Explore the Qapac Ñan (Inca Trail), a network of paths built by the Incas to unite their empire that consisted of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile!
Trip Review: The Empire of the Sun - Option B : without Inca Trail
“One of the best trips I’ve ever had. Definitely! Very well organized, ranging from transportations to activities. Great leaders. Thanks! I will highly recommend Vamos Expeditions to all my friends and family!” ... see more
The North-Amazonian Region of Peru is highly diverse; in this relatively small area as many as 1400 species can be observed. The White-winged Guan and Marvellous Spatuletail are only two of the many endemic species found in the region. This route stretches from the dry forests, deserts and mangroves of the Pacific Coast, across the lowest pass in the Andes, through the arid Maranon valley and the humid cloud forests of the Alto Mayo into the Amazon lowlands. An alternative, more challenging, road leads up the Maranon valley to the historic city of Cajamarca.
Numerous archaeological attractions, including some of the most extraordinary pre-Columbian sites, are located along the route. Among these are the fortress of Kuelap, the rock sarcophagi at Karajia, the Royal Tombs of Sipan museum and Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas and a World Cultural Heritage site. Native communities in the area, which can be easily visited, are involved in conservation projects. Gocta, the highest waterfall in Peru and one of the world’s most impressive, can be seen close to the route in Amazonas.
This route offers contrasting landscapes and birding experiences as well as many of the more sought-after endemics, such as Junin Flightless Grebe and Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager. The central route is the least well known of the three routes, presenting the possibility of interesting records and maybe even new species. Extending from the Pacific coast at Lima, where seabird colonies, wetlands, and desert lomas are the attraction, this route climbs rapidly up the arid western Andes over the Ticlio Pass (15,807 ft) to the puna surrounding Lake Junin. From Junin the route passes several huid montane forest sites before descending the eastern Andes into the Amazonian lowlands.
In addition to great birding, the central route also offers the chance to combine with visits to Caral, the oldest city in the Americas (3000 B.C.), and various sites of the Wari Empire. The spectacular Cordillera Blanca is situated just to the north and offers some of the best climbing and hiking in Peru with impressive scenery.
The southern Peru circuit we also call the mega-diversity-birding-route. From the Pacific coast seabird colonies and deserts at Paracas, this route goes south via Arequipa, climbing the arid western Andes onto the high puna of southern Peru, where lakes littered with waterfowl and flamingoes punctuate the barren plains, en route to the ancient city of Cusco, starting point for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. From there one can descend the high diversity eastern slope of the Andes, passing through a succesession of montane habitats into the Amazon lowlands, where Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve and surrounding areas provide some of the best Amazonian birding available.
The southern route is the most visited of the three and offers incredible wildlife experiences and good infrastructure. In addition to the magnificent birding and wildlife, this route offers the possibility to visit many Incan sites; as well as the historic cities of Cusco and Arequipa, the spectacular Lake Titicaca and the “Cruz del Condor” viewpoint at the Colca Canyon.
