Birdwatching Tour Laguna Huacarpay & San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary | Cusco
Birdwatching Tour Laguna Huacarpay & San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary | Cusco
Experience one of the best birdwatching tours near Cusco, combining the Huacarpay Lagoon, a high-Andean wetland rich in waterbirds, with the San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary, famous for its diversity of Andean hummingbirds. This full-day birding tour is ideal for international travelers, birdwatchers, and bird photographers seeking high-quality wildlife experiences in Peru.
Why Choose This Birdwatching Tour in Cusco?
- Two top birding hotspots in one day
- Excellent opportunities for bird photography
- High probability of hummingbird encounters
- Professional birding guide (English & Spanish)
- Small groups and ethical wildlife observation
- Easy access from Cusco – no long drives
Best Time for Birdwatching
This tour operates year-round. The best months for birdwatching and bird photography in Cusco are from April to October, with clearer skies and better light conditions.
Who Is This Tour For?
- International birdwatchers
- Bird photographers
- Nature travelers visiting Cusco
- Wildlife tour operators and agencies
Book Your Birdwatching Tour Near Cusco
Discover the birdlife of the Andes in just one day. This Huacarpay Lagoon and San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary birdwatching tour is the perfect addition to any Cusco itinerary.
Contact us today to reserve your spot or request a private birding tour.
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Itinerary
- Morning Birding at Huacarpay Lagoon
Elevation: 3,150 m / 10,335 ft
The Huacarpay Lagoon is one of the most important wetlands for birdwatching in the Cusco region. Early morning light provides optimal conditions for observing and photographing wetland and marsh birds.
Bird species commonly observed:
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- Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
- Many-colored Rush Tyrant
- Andean Coot
- Yellow-billed Pintail
- Puna Ibis
- Cinnamon Teal
This site is especially valued by birders interested in high-Andean wetland birding
- Afternoon at San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary
Elevation: 3,200–3,300 m / 10,500–10,830 ft
In the afternoon, we visit the San Salvador Hummingbird Sanctuary, one of the best locations near Cusco for hummingbird watching and photography. Natural gardens and feeding stations attract a remarkable diversity of species.
Target hummingbird species:
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- Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis) – near-endemic
- Giant Hummingbird
- Sparkling Violetear
- Green-tailed Trainbearer
- Tyrian Metaltail
This session offers excellent opportunities for flight shots and behavioral photography.
Includes
- Professional birding and photography guide
- Private transportation throughout the tour
- Target species checklist
- Ethical wildlife observation practices
- Photo-friendly pacing with extended stops
- Guided bird photography sessions in the Sacred Valley and Abra Málaga
Does not include
- Accommodation (hotel or lodge)
- Meals not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal photography equipment (camera bodies, lenses, tripods)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips (optional)
Recommendations
- Telephoto lens (300–600 mm)
- Fast camera body suitable for low light and action shots
- Tripod or monopod
- Warm clothing (especially for Day 2 at high altitude)
- Layered clothing system
- Hat, gloves, and windproof jacket
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (high-altitude exposure)
- Water bottle and snacks
- Comfortable walking shoes