Southern Peru: Feathers & Traditions

Machu Picchu © Doris Valencia

A combined-interest tour to Southern Peru visits wondrous Machu Picchu and the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco among an array of outstanding cultural sites and landscapes; excursions to easily accessed habitats including forests, lakes, mountains, and valleys promise a range of fabulous tropical birds.

Join us on this exquisite adventure, where birding and cultural immersion intertwine for a complete and well-balanced travel experience. We’ll discover the wonders of Peru’s most iconic historic sites and grandest landscapes, ranging from Cuzco—the ancient Inca capital rich with architectural treasures—to awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, and from the celebrated Sacred Valley of the Incas to breathtaking Apurimac Canyon, home to majestic Andean Condors. From Cuzco, we’ll explore the region’s stunning geography, from river valleys to Andean peaks, passes, forests and lakes. Our travels will reveal an incredible birdlife, one second only to Colombia in global diversity. We’ll marvel at vibrant Giant and Sword-billed hummingbirds flitting among Andean flowers, and spot regional endemics such as the gorgeous Bearded Mountaineer and White-tufted Sunbeam hummingbirds, Inca Wren, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Saffron-crowned Tanager, the stunning Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Apurimac Brush-Finch, and much more. Southern Peru is about much more than birds, and our program provides an intimate look at the vibrant local culture, visiting ancient Inca ruins (in addition to Machu Picchu), strolling through bustling markets, and connecting with indigenous communities. We’ll fully embrace the rich heritage and traditions that have shaped this captivating country for centuries, a country many regard among the most culturally interesting in the Western Hemisphere. Of course, Peru is also famous for its world-class cuisine, a tantalizing fusion of flavors, textures, and influences drawn from various cultures. The result is a diverse and deliciously unforgettable culinary experience! We will sample the local fare throughout our tour route. We’ll enjoy a range of accommodations, from hotels to guest lodges, some set among charming gardens alive with birds. This trip will be led by Doris Valencia, a native Peruvian with superb birding skills and a masterful command of Peruvian history and culture—the perfect guide for this special trip.

Good to excellent accommodations and meals; two relatively long drives of about two hours each in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle; most birding along roads and paths as well as in some Inca sites and bird-feeding stations; highest elevation reached is 14,200 feet; varying conditions ranging from warm and dry to slightly hot and humid to cool and pleasant in the mountains; rain posible at Machu Picchu.

Giant Hummingbird © Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock