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.
Marvelous Spatuletail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Royal Sunangel, Pale-billed, Ochre-fronted, Rusty-breasted, Chestnut-crowned & Rusty-tinged Antpittas, Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher, Great, Necklaced & Baron’s Spinetails, Yellow-faced, Pacific & Spot-winged Parrotlets, Bar-winged Wood Wren, Coppery & Black Metaltails, Grey-winged, Little & Rufous-backed Inca Finches, Koepcke’s Hermit, Chestnut-backed Thornbird, White-capped, Yellow-scarfed, Huallaga, Dotted and Blue-browed Tanagers, Equatorial Greytail, Peruvian Pigeon, Russet-mantled Softtail, Blackish Pewee, Plumbeous Euphonia, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Mishana Tyrannulet, Tumbes Tyrant, Rufous, Baird’s & Inca Flycatchers, Gould's Jewelfront, Rufous-crested Coquette, Grey-tailed Piha, Ash-throated & Rusty-backed Antwrens, Fiery-capped & Western Striped Manakins, Wedge-billed & Tumbes Hummingbird, Crimson-mantled, Guayaquil & Bar-bellied Woodpeckers, Tanager, Peruvian Plantcutter, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Large-footed Tapaculo, Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant, Maranon Tit-Tyrant, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Buckley’s Forest Falcon, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Black-fronted Nunbird, Sharpbill, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Black-crested Warbler, Many-striped Canastero, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Peruvian Thick-knee and Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Many-coloured Rush Tyrant, Andean Ibis, Andean Tinamou, Montane Solitary Eagle, Short-tailed Woodstar, Grey-and-white Tyrannulet, Collared Antshrike, Maranon & Elegant Crescentchests, White-tailed Jay, Superciliated Wren, White-headed Brushfinch, White-edged Oriole, Ochre-bellied Dove, Ecuadorian Piculet, Ecuadorian Trogon, Rufous-necked and Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaners, Black-cowled Saltator, Grey-and-white Tyrannulet, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Peruvian Plantcutter, Oasis Hummingbird, Tumbes Sparrow, Cinereous Finch. Rufous-banded, Striped, Cinnamon Screech, West Peruvian Screech, Koepcke’s Screech, Andean Pygmy & Peruvian Pygmy Owls. Lyre-tailed, Swallow-tailed & Scrub Nightjars, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk.
Tayra, Southern Tamandua, Guayaquil Squirrel, Sechura Fox and Spectacled Bear.
cloud forest, dry deciduous forest, coastal desert, unique Marañon valley
warm to hot in the lower lying areas; cool with colder nights at the higher elevations
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
moderate
basic to comfortable
moderate with some tough species
exceptional scenery, amazing pristine forests, unique, seldom-explored habitats
good
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rob Williams is the best guide I have ever birded with - wonderful birding and people skills.
19 Oct 2024 - 08 Nov 2024 (21 days)
USD7,795 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen
Tour price (Per person): USD7,795 * GBP6,175 * EUR7,233 * AUD11,973
Single Supplement: USD510 * GBP404 * EUR473 * AUD783
Can be linked with: Peru - Northern: Scarlet-banded Barbet Extension 2024
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2023 - October 2023
Peru - Southern: Machu Picchu Extension 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Southern: Classic Andes & Manu Road 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Southern: Lima & Ancash Extension 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2021 - September 2021
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2018 - September 2018
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2016 - September 2016
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2015 - September 2015
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2014 - September 2014