Item: Cusco Birding at Balcón del Diablo Trip, Peru
Rating: 4.83
Author: helloperuniquedestination-com

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Cusco Birdwatching Half-day Tour to Balcón del Diablo

This is a half-day Cusco birding tour to Balcón del Diablo that is available twice daily. You can opt for a morning tour starting at 5:30am or an afternoon one starting at 2:30pm.

There is nowhere this close to Cusco city that has better access for birding and the bonus of five endemic species gathered in the same place - Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Bearded Mountaineer, White-tufted Sunbeam and Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch.

Fewer than 10km from Cusco's Main Square, this is an area of unequalled beauty, so much so that it was used by the Incas for ceremonies and rituals related to Mother Earth. Today, this paradise is only visited by some Andean shamans and shepherds who move around the area with their sheep. This adds up to little human activity here, even given its proximity to the city, and it's the solitude that makes this place a natural refuge for birds. Cusco birdwatching is easy and many species can be observed at close quarters.

The location of this half-day Cusco birding tour is the western side of the Andes in the southern part of Peru. It is an area of patches of Polylepis trees and bushes, endemic to the Andes, and scrub forests, with many streams and small bodies of water and low-scale agriculture. This environment is found from 3,400m to almost 3,900m above sea level, appropriate habitat for high-altitude Andean birds.

If you are visiting the city of Cusco, don't miss a great opportunity for some quality birding. In just half a day you can add a number of interesting species to your list and enjoy a unique natural environment.

Cusco Birding Trip to Balcón del Diablo Highlights

Five endemic birds, all found in one small area.
Breathtaking high Andes landscapes.
Convenient location just 10km from the main square in Cusco.

Alternative Tour Name: Cusco Birdwatching at Balcón del Diablo

Day 1

Half Day Birding Tour

Our Cusco birdwatching tour will start by picking you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to go in a private vehicle to “El Bacon del Diablo”. This amazing place, special for watching Cusco birds, is located next to Sacsaywaman archeological site, some 20 minutes from Cusco City.

Upon arrival to Balcon del Diablo we are going to start the exploring in 2 kilometers around looking for the Cusco birds and especially the Cusco endemic birds.

We will start in the Pollepys forest area. We will walk next to an Incan water channel and later we will descend like 300 meters to the little canyon area. In this place there are some crops plantation that attract some seedeaters depending on the season.

This place is visited by Cusco birdwatchers due to its easy access and the proximity to the city. So it is an amazing chance to enjoy the Cusco birds and Cusco endemic birds in a really short time.

Ending our Cusco birdwatching morning at 9:30 am approx. We will bring you to your hotel for breakfast.

The afternoon tour departs at 2.30pm and follows the same routes as the morning one.

(If you are interested to see more birds in the area, we can start the morning trip earlier for the same rate)

Wildlife Reviews

4.83 stars

- based on 1 reviews

Best Birding Experience in Huacarpay and Balcón del Diablo
V. P. Gambal01 Aug 2019
4.83
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Jose Luiz made my trip to Cusco very special with a full day of bird watching in two places. Even without a birding companion, I settled in alone, something other tour operators wouldn't do without an extra fee. He made the whole process easy by booking online in advance and then meeting me at my hotel two days before our tour to take care of the business transaction. (He also saved our group's side trip to Machu Picchu by making sure we had purchased our tickets in advance. Something we had overlooked). I chose two separate trips to complete a full day of bird watching with a lunch break at my hotel. The first stop was Huacarpay, a nearby area of freshwater marshes, and the afternoon stop was Balcón del Diablo. Huacarpay was more productive with about 40 birds (most of the birds alive to me), but Balcón was an idyllic setting in a high-altitude protected valley that gave us some endemic Peruvian birds. In total, I managed to record about 45 birds alive that day and left with a big smile. Jose Luiz and his assistant Stephany treated me more like a close friend than a client. The breakfast and coffee from the back door in the morning was a nice touch. Also in Huacarpay, where there are pre-Inca ruins, José Luiz also turned it into an interesting history lesson. Thank you for a great experience! Paraphrased/Unique Content Jose Luiz made my tour to Cusco extremely exceptional with an entire day of bird watching in two spots. Indeed, even without a birding partner, I got comfortable alone, something other visit administrators wouldn't manage without an additional expense. He made the entire cycle simple by booking on the web ahead of time and afterward meeting me at my inn two days before our visit to deal with the deal. (He additionally saved our gathering's side outing to Machu Picchu by ensuring we had bought our tickets ahead of time. Something we had disregarded). I picked two separate trip to finish an entire day of bird watching with a mid-day break at my inn. The main stop was Huacarpay, a close by space of freshwater swamps, and the evening stop was Balcón del Diablo. Huacarpay was more useful with around 40 birds (the greater part of the birds alive to me), yet Balcón was an unspoiled setting in a high-height secured valley that gave us some endemic Peruvian birds. Altogether, I figured out how to record around 45 birds alive that day and left with a major grin. Jose Luiz and his collaborator Stephany treated me more like a dear companion than a customer. The morning meal and espresso from the secondary passage toward the beginning of the day was a pleasant touch. Likewise in Huacarpay, where there are pre-Inca ruins, José Luiz additionally transformed it into a fascinating history exercise. Much thanks to you for an incredible experience!

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Why should I book the Balcon del Diablo half day birding tour?

The Balcon del Diablo is an amazing place pretty close to Cusco city. It doesn’t demand too much effort and it has 5 endemic birds possible to see.

How many people is the maximum in this group? / What is the size of your group?

Depending on the features of the paths and trails; and of course, according to the new protocols after the COVID pandemic, 06 people is the maximum in our groups.

Would this experience be accessible for people with limited mobility?

Unfortunately, no. However, we have other experiences with the option “Accessible”. You can check Huacarpay wetlands, as example.

Why book with Machu Picchu & Cusco Birding?

Machu Picchu & Cusco Birding can offer affordable South Peru birding tours without sacrificing on the quality of service. We have a business agreement with the best Cusco Private Hospital in case any altitude sickness or any emergency situation. We work with excellent local guides promoting a responsible and fairer distribution of the incomings.