16 Days I Northern Peru

Tour Features

• Habitats: Coastal, Tumbesian dry forest, inter-Andean valleys, cloud forest, Amazon lowlands
• Birding Facilities: Feeders, forest hides, canopy towers, reserves with specialized access
• Species Count: 500+ potential species, including many endemics and regional rarities

• Endemics:Tumbes Hummingbird , Coastal Miner, Tumbes Tyrant, White-winged Guan, Rufous Flycatcher, Purple-collared Woodstar, Peruvian Plantcutter, Grey-bellied Comet, Black Metaltail, Line-cheeked Spinetail (Baron’s)

  Rufous-eared Brushfinch, Plain-tailed Warbling Finch, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Chestnut-Backed Thornbird, Black-necked Woodpecker, Gray-winged Inca Finch, Russet-mantled Softtail, Coppery Metaltail, Koepcke’s Screech Owl, Neblina Tapaculo, Large-footed Tapaculo, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Purple-throated Sunangel, Marvelous Spatuletail, Spot-throated Hummingbird, Little Inca-Finch, Chestnut Antpitta, Rusty-Tinged Antpitta, Ash-throated Antwren, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Huallaga Tanager, Speckle-Chested Piculet, Mishana Tyrannulet, Koepcke's Hermit, Scarlet-Banded Barbet, Cordillera Azul Antbird

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Itinerary

Day 1-2: Chiclayo – Chaparri Reserve & Bosque de Pómac

Fly from Lima to Chiclayo, a unique hub for bird, mammal and floral wildlife due to a combination of equatorial altitude, cold Pacfic Ocean waters and nearby desert. At Chaparri Reserve, observe White-tailed Deer, Sechura Fox, and the iconic Spectacled Bear alongside an array of Tumbesian birds and beautiful orchids. Explore springs and natural perches where hummingbirds feed and bathe. Optional excursion to Bosque Histórico de Pómac on the second day.

Target Bird Species: 

White-winged Guan (E), Tumbes Hummingbird (E), Coastal Miner (E), Tumbes Tyrant (E), Tumbes Sparrow, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Three-banded Warbler, Whiteheaded Brush-finch, Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman’s Antshrike, Rufous Flycatcher (E), Purple-collared Woodstar (E), Oasis Hummingbird, Short-tailed Woodstar, Peruvian Sheartail, Peruvian Plantcutter (E).

Day 3: Cajamarca – Celendín

Drive 5–6 hours to Cajamarca, birding en route, before continuing another 1–2 hours in the afternoon to Celendín. Enjoy late afternoon, spectacular views over the Marañón Canyon or relax at the hotel. Night in Celendín.

Target Bird Species: 

Grey-bellied Comet (E), Black Metaltail (E), Line-cheeked Spinetail (Baron’s) (E), Rufous-eared Brushfinch (E), Plain-tailed Warbling Finch (E), Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail (E), Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Green-tailed Trainbearer.

Day 4: Celendin to Leymebamba 

Dawn birding in the dramatic Marañón Canyon, followed by a full day of scenic driving and birding stops before reaching Leymebamba. Overnight stay in Leymebamba for more birding opportunities. 

Target Bird Species: 

Yellow-faced Parrotlet (E), Chestnut-Backed Thornbird (E), Black-necked Woodpecker (E), Gray-winged Inca Finch (E), Buff-bridled Inca-Finch, Marañon Crescentchest, Marañon Thrush, Marañon Spinetail.

Day 5: Leymebamba 

Leymebamba is know for many endemics. Visit Abra Barro Negro in the morning for rare hummingbirds, tanagers, and antpittas. After lunch in Leymebanba, afternoon birding at Leymebamba’s famous feeders.

Target Bird Species:

Leymebamba Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail (E), Coppery Metaltail (E), Koepcke’s Screech Owl (E), Neblina Tapaculo (E), Large-footed Tapaculo (E), Yellow-scarfed Tanager (E), Black Metaltail (E), Drab Hemispingus, Purple-throated Sunangel (E), Rainbow Starfrontlet, White-bellied Hummingbird, White-bellied Woodstar, Lesser Violetear.

Day 6-7: Pomacochas 

Drive toward Pomacochas with birding stops at feeders en route. Afternoon exploration of the lagoon for aquatic birds. Night in Pomacochas. The next day, focus on hummingbirds, cotingas, and tapaculos. Night at El Progreso.

Target Bird Species:

White-cheeked Pintail, Andean Coot, Plumbeous Rail, Puna Snipe, Large-footed Tapaculo (E), Marvelous Spatuletail (E), Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Spot-throated Hummingbird (E), Purple-throated Sunangel (E), Little Woodstar, Hepatic-Tanager, Subtropical Doradito.

Day 8-9: Abra Patricia & Fundo Alto Nieva

Early transfer to Abra Patricia for high-quality birding at Long-whiskered Owlet Lodge and nearby trails. Next morning at Fundo Alto Nieva for range-restricted endemics, followed by more feeder sessions. Night in El Progreso. 

Target Bird Species:

Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, White-capped Tanager, Chestnut Antpitta (E), Rusty-Tinged Antpitta (E), Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Royal Sunangel, Greenish Puffleg, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Ash-throated Antwren (E), White-faced Nunbird, Ochre-fronted Antpitta (E), Red-hooded Tanager, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, White-capped Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Plushcap, Bar-winged Wood-wren.

Day 10-11: Arena Blancas Reserve

Two full days exploring Arena Blancas, one of the best hummingbird and tanager hotspots in northern Peru. Specialized feeders and hides maximize photographic opportunities.

Target Bird Species:

Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green-fronted Lancebill, Green Hermit, Reddish Hermit, Black-throated Hermit, Napo Sabrewing, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Rufous-crested coquette, White-bellied Woodstar, Wire-crested Thorntail, Long-billed Starthroat, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Paradise Tanager, Opal Rumped Tanager, Opal-crowned Tanager, Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail.

Day 12-13: Moyobamba 

After breakfast, drive to Moyobamba and enjoy two days at its world-class feeders, plus an excursion to Morro de Calzada for unique cloud forest birding. Nigth in Moyobamba.

Target Bird Species:

Blackish Antbird, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Russet-crowned Crake, Black-throated Hermit, Amethyst Woodstar, Rufous-crested Coquette, White-chinned Sapphire, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Varzea Thrush, Huallaga Tanager (E), Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Speckle-Chested Piculet (E), White-throated Woodpecker, Elegant Woodcreeper, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Striped Manakin, Fiery-capped Manakin, Mishana Tyrannulet (E), White-bellied Pygmy Tyrant, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Burnished-buff Tanager.

Day 14-15: Tarapoto 

We will travel to Tarapoto, leave our belongings in the hotel and have lunch.  In the afternoon we will travel to the Tunnel, located in a lower montane evergreen forest (c.950m elevation) 1 hour by car from Tarapoto. The Tunnel has multiple feeders. Spend the night in Tarapoto and come back to the Tunnel are the next day. 

Target Bird Species:

Oilbird, Curl-nested Aracari, Hairy-crested Antbird, White-plumed Antbird, Huallaga Tanager (E), Fiery-capped Manakin, Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle, Orange-breasted Falcon, White-tipped Swift, Blackish Nightjar, Rose-fronted Parakeet, Koepcke's Hermit (E), Violet-headed Hummingbird, Black-bellied Thorntail, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Gould's Jewelfront, Curl-crested Aracari, Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, Rufous-winged Antwren, Golden-headed Manakin, Blackish Pewee, White-lored Tyrannulet, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Plumbeous Euphonia, Dotted Tanager, Yellow-bellied Tanager, Purple Honeycreeper, Short-billed Honeycreeper.

Day 16: Tarapoto - Lima 

On our last day of this trip, we will visit Tarapoto's Marshes for unique planalto and other species. Evening flight to Lima.

If you have an extra day, we recommend staying overnight in Tarapoto and visitong Tarapoto Platform the next day before flying back to Lima.

Target Bird Species (Day 16):

Planalto Hermit, Rufous Casiornis, Rusty-backed Antwren.

Target Bird Species (Day 17 - Extension):

Scarlet-Banded Barbet (E), Cordillera Azul Antbird (E), Black Hawk-Eagle, King Vulture, Orange-breasted Falcon, Subtropical Pygmy Owl, Lined Antshrike, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Slaty Antwren, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Yungas Manakin, Blue-rumped Manakin, Pale-eyed Thrush, Three-striped Warbler, Grey-mantled Wren.

Tour Timing

• While we aim to optimize your birding experience during the dates provided, please note that some species may not be observable on certain days or weeks due to seasonal or environmental factors.
• Contact us in advance if you’re aiming to see specific bird species.

Photos: Boris Herrera