Cuzco Birding Tour
Cuzco Birding Tours: Piuray Lagoon
A half-day at Cusco's high-Andean wetland — grebes, teal, ibis and reed-dwellers, back in the city by early afternoon.
Duration
Half day
Departure
Early morning from Cusco
Elevation
~3,700 m
Group size
1–4
Fitness level
moderate— Short lakeshore walks at ~3,700 m — take it slowly.
Overview
Piuray Lagoon
Our Piuray Lagoon Birding Tour is the perfect half-day introduction to high-Andean wetland birding from Cusco. Just an hour from the city, across the patchwork farmland of the Chinchero plateau, Lago Piuray is a beautiful glacial lake sitting at around 3,700 metres — a reliable, easy-to-bird site that packs a remarkable cross-section of Andean waterbirds, reed-dwellers and grassland species into a single morning. It is an ideal choice for travellers short on time, for anyone acclimatising to Cusco's altitude before a bigger trip, or as a gentle add-on to a Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu itinerary.
The open water is the heart of the visit. In the still morning light the lake fills with Andean waterfowl — Puna Teal, Yellow-billed and Andean (Speckled) Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Cinnamon Teal and rafts of Slate-colored Coot — while Silvery and White-tufted Grebes dive offshore and Andean Gulls loaf along the shoreline. Depending on the season, Andean Goose, Puna Ibis and even small numbers of Chilean Flamingo feed in the shallows, and Plumbeous Rail and Common Gallinule slip in and out of the weedy margins.
Along the reedbeds and shoreline we search for the skulkers — the jewel-like Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird and Plumbeous Rail — while Brown-bellied and Andean Swallows hawk insects low over the water. The surrounding fields, stone walls and eucalypt stands add a different set again: Puna and Black-faced Ibis probing the turf, Spot-winged Pigeon, Andean Flicker, Greenish Yellow-Finch, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Bare-faced Ground Dove and the confiding Burrowing Owls that stand sentinel on the grassland margins.
Between the lake, the reeds and the fields, the wider Piuray and Chinchero area has produced more than 300 species on eBird — our free Lago Piuray & Chinchero checklist compiles them all, with the region's Andean endemics marked. It is genuinely relaxed birding: little walking, gentle terrain and big skies, with the snowcapped peaks of the Urubamba range as a backdrop. With the morning's birding done we drive back to Cusco, arriving by early afternoon with the rest of your day free.
Highlights
- ✦Rafts of Silvery Grebe, Puna Teal and Slate-colored Coot on the open water
- ✦Plumbeous Rail and Many-colored Rush-Tyrant in the reedbeds
- ✦Puna and Black-faced Ibis feeding in the lakeside fields
- ✦Burrowing Owls on the grassland margins
- ✦High-Andean wetland birding at ~3,700 m, one hour from Cusco
- ✦Back in Cusco by early afternoon — ideal for tight itineraries
Pricing
4.9(28)Per person by group size
- 1 traveller$355per person
- 2 travellers$200per person
- 3+ travellers$175per person
Book now with a 50% deposit — pay the balance later.
Prices in USD. Custom & private departures available.
Day by Day
Itinerary
Early morning — depart Cusco
We leave Cusco at first light and drive up onto the Chinchero plateau, reaching Lago Piuray in about an hour. The early start gives us the calm, well-lit conditions when the lake is busiest and the light is best for photography.
The open water
We work the lake edge and vantage points for the raft of Andean waterfowl — Puna, Yellow-billed and Andean Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Slate-colored Coot, Silvery and White-tufted Grebes and Andean Gull, with Andean Goose and Chilean Flamingo in season. A scope does most of the work here, so it is easy, comfortable scanning.
Reedbeds & shoreline
Along the reed fringes we look for the skulkers — Plumbeous Rail, Common Gallinule and the dazzling Many-colored Rush-Tyrant — while Brown-bellied Swallows hawk low over the water. A little patience at the reed edge usually earns close views of the rush-tyrant.
Fields & margins
We then check the surrounding grassland, stone walls and eucalypts for Puna and Black-faced Ibis, Spot-winged Pigeon, Andean Flicker, Greenish Yellow-Finch and the Burrowing Owls that watch from the field margins. This is also the best area for passerines and the odd raptor quartering the fields.
Midday — return to Cusco
With the morning's birding done we make the short drive back across the plateau to Cusco, arriving by early afternoon. You are left with the rest of the day free — and your sightings logged to eBird if you'd like the record.
What's included
- ✓Private transportation from Cusco
- ✓Expert bilingual birding guide
Not included
- –Meals
- –Personal expenses and tips
What You'll See
Target species
- Silvery Grebe
- Puna Teal
- Yellow-billed Teal
- Andean Teal
- Slate-colored Coot
- Common Gallinule
- Andean Gull
- Plumbeous Rail
- Many-colored Rush-Tyrant
- Puna Ibis
- Black-faced Ibis
- Spot-winged Pigeon
- Burrowing Owl
- Brown-bellied Swallow
- Greenish Yellow-Finch
Free downloadable checklist
All 314 species recorded here on eBird across 10 hotspots, in taxonomic order with endemics marked. Tap the boxes on your phone or print it for the field.
Gallery
From the field
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Travellers on Wild Andes
Rated 4.9 out of 5
from 28 verified Google reviews
“We just got back from a full day birding tour of the Sacred Valley with Wild Andes Tours. We couldn't be happier with the day. Our guide Frank was the perfect guide. He knows the exact areas to see specific birds which is major in leading these tours.”
Jan Espe
Google review
“I had a wonderful day out with Alfredo along the coast south of Lima, first targeting some lesser known wetlands that gave some unexpected surprises, then heading to Pucusana for a boat trip out to see the boobies, cormorants, and penguins.”
Chris Paci
Google review
“I recently returned from an 8-day custom expedition to Manu National Park with Wild Andes Tours and I could not be happier with the experience. This was my first time in the Amazon, so I wanted something truly personal and far from the typical “off-the-shelf” tour.”
Luis Jose Arana
Google review
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Piuray Lagoon tour?
Half day.
Where and when does the tour depart?
Early morning from Cusco.
How big are the groups?
1–4. Small groups keep the experience unhurried and photography-friendly.
How much does the Piuray Lagoon tour cost?
Prices start at $175 per person and depend on group size — see the pricing table for details.
What is included in the price?
Private transportation from Cusco, Expert bilingual birding guide.
Which species can I expect to see?
Key targets include Silvery Grebe, Puna Teal, Yellow-billed Teal, Andean Teal, Slate-colored Coot, among others.
Is Piuray Lagoon suitable if I've just arrived in Cusco?
Yes — the lagoon sits at about 3,700 m, some 300 m above Cusco, but the birding is easy walking on flat ground and the half-day format keeps it comfortable. Drink plenty of water, bring sun protection, and tell your guide if you feel the altitude.
How do I book this tour?
Reserve directly on this page with the Reserve Now form — we accept PayPal. A 50% deposit secures your tour date, and the remaining balance is payable up to two weeks before departure. See our Terms & Conditions for the full policy.
Have a different question? Get in touch — we answer quickly.
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