Peru - Northern: Cordillera Azul to the Marañón Valley & Tumbes 2025

24 Aug 2025 - 17 Sep 2025 (25 days)

USD9,495 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Tour price (Per person): USD9,495 * GBP7,499 * EUR9,077 * AUD14,934

Single Supplement: USD640 * GBP505 * EUR612 * AUD1,007

Peru - Northern: Cordillera Azul to the Marañón Valley & Tumbes I 2026

16 May 2026 - 09 Jun 2026 (25 days)

USD9,900 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD9,900 * GBP7,819 * EUR9,464 * AUD15,570

Peru - Northern: Cordillera Azul to the Marañón Valley & Tumbes II 2026

23 Aug 2026 - 16 Sep 2026 (25 days)

USD9,900 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD9,900 * GBP7,819 * EUR9,464 * AUD15,570

Northern Peru hosts an abundance of highly sought-after endemic avifauna which combined with spectacular scenery, makes for one of the worlds definitive birding destinations. Our specially crafted Northern Peru tour will seek out more than 50 endemics and several future endemic splits.

We begin with two of the worlds 'newest' and most rarely seen species, Scarlet-banded Barbet and Cordillera Azul Antbird. While no longer a dedicated expedition, the Plataforma area offers the chance at some spectacularly rare and attractive species.

We’ll then explore the Tarapoto area, where we’ll search for the tricky Dotted Tanager and rare Koepcke's Hermit. We move slowly northwards, taking in Moyobamba and the highly localised endemics Painted Manakin and Mishana Tyrannulet before spending a good number of days in the brilliant, and little-known forests of Abra Patricia. Top bird species here include Bar-winged Wood Wren, Lulu's Tody-Flycatcher, Royal Sunangel, the scarce Yellow-scarfed and White-capped Tanagers and the enigmatic Long-whiskered Owlet.

Near Pomacochas, we deliver one of the great highlights of the trip, Marvelous Spatuletail! Heading into the drier Marañón Valley, we’ll seek Little Inca Finch, Maranon Crescentchest and Maranon Spinetail. Coppery Metaltail and the scarce Russet-mantled Softtail await at Abra Barro Negro before we descend once more into the stunning Marañón Valley searching for the beautiful Buff-bridled and Grey-winged Inca Finches and Yellow-faced Parrotlet. Near the town of Cajamarca, we are likely to add the rediscovered, Grey-bellied Comet, critically endangered Cajamarca Antpitta, and the dazzling Black Metaltail.

After Cajamarca, we journey to the Pacific Coast, and the town of Pacasmayo, stopping to search for the endemic Great Spinetail, Rufous Flycatcher and Peruvian Planctcutter en route. Having reached the coast, we travel north to our base at Chaparri, deep in the Tumbes region. From here, we shall explore several habitats, targeting White-winged Guan (with as little as 300 birds estimated to survive in the wild), near endemic Tumbes Hummingbird, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, beautiful Elegant Crescentchest and Cinereous Finch. We end the tour in Trujillo after searching for some of Peru’s most poorly known endemics such as Russet-bellied Spinetail and Piura Chat Tyrant near Sinsicap.

 

 

Top Birds

White-winged Guan; Koepcke's Hermit; Grey-bellied & Bronze-tailed Comets; Coppery & Black Metaltails; Marvelous Spatuletail; Spot-throated Hummingbird; Long-whiskered Owlet; Koepcke's Screech Owl; Scarlet-banded Barbet; Speckle-chested Piculet; Black-necked Woodpecker; Yellow-faced Parrotlet; Ash-throated Antwren; Cordillera Azul Antbird; Pale-billed, Rusty-tinged, Chestnut & Ochre-fronted Antpittas; Unicolored, Large-footed, Neblina & Rufous-vented Tapaculos; Coastal Miner; Striated Earthcreeper; Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail; Chestnut-backed Thornbird; Russet-mantled Softtail; Cactus Canastero; Great, Chinchipe & Russet-bellied Spinetails; Painted Manakin; Masked Fruiteater (rare); Peruvian Plantcutter; Inca & rufous Flycatcher; Lulu's Tody-Flycatcher; Mishana & Peruvian Tyrannulets; Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant; Piura Chat-Tyrant; Maranon Gnatcatcher; Peruvian Wren; Rufous-eared Brushfinch; Little, Buff-bridled, Grey-winged, Rufous-backed & Great Inca Finches; Huallaga Tanager; Cinereous Finch; White-browed Hemispingus; Plain-tailed Warbling Finch; Yellow-scarfed Tanager.

Top Mammals

Rio Mayo Titi; Saddleback Tamarin; Common Squirrel Monkey; Andean Night Monkey; Black Agouti; Northern Amazon Red & Guayaquil Squirrels; Sechura Fox; Tayra;

Habitats Covered

cloud forest, dry deciduous forest, lowland forest, coastal desert, unique Marañon valley

Expected Climate

Climate ranges from hot & humid to cold, even very cold at high altitudes. Rain is to be expected at any time. Thick cloud can impact time in cloud forests.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

This is a moderate to difficult tour. You should have a VERY GOOD level of fitness & stamina, as well as being in good health. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Early starts on almost all days, many long days in the field.

Accommodation

Mostly comfortable to good, some nights at a basic lodge at Plataforma.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to demanding. Bird density is low, some visuals in high canopy, many skulking species (antpittas & tapaculos), several difficult/low density target species.

Other Attractions

exceptional scenery, amazing pristine forests, unique, seldom-explored habitats

Photographic Opportunities

Average to reasonable. Some hummingbird feeders.

What our clients say about us

Robert Williams
SB - Peru

It is terrific to have a bilingual guide in any country and one who knows the history and culture of the country is even better, thanks Rob! As always, terrific eyes, ears and birding skills.

Forrest Rowland
JB & KB, Peru 2018

This was an excellent tour! We saw so many great birds, and had many delicious meals from pizza to ceviche. The time spent birding and touring Kuelap was a highlight. To top everything off, Forrest Rowland is an awesome leader. In addition to hearing, seeing and getting everyone on the birds, he told wonderful stories and kept everyone laughing. All in all, we had a terrific time.

Robert Williams
PM, Peru

Rob Williams is the best guide I have ever birded with - wonderful birding and people skills.

Robert Williams
JH & CH, Southern Peru

Our guide, Rob Williams, was exceptionally well qualified, good humoured in all circumstances and remarkably diligent in accommodating all levels of birding skills within our group. He went out of his way to make sure that each member of the group realised their expectations for the trip. We would welcome the opportunity to join him on additional trips; he is a quality individual with sound values and a superb representative of Rockjumper Birding Tours.

Robert Williams
UA, Peru

Rob Williams is right up there among the very best tour leaders. His vast experience from lots of research and conservation projects and intimate knowledge of the country add lots of value compared to a tour leader who is "just" a good organiser, birder and guide. He is also great company, with a sublime sense of humour.

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