Cusco Birding Trip, Condors of Chonta Town in Peru

Cusco Birding Trip in Chonta Town

A full-day Cusco birdwatching trip. Available at 5:30 am. Condors, 3 endemic birds and more

There is no doubt that the Condor is a must for all birdwatchers and although there are different places in Peru and the rest of South America, honestly there will be a no more beautiful, peaceful and lonely place to enjoy the contemplation of this bird than here, in Chonta.

Of course, there are places with very easy access where several vehicles can park and without walking more than 100 steps you can see this bird, but if on the contrary what you are looking for is a little lonely place and you enjoy a walk of an hour and a half through Andean scrubland this tour is for you.

The Condor, God of the heights, was precisely a deity for the Incas. They believed it to be the transporter of souls between earth and the spiritual world. And being in a place like Chonta makes you understand that belief.

The tour is a full day. You travel a road in perfect condition for an hour and a half and then you take an unpaved road that climbs through the mountains for another hour to the town of Chonta. The scenic scenery is unmatched and from this route you can see the Vilcabamba mountain range where the Salkantay mountain stands out.

From the town of Chonta there are only 8 kilometers (roundtrip) of walking to the first viewpoint and on the trail you can see other birds of interest such as the Apurimac Brusfinch, Bearded Mountaineer, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Streak-fronted Thornbird.

Remember, there are other places to observe these birds, but definitely, this is the closest to Cusco and if you are already visiting the city of the Incas why not take advantage of adding such an incredible bird to your list ... We will gladly accompany you.

Top 3 - Cusco birding trip highlights

Watch Condors in isolate area
Apurimac Brusfinch (Endemic bird restricted to a really small range)
Views of Vilcabamba Mountain Range

Have a little more time to spend on your holiday? Maybe you would like to have a look at some longer tour options to go with this Cusco birdwatching trip? Have a look at the Hummingbirds of South Peru Tour

Alternative Tour Name: Cusco Condors of Chonta Town

Day 1

Full Day Birding Tour

We will start our Cusco Condors adventure tour at 08:00 am picking you up from your hotel to transfer to Limatambo town. On the way we will enjoy impressive landscapes until we reach the Chonta Town. (If you want to have the chance to see more Cusco birds or Some Cusco Endemic Birds we can start at 6:00am for the same rate)

Once at Chonta Town, we will start an hour and a half trek to the first viewpoint. On the way we will look out for other Cusco birds and especially for the Cusco endemic birds Rusty-Fronted Canastero (Asthenes ottonis), Apurimac Brushfinch (Atlapetes forbesi) and Creamy-crested Spinetail (Cranioleuca albicapilla) and the Cusco near endemic bird Streak-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticeps). At the first viewpoint we will have the chance to watch the impressive condor of Cusco in its natural habitat.

Following the adventure and to have a better view of these incredible Cusco birds, we will hike on a trail for about 30 minutes and then go down a few meters to the following viewpoints. Here we will also enjoy our box lunch.

On some occasions these formidable Cusco birds have flown up to 10 meters close to people. But you know how is the nature and always it will be unpredictable.

At 3:00pm we will start the return from the Condor Cusco viewpoint to the control point and then to the city of Cusco.

Approximate arrival time to Cusco: 7:00 p.m.

End of the tour.

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Why should I book the Condores of Chonta full day birding tour?

This is the closest place to the City of Cusco where you can have the chance to watch the biggest bird of the Peruvian Andes…the Condor.

How many people is the maximum in this 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.

Do I need to be in good shape to do this tour?

This tour will take place in the heights of Cusco where you will have to walk on a path, so it is advisable to be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the experience.

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 as we are just a small travel operator working from Cusco, a city not as expensive as capital city Lima, with an office located on our own property. We also have a team of ornithologist experts who are in an extremely professional way and our tours offer matching cultural activities in the afternoon and culinary experiences at night which benefits more Peruvians.