Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Starting in Cusco, we'll explore diverse ecosystems, from the high Andes, through the cloud forest, and descend into the rainforest zone. We'll encounter beautiful and colorful birds, as well as many endemic birds.
Along the route, we'll look for the best opportunities, and some reserves also have facilities for photography.

Itinerary

The Abra Málaga (Malaga Pass) is located in the Andes and comprises two distinct habitat types: cloud forest and elfin forest, with a large population of Polylepis trees. Here, we will photograph many rare birds in a completely natural setting using field techniques: the Puna Thistletail, the Unstreaked Tit-tyrant, the Creamy-crested Spinetail, the Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, the Coppery-naped Puffleg (also a subspecies of the Sapphire-vented Puffleg), the Scaled Metaltail, the White-tufted Sunbeam (E), and the Cusco Starfrontlet. Depending on the weather, we may go in search of Royal Cinclodes, the Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant, and the Blue-mantled Thornbill.
The Sacred Valley is the next stretch to explore. Here we can find some hotspots where we can photograph using scenery and other techniques. We will test the beautiful Bearded Mountaineer (E), Black-tailed Trainbearer, the impressive Sword-billed Hummingbird, Green-and-white Hummingbird (E), and Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch (E).
Then we continue towards Manu Road, the famous road with one of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Here we will spend several days, visiting special spots and lodges with fruit and nectar feeders. In the higher elevations, we will find and photograph the Andean Flicker, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, and Puna Thistletail. Descending, now in the elfin forest, we will photograph the Black-faced Brushfinch, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Gould's Inca (NE), and the colorful Golden-collared Tanager, Hood-coated Mountain Tanager, and Grass-green Tanager. Already between the cloud forest and rainforest, there are the Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, Peruvian Piedtail (E), Buff-thighed Puffleg, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, and many tanagers, including Versicolored Barbet (NE), Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Rusty-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Spotted Tanager. In the lower parts are the Black-backed Tody-flycatcher (E), Buff-tailed Sicklebill, White-bearded Hermit, Pale-tailed Barbthroat, Gould's Brilliant, Rufous-crested Coquette, Koepcke's Hermit (E).

• Versicolored Barbet
• Bearded Mountaineer
• White-tufted Sunbeam
• Cuzco Brush-finch
• Rusty-naped Tanager
• Saffron-crowned Tanager
• Golden-eared Tanager
• Andean Cock-of-the-rock

Details

This tour has a flexible start date, which we will coordinate with you. It is recommended to do this during the low-rain season, between April and December.
We will use various field techniques and feeder setups at the Reserves and Lodges.
This tour has 4 parts:

• Machu Picchu
• En Manu Road

• The first section is the Abra Málaga Route and surrounding areas.
• We will then continue to various locations in the Sacred Valley.
• The next section is the biodiverse Manu Road.
• The visit to Machu Picchu is an extension, and depends on the date of your trip.

 

Perubirds photo tour / Fundo Alto Nieva Km 374 + 200, Carretera Fernando Belaunde, entre Amazonas y San Martín Teléfono / wasap : (+51) 995 090 370 E-mail : guiacalles@gmail.com