Central Peru Butterfly Photography tour – 15 days
Central Peru is home to some of the country’s best butterfly-watching destinations, and on this tour, we explore a selection of our favorites.
Pampa Hermosa, Satipo, and Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park stand out as the highlights of the route, offering an incredible concentration of firetips. The road above Pozuzo provides a diverse range of habitats, boasting an overwhelming variety of butterfly species from all families.
For those fascinated by high-altitude species, particularly satyrs, Bosque Shollet is an excellent destination. While this tour does not include true lowland sites, we can still expect an impressive diversity of butterflies and exceptional photography opportunities.
Unlike traditional birding tours, we prioritize quality time at each location, ensuring a deeper exploration rather than rushing from one site to another. Since butterflies cannot be attracted with playback like birds, we will use baiting techniques to enhance sightings. Moreover, even after several days in the same area, new species continue to appear, making every stop a rewarding experience.
📩 Contact us for a detailed itinerary and pricing!
- Luggage: Pack light. Domestic flight allowance (for reference) is 23 kg checked and 8 kg carry-on. Extra baggage costs are at your expense.
- Lightweight field pants and shirts, plus a light jacket (fleece is enough).
- Laundry available at lodges.
- Sunblock, hat/cap, insect repellent.
- Umbrella & rain poncho (just in case).
- Warm hat & gloves if sensitive to cold.
- Rubber boots for muddy areas (used only when needed; transport is nearby).
- Small flashlight, knee & elbow pads.
- Flip-flops for showers.
- Camouflaged clothing is fine; avoid military styles.
Recommended
- Camera
- Extra Batteries
- Flash (optional)
- Continuous Light (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Tripod (optional)
📩 Contact us for any questions!
General:
- National Parks, private protected areas, forested roads, and trails.
- Easy to moderate difficulty level.
- Altitudes range from 0 to over 4000 meters (13,123 feet), but we mainly stay between 600 and 2500 meters.
- Diverse weather conditions, but mostly tropical and pleasant.
- Electricity (220V) available at all accommodations.
- WiFi available at all destinations.
- Bring extra camera batteries—we’ll have busy days!
Medical and Health Information:
- Lima is at sea level; we will gradually ascend to the Andes, reaching a peak of 4800 meters (15,748 feet) while driving—but we won’t stay at this altitude.
- Altitude effects vary: some feel no symptoms, while others may experience fatigue, nausea, or headaches.
- Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol & caffeine, and allow your body to adjust naturally.
- Our main tour stays at lower elevations, so altitude issues are minimal.
- We carry a first-aid kit & oxygen bottle in case of discomfort at high points.
- Consult your doctor about altitude sickness medication if needed.
- For headaches, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can help.
Travel insurance
Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.
Books:
There is no specific butterfly field guide available for Peru; however, we have an extensive collection of PDF files featuring butterflies from our personal photography archives.
If you have a relevant field guide, you are welcome to bring it along—it will certainly be a valuable resource during the tour.
Prices Include:
- Private transportation throughout the entire trip.
- All accommodations (Lima/Lima).
- Three daily meals (breakfast, lunch/picnic/box lunch, and dinner), plus snacks & unlimited water.
- Expert butterfly guide specialist.
- Entry fees to all butterfly photography sites.
- Transfers in Lima.
- Fully private, all-inclusive experience.
Not included:
- Laundry services, phone calls.
- Medical expenses, hospitalization.
- Excess baggage fees.
- Travel insurance or any personal expenses.
