Peru · Bird Watching

2-Day Birdwatching Tour in Cusco with Apurimac Canyon and Condors

2 Days Round trip from Cusco Moderate pace

Spot the Condor, the largest flying land bird in the western hemisphere

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Take an excursion to the Apurimac Canyon, the deepest canyon in Peru
02 Witness the Condor's flight over the Apurimac Canyon
03 Drive through the little-visited Peruvian countryside
04 Spot endemic birds such as Koepcke's Screech-Owl, Vilcabamba Tapaculo, and Apurimac Spinetail

On this 2-day tour, visit the impressive Apurimac Canyon, dominated by the majestic flight of the condor - the biggest bird in the world. The high mountains, with their unique birds and flora, provide the perfect setting for birdwatching and photography.

On this 2-day tour, visit the impressive Apurimac Canyon, dominated by the majestic flight of the condor - the biggest bird in the world.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Cusco, Salcantay

Languages English, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Chonta Condor Viewpoint and Night Birding

Depart from the hotel at 05:00 am and drive through the highlands to the Chonta Condor viewpoint.
Enjoy a coffee break before trekking to the Apurimac Canyon. During the one-and-a-half-hour trek, take in spectacular scenery, spot some highland birds, and watch the condor's flight over the Apurimac Canyon, home to the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
Travel back to the Chonta community for an exquisite lunch.
Drive towards the Mollepata Ecolodge. Enjoy birdwatching en route, as the region is abundant with various bird species such as the White-eared Puffbird, Cream-breasted Canastero, and more.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy dinner.

Witness two specific owl species - Koepcke's Screech-Owl (endemic) and Buff-fronted Owl - during a late-night birding session.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02

Salkantay Mountain Birdwatching Trek

Take an early morning walk around the ecolodge to observe birds that live in semi-tropical forests.
Embark on the journey to Salkantay Mountain. En route, enjoy spotting specific birds that exist exclusively in this elfin forest.
Arrive in Soraypampa and continue spotting more highland birds such as Koepcke's Screech-Owl (endemic), Vilcabamba Tapaculo (endemic), Apurimac Spinetail (endemic), White-bellied Woodstar, and more.
Journey back to Cusco.

Drop-off at the hotel.

Where this trip takes you

Chonta Condor viewpoint, Apurimac Canyon, Mollepata Ecolodge, Salkantay Mountain

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cusco 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation in Mollepata
Picnic lunch on the first and second day
Ozonated water (we will provide it for the whole tour, but you must carry your own canteen)
Entrance tickets
English-speaking professional guide specialized in birds
Private transportation
Snacks on the route
First-aid kit

What's Not Included

Personal requirements and expenses
Last day dinner
Bird-watching equipment
Tips and gratuities

What to bring

Bird-watching equipment
Water and other canteen items
Photography equipment
A spotting scope, if you have one
Flashlight for night birding
Binoculars
Tripod
Camouflage clothes (obligatory)
Passport or ISIC card (obligatory)
Sunblock SPF 45 - 90
Repellent
Slippers or tennis shoes
Raincoats or rain ponchos (November to April)
Extra warm clothes
Extra batteries
Sunglasses
Daypack
Hat or cap

Know before you go

If you want to upgrade your tour, you can add one or two days to do the Short Inka Trail or visit the Sanctuary of Machupicchu.
If you do not have some of the required equipment, you can rent it.
This trip will take you into a large zone dominated by spectacular landscapes and microclimates that follow one another, each with its own character and type of life, beginning with the mountain valley, the high mountains with their unique birds and flora, and the impressive Apurimac Canyon, dominated by the majestic flight of the condor.
Everything is wisely articulated by an Andean man and around his culture.
This is a new adventure trip for photographers, naturalists, and birdwatchers who want a little wilder experience in Andean elfin forest ecosystems. This place is located near Salkantay Mountain, on the western slopes of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Accommodation in Soraypampa is optional.

Logistics