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.

Top Birds

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.

Top Mammals

Tayra, Southern Tamandua, Guayaquil Squirrel, Sechura Fox and Spectacled Bear.

Habitats Covered

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

Expected Climate

warm to hot in the lower lying areas; cool with colder nights at the higher elevations

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate

Accommodation

basic to comfortable

Ease of Birding

moderate with some tough species

Other Attractions

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

Photographic Opportunities

good

What our clients say about us

Forrest Rowland
GR, Peru 2018

The tour was fantastic. Forrest Rowland, did a terrific job spotting birds, giving us clear directions to actually sight the birds and displayed plenty of patience in the process.

Lev Frid
GM, Peru 2023

This tour and the extension tour were exceptional. Of course the birds were a real pleasure to view, scenery was unbelievable, food and lodging were excellent. The main highlight were the people. A wonderful, fun group to be with. Hope I see everyone on another trip. The driver not only carried us many miles safely, he did so many other things for us, making certain getting out of bus safely, setting up for meals, and on and on. The local guide got us onto so many birds with his x-ray vision (seemed that way) and was helpful in so many ways. He and the driver were simply put, very nice people. I addition to his obvious bird locating and identification skills, Lev has exceptional people skills with his attentiveness and humor. I had a problem with the altitude one day. I wa., to put it simply.. very slow..lots of breaks. Lev was with the whole way and made certain I was OK. I am very appreciative for that. Thanks again. Its things like that, to me, that makes a guide exceptional. Lev is an exceptional guide. Now to the office team. Wow. Tia and Sarah were so helpful to me with all the questions I had. Not only do they have the answers. the answers come quickly. And I thank them for their patience. As usual, a wonderful job. Thanks again. Lastly, to the Peruvian people, the tour group, the guides, drivers, cooks, office staff and to many others. Thank you. Take care everyone.

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
MK, Peru 2022

Successful and enjoyable. Rob proved his already high reputation. Special thanks to our driver Miguel - always helpful, always smiling.

Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2024

19 Oct 2024 - 08 Nov 2024 (21 days)

USD7,795 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

Tour price (Per person): USD7,795 * GBP6,270 * EUR7,293 * AUD12,006

Single Supplement: USD510 * GBP410 * EUR477 * AUD786

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