Going to Peru, Machu Picchu in May 2019 (Page 2): Yes, but I would not want to be saddled with the Sigma. We saw a lot of Parrots. Again, Machu Picchu is not a birding destination.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

dandekarv wrote:

We are going to Peru, Machu Picchu, Quito in Ecuador in May.
Any suggestions about the trip? What not to miss and what lenses should I take.
I am planning to take Nikon D4, 28-300 Nikon lens and 150-600 Sigma lens.
Are there birds in Peru?

Appreciate the help.

Vasant

Yes, but I would not want to be saddled with the Sigma. We saw a lot of Parrots. Again, Machu Picchu is not a birding destination. Your 28-300 would be great. Again, even the D4 is a stretch.
My recommendation, since you asked, would be to buy a Sony HX90V with pop up view finder and a 24-750 mm lens.
Travel right, travel lite.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

[quote=dandekarv]We are going to Peru, Machu Picchu, Quito in Ecuador in May.
Any suggestions about the trip? What not to miss and what lenses should I take.
I am planning to take Nikon D4, 28-300 Nikon lens and 150-600 Sigma lens.
Are there birds in Peru?

If you are serious about taking pictures of birds, certainly your 150-600 would be a necessity on a trip to Quito and Peru. Lots of different lodges in close proximity to Quito that specialize in birdwatching/bird photography. In Peru, near Machu Picchu and Cusco, there is not nearly as much developed infrastructure for serious bird photography but the trail down from Agua Caliente can be excellent although it is a chore to carry camera, lens and tripod; just take it slowly. On the day you go to the actual Machu Picchu ruins, leave the big lens behind; not only will the weight be a chore, but there is a surcharge for "professional" photo gear to get in the park. Not sure of their definition of "professional" but certainly the 150-600 would qualify.
If you fly into Quito, I would highly recommend staying near the airport at Puembo Birding Garden. Very nice place, close to the airport, reasonable price, and the owner will be very helpful to you concerning any trips you want to take out of Quito.
There was mention of Andean Condors in one of the posts. If you want to see this bird, take a day trip from Puembo to Antisana NP. One of the few places you are almost guaranteed a view of these birds.
In Quito Mitad del Mundo was mentioned; an interesting place. Old Town in Quito has some wonderful churches and colonial architecture. Unfortunately, several of the churches prohibit interior photography.
These are wonderful countries to visit and photograph.
PM me if you want a more detailed recommendation concerning birding lodges, etc.

jak86094

If you haven't already, take a look at my last two posts...photos from our trip to Machu Picchu in November, 2014. These were all taken with an iPhone 4. Most of my travel photos, including a recent trip to Patagonia for 17 days, were taken with my Nikon D7000 and 18-200mm zoom. On both of these trips, I saw a few birds, but the highlands were not the place for birds. While Cuzco is very high, which is a good place to begin acclimation to the altitude, Machu Picchu is actually quite a bit lower and on the East side of the Andes bordering the Amazon lowlands. I remember the hillsides with orchids and other tropical plants, but I still don't remember seeing lots of birds. Most other things I was able to get close enough that the 200mm zoom was sufficient. Good luck and have a wonderful trip. It is one of my favorite trips and best memories...and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

jak

rcarol

One website that I visited suggested that the guards will require that you get a special permit if they suspect you might be a "professional" photographer. Permits are not easy to come by and must be applied for well in advance of your trip. I don't know the specifics but you should check it out. The problem as I understand it is that the unwritten rules are often more stringent than the written rules.

RodM Loc: SE Virginia

Your 28-300 will be great for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, etc. I rarely wanted anything my 24-105 wouldn't give me on my Peru trip, and at Machu Picchu you cannot take a tripod without a pro permit and would not want to carry a lens longer than 300 mm.