on the way back we will take a break and taste the local coffee and dinner to end the day.

Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan

Day 3 we travel the Yanatile Quebrada Honda route to Cusco, Bird Watching all day

This last morning before breakfast we will go out to observe birds in the surroundings of the Yanatile valley using viewpoints and the gardens of Hostal and/or Plaza de Armas where we will observe a diversity of birds such as Scissor-tailed Hummingbird, Barred Antshrike, Oceleated Woodpecker, as well as Parrots flying in flocks along the Yanatile river among other birdsWe return to have breakfast and enjoy the tasting of coffee and chocolate and then begin our return to the city of Cusco via the Yanatile – Amparaes highway as part of this route we can visit the Cave Paintings and the great Water – Amparaes called “Condition” second chance to find high Andean birds. We will then have lunch on route and our travelers will be able to appreciate Ancasmarca with Inca constructions on the way to the city of Cusco to end our bird watching experience.The key and endemic bird species found are: Shinning Sunbeam (E) Bearded Mountains (E), Rufous-fronted Canastero  (E), Creamy-crested Spinetail (E), Inca  (E) Inca Flycatcher (E ) Red and White Antpitta (E) Masked Fruiteater (E) Marcapata Spinetail (E) Cuzco Brush-Finch (E) unique experience.Final commentsThis tourist experience marks a very important and outstanding understanding of the world of high Andean birds and Cloud Forests, generating interest, the culture of bird watching that goes hand in hand with the development of sustainable tourism with local and regional actors. We strongly believe that we will help create awareness among our visitors and local people about the conservation and appreciation of the environment. This experience will encourage new generations of nature lovers and bird watchers since through our eyes and interest they will begin to appreciate and value the great value of forests and living beings who inhabit them and use them as a means of food and shelter. provide these, being nature the main source of all these species and forests.Likewise, the rich avifauna, nature and culture of the Incas make this Ecotourism route singular and unique, as well as archaeological centers built on mountain ridges and geography of difficult access that makes us think of the great planning of communication routes and domain of its means that fills us with pride and reassess and share its importance over time with the Archaeological Site of Ancasmarca (Cultural Heritage of the Nation 2001). Arriving at the end of the trip, we will carry out a brief survey of satisfaction and recommendations that help improve and strengthen the tourist experience which we offer on this travel route and which is extremely important in this new experience, the information collected will contribute to improvements and changes to perform for our proposal.Likewise, the rich avifauna, nature and culture of the Incas make this Ecotourism route singular and unique, as well as archaeological centers built on mountain ridges and geography of difficult access that makes us think of the great planning of communication routes and domain of its means that fills us with pride and reassess and share its importance over time with the Archaeological Site of Ancasmarca (Cultural Heritage of the Nation 2001). Arriving at the end of the trip, we will carry out a brief survey of satisfaction and recommendations that help improve and strengthen the tourist experience which we offer on this travel route and which is extremely important in this new experience, collected information will contribute to improvements and changes to perform for our proposal.Grateful for the preferences and interest in the Bird Watching trip on this new route, hoping to have met the expectations of bird watching, thus giving a great message to our visitors that is the valuation and conservation of the environment and especially of the birds and its natural habitat, also highlighting that Peru is a mega diverse country rich in bird life. Our experience marks an understanding of the world of high Andean birds and Cloud Forests, generating a culture of bird watching that goes hand in hand with the development of sustainable tourism with local actors.

Golden-collared Tanager

The trip to the Eastern Andes, where the orography has greatly contributed to creating life zones and habitats very unique in natural wealth, flora, fauna and avifauna present between the Inter-Andean Valleys, Snowy Mountains, Bofedales, Rivers, Waterfalls and Cloud Forest, offers our passengers a unique and different experience due to the contrasts of vegetation, geography, climates and interaction with the inhabitants of the Quechua-speaking communities in the area.It is important to highlight the role played by the Cloud Forest in capturing water in the form of fog that contributes to the natural cycle of water and that in this route and area there are representative samples of trees with the presence of epiphytic plants such as Bromeliads and Orchids ( approx 200 extant species) for that ecological zone.On the route we will find endemic birds and mixed flocks, the first referring to birds found only in a specific area because they are unique to the region and the country, and the second are associations of different bird species that come together to maximize the use of food sources to protect themselves from predators.