BIRDING IN NORTHERN PERU: The Grand Tour
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- USD 4050
- Trip Type
- Activities
- Trip Duration
- Group Size
- Habitats Covered
The price listed above is based on a minimum of 4 people in double occupancy. If you have any questions please refer to FAQ of send us a message.
Trip Outline
Northern Peru should be at the top of your must-visit destinations list. With its incredible diversity, high endemism, and rare species, it is truly a paradise for birdwatchers. This is the ultimate and most comprehensive trip, covering the majority of the accessible, greatest hotspots in Northern Peru, guaranteeing one of the best birding experiences on a world-class route over a total of 17 days.
Our itinerary includes visits to some of the country’s most sought-after targets, including the Marvelous Spatuletail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Scarlet-banded Barbet, the once-considered extinct White-winged Guan, Peruvian Plantcutter, Royal Sunangel; Rusty-tinged, Chestnut, Chachapoyas, Ochre-fronted, and Pale-billed Antpittas; Utcubamba Tapaculo; Jet, Yungas, Painted, and Blue-rumped Manakins; Marañon, Peruvian, Mishana, and Tumbes Tyrannulets; Little, Buff-bridled, and Gray-winged Inca-finches, among many others.
Our journey takes us through the remote wet mountains of Cordillera Azul, amazonian foothills in Tarapoto and Alto Mayo, from where we gradually ascend the Andes, birding the mythical cloud forests in Abra Patricia in the eastern slopes; we will explore the dry Marañon Valley, the Utcubamba Canyon, the dry Cajamarca Highlands; later the the Peruvian desert and the Pacific shore. This area boasts incredibly high endemism, making it a prime route for birdwatching.
The road conditions are excellet and access to the main birding spots is mostly easy, making this the perfect way to explore the Coast, High Andes, and lowland rainforest by the confort of our car. Our trip is designed to help you see as many bird species as possible in 17 days, at an easy and comfortable pace, all at an affordable price.
While our itinerary is a suggestion, we’re more than happy to adapt it to your needs, targets, or budget. Whether you’re an experienced birder or a novice, our «Birding in Northern Peru: The Grand Tour» is the perfect way to experience the incredible birdlife that this region has to offer.
See a Trip Report of one of our Birding Tours in Northern Peru here.
Itinerary
Lima - Tarapoto and Transfer to Plataforma
After an early domestic flight from Lima to Tarapoto, we will head to Bella Vista, where our journey to Plataforma (Flor de Café) begins. We will travel by 4x4 pickups, as the road can become muddy when it rains. Although the route used to be a significant challenge, recent improvements have made it more accessible.
Plataforma is renowned for being the most accessible location to observe the exquisite Scarlet-banded Barbet and for the exciting discovery of a new species within the Myrmoderus genus, the reclusive Cordillera Azul Antbird. Both species are among the most spectacular recent discoveries in the New World, with the Barbet being one of the flagship species of Peruvian biodiversity.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will search for cloud forest mixed-species flocks and make our first attempt to spot the Scarlet-banded Barbet.
Overnight in Plataforma.
Scarlet-Banded Barbet
We have a full day ahead of us in Plataforma to search for two of Peru's most emblematic and rare endemic species: Scarlet-banded Barbet. While exploring this area, we'll also be on the lookout for mixed flocks of tanagers and other special bird species, including Blue-browed and Green-throated Tanagers. We will search later for Painted, Blue-rumped, Yungas & Jet Manakins and during our explorations Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, Gray-tailed Piha, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Gray-throateed Leaftosser, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Napo Sabrewing, Lined Antshrike are all very possible sightings here.
As night falls, we may even be rewarded with sightings of the Subtropical Pygmy-Owl, Foothill Screech-Owl and Band-bellied Owl.
Cordillera-azul Antbird and back to Tarapoto
After breakfast, we will embark on an excursion in the surrounding area for the recently discovered Cordillera-azul Antbird, other highlights we see often here Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Foothill schiformnis, Roraiman Flycatcher, White-throated & Yellow-throated Spadebills, etc. The same trail may reward with another new species Yungas Woodcreeper, still not described for science .
After lunch, we will begin our journey back to Tarapoto, making stops along the way for additional birding opportunities such as Blackish Pewee, Hoatzin, Limpkin, Rose-fronted Parakeet, etc.
We will arrive in Tarapoto in the late afternoon.
Night in Tarapoto.
Cordillera Escalera
After breakfast we will head to Cordillera Escalera and Aconabikh Reserve. Bird feeders hold Koepcke´s Hermit (E), Great-billed Hermit, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Brown Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Pink-thorated Brilliant, among others.
The beautiful trails may reward with Double-banded Pygmy Tyrant, White-bellied Pygmy-tyrant, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Blue-capped Manakin, Plain-winged Antshrike; Black, Black-faced, White-browed, Spot-winged, and the stunning White-plumed Antbirds, We can find here an active lek of Golden headed Manakin where males display through out the year.
From Canopy tower we have good chances for Hook-billed Kite, Lettered Aracari, Mishana Tyrannulet (E), Peruvian Tyrannulet, Cliff & Brown-crested Flycatcher, White-throated Toucan, Black-faced Tanager, Rufous-bellied Euphonia, Dotted Tanager. Additionally Yellow-tailed Wooly-monkey are also seen here.
After lunch, we will head to Moyobamba and a quick stop for Oilbird roosting area.
Night in Waqanki Lodge (Moyobamba)
Alto Mayo - Waqanki Lodge
We have a full day to explore Waqanki lodge in Moyobamba where birding in the trails include include: Painted (E), Golden-headed & Fiery-capped Manakins, Fiery throated Fruiteater, Lafresnaye´s, Piculet, Riparian Parrotlet, Foothill Stipplethroat, Zimmer´s Antbird, Wing-barred Piprites, Golden collared Toucanet, RufousNightjar, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail; Stripe-necked & Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrants, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Green-backed Trogon; Rufous & Broad-billed Motmot, among others.
The garden of the lodge is rewarding with Mishana Tyrannulet (E), Huallaga Tanager (E), Channel-billed Toucan, Lettered Aracari, Red-shouldered & Black-face Tanagers, and Pale-breasted Thrush.
Hummingbird feeders attract the spectacular Rufous-crested Coquette along with Rufous-breasted Hermit, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, among many others.
Nights are productive as well since Foothill, Tropical & Band-bellied Screech-Owl and Stygian Owl are residentes here.
Night in Waqanki
Andean Foothills and Abra Patricia
After an early birding and breakfast we will start our mournin in quest for the very rare and nocturnal Masked Duck.
We will later visit Arena Blanca Reserve where Russet-crowned Crake can be seen near, and great birds come to feeders such as Little Tinamou, Rufous-breasted Wood-quail, White-chinned Sapphire, Wire-crested Thornbill, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Black-throated Brilliant, Geoffroy´s Daggerbill White-necked Jacobin, Reddish Hermit, Long-billed Starthroat, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Paradise Tanager, Huallaga Tanager (E), Magpie Tanager among many.
From this point we will start gaining hight towards the Andes birding along the road where Lanceolated Monklet, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Ecuadorian Tyrannylet, Golden-headed & Crested Quetzal, Speckle-chested Piculet, Ornate Flycatcher and Peruvian Tyrannulet.
We will arrive to Abra Patricia at mid afternoon.
Night in Owlet Lodge.
Owlet Lodge
Abra Patricia raises at 2300 meters elevation, it´s the pass that crosses the Andes towards the east side towards the Amazon.
This is one of the most productive and easy to bird road in the Neotropics. Owlet Lodge is a famous and confortable lodge, from easy birding in the garden where White-bellied Woodstar, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Bronzy Inca and Lesser Violetear are residents or birding in the trails with tanager flocks where beauties like Yellow-scarfed (E), Grass-green, Flame-faced, Black-faced, Metallic-green, Beryl-spangled, Yellow-throated Tanagers flocking with the endemic and restricted Jhonson´s Tody-Flycatcher (E).
This cordillera is wonderful for Antpittas since Ochre-fronted, Rusty-tinged and Chestnut Antpittas are being fed very close to the lodge and Leymebamba Antpitta can be seen at the trails.
Bird feeders at Alto nieva, another spot nearby atract White-capped Tanager, Royal Sunangel (E), Peruvian Raquet-tail, Violet-throated Brilliant, Greenish Puffleg, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Collared Inca, Green-fronted Lancebill, Amethist-throated Sunangel, etc. The trail rewards with Bar-winged Wood-wren, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-tyrant, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Inca Jay, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, etc.
Nights are particularly active with Long-whiskered Owlet, White-throated & Cinnamon Screech Owl, etc.
Night of day 7th in Owlet Lodge
Night of day 8th in Pomacochas
Chido Trail at San Lorenzo for Pale-billed Antpitta
An early short drive will take us to final short drive will take us to San Lorenzo for a whole-mourning hike to the habitat of the rare and endemic Pale-billed Antpitta. Other species here are the spectaculars Barred Fruiteater, Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan and Yungas Pygmy-owl. Some specialities such as Golden-plumed Parakeet, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Utcubamba Tapaculo (E), Russet-mantled Softail (E), Red-crested Cotinga,Unstreaked Tit-tyrant (E), Peruvian Wren (E), Coppery Metaltail (E), Black-crested Warbler, Plain-tailed Wren, White-sided & Masked Flowerpiercers and the colorful Hooded & Lacrimouse Mountain-tanagers, Blue-and-black Tanager, etc
At mid-afternoon we will head towards our most solid chance for Long-whiskered Owlet.
Night in Pomacochas.
Marvelous Spatuletail!
After breakfast, start our day in Huembo Reserve, a hummingbird feeding spot where the wonderful Marvelous Spatuletail, one of the highlights of the tour is resident in the garden with other hummingbirds like Andean Emerald, Lesser Violetear, Bronzy Inca, Long-tailed Sylph and others may come too.
After lunch we will drive to Jaen, is located in the Marañon Basin well known for it´s high endemism and great birding. We will finish the day with Marañon Crescentchest (E), Marañon Tyrannulet (E) and the awsome Little Inca-finch (E) near the town.
Night in Jaen.
Marañon and Utcubamba Endemics
Jaen is located in the Marañon Basin, well known for it´s high endemism and great birding with jems like Tataupa Tinamou, Paint-billed Crake, Chinchipe Spinetail (E), Marañon Crescentchest (E), Marañon Tyrannulet (E), Little Inca-finch (E), Northern (Peruvian) Slaty-antshrike, Red-crested Finch and Gray-breasted Crake are good possibilities here.
After that we will drive through the beautiful Utubamba Valley where Peruvian Pigeon (E) , Marañon Thrush (E), Spot throated-Hummingbird (NE), Black-necked Woodpecker (E), Cordilleran Parakeet, Buff-bellied Tanager, Fasciated Tiger-heron and Torrent Duck
Night in Lemebamba.
Barro negro, Yellow Faced Parrotlet and Inca Finches
We will start our day in Leymebamba and after an early breakfast, we will drive to Abra Barro Negro, a high mountain pass in the region. This area is excellent for high altitude birds such as Many-striped Canastero, Grass Wren, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, Purple-backed Thornbill and excellent specialities such as Coppery Metaltail (E), Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Shinning Sunbeam, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Mountain Velverbreast, Great Sapphirewing, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Chachapoyas (E) , Atuen (E) & Leymebamba Antpitta, a potential new species of White-chinned Thistletail (peruviana), Neblina (E) & Utcubamba (E) Tapaculo, Russet-mantled Softtail (E), Yellow-scarfed Tanager (E), Sword-billed Hummingbird, Paramo Pipit, Andean Lapwing, etc.
Later, on the other side of the pass, we will take a break for a picnic lunch surrounded by the stunning mountain landscapes, and continue the journey as we travel towards Balsas, where Buff-bridled (E) & Gray-winged (E) Inca-Finch, Yellow-faced Parrotlet (E) , Black-necked Woodpecker (E) are regularly found.
Night in Celendin.
Cajamarca - Cruz Conga and Sangal
We will spend the morning exploring Cruz Conga and Sangal, both known for their diverse birdlife. The unique ecosystems in this region offer excellent opportunities to spot Cajamarca Antpitta (E) , Black Metaltail (E), the endangered Plain-tailed Warbling-finch (E), Rufous-eared Brushfinch (E), Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail (E), Black-crested Tit-tyrant (NE), White-tailed Shrike-tyrant, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Jelski´s Chat-tyrant, Slender-billed Miner and Peruvian Sierra-finch.
We will later visit the Chonta River where the highly restricted Gray-bellied Comet (E) is resident, other birds here are Giant Hummingbird, Andean Flicker, Andean Parakeet, among others.
Night at Cajamarca.
San Marcos and Rafan - Great Spinetail and Peruvian Plantcutter.
We will spend the first hours of the day in San Marcos, a picturable village and one of the best places for the highly restricted Great Spinetail. Other birds are Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Peruvian Meadowlark, Black-lored Yellowthroat, Buff-bridled Inca-finch among others.
After mid morning we will leave the Andes and head to the dessertic peruvian and stop in Rafan, one of the few remains of Carob-trees wich can reward with Peruvian Plantcutter (E), Coastal Miner (E), Tumbes Tyrannulet (E), Amazilia Hummingbird, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Cinereous Finch (E), Superciliated Wren, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Necklaced Spinetail, etc.
Night in Casa Andina - Chiclayo
Pacific Coast - Chaparri
After breakfast we will drive to the famous Chaparri Reserve where the emblematic and critically endangered White-winged Guan (E), once considered exctinct, is present since it was re introduced and eventually re introduced Spectacled Bears as well..
We will spend the day birding here where the water dam of Tinajones offers Comb Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Paint-billed Grebe, Little-blue Heron or Black-faced Ibis and the lodge itself is great for Lesser Nighthawk, Scrub Nightjar, Purple-collared Woodstar, Savanna Hawk, Red Masked Parakeet, Collared Antshrike, Pacific Hornero, Sooty-crowned Flycatcher, Snowy throated Kingbird, White-tailed Jay, Tumbes Sparrow, Peuvian Meadowlark, White-edged Oriole.
After dinner we will look for Peruvian Screech-Owl
Night in Chaparri.
Casupe Road - Wild White-winged Guan!
After breakfast we will head towards Casupe Road where we will inicially look for one of the last habitat for wild populations of White-winged Guan, our highlight here. Other great species here are Guayaquil Woodpecker, Piura Chat-tyrant, Chapman´s Antshrike, Black-capped Sparrow, Ecuadorian Piculet, etc.
We will spend the afternoon at the Chaparri lodge once again where West-peruvian Dove, Short-tailed Woodstar, Pacific Parrotlet, Elegant Crescentchest, Pacific Hornero, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, Mouse-gray Flycatcher, Baird´s Flycatcher, White-browed Gnatcatcher, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Collared Warbling-finch, etc.
Night in Chaparri.
Santuario Bosque de Pomac
We will early head to Bosque de Pomac one of the last reserves for Carob-tree in the peruvian coastal dessert. The birds we can spot here is Peruvian Pantcutter (E), Variable Hawk, Peruvian Pygmy-owl, Lineated Woodpecker, Crested Caracara, Pacific Parrotlet, Savanna Hawk, Coastal Miner (E) , Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Short-tailed Field-tyrant, Rufous & Baird´s Flycatcher, Tumbes Swallow (E), Cinereous Finch (E), Tumbes Chat-tyrant (E) and Tumbes Swallow (E). We regularly spot Sechuran Fox.
We will spend the afternoon at the shore in the Pacific where we have good chances for the endangered Peruvian Tern, the rare Tawny-throated Dotterel, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Gray-hooded Gull, Gray Gull, Belcher´s Gull, Kelp Gull, Elegant Tern, Peruvian Pipit,
The wetland offers Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Plumbeous Rail, Peruvian Thicknee among others.
We will get at mid afternoon to Chiclayo to the airport or hotel
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