Six-Day Andean Endemics and Cloud Forest Birding with Birds Hotel Molino
A six-day route linking Sacred Valley hummingbird gardens, cloud forest, Abra Malaga highlands and Huaypo wetlands, with Birds Hotel Molino as the principal base.
About this tour
This six-day journey samples a broad elevation range in the Cusco region, from cloud forest near Huayopata to puna and Polylepis habitat around Abra Malaga. Birds Hotel Molino near Ollantaytambo provides the main base, while one night at Tunkiwasi supports a deeper visit to the lower cloud forest.
The route begins gently in the lodge gardens, where hummingbird photography and a lower-intensity afternoon allow time to settle into the Sacred Valley. Two days then explore the cloud forest around Inkatambo, Tunkiwasi and Ipal before the journey returns to the valley.
A high-elevation day searches Abra Malaga for mountain specialists across woodland, scrub and open ground. Wetlands and agricultural mosaics around Huaypo and Chacan add waterbirds, shorebirds and owls to the range of possible sightings. The final morning returns to the lodge gardens before departure toward Cusco.
The operator describes potential for more than 100 species and at least 14 endemic or restricted-range targets. These are possibilities rather than guarantees, and the best timing for priority species should be checked when arranging the trip.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Peru.
Birds you can spot
Pluvialis dominica
target
Rupicola peruvianus
target
Fulica ardesiaca
target
Oxyura ferruginea
target
Colaptes rupicola
target
Chloephaga melanoptera
target
Chroicocephalus serranus
target
Momotus aequatorialis
target
Bolborhynchus orbygnesius
target
Anairetes alpinus
target
Nycticorax nycticorax
target
Theristicus melanopis
target
Himantopus mexicanus
target
Lesbia victoriae
target
Dacnis cayana
target
Rauenia bonariensis
target
Thraupis episcopus
target
Chalcostigma stanleyi
target
Stilpnia cyanicollis
target
Coeligena coeligena
target
Athene cunicularia
target
Poospizopsis caesar
target
Arremon brunneinucha
target
Phoenicopterus chilensis
target
Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus
target
Spatula cyanoptera
target
Cranioleuca albicapilla
target
Lophonetta specularioides
target
Atlapetes canigenis
target
Saltator aurantiirostris
target
Pharomachrus auriceps
target
Chalcothraupis ruficervix
target
Colaptes rubiginosus
target
Coeligena inca
target
Ardea alba
target
Pterophanes cyanopterus
target
Cyanocorax yncas
target
Elliotomyia viridicauda
target
Lesbia nuna
target
Bubo magellanicus
target
Tachuris rubrigastra
target
Pipreola pulchra
target
Psittacara mitratus
target
Lafresnaya lafresnayi
target
Euphonia xanthogaster
target
Glaucidium peruanum
target
Kleinothraupis parodii
target
Plegadis ridgwayi
target
Spatula puna
target
Grallaria erythroleuca
target
Ampelion rubrocristatus
target
Oxyura jamaicensis
target
Ochthoeca rufipectoralis
target
Thlypopsis ruficeps
target
Asthenes ottonis
target
Tangara xanthocephala
target
Aglaeactis cupripennis
target
Asio flammeus
target
Elaenia pallatangae
target
Ramphocelus carbo
target
Podiceps occipitalis
target
Myioborus miniatus
target
Tringa solitaria
target
Patagona gigas
target
Adelomyia melanogenys
target
Myioborus melanocephalus
target
Grallaria andicolus
target
Piranga rubra
target
Ensifera ensifera
target
Nothoprocta taczanowskii
target
Euphonia laniirostris
target
Merganetta armata
target
Metallura tyrianthina
target
Grallaria squamigera
target
Grallaria occabambae
target
Eubucco versicolor
target
Scytalopus urubambae
target
Asthenes vilcabambae
target
Coeligena violifer
target
Ardea ibis
target
Chaetocercus mulsant
target
Hellmayrea gularis
target
Elaenia albiceps
target
Tachyphonus rufus
target
Calidris fuscicollis
target
Rollandia rolland
target
Aglaeactis castelnaudii
target
Anas georgica
target
Anas flavirostris
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco arrival and Sacred Valley garden birding
Travel from Cusco to Birds Hotel Molino near Ollantaytambo. After lunch, spend the afternoon around the lodge gardens, using the feeders and natural settings to watch and photograph hummingbirds and other garden visitors. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 2
From the Sacred Valley into cloud forest
Leave early for the descent toward Inkatambo and Tunkiwasi. Much of the day is devoted to forest trails and the colorful mixed bird community of the cloud forest. Stay overnight at Tunkiwasi.
Day 3
Cloud forest morning and return to the valley
Continue through the cloud forest in the morning, extending the search toward Ipal for further observation and photography. Return after lunch to Birds Hotel Molino for the night.
Day 4
High Andean birding at Abra Malaga
Make an early start for Abra Malaga. Explore Polylepis woodland, mountain scrub and open highland terrain for specialist hummingbirds, finches, antpittas and tapaculos. Descend to Birds Hotel Molino in the late afternoon.
Day 5
Huaypo, Chacan and surrounding wetlands
Survey wetland margins, fields and woodland patches around Huaypo and Chacan. The varied mosaic supports waterfowl, shorebirds and several owl possibilities. A picnic lunch is taken in the field before returning to the lodge.
Day 6
Final lodge birding and departure toward Cusco
Spend the morning in the Birds Hotel Molino gardens before breakfast and the drive toward Cusco. If flight timing allows, there may be time for a short walk in the city before onward travel.
Locations & map
- Birds Hotel Molino - Sacred Valley Peru
- Tunkiwasi and Ipal cloud forest - Huayopata Peru
- Abra Malaga - Cusco Peru
- Huaypo and Chacan wetlands - Cusco Peru
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Year-round; suitability for particular species varies by month
Price: Price on request
Transport & stays
Accommodations
- Birds Hotel Molino (day 1)
- Tunkiwasi (day 2)
- Birds Hotel Molino (days 3-5)
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.