Culture and Birding in the Highplateau – 3D/2N

Wetland Birding & Uros Cultural Experience

Early morning: Departure from Puno for our first birding excursion around the Titicaca National Reserve.

We will explore the lake’s totoral wetlands and shoreline, using small boats and strategic stops to look for high-altitude aquatic birds.

Birding highlights:

• Titicaca Grebe / Zambullidor del Titicaca
• Giant Coot / Choka
• Puna Teal
• Yellow-billed Pintail
• Andean Goose
• Various herons and shorebirds
• Andean gulls and other lake species

Uros Cultural Experience

Continue by boat toward the Uros floating islands, where we learn about the traditional use of totora, the construction of the floating islands, fishing, and the ancestral relationship between the Uros people and Lake Titicaca.

• After the cultural visit, continue with additional birding around the reed beds.
• Lunch: Local lunch featuring traditional Altiplano cuisine.
• Afternoon: Return to Puno.
• Overnight: Puno

Aymara Culture, Archaeology & Highland Birding

Early departure south of Puno following the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Our first stop will be Chucuito, a traditional Aymara town with an important colonial and archaeological heritage.

Cultural highlights:

• Chucuito main square.
• Inca Uyo
• Colonial architecture
• Aymara traditions

Continue toward the Waru Waru agricultural fields and the archaeological site of Molloco, where we can combine cultural interpretation with opportunistic birding.

The route then continues toward the famous Aramu Muru, a monumental doorway carved into a rock face and surrounded by the characteristic landscapes of the southern Titicaca highlands. 

Birding opportunities

The open Puna landscape around this route provides opportunities to look for:

• Andean Lapwing
• Puna Ibis
• Andean Flicker
• Ground-tyrants
• Cinclodes
• Andean Hillstar
• various finches and sparrows

Lunch: Local restaurant or picnic, depending on the expedition program.

Afternoon: Return to Puno with additional birding stops along the lakeshore.

Overnight: Puno

Final Birding Session & Cultural Farewell

Early morning: Final birding session around the Puno Bay / Titicaca wetlands.

The early hours provide excellent opportunities to photograph birds around the totorales before the winds become stronger.

Target species:

• Highland ducks
• Titicaca Grebe
• Giant Coot
• Andean Gull
• Andean Goose
• Puna Teal
• Yellow-billed Pintail
• Shorebirds and wetland species

The Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca is recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, particularly because of its importance as habitat for aquatic birds. 

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin the journey toward Cusco, or transfer to Juliaca Airport depending on the final travel arrangements.