Descriptions

Cusco Archaeological Capital of America, was the center of most important cultures. “Inca Culture ” developed in the 15th century, located in the middle of the Andes.
Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be surprised by numerous Inca buildings, Inca walls, churches built in the 15th and 16th century, vestige of colorful costumes, and local people who still speak the Quechua language, which was the official language of the Inca culture we propose a small cultural tour to show a little of this great culture; which could perfectly be expanded according to your personal interest and available time, in these few days you can learn about history, archeology, astronomy, traditions and customs that enthrall to own and strangers, additionally during our tour we show you part of local flora and fauna, this consist in beautiful flowers, some endemic birds, and local and threatened mammals, that are part of beauty forming a perfect harmony between the Andean man and his environment, a legacy that was inherited from remote times from the Incas.
They built all the archaeological town with incredible technician, one of their most important citizens is Machupicchu, builded in perfect harmony with its environment, during this tour, you will have the pleasure of knowing this great archeological site, which is strategically located in the middle of mountains, surrounded by the green pristine forests, inhabitan of number of native species of flora and fauna, we can’t avoid to do some birding during any of our tours, but if you want to do it, please just let us know.
Come and enjoy a unique experience that will transport you back in time.

Day 1 Arriving in Cusco.

Usually people have to take a flight to Cusco, on your arriving we going to pick you up from the airport transfer you to nice and comfortable hotel in the main town, Cusco is located in 3400 ma.s.l. ( 1036.32 foot) and its a good idea to have a relaxing morning.
after lunch will pick you up to our first excursion city tour, we¿ll visit you the Main plaza, Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha – «most important incas Palace» also known as the Sun Temple and the surroundings Archaeological sites out site the town Sacsayhuaman Q’enqo, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, first one is the very impresive cyclopean construction, some of which weigh between 90 – 128 tons.
Finally, we’ll transfer back to your hotel.

Night: Cusco. L.D.

Day 2: Cusco Southern Valley (Piquillaqta Andahuaylillas)

Today we’ll go  southern of Cusco we have a nice stop at Lake Huacarpay, in this place we look for the endemic Bearded Mountaineer and Rusty-Fronted Canastero also some shore birds Plumbeous Rail, Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant, Puna and Yellow-billed Teal, the biggest hummingbird in the world Giant Humminbird and a lots of waterfowl and much more, in the late morning we’ll visit Piquillaqta Pre-Inca Ruins and Church of San Pedro of Andahuaylillas, While the exterior of the church looks rather humble, it is the interior, that makes this one of the most valuable jewels of the colonial art in Peru, sometimes called the “Capilla Sixtina” or «Sistine Chapel» of America, if time allow us we visit Tipon another archaeological site, some birding its possible too.

Night: Cusco. B:L:D.

Day 3: Sacred Valley

Full day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas including Qenko, Pisac traditional market, on the way we visit «Awanacancha», this is a weaving center and farm with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts. 14 Andean communities are working on this project, they have four members of south American camelids: llama, alpaca, vicuna and guanaco. during this day we can look for variety of Ground-Tyrants & Sierra Finches are always present. Other possibilities include Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Peruvian Sierra -Finch,  Rusty-fronted Canastero and many more Andean passerines. Late in the afternoon we arrive to Ollantaytambo village and will visit Inca ruins.

Night in Ollantaytambo. B:LD.
At this point if you like we can do a birding tour extension to visit one of the famous birding spots close by cusco, just for you information you can visit the following link. Birding in Abra Malaga

Day 4: To Machupicchu

After breakfast we take the train to Machupicchu from the train we will certainly see Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dipper on the Urubamba River. You will arrive after 2 hours aprox. The staff we’ll be waiting for you to transfer to our hotel you have a free afternoon to explore by yourselves the small town, or birding the railway track along the Urubamba River. In the remnant cloud forest we will be looking specifically for Masked Fruiteater (endemic), Sclater’s and Bolivian Tyrannulets, Silver-backed Tanager, Pale-eyed Thrush, Black-streaked Puffbird, Oleaginous Hemispingus and Capped Conebill. Mixed flocks, additionally late in the day you can visit hot springs.

Night in Machupicchu. B:L.D.

Day 5: Machupicchu to Cusco

Early in the morning we will take a bus to visit MACHU PICCHU – one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated in a special place. surrounded by great landscape, Machupicchu was Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world – Inca’s culture. Actually there are 2 turns to visit Machupicchu in the mornings and afternoons, so we’ll take morning visit where you will have 2 hours guided tour in the archaeological site and then you can explore the ruins at leisure for the rest of the morning before lunch.
then you may take bus back down towards Aguas Calientes where you will take train to go back to Cusco.
at the train station we’ll be waiting for you to transfer you to the your hotel where its the end of the tour.

Night: Cusco.

Please contact us for more details, prices and accommodation information.

What to Bring:

• Please do not bring too much luggage. For domestic flights you can hold 23 kg. ( 50.7063 lbs.) and 8 kg. (17.637 lbs.) in hand luggage. Extra costs run by yourselves.
• Lightweight comfortable clothing is recommended, i.e. standard field pants and shirts for the
  entire trip, some jackets, gloves, for cold places is enough, at least for the Cusco area.
• Inside the train is allowed just hand backpack, so please consider this but if you have your check luggage no problem, we are going to keep it until you are back in Cusco again.
• Sunblock and hat or cap.
• An umbrella and rain poncho, remember even if you have a good weather forecast, this can change suddenly.
• Please using camouflaged clothing would be OK, not really any military clothing avoid the second.
• Shower thongs / rubber flip flops will be useful.

Recommendation:

• Camera.
• Binoculars.
• Extra Batteries.
• Telescope (Optional).

General:

• we’ll visit protected national Archaeological sites and birding will primarily be on forested roads and some trails – difficulty is totally easy level.
• We will be moving between 3400 – 2400 meters, asl (11154.86 – 7874.016 feet), this just on one day). Mostly between 2400 meters.
• We will experience all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary.
• We will have electric power at all our destinations. There are sockets inside all rooms with 220 volt
  electricity.
• Wifi service is provide in your hotel.
• Please note be sure and bring extra batteries sometimes one single battery is not enough for one day
• additional memory card would be OK, please remember to download your previous day photos.

Medical and Health Information:

High altitude information you may find useful. Arriving in Cusco is not a problem because you were already in this town, if you didn’t stay in Cusco yet, is not a problem because our Cultural is relaxing, that why first morning we’ll have a relaxing morning; the highest point during the tour is 3400 meters, but probably not high enough to cause serious problems. Adjusting to higher altitude is a very individual thing.
Some may feel no effects at all, some may have minor effects, and others may experience great difficulty.
You may feel the lack of oxygen, and will easily get “out of breath” You may feel a little nauseous, have a headache, or tire easily.. You will acclimatize to it by producing more red blood cells, so you should make sure you stay well hydrated, avoid physical effort as the extra cells thicken your blood. and Coca Tea its very helpful.

Drink lots of water, while avoiding alcohol or caffeine. Dehydration can make any effects of altitude worse. Try to avoid overeating the first day.

your safety and well-being is of first importance above all else.

Therefore, I will be making frequent checks to make sure everyone is feeling well.

If someone in the group isn’t feeling well easily we can visit and small hospital to be sure that you are OK at the same time we can ask for some medicine at the drugstore after doctor diagnostic.
There are medications available for altitude sickness. Please check with your doctor. For the headache, you can take an over-the-counter medicine, such as

acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).

Travel insurance

Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.

Books:

Birds of Peru is the best field Guide.
If you consider you can bring some other field guide are welcome.

+ Prices Include:

• Private transport in all the way.
• All accommodations in all the tour (Cusco/Cusco).
• Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch/ picnic or box lunch depending where we are, dinner, snacks, water available all the time).
• Bird guide specialist.
• Bird checklist per person.
• Entrances to all Archaeological sites and Birding spots.
• Transfers in Cusco.
• Basically full board in a private tour.
• Oxygen Bottle.

– Not included:

• Laundry, calls, medical costs or hospitalization, excess baggage charges, insurance, or other items of personal nature.

What I (guide) will have with me

• Recording stuff Roland R-05/Microphone SENNHEISER ME66/K6.
• Two iPods- speakers.
• A Swarovski ATX 80 scope 20-60 zoom
• Green laser pointer
• Owling light.
• GPS.
• Personal Swarovski Binoculars.
• I will be carrying the new field guide Birds of Peru this can be found on www.amazon.com.

Tour Calendar 2023:

• At the moment just working on Private tours but if you are interested please let us know.

If you need private or customized tour please contact us for more information:

• • • • https://www.tanagertours.com
      • info@tanagertours.com