Cusco Hummingbird Photography and Birdwatching - 7 Days

Our Hummingbird Photography & Birdwatching Tour begins with hotel pickup at 6:00 a.m. and transfer to the Hummingbirds garden: Sacred Garden & Lodge, a natural area with native flowers and feeders that attract different species of Sacred Valley hummingbirds, featuring the endemic Bearded Mountaineer. After three hours of watching, we'll continue through the Sacred Valley of the Incas toward Yanahuara, where we'll enjoy an included buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Ensifera Camp Hummingbird Garden, an ideal spot to photograph Sacred Valley hummingbirds in the golden hour while enjoying a Peruvian wine tasting in a unique natural setting. Afterward, transfer to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Machu Picchu.

Early in the morning, we'll visit the majestic archaeological site of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a true jewel of the Inca legacy. Although the focus of this journey is hummingbird observation and photography, visiting Machu Picchu is an unmissable experience that blends history, culture, and nature in a single setting. After the visit, we'll return by train to Ollantaytambo and continue ascending toward Abra Málaga, crossing to the eastern side of the Andes to spend the night at the Tunki Wasi Lodge and Hummingbird Garden.

With the first light of day, we'll head to the Ipal Ecolodge Hummingbird Garden, home to one of nature's true gems - the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird. Later, we'll return to the Tunki Wasi Lodge and Hummingbird Garden to continue enjoying its beautiful garden filled with hummingbird species. The entire afternoon will be dedicated to photographing cloud forest hummingbirds of Peru in the lodge's gardens.

Early in the morning, we'll begin our ascent toward Abra Málaga, a strategic location to attempt to find the Blue-mantled Thornbill, Olivaceous Thornbill, and the impressive Andean Hillstar. There are no feeders here, making this a true photographic challenge: if a bird appears, there are only a few seconds to focus and capture these rare high-Andean hummingbirds of Cusco. The altitude and weather conditions make this experience both demanding and exciting for bird photographers. At midday, when the light is less favorable, we'll begin our transfer to the town of Pisaq, where we'll spend the night.

At 4:00 a.m., we'll begin our Manu Road Hummingbird Photography Adventure, one of the world's best birdwatching routes. From the Acjanaco checkpoint, we'll descend toward the Manu Paradise Hummingbird Garden, where an extraordinary display of cloud forest hummingbirds awaits. After lunch in this wonderful setting, we'll continue to a Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Although this species is not a hummingbird, its observation is a truly unique experience that no bird lover should miss. We'll then continue to the town of Pillcopata for an overnight stay.

At 6:00 a.m., we'll visit the Inkamazonia Hummingbird Garden, located in the transition zone between the cloud forest and the rainforest, where more than 20 species can be seen depending on the season. After lunch, we'll head to the Pico de Hoz Hummingbird Garden, a perfect location to end the day with excellent photographic opportunities of Peruvian rainforest hummingbirds until sunset. Return to the hotel at the end of the day.

Early in the morning, before returning, we'll make one last stop at the Manu Endemic Reserve Hummingbird Garden, an essential site to conclude our Cusco Hummingbird Photography & Birdwatching Tour. Arrival in the city of Cusco around 2:00 p.m.