Flight of the Andean Condor Chonta - Cusco
Observation of the Andean Condor in Cusco
The perfect place for observing the Andean condor in Cusco is in the Chonta community at 3350 meters above sea level. This place is perfect for condors where they can live and breed without any problem. Currently the place is protected by the Chonta community and can be visited at established times and accompanied by a local or professional guide. From a viewpoint you can appreciate and photograph the emblematic bird and different birds such as eagles, hawks and falcons flying over the condors’ nest. The condor is called the “sacred bird of the Incas” that makes up the Divine Andean Trilogy. In this place it is guaranteed to see the condors from 2:00 in the afternoon until sunset. You can also appreciate the impressive Apurimac canyon with more than 1800 meters deep, here is the home of the condors where they sleep and nest.
During this tour we will also be able to see different species of birds such as cotingas, different varieties of hummingbirds, Andean parakeets, eagles, hawks, falcons and more than two varieties of birds endemic to Peru.
ITINERARIO
CONDORS WATCHING IN CHONTA – CUSCO 1 DAY
Cusco – Finca Huaychao – Mirador de los Cóndores Chonta (5:30 to 19:00 hrs)
We will leave the city of Cusco at 5:30 am, then we will travel along the Cusco – Limatambo route on a very well paved road for approximately 2 hours and then on an unpaved road to the Huaychao farm.
During this trip we will make important stops to see and photograph some migratory birds and birds of the high Andean areas. The first stops will be in the wetlands and hamlets of the Pampa de Tata where you can see the Puna ibis, white heron, cattle egret, eared dove, Andean lapwing, etc. ,
Continuing the trip we will arrive at the Limatambo valley 2000 masl, where you can also see different varieties of birds. Then we will arrive at the Finca De Huaychaou where we will enjoy our breakfast.
Then we will take a walk through the farm and a ravine full of trees in the area where we can see a great variety of hummingbirds and the largest in the world (Patagonian gigas), among other birds such as red-crested cotinga, Andean sparrow, canasteros, flycatchers, among other birds. After the visit to the farm we will have lunch in our typical restaurant prepared by our professional chef.
After enjoying our lunch we will continue our trip by car for an average of 20 minutes to the town of Chonta and then we will begin our walk of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes until we reach the condor viewpoint 3350 masl.
From this point we will have the opportunity to witness the impressive Andean condor in its natural habitat, we will place ourselves at the observation point and wait for the condors to arrive after their daily activities.
This wait will not be long since the condors normally return in the afternoon. Here you will have a very good opportunity to see and photograph the condors from very close and for an average of 1 hour or more flying in front of you and sometimes you can see them flying 20 meters from the viewpoint and you will be more than amazed.
In this place we can observe different species of birds such as the Black-breasted Buzzard-Eagle, Variable Hawk, Aplomado Hawk, Golden-billed Manakin and some endemic birds such as the Apurimac Finch, Apurimac Spinetail, White-crested Sunbeam, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Creamy Creased Spinetail and Rusty-fronted Canastero.
Later we will walk back to the town of Chonta and then in our car to the city of Cusco. Arrival time approximately 7:00 p.m.
End of tour.
QUE SERVICIOS?
Servicios Incluidos
- Private transportation.
- Professional tour guide.
- 01 breakfast and lunch.
- Binoculars for the group.
- Entrance ticket to the flight of the condor.
- Walking sticks.
CONDOR CUSCO FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
- Drinks (mineral water among others)
- Horses 50 soles.
- Tips.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND TO BRING:
- Sunscreen.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Binoculars.
- Camera with extra battery.
- Hat or cap.
- Trekking shoes.
- Extra money.
- Mineral water
FAQs
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FREE INFO
Peru is the second country with the greatest variety of birds in South America and Cusco offers you very important places where you can observe and photograph different types of birds. In the community of Chonta you can see the Andean condor in its natural habitat. From the city of Cusco you travel an average of 3 hours to the community of Chonta then you take a 1 hour walk to get to the viewpoint from where you can see the Andean condor, flying over the Apurimac canyon and its nests.
The viewpoint of the condors in Chonta is the natural sanctuary of the Andean condor (sacred bird of the Incas). This place offers visitors the majestic flight of the Andean condor in its natural habitat and the impressive Apurimac canyon with more than 1800 meters deep, here is the home of the condors where they sleep and nest. The observation of the condors is guaranteed throughout the day.