Lima Birding Tour
Lima Birding Tours: 2-Day Santa Eulalia
Two days from Lima: Santa Eulalia's endemics, then the high-Andean puna at the edge of Junín National Reserve.
Duration
2 days / 1 night
Departure
5:00 AM from Lima
Elevation
~800 m to over 4,000 m
Group size
1–4
Overview
2-Day Santa Eulalia Birding Tour
This 2-day itinerary combines the Santa Eulalia Valley with the high Andean puna above Ticlio and Marcapomacocha, at the gateway to the Junín National Reserve. It is one of the most comprehensive Lima birding tours we offer, designed for birders targeting Peruvian endemics, high-altitude specialists and rare Andean wildlife.
Day one works the full elevational sweep of the Santa Eulalia Valley — riparian willow forest, torrent rivers, condor country around the Autisha bridge and the hummingbird-rich upper canyon. After a night in the valley, day two climbs past 4,000 m into the open puna, a dramatic landscape of glacial lakes and cushion bogs where some of Peru's most range-restricted birds live.
Expect long but hugely rewarding days with a significant amount of driving on mountain roads — every hour on the road buys a new ecosystem and a new set of targets.
Highlights
- ✦Nine-plus Peruvian endemics possible in two days
- ✦Great Inca-Finch and Andean Condor at the Autisha bridge
- ✦Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper on rushing whitewater
- ✦Diademed Sandpiper-Plover on the high puna bogs
- ✦White-cheeked Cotinga in high-Andean woodland
- ✦Overnight in the Santa Eulalia Valley — dawn birding on both days
Pricing
Per person by group size
- 1 traveller$1,320per person
- 2 travellers$730per person
- 3 travellers$550per person
- 4 travellers$440per person
Prices in USD. Custom & private departures available.
Day by Day
Itinerary
Day 1 · 5:00 AM
We depart Lima at 5:00 AM, driving east toward the productive Santa Eulalia Valley, one of the best birding destinations near Lima.
Lower Santa Eulalia — willow forest
Our first stop is a riparian willow forest along the lower Santa Eulalia River. This site consistently produces Black-necked Woodpecker (endemic), Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Collared Warbling-Finch, Peruvian Sheartail and Blue-and-yellow Tanager, with excellent early-morning activity and photography opportunities.
Mid-elevation river stops
As we ascend into the canyon we scan the river for Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper — fast-water specialists that are highlights of any Santa Eulalia birding tour.
Autisha — Great Inca-Finch & condors
Before reaching the Autisha Bridge we search the roadside scrub for the endemic Great Inca-Finch, one of the top targets of the route. At the bridge itself we watch the thermals for Andean Condor, Andean Swift and White-collared Swift.
Upper canyon — hummingbirds & endemics
Our final stop of the day is one of the most rewarding sites in the valley: Giant Hummingbird, Black Metaltail (endemic), Sparkling Violetear, Bronze-tailed Comet (endemic), Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail (endemic) and Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch (endemic). Overnight in the Santa Eulalia Valley.
Day 2 · High Andes to Junín National Reserve
We begin early and continue climbing toward Ticlio and Marcapomacocha, crossing into the high puna ecosystem at over 4,000 metres — a transition that makes this one of the most diverse multi-ecosystem birding tours from Lima.
High-Andean puna targets
In this dramatic landscape we search for Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, White-bellied Cinclodes (endemic), Olivaceous Thornbill, Black-breasted Hillstar (endemic), Dark-winged Miner, Junín Canastero and White-cheeked Cotinga (endemic). The scenery is spectacular, with sweeping Andean vistas and regular chances of Andean Condors soaring overhead.
Evening
After a final scan of the bogs and lakes we begin the descent, arriving back in Lima in the evening.
What's included
- ✓Private transportation from Lima
- ✓Expert guides
- ✓One night's lodging in the Santa Eulalia Valley
- ✓Boxed breakfasts
- ✓Lunches at local restaurants
Not included
- –Dinner on day 1
- –Personal expenses and tips
What You'll See
Target species
Species shown in red are Peruvian endemics.
- Great Inca-Finch
- Black-necked Woodpecker
- Bronze-tailed Comet
- Black Metaltail
- Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail
- Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch
- White-bellied Cinclodes
- Black-breasted Hillstar
- White-cheeked Cotinga
- Dark-winged Miner
- Junín Canastero
- Diademed Sandpiper-Plover
- Andean Condor
- Torrent Duck
- White-capped Dipper
- Giant Hummingbird
- Sparkling Violetear
- Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
- Peruvian Sheartail
- Olivaceous Thornbill
- Collared Warbling-Finch
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager
Gallery
From the field
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
How long is the 2-Day Santa Eulalia Birding Tour tour?
2 days / 1 night.
Where and when does the tour depart?
5:00 AM from Lima.
How big are the groups?
1–4. Small groups keep the experience unhurried and photography-friendly.
How much does the 2-Day Santa Eulalia Birding Tour tour cost?
Prices start at $440 per person and depend on group size — see the pricing table for details.
What is included in the price?
Private transportation from Lima, Expert guides, One night's lodging in the Santa Eulalia Valley, Boxed breakfasts, Lunches at local restaurants.
Which species can I expect to see?
Key targets include Great Inca-Finch, Black-necked Woodpecker, Bronze-tailed Comet, Black Metaltail, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, among others. 11 of the tour's target species are Peruvian endemics.
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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