Northwest, Abra Patricia, Marañon & Tumbes Endemics – 16 Days
Northern Peru has a great enigmatic birds and we prepare great birding trip for those who cannot travel for three weeks where our clients can see amazing set of endemic and classic Neotropical birds and many more great species like Tumbesian and Marañon endemic species.
It is an excellent opportunity if you want to see the Marvelous Spatuletail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Pale-billed Antpitta and Ochre-fronted Antpitta and some other endemic species as your Target, in this trip will take you from the Pacific coast of northwestern Peru, where we’ll explore Carob woodland and deciduous dry habitats, humid montane forest of Abra Patricia and Alto nieva protected forest, pass by the Marañon Canyon and lowland in the tropical Rainforest of Peru; Our targets is find all the birds in the tour with great views and also with the opportunity to photograph this amazing birds.
Day 1: ARRIVING TO LIMA – PERU
our transfer service will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel, in a very nice neighborhood located in Miraflores
Night: Lima
Day 2: CAROB WOODLAND & DECIDUOUS DRY FOREST.
Early in the morning flight to Chiclayo we’ll drive toward Bosque Pomac. Look for Peruvian Plantcutter and a lot of Tumbesian birds including Rufous Flycatcher, Baird’s Flycatcher, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, White-tailed Jay, Cinereous Finch, Coastal Miner, Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Peruvian Pygmy Owl and Tumbes Swallow. Along the route will stop for some shore birds and if we lucky we can get Comb and Mask Duck, Spend most of the time birding in the area.
Drive to Olmos we’ll spend the night around Salas Small village where we spend the night in very peaceful and comfortable but rustic lodge, we will try for the West Peruvian Screech Owl.
Night: Salas. B:L:D.
Day 3: FREJOLILLO FOREST / QUEBRADA LIMON.
Today we’ll visit bosque Frejolillo where we spend whole morning birding Quebrada Frejolillo with main target White-winged Guan but also looking for many Tumbesian birds including White-headed Brush Finch, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Pacific Elaenia, Grey and White Tyrannulet, Ecuadorian Piculet, Elegant Crescentchest and Black-capped Sparrow. Spend most of the morning above the village and then bird slowly back out along the entrance look for Short-tailed Field-tyrant, Tumbes Sparrow, Peruvian Thick-knee, Tumbes Hummingbird, Tumbes Tyrant and Short-tailed Woodstar and with the possibility stop for the Spotted Rail along the main road.
Night: Olmos B:L:D
Day 4: ABRA PORCULLA.
We leave the coastal strip behind we’ll set off early heading for one of the lowest passes in the Andes – Abra Porculla. we will pay particular attention to a side trail looking for Piura Chat Tyrant, Peruvian Sheartail, Chapman’s Antshrike, Bay-crowned Brush Finch, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Black-Cowled Saltator, Three-banded Warbler, Andean Tinamou, Ecuadorian Piculet, Rufous-necked and Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaners and Grey-chinned Hermit (possible split – porcullae race of Grey-chinned Hermit)
In the late morning drive to Jaen stopping to look for Little Inca Finch on the way; late in day we’ll be birding around/near Jaen looking for Maranon Crescentchest, “Chinchipe” Spinetail, Marañon Slaty Antshrike, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Red-crested Finch and Purple-throated Euphonia.
Night: Jaen B:L:D.
Day 5: DRY MARAÑON FOREST.
Leave early drive to Tamborapa / Bosque Yanahuanca. Looking for Marañon Spinetail, Buff-bellied Tanager, Maranon Crescentchest. Chinchipe Spinetail, Marañon Slaty Antshrike, Marañon Thrush and Yellow-cheeked Becard. The distinct Marañon races of Speckle-breasted Wren and Black-capped Sparrows – Marañon Sparrow are here too as well as Tataupa Tinamou and, surprising Military Macaw along the road we stop for Little Inca Finch then on to an area of rice fields to look for Spotted Rail and Paint-billed Crake. We continue up the Utcubamba river, keeping an eye out for Blue Ground Dove, Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Pied Lapwing, Yellow-browed Sparrow, Striated Heron, Savanna Hawk, Mitred Parakeet and Torrent Duck and continue driving to Huembo where we have our first change for Marvellous Spatuletail and Little Woodstar on the feeders and many more hummingbirds.
Night: Pomacochas. B:L:D.
Day 6: SAN LORENZO – CHIDO TRAIL.
In the morning birding San Lorenzo trail for enigmatic endemic Pale-billed Antpitta, Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softail, Mountain Avocetbill, White-Capped Tanager and some elfin forest birds after midday we’ll go back to Huembo lodge We will spend the afternoon at the Huembo Reserve, where we will look for the endemic Marvelous Spatuletail, Little Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Bronzy Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Andean Emerald, Sparkling Violetear, Green Violetear, Violet-fronted Brilliant, White-bellied Hummingbird, and Green-tailed Trainbearer. Here we may also have good chances for Sickle-Winged Guan, Emerald Toucanet, Speckle-breasted Wren, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Northern White-crowned Tapaculo, Sierran Elaenia, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, and Azara’s Spinetail.
Night: Pomacochas. B:L:D.
Day 7 – 9: ABRA PATRICIA – OWLET LODGE.
Very early in the morning we’ll drive to Abra Patricia we’ll spend the whole morning on trails; we will spend three nights at the Owlet lodge on the famous, remote Abra Patricia mountain pass. This is a paradise for ornithologist, which has Long-whiskered Owlet White-throated Screech Owl and Rufous-banded Owl, Cinnamon Screech Owl . We may bump into mixed flocks with Blue-browed Tanager, Metallic-green tanager Grass-green Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, White-capped Tanager, Red-hooded Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager and other Tanagers along the the trails there is White-Faced Nunbird, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Variable Antshrike, Uniform Antshrike, Barred Becard, White-throated Tyrannulet, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Bar-winged Wood Wren, Rufous Spinetail, Sepia-brown Wren, Green-and-black Fruiteater, White-collared Jay, Royal Sunangel, and the endemic Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher.
Around the lodge there are many hummingbirds like Collared Inca, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Long-tailed Sylph, White-bellied Woodstar, Speckled Hummingbird.
Night: Abra Patricia. B:L:D.
Day 10: AFLUENTES / LLANTERIA.
Today birding along the road at lower elevations below Abra Patricia at Afluentes for Versicolored Barbet, Speckle-chested Piculet, Equatorial Greytail, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Vermilion Tanager, Golden Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Spotted Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Ash-throated Antwren. Andean Cock-of-the-Rock shooting across the road or indulging its taste for fruit, and of seeing the Ecuadorian Piedtail, The endemic Huallaga (Tanager is fairly common here and the rather modestly-adorned Yellow-throated and Ashy-throated Bush-Tanagers make their rounds in noisy family parties, Grey-mantled Wren and the easily overlooked Other birds we may find in this ‘purple patch’ include Ruddy and Plumbeous Pigeons, Red-billed Parrot, White-eyed Parakeet, Black-mandibled Toucan, Golden-olive, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Olivaceous and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Ash-browed Spinetail, Montane Foliage-Gleaner and Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Streaked Xenops, Lined Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Rufous-Rumped Antwren, Blackish Antbird, ‘Northern’ White-crowned Tapaculo (possible split) Golden-winged Manakin, Slaty –capped flycatcher, Ornate flycatcher Olive-chested Flycatchers, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet and Ecuadorian Tyrannulet. Later we shall continue onto lowland and a few stops along the way in Mauritia Palm forest and savanna areas where is good habitats like Point-tailed Palmcreeper.
Night: Moyobamba. B:L:D.
Day 11: MISHQUIYACU MOUNTAINS.
Today we’ll hike up the Mishquiyacu mountains, this is one of Northern Peru’s premier foothill birding sites, and we’ll spend the day there. The best birds – the endemic Mishana Tyrannulet, Ash‐Throated Antwren, Buff‐throated Tody‐Tyrant, Short‐tailed Antthrush, Fiery-capped Manakin, Striped Manakin, Blue-rumped Manakin, and others – are possible after a tough hike. In lower area, we’ll hope for White‐bellied Pygmy‐Tyrant, Mishana Tyrannulet, Lanceolated Monklet, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, and even some lowland antbirds. Possibilities abound here like Spot-winged Antbird, Northern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, Plain-winged Antshrike, Peruvian Warbling Antbird, Golden-collared Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, we’re sure to have an interesting day, also we’ll visit hummingbird feeder with many species possible like Rufous-crested Coquette, Brown Violetear, White-chinned Sapphire, White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Hermit, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Golden-tailed Sapphire, , and much much more.
At night we will have good chances for Stygian, Band-bellied, Black-banded and Striped Owl, Vermiculated Screech Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, and Tropical Screech Owl.
Night: Moyobamba. B:L:D.
Day 12: MORRO DE CALZADA.
We will reach Morro de Calzada where we can look for Mishana Tyrannulet, Lesser Elaenia, Stripe-necked Tody-tyrant, Pale-breasted and the recently described Varzea Thrush, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail and mix Tanagers flock.
Also we visit some marshes in the lowlands, where we will look for Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Pale‐eyed Blackbird, Black‐billed Seed‐Finch, Point‐tailed Palmcreeper, local and nomadic Mask Duck and perhaps some crakes and rails. Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Gilded Barbet, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Hauxwell’s Thrush, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Chestnut-bellied Seedeater,after a morning birding we keep driving toward east slope, at the base of the mountains we visit a new private reserve, Arena Blanca where local guy is feeding Rufous-breasted Wood-quail, Brown Tinamou, and hummingbird feeders around: Blue-fronted Lancebill, Black-throated Brilliant, Wire-crested thorntail and seasonally visiting Napo sabrewing. In the evening, we have our last chance for the mythical Long-whiskered Owlet in a different Location.
Night: Abra Patricia. B:L:D.
Day 13: To LEYMEBAMBA – UTCUBAMBA VALLEY.
We have final morning at Abra Patricia, we’ll be focused on the hard rare local birds Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, hooded Tinamou, Royal Sunangel, Bar-winged Wood-wren, , and hummingbird feeders can add Rufous-vented Whitetip, White-tailed Hillstar and some other missing species, late in the morning we drive to Leymebamba – Utcubamba Valley where we look Speckle-chested Piculet, over to Hacienda Chillo to look for Koepcke’s Screech-Owl on daytime roost, Marañon Thrush, Black-necked Woodpecker, Marañon Crecentchest, Rufous-Capped Antshrike, Golden-Rumped Euphonia and many more species them we continue on to Leimebamba and if we have time look at hummingbird feeders here.
Night: Leymebamba. B:L:D.
Day 14: ABRA BARRO NEGRO – MARAÑON VALLEY.
Birding around Leymebamba looking for some mixed flock: Red-hooded Tanager,and the Majestic Andean Condor the next stop is at Abra Barro Negro about an hour above town and look for Coppery Metaltail, Neblina Tapaculo, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Russet-mantled Softtail and Moustached Flowerpiercer.White-Chinned Thistletail, Many Striped Canastero,
Mid to late morning start to drop down into the Marañon Canyon looking for Chestnut-backed Thornbird and endangered Yellow-faced Parrotlet. And one more change for Peruvian Pigeon and Marañon Thrush.
Night: Celendin. B:L:D.
Day 15: MARAÑON VALLEY – CAJAMARCA ROAD.
We’ll be concentrate in the endemic species located in heart of marañon Valley, Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Buff-bridled Inca-finch, Gray-winged Inca-finch, Chestnut-backed Thornbird, then we Climb up the other side of the canyon we leave the valley, we keep birding along the road stopping en route at Cruz Conga, roadside for White-tailed Shrike Tyrant, “Cajamarcae” race of Rufous Antpitta, Rufous-webbed Bush Tyrant, Rufous-Eared Brush-Finch, Black-crested Warbler, Jelski’s Chat-tyrant, Baron’s Spinetail, Golden-billed Saltator, Black-crested Tit-tyrant, White-browed Chat-Tyrant and many andean species.
Night: Cajamarca. B:L:D.
Day 16: SAN MARCOS.
Make the hour or so drive to San Marcos to look for Great Spinetail critically endangered and White-winged Black Tyrant. Leave this site late and in the afternoon bird Rio Chonta for Gray-bellied Comet, Rusty- Crowned Tit-Spinetail, Striated Earthcreeper, Black Metaltail, Andean Swift, Torrent Tyrannulet and White-winged Cinclodes, And late in afternoon flight to Lima, end of the tour.
Flight to Lima. 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 jacket for cold places is enough.
- At Abra Patricia and Moyobamba laundry can be done.
- Sunblock and hat or cap.
- Mosquito or insect repellent.
- An umbrella and rain poncho.
- Rubber boots / gumboots specially for Plataforma area.
- Small flashlight for owling – I will have a strong owling light (guide).
- You will need a fleece or other light jacket – NOT a heavy winter type coat/jacket. This is noted for the high elevations. We will be in all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary. If you are a person that gets cold easily – perhaps a little more clothing, like a warm hat or light-weight gloves would be in order.
- Please using camouflaged clothing would be ok not really any military clothing avoid the second.
- Shower thongs / rubber flip flops will be useful.
Recommendation:
- Binoculars.
- Extra Batteries.
- Camera (Optional).
- Telescope (Optional)
Books / Field guides:
Birds of Peru is the best field Guide.
If you consider you can bring some other field guide are welcome.
General:
- Birding will primarily be on forested roads and some trails – difficulty is easy to moderate level.
- We will be moving between 0 – 3200 meters, asl (10498.69 feet). Mostly between 800 and 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.
- Please note be sure and bring extra batteries as electricity may sometimes go out in sites like Abra Patricia, Fundo Alto Nieva.
Medical and Health Information:
High altitude information you may find useful. Arriving in Chiclayo is not a problem because is basically sea level, them gradually we will go to the andes, the highest point during the tour is 3200 meters, but probably not high enough to cause serious problems. 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» for the first two or three days, so take it easy. 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, as the extra cells thicken your blood.
Drink lots of water, while avoiding alcohol or caffeine. Dehydration can make any effects of altitude worse. Try to avoid overeating the first day.
Please keep in mind our birding tour will be over a wide range of altitudes – and we will be acclimatizing as we move through the different habitats.
By the time we reach the very high altitude of the Paramo we should be adjusted to the altitude. We will be taking our time, birding slowly, and enjoying ourselves. That being said, 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 our driver will be ready to take the person or the group to lower altitude very quickly.
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.
+ Prices Include:
- Private transport in all the way.
- All accommodations in all the tour (Lima /Cajamarca).
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch/ picnic or box lunch depending where we are, dinner, snacks, water available all the time).
- Bird guide specialist.
- Bird checklist per person.
- Entrances to all Birding spots.
- Transfers in Lima, Chiclayo and Cajamarca.
- Basically full board in a private tour.
- Domestic flights: Lima to Chiclayo and Cajamarca to Lima.
– 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
- 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:
- 16th May 2023.
- 8th July 2023.
- 30th July 2023.
- 22th October 2023.
- 5th November 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.