Hummingbird Tours
Kolibry Photo
Safari Trip - 18 Days
Description
We create a hummingbirds photography bird tour, thinking in the fabulous smallest and fast birds in the world, Peru has lots of different species of hummingbird, 127 from the total, these birds will visit an average of 1,000 flowers per day for nectar, the bright radiant color on hummingbirds comes from iridescent coloring like on a soap bubble or prism, these birds are only found naturally in the Americas.
Its behavior sometimes doesn’t help to get a good views neither take a photo, mostly we have a flash view, but hummingbird feeder will help us to get a better views, so in this Hummingbird tours we specifically focused in these fascinating birds, excellent views and best chance to photograph are our priority, even with the most difficult and rare hummingbirds, with short walks and comfortable birding will be our Hummingbird Expedition, If you have in mind some other specialties like Purple-backed Sunbeam please feel free to contact us we’ll provide you an itinerary including this endemic bird, please see our bird tour extension.
Day 1: BOSQUE POMAC – SALAS.
We take a first flight from Lima to Chiclayo, where our ground transport will be waiting for you, we drive to Bosque Pomac – Batan Grande, we’ll explore Carob woodland and deciduous dry habitats, we look Coastal
Hummingbirds Amazilia Hummingbird, Purple-collared Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, at the same time Tumbes specialties are present Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous flycatcher, Tumbes Tyrant and many more, late in the day we drive to Olmos more hummingbird are present Short-tailed Woodstar and Tumbes Hummingbird with luck.
Night in Olmos. L:D.
Day 2: ABRA PORCULLA – JAEN.
Before to get Abra Porculla, we’ ll spend some time in semi deciduous dry habitat in the pacific slope scanning for Tumbes Hummingbird and Short-tailed Woodstar, similar specialties are present like Chapman’s Antshrike, Ecuadorian Piculet, Black-cowled Saltator, Elegant Crecentchest, then we drive to Abra Porculla Gray-chinned Hermit «porcullae race», Spot- throated Hummingbird with good luck Green-tailed Trainbearer, after midday we drive to Jaen.
Night in Jaen. B:L:D.
Day 3 – 4: To HUEMBO ECOLODGE.
This is really exciting day, we visit a wonderful place, where the most spectacular hummingbird lives «Marvelous Spatuletail», before to get this place we can have a quickly stop for the endemic Little Inca-finch. Hummingbird feeders has an excellent selection of species, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, White-bellied Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Bronzy Inca Green and Sparkling Violetears, Little Woodstar, Purple-collared Woodstar, Collared Inca Speckled Hummingbird and rare visitor Purple-throated Sunangel and Violet-fronted Brilliant. Depending of the season Marvelous Spatuletail displays and the show us this absolutely incredible dance.
Night in Huembo Ecolodge. B:L:D.
Day 5: HUEMBO -ABRA PATRICIA.
we spend a full morning around Huembo, then we move to Abra Patricia, another selection of humminbirds are possible: White-bellied Woodstar, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Long-tailed Sylph, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, Sparkling Violetear and many more.
In the evening we can look for the enigmatic Long Whiskered Owlet.
Night in Owlet Lodge. B:L:D.
Day 6 – 8: ABRA PATRICIA – FUNDO ALTO NIEVA.
Abra Patricia – east slope of the andes is richfull in endemic species and Paradise for hummingbirds at lower elevation we’ll be focused in Royal Sunangel, Greenish Puffleg, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, White-tailed Hillstar, Speckled Hummingbird, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Booted Racket-tail, Rufous-vented Whitetip, in the evening we have another chance for the enigmatic Long-whiskered Owlet.
Night in Owlet Lodge. B:L:D.
Day 9: ARENA BLANCA RESERVE.
We start moving down slope, we stop in great location for the near endemic Ecuadorian Piedtail, aside this specie we can enjoy Green Hermit, Gray-chinned Hermit, Violet-frontedBrilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, just below at foothill mountain a private reverse have lot more new species, Green-fronted and Blue-fronted Lancebills, Long- billed Starthroat, White-necked Jacobin, Amethyst Woodstar, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Wire-crested Thorntail, Brown Violetear, Blue-tailed Emerald, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Reddish Hermit and seasonaly present at
this reserve’s hummingbird feeder: Napo Sabrewing and Black-throated Brilliant; late in the day we drive to Moyobamba.
Night in Wakanki Lodge. B:L:D.
Day 10 -11: WAKANKI Lodge.
Hummingbird paradise is around so we spend the couple days takes photos in the area, more species are waiting a photo, of course a great views as well, Rufous-crested Coquette is the highlight, Gould’s Jewelfront, Black-Throated Mango, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Black-throated Hermit, White-bearded Hermit, White-chinne Sapphire and more birds are possible, Black-bellied Tanager – Peruvian Endemic usually is around same like Mishana Tyrannulet; in the evening we can look for Owl.
Night in Wakanki Lodge B:L:D.
Day 12- 13. CORDILLERA ESCALERA.
Before getting this place we have a long driving we get an isolated mountain Cordillera Escalera, where some foothills hummingbird species are located, Koepcke’s Hermit – Endemic, Blackt-hroated
Brilliant, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Pale-tailed Barbthroat, rare and seasonal present Pink-throated Brilliant, second chance for Rufous-crested Coquette and several lowland species, if we have time we visit Golden-headed manakin lek and lots of great birds flying by in this forest; on the next day we’ll be getting great photo a full day on this fabolous place enjoying these amazing rare hummingbirds.
Night in Tarapoto. B:L:D.
Day 14: BACK To The MOUNTAINS.
Early in the morning we leave the tropical rainforest, after a couple hours driving we stop in Oilbird colony cave, at this time of the day we have a good chance to photograph, then we keep moving back to the mountains, spend the afternoon at Arena Blanca Reserve, some new records could be around and ofcourse missing species will be our main targets and good change to improve some photos.
Night: Owlet Lodge. B:L:D.
Day 15 -16: UTCUBAMBA VALLEY – LEYMEBAMBA.
Its time to say good by the east slope of the mountains, we drive along the Utcubamba Valley until to get Leymebamba along the way we have a couple photography stops for some nice a local birds Koepcke’s
Screech-Owl and Marañon Crecentchest, we are in higher elevation, still some hummingbird overlap, Purple-throated Sunangel, Little Woodstar, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbean will be part of the party on these 2 days.
Night: Hotel in Leymebamba. B:L:D.
Day 17: To CAJAMARCA.
Today we cross Marañon valley, before that, we spend a couple hours in last humid montane forest for the tour, just a couple hummingbirds target but endemic and range restricted to this zone: CopperyMetaltail, then we drove down the botton and up again to the other site of the mountain if we have time we can look for some endemic species Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Buff-bridled & Gray-winged Inca-finches, and Chesnut-back thornbird our long driving still cross the andes in the high andes we look for Giant Hummingbird the biggest hummingbird in the world Black Metaltail & Andean Hillstar.
Night in Cajamarca. B:L:D.
Day 18: GRAY-BELLIED COMET.
Around Cajamarca there is just few, but critically endangered species, Gray-bellied Comet, there isn’t Hummingbird feeder around but we know a couple birding stakeouts, where still possible to see this specie and get a good photo, close by of Black Metaltail and Giant Hummingbird, Chonta Stream has another set of endemic birds Rusty-crowned Tit-spinetail, Striated Earthcreeper, Baron’s Spinetail, after to get our final
target species we go back to the town, we take a flight to Lima and we conclude our Hummingbird photo safari tour.
B:L.
What to Bring:
- Please do not bring too much luggage. For domestic flights you can hold 23 kg. ( 50.7063 lbs.) and 8 kg. (17.637 lbs.) in hand luggage. Extra costs run by yourselves.
- Lightweight comfortable clothing is recommended, i.e. standard field pants and shirts for the
entire trip, some jackets, gloves, for cold places is enough, at least for the Abra Patricia, Leymebamba and Cajamarca area. - Day back pack is recommended, we have some walking and you need to pack daily use devices.
- Sunblock and hat or cap.
- Mosquito or insect Repellent
- An umbrella and rain poncho, remember even if you have a good weather forecast, this can change suddenly.
- Please using camouflaged clothing would be OK, not really any military clothing avoid the second.
- Dry back pack is recommended, specially for river sailing.
- Shower thongs / rubber flip flops will be useful.
Recommendation:
- Camera.
- Camara lenses (depending your preference. telephoto, Macro or/and Wide angle.)
- Flash.
- Extra Batteries
- Tripod.
- Continuous light Lamp (optional)
- Remote control Flash. (Optional)
- Binoculars. (Optional).
General:
- we’ll visit protected national Park and Private protected area, our tour will primarily be on forested roads and some trails – difficulty is totally easy level.
- We will be moving between sea level – 3000 meters, asl (0 – 9842.52 feet), . Mostly between 500 – 2500 meters.
- We will experience all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary.
- We will have electric power at all our destinations. There are sockets inside all rooms with 220 volt electricity.
- You will have electricity 24 hours.
- Please note be sure and bring extra batteries sometimes one single battery is not enough for one day.
- Wifi service its available in all the tour.
- additional memory card would be OK, please remember to download your previous day photos.
Medical and Health Information:
High altitude information you may find useful. Arriving in Chiclayo is not a problem because we are at sea level, in general is not a problem because our Photography tour is relaxing, we try to avoid physical effort mostly we’ll be driving with short conformable walks, Adjusting to higher altitude is a very individual thing.
Some may feel no effects at all, some may have minor effects, and others may experience great difficulty.
You may feel the lack of oxygen, and will easily get “out of breath” You may feel a little nauseous, have a headache, or tire easily.. You will acclimatize to it by producing more red blood cells, so you should make sure you stay well hydrated, avoid physical effort as the extra cells thicken your blood. and Coca Tea its very helpful.
Drink lots of water, while avoiding alcohol or caffeine. Dehydration can make any effects of altitude worse. Try to avoid overeating the first day.
your safety and well-being is of first importance above all else.
Therefore, I will be making frequent checks to make sure everyone is feeling well.
If someone in the group isn’t feeling well easily we can visit and small hospital to be sure that you are OK at the same time we can ask for some medicine at the drugstore after doctor diagnostic.
There are medications available for altitude sickness. Please check with your doctor. For the headache, you can take an over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
Travel insurance
Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.
Books:
Birds of Peru is the best field Guide.
If you consider you can bring some other field guide are welcome.
+ Prices Include:
- Private transport in all the way.
- All accommodations in all the tour (Chiclayo / Cajamarca).
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch/ picnic or box lunch depending where we are, dinner, snacks, water available all the time).
- Guide specialist / photo assistance.
- Birding spots.
- Transfers in Chiclayo and Cajamarca.
- Basically full board in a private tour.
- Oxygen Bottle.
– Not included:
- Laundry, calls, medical costs or hospitalization, excess baggage charges, insurance, or other items of personal nature.
What I (guide) will have with me
- Camara.
- Tripod.
- Recording stuff Roland R-05/Microphone SENNHEISER ME66/K6.
- Two iPods- speakers.
- A Swarovski ATX 80 scope 20-60 zoom
- Green laser pointer
- Owling light.
- GPS.
- Personal Swarovski Binoculars.
- I will be carrying the new field guide Birds of Peru this can be found on www.amazon.com.
Tour Calendar 2023:
- 21st March 2023.
- 13th May 2023.
- 5th July 2023.
- 27th August 2023.
- 19th October 2023.
- 11th December 2023.
If some our fixed departure doesn’t work with you, we can propose a fixed departure with your available dates , also if you need private or customized tour, please contact us for more information, all our tours are totally flexible and adjustable to your needs.