Tour Dates: Tuesday 1st – Thursday 17th July 2025 (Lima to Lima)
Tour Price: £5,399pp plus flights
Estimated Flight Price: London to Lima approx. £1,000 return
Estimated Internal flights Price: Lima to Chiclayo and Cajamarca to Lima approx. £200
Deposit: £700 per person
Conservation Donation from Wise Birding: £150 – £200
Minimum Number: 6 people
Maximum Group Size: 6 people

Target Birds:
Long-whiskered Owlet, Cinnamon Screech Owl, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl, Yungas Pygmy-Owl Peruvian Thick-knee, Tumbes Swallow, Cinereous Finch, Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous Flycatcher, Tumbes Tyrant, Tumbes Pewee, Marvelous Spatuletail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Amazilia Hummingbird, Rufous-crested Coquette, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Peruvian Pigeon, Chestnut-backed Thornbill, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman’s Antshrike, Marañon Crescentchest, Marañon Slaty Antshrike, Marañon Spinetail, Little Inca-Finch, Speckle-chested Piculet, Fine-barred Piculet, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Royal Sunangel, Johnson’s Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Lanceolated Monklet, Pale-billed Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Great Spinetail, Red-hooded Tanager, Grey-winged Inca-Finch, Buff-bridled Inca-Finch and many, many more!

Tour Summary
This is an itinerary packed full of some of Peru’s most sought after birds and all located in the beautiful northern Andes and often staying at some fabulous community based birding lodges. First we visit the wonderful Chaparri Lodge looking for dry forest species, before heading back to the coast briefly and towards Jaen before spending time at Huembo Lodge where we will look for the iconic Marvelous Spatuletail amongst other many impressive species.  We then continue to Waquanki Lodge and the fabulous Owlet Lodge and the Cloud and Elfin forests of Abra Patricia. These forest areas are home to a wealth of endemic and endangered species from the magnificent Marvelous Spatuletail to the bizarre Long-whiskered Owlet. This highly memorable tour explores a really diverse mix of habitats and a great selection of fantastic endemic birds. We stay in some superb and memorable lodges, many of which have great bird feeders. We hope to see in excess of 450 species during our stay including over 50 Hummingbird species and a great selection of endemics!

ACCOMMODATION: 16 nights in Peru
1 night Lima, 2 nights Chaparri Lodge, 1 night Puerto Eten, 1 night Jaen, 1 night Huembo Lodge, 2 nights Waqanki Lodge, 4 nights Owlet Lodge, 1 night Leymebamba, 2 nights Celendín and 1 night Cajamarca
Meals: Full board starting with dinner on day 1 through until lunch on day 17

Day 1: Arrival to Lima
We arrive into Lima and transfer to our hotel to rest before our domestic flight the following morning. Depending on flight arrival time, we may be able to organise some optional easy birding very close to Lima airport for a half day to look for a good selection of waders, gulls and terns including the chance of a boat trip for Inca Tern. Overnight Airport Hotel

Day 2: Lima to Chiclayo – Pomac
This morning we take a short domestic flight (approx. 1hrs 20 mins) north up the coast to Chiclayo. On arrival we will  head towards our lodge and make a stop in Pomac where the mix of dry forest and desert scrub will give good opportunities to look for our target species including some Tumbesian endemics. Some of the key species we hope to see include Tumbes Swallow, Cinereous Finch, Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous Flycatcher, and Tumbes Tyrant. Sometimes we can also find Peruvian Thick-knee here before we move on for the 2 hour drive to our base at Chaparri. Overnight Chaparri lodge

Day 3: Chaparri Lodge
Chaparri Conservation Area was established in 2000 by the local community of Santa Catalina de Chongoyape to protect their natural resources and provide a sustainable source of income. We will spend all day in this 34,000 hectare reserve where we have many target species to see! White-winged Guans, White-edged Oriole, Golden Grosbeak, Croaking Ground-Dove, Baird’s Flycatcher, Superciliated Wren, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, Collared Antshrike, White-tailed Jay, Purple-collared Woodstar and Amazilia Hummingbird. Around the lodge gardens we will try to find Pacific Elaenia, White-headed Brush-Finch, Tumbes Hummingbird, Necklaced Spinetail and Tumbes Pewee. After lunch we will do some birding at a lower elevation and try for Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Sulphur-throated Finch, Collared Warbling-Finch, Parrot-billed Seedeater and Scrub Nightjar. Overnight Chaparri Lodge

Day 4: Chaparri – Puerto Eten
This morning we will spend the morning birding the habitat around the Chaparri lodge, targeting any species that we may have missed before we head towards the coast at Puerto Eten. We will do some nice easy birding as we visit wetlands and the coast for a good mix of new species. Peruvian pelican, Peruvian Tern, Black-faced Ibis, Comb duck, Grey-hooded gull, Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Peruvian pipit and a great selection of shorebirds. Overnight Horcones de Tucume or similar 

White-capped Tanager

Day 5: Abra Porculla – Jaen
We will start very early today because we have a two-hour drive ahead of us as we pass over the impressive Western Andes. In various forest patches that we pass, we will try for Piura Chat-Tyrant,  Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman’s Antshrike, Bay-crowned and White-winged Brush-Finches, and Three-banded Warbler. Much harder species we will try for include Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner and Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, plus many others!
During the afternoon, we head towards Jaén where we will try for many targets and will make a special effort for Marañon Crescentchest and the rare Little Inca-Finch. Overnight Urcu Hotel or similar

Day 6: Jaén – Huembo
This morning we will again be birding near  Jaén, searching for Marañon endemics like the Marañon Slaty Antshrike, Marañon Spinetail and further attempts to find Marañon Crescentchest and Little Inca Finch and the distinctive subspecies of Black-capped Sparrow. After a full and exciting morning of birding,  we will then  drive a few hours to the Huembo Reserve and associated lodge. Huembo is an excellent example of community-based conservation as the land is owned by the community and managed for conservation in partnership with the Peruvian conservation organisation Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN). The Reserve is protected and all tourism profits are evenly distributed amongst all community members. Therefore, this is a win win for everyone! The bird feeders here attract the stunning and highly sought after Marvelous Spatuletail, along with many other hummingbirds like the Bronzy Inca and Chestnut-breasted Coronet, White bellied Woodstar, Little Woodstar, White-bellied Hummingbird and much much more! Overnight Huembo Lodge

Day 7: San Lorenzo – Moyobamba
This morning we will enjoy some great relaxed birding around Huembo Lodge, once again targeting the many endemic species like the Speckle-chested Piculet and Marañon race of Speckle-breasted Wren. Plus Buff-bellied Tanager, Silvery Tanager, Southern Emerald Toucanet, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet. We will then travel through the Andes, making numerous birding stops towards Moyobamba. The hummingbird feeders here bring species like Rufous-crested Coquette and Golden-tailed Sapphire, Sapphire Spangled Emerald, Long-tailed Hermit, Blue-tailed Emerald and more. Overnight Waqanki 

Day 8: Waqanki Lodge / Quebrada Mishquiyacu
This morning we will be birding in the diverse habitats around Waqanki Lodge, ranging from lush cloud forest to dry scrub. We will be targeting species such as Fiery-throated Fruiteater and Rusty-backed Antwren in particular. A visit to a nearby bridge will hopefully produce some great views of Oilbirds at their day roost.  Other species we hope to find include Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Fiery-capped Manakin, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Mishana Tyrannulet, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, Peruvian Warbling-Antbird, Blackish, Spot-backed, and Spot-winged Antbirds, Black-bellied Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Golden-collared Toucanet, Gilded Barbet. In the afternoon around Moyobamba we will try for Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Rusty-backed Antwren, and Burnished-buff Tanager. We will also check the nearby fields for Orioles and Pale-eyed Blackbirds and maybe a rarity like Spotted Rail, Black-billed Seed-Finch, etc. During the evening we will head out for some owling where we hope to find Band-bellied Owl near the lodge. Overnight Waqanki

Long-whiskered Owlet

Day 9: Moyobamba to Abra Patricia
After a morning’s  birding in Moyobamba, we head to Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia. This area of Elfin Forest has some of Peru’s least known birds and is a great birding site and during the next four days we will explore the unique Elfin ridgetop forests of the area, searching for elusive species such as Bar-winged Wood-Wren and Chestnut Antpitta. We will first spend time at the hummer feeders for Long-tailed Sylph, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Speckled Hummingbird, Peruvian Racket-tail, Fawn-breasted Brilliant and then in the evening we will make our first attempt to see the highly sought after Long-whiskered Owlet. Overnight Owlet Lodge

Days 10-12: Abra Patricia. – Alto Nieva – Arena Blanca
Over the next three full days we will explore the fabulous Elfin forests visiting various altitudinal zones between 1000–2200 metres. Endemic species will be high on our priority list with species such as Rufous-vented Tapaculo and Fine-barred Piculet, Royal Sunangel and Johnson’s Tody-Tyrant, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tody-Tyrant, and Pale-billed Antpitta, as well as several commoner North America such as Swainson’s Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler and Cerulean Warbler. During our time in this area, we will  visit a private reserve called Arena Blanca for many additional and special species. These include Wire-crested Thorntail, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Little Tinamou, Black-bellied Tanager, White-faced Nunbird, Inca Flycatcher, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, and Variable Antshrike, White-throated Screech-Owl and Rufous-banded Owl.  On one day we will visit a blind where we have the chance to see Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. On our way back to the lodge, we will then bird the roadside in the foothills  hoping for mixed flocks with Spotted, Green-and-Gold, Paradise, and Orange-eared Tanagers, Bronze-green Euphonia, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Lanceolated Monklet, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Marble-faced Bristle-Trant, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Gray-mantled Wren and many many more! Overnight Owlet Lodge

Day 13: Abra Patricia to Leymebamba
Today we will try our luck on a challenging trail in the hope of finding more special species like Pale-billed Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Red-hooded Tanager and a subspecies of Plain-tailed Wren.  We will then drive through Utcubamba Canyon where we will keep a lookout for Marañon Thrush and other species. We will spend the night in Leymebamba with a chance to observe hummer feeders and Koepcke’s Screech-Owl can sometimes be seen near the hotel. Overnight Casa Rangra or similar

Day 14: Leymebamba to Cañon del Marañon
We will travel through Marañon Canyon, stopping to observe species such as Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Coppery Metaltail, as well as some Paramo species such as Neblina Tapaculo, White-chinned Thistletail and others. We will spend a total of two nights in Celendín, exploring the area for endemics like Grey-winged Inca-Finch and Yungas Pygmy-Owl. Overnight Villa Madrid en Celendín

Peruvian Plantcutter

Day 15: Marañon Canyon
More birding in the Marañon Canyon area will allow us to focus on any missed targets like Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Peruvian Pigeon, and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch. In the afternoon we will drive up over the West Andes trying along the road for two more endemics, the Chestnut-backed Thornbill and Gray-winged Inca-Finch etc. Overnight Villa Madrid en Celendín

Day 16: Celendín to Cajamarca
Today we will drive through a good mix of habitat from farmland to montane scrub, searching for a good mix of species like Cajamarca Antpitta and Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Tit-like Dacnis, Peruvian Sierra-Finch, Streak-throated Canastero, Black Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Golden-billed Saltator and Gray-bellied Comet. Overnight Costa Del Sol Cajamarca

Day 17: Great Spinetail and Departure
Today we will search for the rare endemic Great Spinetail in arid valleys east of Cajamarca, plus Spot-throated Hummingbird, White-winged Black Tyrant, Giant Hummingbird, Black-lored Yellowthroat. If we have time we may take a detour towards  the highlands to a lake trying for Puna Teal and Plumbeous Rail.  We will then head to the airport at Cajamarca for a short domestic flight of around an hour to Lima where you will catch our International flight. There is an option to add another night in Lima if required.

Please note this is a flexible itinerary which may need to be adjusted slightly dependent on arrival / departure times, weather conditions and the most recent information from our local guides

Leaders: Wise Birding leader and local guide throughout
Included in cost: Accommodation in twin en-suite rooms, all meals starting with dinner on night 1 to lunch on day 17, ground transport, park and reserve fees and services of leader.
Not included in cost: International flight and 2 domestic flights, travel insurance, drinks other than water and any airport/visa fees.
Single Supplement: TBC
Transport: Minibus
Difficulty:  A good level of fitness is required, particularly when visiting Owlet lodge as trails cover a range of altitudes and steep trails in places.
Climate: Highly variable. A wide range of temperatures can be expected dependent on altitude, getting close to freezing early morning in the mountainous areas. This tour takes place in the dry season, but it is not unusual to get some rain at Waqanki and Abra Patricia.
Tour Start Point: Lima International airport, Peru
Tour End Point: Lima International airport, Peru
Suggested Airlines: British Airways and or LATAM