The Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains), a veritable Andean Switzerland, are an impressive range of snow-capped and glacier riddled mountains some 200km north of Lima. Popular amongst the adventure sports fraternity for the excellent granite rock faces, we however will remain rather more tethered to the ground. During this extension we take in both the arid desert coast en route to higher ground, and then bird through stunning Polylepis forests and paramo grasslands before returning to Lima for one of the worlds premier pelagics and a host of endemic coastal species. Aside from the spectacular scenery, a number of restricted species occur here including White-cheeked Cotinga, Ancash Tapaculo, Giant Conebill, Black Metaltail, Stripe-headed Antpitta and a host of endemic coastal species.
Puna Teal, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Peruvian Thick-knee, Black-necked Woodpecker, Mountain Parakeet, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Giant, Oasis, Amazilia & Spot-throated Hummingbirds, Shining Sunbeam, Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Black Metaltail, White-browed & Giant Conebills, White-cheeked Cotinga, Coastal, Thick-billed & Greyish Miners, Ancash (Pale-tailed) & Canyon Canasteros, Striated & Plain-breasted Earthcreepers, Least Seedsnipe, Peruvian Thick-knee, Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Baron’s Spinetail, Ancash Tapaculo, Blue-mantled Thornbill, D’Orbigny’s & Piura Chat-Tyrants, Rufous-webbed Tyrant, Tit-like Dacnis, Scrub Blackbird, Great & Rufous-backed Inca Finches, Rufous-eared Brushfinch, Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Rufous-breasted & Plain-tailed Warbling Finchs, Raimondi’s Yellow Finch, Band-tailed Seedeater, Yellowish Pipit, Peruvian Meadowlark, Hooded Siskin, Peruvian Seaside Cincoldes, Blackish Oystercatcher, Peruvian Pelican, Red-legged & Guanay Cormorants, Humboldt Penguin, Peruvian Booby, Grey & Belcher’s Gulls, Inca Tern
Top Mammals Taruca, South American Sea Lion, South American Fur Seal, Marine Otter
Habitats Covered Polylepis forests, cactus-studded scrubland, agricultural lands, mountains, lakes, coastal
Max Group Size 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking moderate to relaxed
Accommodation comfortable
Ease of Birding comfortable, some high altitude areas
Other Attractions exceptional scenery including Nevado Huascarán (Peru’s highest mountain at 6,768m (22,200 ft) and the world’s highest tropical peak).
Photographic Opportunities good to excellent
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.
Guides were awesome. Found lots of birds; guide was way too knowledgeable about the bird species and taxonomy.
The tour met all of my expectations. Rob Williams is an excellent tour guide - knowledgeable, manages logistics well, interacts with participants in a fun and caring way, and strives to find the birds that are on participants' "wish lists".
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.
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.