Chonta Condors Viewpoint - Full Day
Cusco is on all travellers bucket list, as it is a start point to visit the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the surrounding Sacred Valley of the Incas. Opposed to the traditional tours, Cusco also offers an alternative, non-traditional tours. One of these, less visited tour with breath-taking views is the Condor Sighting in the Apurimac canyon where you can observe the Andean Condors soaring in their natural habitat.
Apurimac river canyon is one of the deepest canyons in South America, and home to numerous Andean Condors, the world’s biggest and heaviest flying bird with a wingspan of up to over 3 m / 9.84 ft, and the longest-lived bird on the planet. The Condor is a protected species since it is on the verge of extinction and Apurimac canyon is one of the few places where you can see them in their natural environment.
The Andean Condor is a majestic bird that was considered one of the Apus or “Gods” of the Hanaq Pacha (Upper World). The Incas worshipped the Andean Condor since they thought it was the god that connected the Earthly world with the Upper world.
This tour is an excellent and recommended option for nature lovers and bird watchers, it is currently a new alternative of tours that the city of Cusco has for visitors who want to see something different from the various tourist offers that the local market presents and for those who want to visit less touristy places.
Cusco – Quilla Rumiyoc – Tarawasi – Chonta – Cusco
You depart for this adventure in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) and the pick up time from your hotel is at around 7:00 and takes approximately three hours of driving to the community of Chonta, passing by the small town of Izcuchaca which is a quintessential agricultural place where you’ll see green farming fields, and the cattle grazing in the grasslands. Your first stop will be at the the Inca site of Quilla Rumiyoc (3,330 m / 10,925 ft), which has terraces and water channels that were designed to honor the moon goddess.
Then your drive brings you down to the warm valley of Limatambo (2,550 m / 8,366 ft) where you’ll stop at the Inca site of Tarawasi (2,675 m / 8,776 ft) and you’ll spend time exploring this place along with your guide who will introduce you to the historical information about this place.
Near Limatambo town, you will follow a well preserved dirt road up to the picturesque highland hamlet of Chonta (3462 m / 11,948 ft), where the Apurimac Canyon is located. This is where you pass the checkpoint to start a moderate hike to the viewpoints.
The hike takes approximately one and a half hours to the last viewpoint, You may spot typical highland birds on the way, whilst appreciating the local flora and the spectacular scenery as you approach the canyon, A short hike downhill will take you to the viewpoint in time for a delicious box lunch.
At the proper time you’ll be able to observe the condors soaring upwards, being transported by thermal winds. In the afternoon After viewing the condors you’ll hike back down to Chonta to take our bus to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: boxed lunch & snacks
- Maximum altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,550 m / 8,366 ft
- Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Distance hiked: 7.00 km / 4.35 ml
- Approximate walking time: 3 – 4 hours
- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pick up in Cusco city
- Private transport throughout the tour
- Professional trekking Tour Guide
- Personalized service
- Small group tour max 8 people
- Entrance fee ticket to Quilla Rumiyoc
- Entrance fee ticket to Tarawasi
- Entrance fee ticket to Chonta
- Boxed lunch & snacks
- Non alcoholic drinks while on trek
- Emergency first aid kit
- Emergency oxygen bottle
- Hotel drop off in Cusco
- Hotel in Cusco
- Dinner in Cusco
- Gratuities
- Horse rental
- Trekking poles
- Travel insurance
- Small backpack with personal items
- Photographic camera
- Cash for purchases
- Mineral water
- Sun Block and Sun Cap
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