Observación de Aves con Machupicchu 6D/5N

DAY 1.- CUSCO – HUACARPAY LAKE – OLLANTAYTAMBO (L)

After breakfast at the hotel we will pick you up in our touristic transportation and start our adventure looking for birds on the Huacarpay lake, surrounded by Inca and pre-Inka constructions.
Once we get there we can see a variety of Andean waterfowl like speckled, yellow-billed pintal, cinnamon teal, Andean duck and other wetland birds. Andean coot, white-winged grebe will be there too, and depending on the season of year, some migrant North American shorebirds (waders). We will be on the lookout for wren-like rushbirds, colorful rush tyrant, puna ibis, yellow-winged and Andean white-winged. Birds of prey that we could see include falcon, cinereous harrier, black-chested buzzard-eagle and red-backed hawk. Around the lake we will look for streak- fronted thornbird and endemic rufous- fronted canastero, with probability to find the pretty bearded mountaineer feeding in the trees, the giant hummingbird and trainbearers, mourning sierra finches and ash-breasted, greenish yellow finch and yellow tanager, etc. after a good day photographing all the birds with our camera we take time to rest at a hotel in Ollantaytambo.

DAY 2.- OLLANTAYTAMBO – ABRA MALAGA – NARANJAL  CALDERA (B) (L) (D)

Early in the morning, after breakfast in the hotel, we will take our transport
passing the highest point called Abra de Malaga, located at 4350 meters above sea level. We will have the whole day to explore this unique habitat. Possibilitiesf birds to see include line-fronted canastero, ash-breasted tit-tyrant (endemic), white-browed tit-spinetail, tawny tit-spinetail, giant conebill, stripe-headed antpitta, Andean tapaculo, dacnis, blue-mantled thornbill, thick-billed siskin, junin canastero and more. Our major target bird here will be the royal cinclodes, which we discovered here in the 80’s. On the valley floor we’ll check a variety of ground-tyrants and sierra-finches. After a picnic lunch we’ll concentrate on some birds local to the west side, including creamy-crested spinetail, rusty-fronted canastero, white-tufted sunbeam and chestnut-breasted mountain-finch. This mountain is a very beautiful place, where we may see some deer, lamas and alpacas, vizcachas and Andean bear, known as the spectacled bear (tremarctus omatus). This area is also habitat to a wide variety of birds and hummingbirds, sparrows, etc.; on rare occasions it is possible to see the real Andean condor. On this day we will enjoy picturesque landscapes of the Sacred Valley before ascending to Malaga with some opportunities to see snow-capped mountaintops in the distance.  Then, we descend into a change of geography from Andes to the edge of jungle terrain (mountain jungle) down to an altitude of 1300 m.a.s.l. where the climate warms significantly and is full of vegetation.  We will pass through small towns named Alfamayo, Huamanmarca (site of an Incan archeological complex), Amaybamba, Huyro, Huayopata, Santa Maria, and Chaullay before reaching Naranjal located at 1319 meters above sea level, belonging to the low-jungle area of Vilcabamba. From Naranjal we will walk about 30 minutes to Caldera.  In Caldera we will spend our first night of this adventure by camping.

DAY 3.- HIKE TO THE WATERFALL OF CALDERA (B) (L) (D)

After breakfast in the morning, we will take a nature hike to view a beautiful waterfall in the Caldera area.  This is a somewhat anonymous and protected area, not followed by many tourists, and the trail is rugged and un-groomed.  It’s an opportunity to maybe see the beautiful red bird Peruvian rupicola- Gallito de Las Rocas (a jungle Bird of the Rocks), squirrel cuckoo, red-faced parrot ( Amazona autumnali, Melopsittacus undulatus) real Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala, roadside hawk, Manacaraco( ortalis gutata) (Cacicus Cela, Yellow-rumped Cacique). Along the way we will see many species of plants, flowers and orchids and butterflies, the weather and nature at its best, refreshing clean water in a perfectly warm climate while also offering a history of the Incan people of long ago.  Later we return to the campsite to have lunch with more time to explore the many other kinds of bird species including Azulejo / blue tanager, euphonia violacea, corregidor / tropical kingbird – tyrannus melancholicus, monjita black-fronted nunbird, Amazon Rainforest birds – plum-throated cotinga, huallaga tanager, paradise tanager, scarlet tanager, western tanager, summer tanager, green headed tanager, black faced tanager, etc. Also we will enjoy the fruit trees of the area (orange, lima, lemon, papaya, mandarin, banana, etc.).  You can pick and eat the fresh fruit in its natural habitat, then head to see the process of natural coffee and cocoa production that many habitants of this area are dedicated to.  Some other plants grown in the area include beans, yucca, avocados, amongst a variety of other vegetables and herbs cultivated here.

DAY 4.- CALDERA – BIRDWATCHING (B) (L) (D)

After breakfast in the morning in Caldera camping base, we start hiking and looking for birds in to the semi-jungle area. This trail ascends through semi-tropical valley with trees, and include beautiful views of the Vilcanota valley. Varieties of orchids and new species of birds will accompany us on our hiking and bird-watching adventures. After a boxed lunch or picnic, we explore other areas and return with time, also getting to hear natural songs of birds along the way. We may see: perdiz (Tinanus), woodpecker, Motmot bird, Forest Fairy Tale, owl, slate-throated redstart, etc. In the afternoon we return to the campsite.
Option: to stay or prolong more days in Caldera and explore many places.

DAY 5.- NARANJAL – LLAQTAPATA – HIDRO – AGUAS CALIENTES (B) (L)

After an early breakfast, we travel to Lucmabamba (2100 m) where we will start hiking on the Inca Trail in ascension to the top of Llaqtapata (about 3 hours). We may see more birds along the way. In Llaqtapata we will have a break as we visit the archeological complex of Llaqtapata, with amazing view of Machu Picchu!  As we continue on foot, we will head to Aobamba where we cross the Aobamba River to Hidroelectrica, seeing a variety of flora and fauna in the route, as well as Incan terraces and constructions that lead to and are built at the base of (and are an important part in conserving) the famous Machu Picchu.  Once we arrive to Aguas Calientes town (located at 2000 m) we will check-in to respective hotels

DAY 6: AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHUPICCHU-CUSCO (B)

After breakfast provided in-hotel, we walk to the bus station to take the approximately 30 -minute drive up the mountain to the entrance of Machu Picchu (2400 m) with opportunity to see the sunrise over this beautiful citadel and enjoy few other tourists around at this time.  The guided tour includes visiting the principal plaza, Circular Tower, Sun Dial, living quarters, Temple of the Three Windows, and cemeteries.  Later you will have free time to explore and take more photos.  Finally, we catch the descending bus back to Aguas Calientes town where we will catch the return train to Cusco city.

Note:  there is option to climb Waynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain if booked in advance due to limited spaces.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Complete information of the tour given previous
• Tourist transportation during the tour
• Professional English / Spanish guide
• Meals according to the program
• Vegetarian food at request, no extra charge
• Chef & Assistant chef
• 1 night hotel in Ollantaytambo
• 3 nights camping in Caldera
• 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Porters & donkey (carry food, kitchen supplies, tents, etc)
• Camping Equipment (tents, mattresses, kitchen & dining tents)
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Bus Tickets Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Return Tourist class train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo or Poroy
• Final transfer to hotel in Cusco

PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• 1st Day Breakfast
• Last day diner & Lunch
• Sleeping bag (quality down sleeping bags can be rented)
• Extra Porters (can be reserved in advance)
• Entrance to Waynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (can be booked in advance)
• Walking Stick (we can rent if needed)
• Entrance tickets to hot springs, tips

What You Should Bring!

• Original Passport (for check-in to the points)
• Day backpack
• Plastic bag to cover backpack
• Sleeping bag (we can rent)
• Clothing for both cold and warm weather
• Warm clothing and rainproof
• Waterproof and warm jackets and/or rain poncho
• Hiking shoes or boots
• Hiking pants
• Shirts
• Mosquito repellant or insect repellent
• Walking stick (we can rent)
• Sunhat,
• Sun block,
• Disinfectant hand gel
• Towel + toilet paper
• Water bottle and sterilizing water tablets
• Personal medication
• Camera with extra batteries
• Plastic bag to cover camera
• Flashlight or head-lamp
• Small personal snacks (chocolate bars, candies, granola bars, dried fruits and nuts)
• Extra spending money in Soles (for Hot Springs, drinks, tips, etc).

FOR GROUP SERVICE  ( Minimun 5 People):

Sale $ 1280.00 USD

PRIVATE SERVICE:

STUDENT DISCOUNT:

$20 off per person

Discounts:

1. Students: Those who have the ISIC card valid, in the event that you book under a student rate with this benefit, you will need to bring the original card (not a copy) to show it at the control points throughout the route.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.

Upgrades

Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain: $20 per person
Vistadome Train (Round Trip): $40 per person

HOTEL INCLUDED:

Ccapac Inka in Ollantaytambo
Casa Andina Hotel  in Aguas Calientes town (or similar)
This is a 3 star hotel and is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial or triple. There is a single room surcharge if you are booking alone of $60 US per person. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember that the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, but we can work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.

Sumaq Hotel: $130 US pp shared ($260 for a single)
Casa del Sol: $60 US pp shared ($150 for a single)
Tierra Viva: +$60 US pp shared (+$150 for a single)
El Mapi: +$70 US pp shared (+$170 for a single)
Pakaritampu Hotel: $ 55 US pp shared ($110 for a single)
Casa Andina Private Collections : $ 85 US pp shared ($170 for a single)

HOW TO BOOK

It’s always a good idea to contact us directly and confirm with our team before your booking. Once you are ready, please fill in our Booking Form and pay the Deposit according your Invoice.. Our office will email you back that day with your confirmation. We always send out confirmations, so if you don’t hear from us, check your spam or contact our offie and we will resend.

Rentals

• Hiking poles pare – US$20.00
• Bag Pack – US$35.00
• Extra Horse or Personal USD190.00
• Sleeping Bag – US$35.00