In early 2026, we went on a trip to birding in Peru and Bolivia with Jeff and Patricia Harding, visiting two spectacular destinations for birdwatching in ecosystems that are a transition zone between the Andes and the eastern Yungas. We visited places such as the Manu Highway, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Road of Death, and Lake Titicaca.
Main sites and birds observed
Coast of Lima
Our first stop was the coast of Lima, where we were able to observe representative species of the peruvian coast, such as the Humboldt Penguin, Blue-footed Booby, Peruvian Booby, Red-legged Cormorant, Neotropical Cormorant, Surf Cinclodes, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Thick-knee, and Coastal Miner, among the most notable.
Cusco and Sacred valley of the incas
Then we headed to Cusco—the Sacred Valley, where we visited various bird-watching spots such as Laguna Huarcapay and the other in Sacred Valley of the Incas, and were able to observe interesting species, including the Bearded Mountaineer, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Andean Duck, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Red-crested Cotinga, Chestnut-breasted Mountain Finch, Shining Sunbeam and Rusty-fronted Canastero, among others.
Manu Road and National Park
The journey into Manu National Park is impressive, starting in the Andean region, passing through high-altitude forests (or Yungas), and reaching the Amazon, allowing visitors to observe various species associated with different altitudinal zones. The main sightings included the Paradise Tanager, Golden Tanager, Purple Honeycreeper, Montane Woodcreeper, Versicolored Barbet, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Masked Flowerpiercer, Andean Guan, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Golden-collared Tanager, and Grass-green Tanager, among the most notable.
Surroundings of La Paz
We continue our birdwatching and wildlife adventure, this time in Bolivia. After a direct flight from Cusco to La Paz, on the first day we went on an expedition to natural sites near the city of La Paz, where we spotted the Rufous-sided Warbling Finch Warbler, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Rusty-vented Canastero, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Scribble-tailed Canastero, and White-tipped Plantcutter, among others.
Yungas forest and Death road
After spending time in the Andean region, we headed to the Yungas forest, which is known for its highly interesting species. After three days in the area, we recorded the following species: Hooded Mountain-Toucan, Bolivian Brushfinch, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Rufous-faced Antpitta, Masked Trogon, and Scimitar-winged Piha, among the highlights of the trip.
Titicaca Lake
On the second to last day, we set out for the area around Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, where we were able to observe species of great interest, such as the Titicaca Grebe, Puna Teal, Puna Snipe, and Ornate Tinamou, among other species found in the high Andes.
The results of the first trip to birding in Peru and Bolivia—connecting Cusco with La Paz—were a success, with 343 species recorded, including many highly restricted species from Peru and, above all, Bolivia.
We look forward to continuing our species monitoring efforts in these destinations, ensuring the safety and comfort of our operations for future birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
List of birds recorded (Birding in Peru and Bolivia)
* All the photographs were taken by Jeff Harding, one of the birding travelers on this adventure.
