Condor Sightings Near Cusco: Apurímac Canyon Tour
Watch wild Andean condors soar over the Apurímac Canyon from the Chonta viewpoints.
The Andean condor is South America’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan that can exceed 3 meters — and this tour is built specifically around the best chance to see one in the wild. The Chonta viewpoints, above the Apurímac Canyon northwest of Cusco, are among the region’s most reliable condor-watching spots, with sightings typically clustering in the early afternoon as the birds return from their daily foraging.
The day opens with a stop at the Quillarumiyoc ruins — the same moonstone temple complex featured on our dedicated Quillarumiyoc Moonstone Day Tour — before continuing through the Limatambo Valley to Chonta, where a short hike leads to the viewpoints themselves. Altitude climbs gradually throughout, from Cusco’s 3,350 m up to Chonta’s 3,900 m, the highest point of the day.
| 💰 From | $74 USD per person (group of 12) |
| ⏱️ Duration | Full day, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM |
| ⛰️ Altitude range | Cusco 3,350 m up to Chonta 3,900 m |
| 🚶 Physical level | Moderate |
| 📅 Season | April–November (best sightings; rain and lower condor activity December–March) |
| 👥 Group size | Private, 1-10 travelers (10+, contact us) |
| 🎂 Minimum age | 7+ with a guardian over 21 (18+ if traveling unaccompanied) |
| 🦅 Sightings | Not guaranteed — typically most reliable around 2:00 PM |
A full day built around the region’s most reliable wild condor sightings. – Stop at the Quillarumiyoc ruins, the moonstone temple complex, on the way out from Cusco. – Descend into the Limatambo Valley, with views of the Salkantay glacier along the way. – Hike roughly 40 minutes to the Chonta viewpoints, overlooking the Apurímac Canyon. – Watch for condors, most reliably spotted around 2:00 PM as they return from foraging. This is the Condor Sightings Near Cusco tour, start to finish.
The Andean condor holds a specific place in Inca cosmology — considered a sacred bird, and still one of the most striking sights in the Andes when seen gliding on thermal currents above a canyon. This tour is built entirely around giving travelers a genuine chance to see one, at a site chosen specifically for its reliability: the Chonta viewpoints, overlooking the Apurímac Canyon northwest of Cusco.
The route out from Cusco crosses the Anta plains before descending into the Limatambo Valley, with a stop along the way at Quillarumiyoc — a temple complex named for its carved crescent-moon stone, believed to have served an astronomical function for Inca priests. From Chonta, a roughly 40-minute hike leads to a set of viewpoints positioned for the best sightlines over the canyon, with the Salkantay glacier visible in the distance on clear days. Condors are wild, not captive, so sightings genuinely vary by day — but the early afternoon window, as the birds return from foraging, offers the most consistent chance to see them.
This tour follows a steady, gradual climb throughout the day — from Cusco’s 3,350 m up to Chonta at 3,900 m, the day’s highest point, reached mostly by vehicle before the final short hike to the viewpoints themselves.
The route heads northwest, crossing the Anta plains before descending toward the Limatambo Valley — the first two hours on paved road, the final stretch on a rougher dirt track.
What you’ll see:
The route continues through the Limatambo Valley, with panoramic views of the Salkantay glacier and the surrounding Andes opening up as the road climbs toward Chonta.
From the Chonta community, a hike of roughly 40 minutes leads to a set of four viewpoints positioned along the rim of the Apurímac Canyon — chosen specifically for their sightlines over the canyon below.
What to expect:
Following the viewing window, the group retraces the route back to Cusco, arriving by approximately 7:00 PM.
Day 1 stats
Box Lunch
Moderate
A light walk
70 minutes
Chonta: 3,900m (12,795 ft)
Chonta Viewpoint: 3,900m (12,795 ft)
Transport
Guide & Entrance Fees
Other
Discover the majestic beauty of the Apurimac Canyon with a guided tour! We’ll show you how to spot majestic condors in Cusco and get up close for a stunning view.
No — condors are wild, not captive, so sightings vary by day. The early afternoon window, around 2:00 PM, offers the most consistent chance, though it’s never a certainty.
The world’s largest flying bird of prey, with a wingspan that can exceed 3 meters, and a bird considered sacred in Inca cosmology.
That tour is built entirely around the ruins themselves, plus Ñaupa Iglesia, Moray, and Chinchero. This tour visits Quillarumiyoc only briefly, en route to the main destination: the Chonta condor viewpoints.
Moderate — roughly 40 minutes each way, on a trail that’s manageable for most reasonably fit travelers.
April through November offers the most reliable conditions; December through March brings a higher chance of rain, and condors fly less in wet weather.
Bright colors can startle the condors and reduce the chance of a close sighting — dark, neutral tones help visitors blend into the landscape.
Eagles, hawks, and white-tailed deer are occasionally spotted along the route, in addition to the condors themselves.
Signal is patchy for much of the drive and hike, particularly on the dirt road sections closer to Chonta.
Yes, horses are optional for travelers who’d rather not hike the approach — let us know in advance if you’d like to arrange one.
Not particularly — heavy rain, common December through March, both makes the trail harder and reduces the odds of seeing condors in flight.
Yes — we recommend 7 and up, traveling with a guardian over 21; solo travelers under 18 aren’t permitted.
Binoculars (10×42 is a good size) or a camera with a strong zoom, since condors are typically seen at a distance, riding thermals above the canyon.
Season 2026
We can offer the best prices and staff assistance for groups of ten or more.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 316.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 188.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 145.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 119.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 107.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 96.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 88.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 82.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 77.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 74.00 USD |
Tour Condor Sighting Cusco
Tour Condor Sighting Cusco
