The first day involves to chose between 2 birding spots located in the surroundings of Lima. The visit to one of these sites will work as a BONUS adding more species to our list, and also to gave us the opportunity to travel the same day to the base of the Andes in Santa Eulalia valley in order to be there the previous day avoiding the morning traffic, with the purpose of maximize our time at the highest part along the road.

The two optional sites where we will spend almost half a day are:

Pucusana area and coastal wetlands south of Lima, focalize in seabirds, waterfowl and shorebirds.

Humboldt Penguin @Jean Paul Perret

Lachay National Reserve north of Lima, focalize in desert birds and some other specialities near the coastal agricultural fields.

Coastal Miner @Guillermo Knell

After lunch we will start driving to the east side of the city towards the base/entrance of the Santa Eulalia valley where we will spend our first night.

Early departure to the highest spot of the road. This morning, we will drive up to 4,500m in elevation towards the base of the snow-capped where Andean bogs, lakes and Puna grasslands dominated the landscape, here we will focus on the enigmatic and very handsome Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, and some others like Olivaceous Thornbill, Puna Tinamou, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, Giant Coot, Black Siskin, Glacier Finch, Streak-backed Canastero, Dark-winged Miner. The endemics White-bellied Cinclodes, Black-breasted Hillstar and Junin Canastero are other species we hope to find.

Olivaceous Thornbill @Guillermo Knell

We will spend the whole day scanning all the different hábitats along the road to document most of the species at this altitude and below. Lunch on the way. Overnight in Santa Eulalia.

Junin Canastero @Guillermo Knell

This last morning we will explore the lower part of the valley reaching up to 2,920 m (9,580 feet) looking for some species that are confined to this section. The diversity of habitats and scenery in these first transect of the road creates an astonishing diversity of birds like: Peruvian Sheartail, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Mountain Parakeets, Blue and yellow Tanager, the endemics Great Inca-finch, Rusty-bellied Brush-finch, Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch, Bronze-tailed Comet and Black-necked Woodpecker among others potential species like Canyon Canastero, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant and with luck Andean Condor soaring above the mountains.

White-bellied Cinclodes @Guillermo Knell

The western slopes of the Peruvian Andes have to defined seasons, rainy and dry season. The rainy season goes from December to March and the dry season from April to November.

Temperatures in the upper part of the Santa Eulalia valley (mountain/low mountain area) vary, generally being hot during the day and cold at night, usually ranging between minimums of 7°C (44.5°F) to 10°C (50°F) and maximums of 18°C (64°F) to 25°C (77°F), depending on the season and the specific altitude.

Dress in layers, a rainproof jacket, fleece jacket and a T-shirt or a longsleeve shirt is a good combination.

Between April and December sunny days are very common. Bring something to cover your head as the UV factor along the Peruvian Andes is very high. Also a sunblock with good UV protection is important.

If you suffer from any medical condition that requires special attention please let us know before hand.

Altitude sickness is usually not a problem in this area since we only reach 7000 ft above sea level.

If you are vegetarian or have any food allergies please let us know so we can include other items in the box lunch.

• Transportation from your hotel or the airport to the localities mentioned in the tour description.
• Professional birding guide english- speaking
• 02 nights at local hotel in Santa Eulalia
• Box lunch and meals
• Water

• Tips for the guide and driver.