OVERVIEW
PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU 2D/1N
DAY 1: CUSCO – LA VERONICA – TASTAYOQ – INCA TAMBO – SANTA TERESA
To PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU tour, first, we will pick you up very early at 4:00 am from your hotel. This gives you more opportunities to watch birds along the way. First off, we visit the snowy and lovely mountain Veronica (5,670 m /18,602 ft). This geological formation creates microclimates providing a home to diverse, colorful, and unique birds. Around 6 am, we reach the village of Tastayuq where we see a bird observatory. Therefore, we might spot there some Andean endemic birds. Particularly, royal cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae), the major endemic and critically endangered bird species. Excepting them, we can watch ash-breasted tit-tyrant (Anairetes alpinus) and Theonura lepthas. Tastayuq is home to Qeuña (Polylepsis incana) forest too.
After that, we have breakfast in the mountains to later continue our way to a warm high forest passing through the Inca site called “Inca Tambo”. There, we have more chances to observe some orchids, scissor-tailed hummingbirds (Hylonympha macrocerca), the-cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), and tanagers in their habitat of tea plantations. Later on, we are served lunch at a country house before we start walking towards Santa Teresa town. We accommodate ourselves at an eco-lodge near the town. At the sunset, we enjoy the lovely thermal baths of Cocalmayo, a beautiful paradise combining hot springs, subtropical nature, and the surrounding Andean mountains. We have dinner after our return to the eco-lodge and then we go to sleep.
DAY 2: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
At 7:00 am, our private vehicle picks you up to take you to Hidroelectrica railway station because we take a train there. We get off at the Aguas Calientes Town to eat our breakfast. Then, we get on a bus taking us uphill to Machupicchu (about 25 minutes of the ride) where the highlight of the entire Peru Birding – Machu Picchu 2D/1N tour awaits us! Upon arrival, we register ourselves at the entrance gate, and afterward, our Tour Guide gives us an orientation talk to be able to fully appreciate the majestic Lost City of the Incas. This guiding tour is private so it is just for us (we usually form small groups consisting of 5 to 7 participants).
During the Machu Picchu Tour, our Tour Guide explains every aspect of these Inca constructions, their geography, history, astronomy, and the surrounding flora and fauna. Therefore, we visit Machu Picchu´s Inca temples, agricultural terraces, religious magical sectors, and other important sectors. After the tour, which usually takes two and a half an hour, we are giving time to enjoy Machupicchu on our own. So you can visit the areas that take you interest the most, take more picture and relax. In case, you have booked a ticket to Machupicchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu (mountains above the Machupicchu citadel), you climb it, all in coordination with the Tour Guide.
When you finish the visit to this complex, you can take a bus down to the Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch (optional) or visit the local thermal baths. In the afternoon (depending on a training availability), we board a train back to Cusco where our private vehicle awaits you to take you to your hotel. The end of service included in the Peru Birding – Machu Picchu 2D/1N tour.
ITINERARY
PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU 2D/1N
DAY 1: CUSCO – LA VERONICA – TASTAYOQ – INCA TAMBO – SANTA TERESA
- 4 am – pick-up from your hotel.
- Private transportation.
- Bird watching near the Veronica Mountain (5,670 m /18,602 ft).
- 6 am – arrival to Tastayuq.
- Visit its bird observatory to watch some Andean endemic birds.
- Breakfast in the mountains.
- Continuation to a high forest passing through Inca Tambo (an Inca site) to watch birds.
- Lunch at a country house.
- Walk towards Santa Teresa town.
- Accommodation at an eco-lodge near the town.
- Visit one of the best thermal baths in Peru – Cocalmayo!
- Dinner and overnight back to the lodge.
DAY 2: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
- 7 am – pick-up by our private vehicle and transport to the railway station “Hidroelectrica” (a hydroelectric plant).
- Train ride to Aguas Calientes – a town just below Machu Picchu.
- Shuttle bus ride uphill to Machu Picchu.
- 4-hour private guided tour of the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
- Time off enabling you to enjoy Machu Picchu on your own, visit the Inca Bridge, and/or hike to Wayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain to take some panoramic photos of this New Wonder of the World (please see the section Optional).
- When you feel ready, use a shuttle bus ticket to bring you back down to Aguas Calientes.
- Lunch (not included in the tour) and/or visit to the local thermal baths (optional).
- Returning train towards Cusco.
- Transfer from a railway station to your hotel in Cusco.
- End of service of the Peru Birding – Machu Picchu 2D/1N tour.
OPTIONAL
PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU 2D/1N
OPTIONAL:
- Climb to the Machu Picchu Mountain, a mountain situated above the Inca citadel accessible by a 1.5-hour climb. Here you are able to take those postcard-like photos of Machu Picchu. It costs USD 15 extra. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 1 month in advance due to the limited number of tickets!
- Wayna Picchu – a mountain situated above the Inca citadel accessible by the 45-minute climb. It serves to take some panoramic photos of Machu Picchu. It is an extra USD 25. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 3 months in advance due to the limited number of entrances!
- Sun Gate (the end of the traditional Inca Trail) and the Inca Bridge. These two spots enable you to see Machu Picchu from another point of view and take some pictures. There is no need for special booking, no admission fee is required. However, we need you to advise us in advance if you wish to do these alternatives as it requires a minimum of extra 2 hours!
INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED
PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU 2D/1N
WHAT DOES THE PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU TOUR INCLUDE?
- All equipment for bird watching.
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Private transport from Cusco to Hidroelectrica (railway station).
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide specialized in ornithology.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 5 participants).
- Professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
- Meals: 2x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner, hot beverages during main meals, – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- Walking sticks.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
- 1 night at an eco-lodge near Santa Teresa.
- Train transport Hidroelectrica-Aguas Calientes-Cusco.
- Shuttle bus up and down to Machu Picchu.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu Private Tour.
- Transfer railway station-hotel.
WHAT DOES THE PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU TOUR NOT INCLUDE?
- Lunch on the second day in Aguas Calientes.
- Beverages (apart of the main meals).
- Entrance fee to the thermal baths (10 Soles each).
- Tips to local staff.
- Hotel in Cusco.
- Any flight tickets.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO TAKE TO THE PERU BIRDING AND MACHUPICCHU TOUR:
- Original passport!!! (Please note: It will be checked at the gateway! If you fail to bring it, you will not be allowed to enter!)
- Necessary stuff for a 2-day trek (We recommend a small backpack of up to 5 kg.);
- Personal medicines (if applicable);
- Small backpack;
- Light clothes such as shorts and a T-shirt (for sunny and warm days);
- Warm jacket/sweater;
- Sufficient number of socks and underwear;
- Raincoat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera and/or video camera;
- Binoculars;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank (there is no electricity on the trek);
- A peak/hat;
- Sunglasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Insect repellent (we recommend DEET 35 or higher);
- Toiletries;
- Towel;
- Toilet paper;
- Swimsuit (in case you like to visit the thermal baths);
- Bottled water;
- Pocket money in Soles (in any case of emergency or to buy some souvenirs).
PRICE
The price depends on the number of participants, accommodation availability, travel dates, and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.