DAY 1 - AGUAS CALIENTES

We'll take an afternoon train from Ollantaytambo or Cusco to Aguas Calientes. After arrival, we'll bird along the Urubamba River and a section of the Inca Trail outside town. Some of the birding is along the busy road leading up to the ruins where one can see Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper on the river. Shrub habitat and trees along the river are good for Inca Flycatcher, Mottle-cheeked Tyrannulet, Sclater's Tyrannulet, Bolivian Tyrannulet, and Lemon-browed Flycatcher. Then we'll bird a flat gravel and dirt side road leading to a section of the Inca Trail along the railroad tracks. The habitat is open secondary forest and thick understory along the embankment. Possible birds along the trail include Golden-headed Quetzal, Black-streaked Puffbird, Ocellated Piculet, Masked Fruiteater, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and White-eared Solitaire. Mixed tanager flocks that may include Rust-colored Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, and Silver-beaked Tanager are likely in flowering trees. Also possible is Fine-barred Piculet, which sometimes makes an appearance. The endemic Green-and-white Hummingbird is quite common and easily seen though one has to be careful to separate it from the very similar and also quite common White-bellied Hummingbird. Overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 2 - MACHU PICCHU & CUSCO

We'll be up very early to take the first possible bus up to Machu Picchu. There we'll explore the ruins and look for a few interesting birds found in the scrub nearby and at the top of the trail leading back down the mountain, especially Inca Wren which is best seen there. We'll then bird our way back down the somewhat steep trail that leads back to town. Possible birds we could see include are White-tailed Tyrannulet, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Blue-capped Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, and Black-backed Grosbeak along with other species. Once back in town, we'll enjoy lunch and then take the afternoon train back to Cusco. The tour ends there.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO
(Not on Menu Above)

• Country Map
• Accommodations
• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES

• Aguas Calientes
• Machu Picchu