Abra Malaga East and West Slopes - 2 Days
A two-day Abra Malaga circuit linking high Polylepis woodland with the cloud forest on the pass’s eastern slope. Early starts and stops across a broad elevation range create opportunities for localized Cusco birds, including Royal Cinclodes and White-tufted Sunbeam.
About this tour
Explore both sides of Abra Malaga on a compact route from high Andean woodland into the Cusco cloud forest. The changing elevation brings a succession of habitats, with the first day focused on Polylepis near the pass and the second on forest and bamboo patches farther east.
This is an active birding program rather than a single-site visit. It combines walking at close to 4,000 metres with roadside observation and repeated stops selected according to altitude and recent bird activity.
Royal Cinclodes, White-tufted Sunbeam, Marcapata Spinetail, Parodi's Hemispingus, Cuzco Brushfinch and Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant are among the stated targets. They remain wild birds, so observations vary with weather, season and daily conditions.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Peru.
Itinerary
Day 1
Abra Malaga West Slope and Polylepis Woodland
Leave the hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo at 4:30 am and travel toward Abra Malaga. Birding begins in Polylepis woodland near the pass at almost 4,000 metres. After a box lunch around midday, walk uphill to rejoin the vehicle and continue toward the eastern slope, using roadside stops at different elevations before reaching the cloud-forest lodge for dinner and the night.
Day 2
Abra Malaga East Slope and Bamboo Patches
Begin at 5:30 am in the Cusco cloud forest, where the search includes Cock-of-the-rock and other east-slope species. Breakfast is taken at the lodge before starting back at about 10:00 am, with additional birding stops for species missed the previous day. A lunch stop is planned in Ollantaytambo at roughly 2:00 pm; lunch is not included. Continue afterward to Cusco.
Locations & map
- Abra Malaga Pass - Cusco Region Peru
- Polylepis woodland - Cusco Region Peru
- San Luis cloud forest - Cusco Region Peru
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Transport & stays
- Private vehicle
Accommodations
- Lodge in the Cusco cloud forest (day 1) Standard room
Policies & FAQ
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. The itinerary visits habitats selected for the listed species, but all observations depend on season, weather and the movements of wild birds.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.