Marvelous Spatuletail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, 4 Endemic Antpittas, Lulu’s Tody-Tyrant – and that’s just a few of the mind-blowing, highly sought-after species we’ll be looking for.
From our base in Tarapoto, we search for the tricky Dotted Tanager and rare Koepke'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 and possibly Pale-billed Antpitta in a single day! Heading into the drier Maranon Valley, Little Inca Finch, Maranon Crescentchest and Maranon Spinetail await. We have some time at the enchanting pre-Incan fortress of Kuelap, arguably as impressive as the famed Machu Picchu, before continuing on our quest for another suite of endemics.
Coppery Metaltail and the scarce Russet-mantled Softtail await at Abra Barro Negro before we descend once more into the stunning Maranon 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 recently rediscovered Grey-bellied Comet and pick up the dazzling Black Metaltail too.
After Cajamarca, we journey to the Pacific Coast, and the town of Chiclayo, stopping to search for the endemic Great Spinetail 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 a number of habitats, targeting White-winged Guan (until recently believed to have been extinct, and with fewer than 300 birds estimated to survive in the wild), 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 including Russet-bellied Spinetail and Piura Chat Tyrant.
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Client TestimonialsCan be linked with: Peru - Northern: Scarlet-banded Barbet Extension 2023
Tour price (Per person): USD7,595 * GBP6,213 * EUR7,050 * AUD11,372
Single Supplement: USD550 * GBP450 * EUR511 * AUD824
Can be linked with: Peru - Northern: Scarlet-banded Barbet Extension 2024
Tour price (Per person): USD8,500 * GBP6,954 * EUR7,890 * AUD12,727
Forrest Rowland is a terrific guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable of the birds we encountered on our trip. Further, he is very friendly, engaging and enthusiastic. I’d be quite pleased to join him again on any birding tour in the Neotropics.
Successful and enjoyable. Rob proved his already high reputation. Special thanks to our driver Miguel - always helpful, always smiling.
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.
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.
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.