Endemic birds and archeology of northern Peru

The expedition begins in Tarapoto city, from where we depart to the vicinity of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area on the banks of the Huallaga River where we arrive at the end of the day to observe owls and other nocturnal wildlife species.

Highlights include Black-banded Owl, Crested Owl and Band-bellied Owl. We will spend the night in a local lodge with all the comforts.

On day 02 we continue very early in the morning to observe the Plum-throated Cotinga, Spangled Cotinga, Northern Slaty-Antshrike, Amazonian Motmot and Hoatzin on the banks of the Huallaga River and in the surrounding areas.

In the afternoon we leave towards Tarapoto, and we stop at a nearby lake to look for the Ashy-headed Greenlet, Southern Lapwing, Comb-Duck, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Planalto Hermit. On the third day we leave for another sector of the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area in search of the endemic Kopcke’s Hermit and other species of interest such as the Ivory-billed Araçari, Curl-crested Araçari, Plumbeous Euphonia and Dotted Tanager.

We return at night to spend the night in a local lodge with all the comforts. On the fourth day we leave very early to the Huallaga Dry Forests, in this ecosystem we will look for species such as the Rusty-backed Antwren, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous Casiornis, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant

In the afternoon we leave towards the Alto Mayo, to the Moyobamba city; on the way we make a couple of stops to observe the Oilbird and White-eyed Parakeet. After settling in at the local lodge, we will go on a nocturnal wildlife observation trip to the outskirts of the Moyobamba city.

On day 05 we will carry out all our activities in areas surrounding Moyobamba and Rioja city, mainly in forest and wetland ecosystems.

The target bird species for this day are: Rufous-crested Coquette, Lettered Araçari, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Black-bellied Tanager, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Pale-eyed Blackbird and Black-billed Seed-Finch. It is also possible to see the San Martin Titi Monkey, a species endemic to the San Martin region.

We will spend the night in Moyobamba city, in a local lodge with all the comforts.   On the sixth day, we will look for the Painted Manakin, Band-tailed Manakin and Fiery-capped Manakin. in the morning. In the afternoon, we will go to the ZOCRE Morro de Calzada where we will look for two endemics, the Mishana Tyrannulet and Black-bellied Tanager; we will also be able to observe the Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Golden-headed Manakin and Painted Manakin. We will take the opportunity to see the San Martin Titi Monkey, an endangered primate species endemic to the San Martin region.

We will spend the night in Moyobamba city, in a local lodge with all the comforts.

On day 07 we leave for the Alto Mayo Protected Forest and its surroundings in search of several very charismatic diurnal and nocturnal birds, including the Wire-crested Thorntail, Cinereous Tinamou, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Orange-billed Sparrow, Zimmer’s Antbird, Rufous-crested Coquette, Ecuadorian Piedtail, White-tipped Sicklebill, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Ochre-fronted Antpitta y Rusty-tinged Antpitta. On this day, nocturnal birdwatching will be carried out, where the Long-whiskered Owlet stands out.

It is important to note that there are several specialized sites, which facilitate the observation of species by implemented facilities and conservation work. We will spend the night in a local lodge with basic amenities.

On day 08 we continue in the area to observe the Booted Racket-tail, Royal Sunangel, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, White-bellied Woodstar y Greenish Puffleg. That day we will leave to the Abra Patricia ACP and surroundings, to continue wildlife observation activities, making use of its comfortable facilities (hummingbird drinking troughs, trail system and observation tower), highlighting the observation of the Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Collared Inca, Little Woodstar y Sword-billed Hummingbird. We will spend the night in a local lodge with all the comforts.

Day 09 we continue in the Abra Patricia ACP enjoying the magnificent species in the area; this day we will observe the Chestnut Antpitta, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, White-faced Nunbird, Chestnut-crested Cotinga and Rufous-vented Tapaculo. In the afternoon, we depart to Pomacochas Lake where we will observe aquatic birds such as: Subtropical Doradito, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Lapwing y White-cheeked Pintail.

Day 11 will be the day of the Marvelous Spatuletail, all morning we will go after this interesting species, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful species in the world.  In the afternoon we will go to Chachapoyas city where we will spend the night in local lodging.

In the afternoon we will go to Bagua where we will spend the night in a local lodge.

From day 12 we will start with visits to very important archaeological or historical complexes of ancient Peru, which at the same time harbor important bird species in its interior or surroundings.

This day we will start with a visit to the Kingdom of the Chachapoyas Culture, we will visit the archaeological complex of Kuelap and natural areas near the site. In addition to visiting the important Fortress, we will observe the following species: Marvelous Spatuletail, Tyrian Metaltail, Golden-billed Saltator, Rainbow Starfrontlet and Shining Sunbeam. At the end of the day, we will head to Leymebamba, where we will spend the night in a local lodge with all the comforts.

On the 13th we will start early to observe Andean Condor, then we will visit the Leymebamba Museum, and then we will observe hummingbirds, such as Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-bellied Woodstar, Marvelous Spatuletail, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Red-hooded Tanager, Barred Becard and Northern Leymebamba Antpitta.

In the evening there will be a night outing in search of Koepcke’s Screech-Owl.

We will spend the night in a local lodge with all the comforts.

On the 14th we will head early to Marañon dry forest where we will observe endemic birds of this particular ecosystem; Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Buff-bridled Inca-Finch, Gray-winged Inca-Finch, Rufous-backed Inca-Finch and Chestnut-backed Thornbird

Finally, in the afternoon we will settle in Celendín where we will spend the night in local lodging with basic services.

On the 15th we will continue in the Marañon valley, searching mainly for the endemic Great Spinetail. We leave for the Cajamarca city, where we will spend the night in local lodging with all the comforts.

On the 16th we will head to the Chonta River Canyon where we will go in search of Gray-bellied Comet, the Giant Hummingbird, Black Metaltail, Andean Parakeet and the White-winged Cinclodes. In the afternoon we will visit the Cumbemayo Archaeological Complex where we will see a forest of stones and an aqueduct dating back to 1000 B.C.

We finish the day and head to the Cajamarca city, where we will spend the night in local lodging with all the comforts.

On the 17th we will visit the cultural attractions of Cajamarca city including the Inca Baths and the rescue room of the Inca Atahualpa.

After lunch we will depart to Chiclayo city  where we will spend the night in local lodging.

On the 18th we will make an early morning visit to the Bosques de Pomac Historical Sanctuary, where we will go in search of Peruvian Plantcutte and visit the pyramids found there.

Then we will visit the Sican Museum and in the afternoon the archaeological Tucume complex.

Overnight in Tucume district.

On the 19th we will leave early to the Ecological Reserve of Chaparri to observe White-winged Guan, among other species. In the evening we will have our last night outing.

We will spend the night at the reserve’s lodge.

Early in the morning on the 20th we will go bird watching again, where we will mainly observe White-winged Guan, Tumbes Tyrant, Cinereous Finch, Tumbes Sparrow, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Superciliated Wren and Collared Antshrike.

Departure to Chiclayo, after lunch transfer to the airport, where the service ends.

The service includes guiding and/or tourist orientation, entrance fees to tourist sites, lodging, food, land and river transfers, activities, use of telescope or binoculars and informative material.