Northern Peru Endemic Birds: Dry Forests, Cloud Forests and the Marañón Valley

Welcome Transfer from Lima International Airport to Hotel

Arrive at Lima's international airport and transfer to a hotel close by for the night before the early-morning flight north; no city birding is scheduled. Night at a hotel near Lima airport.

Breakfast

Domestic Flight from Lima to Chiclayo

A morning flight lifts you north across the arid coast to Chiclayo, gateway to the Tumbesian dry forest of northwestern Peru. Internal flight is not included in the tour price.

Transfer from Chiclayo to Reserva Chaparrí with Birding

Road transfer from Chiclayo east toward Reserva Chaparrí with some birding en route, arriving around midday and preserving the rest of the day for the reserve.

Chaparri Nature Reserve Birding

Two days birding the Tumbesian dry forest of Reserva Chaparrí, a private reserve 75 km east of Chiclayo founded to protect the endangered White-winged Guan, easily seen here, and the Spectacled Bear, also a regular. Dry scrub and semi-deciduous forest hold roughly 39 resident Tumbesian endemics, including Collared and Marañon Antshrike, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Baird's Flycatcher, White-tailed Jay, Black-capped and Marañon Sparrow, White-headed Brushfinch and Sulphur-throated Finch, with Ochre-bellied Dove in slightly higher humid forest.

Lunch

Chaparri Ecolodge Gardens, Pond and Hummingbird Feeders

Around Chaparri Ecolodge, the gardens and a pond attract Elegant Crescentchest, Necklaced Spinetail, Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet and White-edged Oriole. Hummingbird feeders near the lodge regularly host the dry-forest community of Long-billed Starthroat, Peruvian Sheartail, Short-tailed Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Tumbes Hummingbird and Spot-throated Hummingbird, giving close viewing of this arid-zone hummingbird set.

Early Evening Owling at Reserva Chaparrí

As the light fades over the dry forest at Reserva Chaparrí, an early-evening owling session could produce Peruvian Screech-Owl, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl and Striped Owl.

Dinner

Breakfast

Full-Day Birding around Chaparrí Lodge and Reserve

A full day working the dry scrub, semi-deciduous woodland and lodge surroundings of Reserva Chaparrí for the endangered White-winged Guan, Spectacled Bear and about 39 resident Tumbesian-limited species, including Collared Antshrike, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Baird's Flycatcher, Black-capped Sparrow, White-headed Brushfinch and Sulphur-throated Finch, with Ochre-bellied Dove in the higher humid forest.

Lunch

Chaparri Ecolodge Gardens, Pond and Hummingbird Feeders

Around Chaparri Ecolodge, the gardens and a pond attract Elegant Crescentchest, Necklaced Spinetail, Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet and White-edged Oriole. Hummingbird feeders near the lodge regularly host the dry-forest community of Long-billed Starthroat, Peruvian Sheartail, Short-tailed Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Tumbes Hummingbird and Spot-throated Hummingbird, giving close viewing of this arid-zone hummingbird set.

Dinner

Breakfast

Transfer from Reserva Chaparrí to the Casupe Road / Pómac Area

Morning drive from Reserva Chaparrí to higher-elevation cloud forest along the Casupe-Tocmoche Road, then on through Chiclayo for lunch and north to the Santuario Histórico Bosque de Pómac.

Morning Birding on the Casupe-Tocmoche Cloud Forest Road

Depart early for higher-elevation cloud forest along the Casupe-Tocmoche Road, about an hour's drive from Chaparri and a relatively unexplored birding site. Chances here include Ecuadorian Trogon, Ecuadorian Piculet, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Gray-and-gold Warbler, Black-cowled Saltator and Black-capped Sparrow.

Lunch

Dry Forest and Ruins at the Santuario Histórico Bosque de Pómac

About an hour north of Chiclayo, the Santuario Histórico Bosque de Pómac pairs interesting archaeological ruins with dry forest and scrub that is excellent for birds. The primary target is the endemic Peruvian Plantcutter, usually found in the dry scrub along the road, alongside Rufous Flycatcher, while the very rare Tumbes Swallow is often seen flying above the Acacia forest. Other species of interest include Ecuadorian Piculet, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Snowy-throated Kingbird and Tumbes Sparrow.

Dinner

Breakfast

Climbing to Abra Porculla and Birding El Puente Cloud Forest

A two-hour drive climbs into the highlands, reaching Abra Porculla pass by around 7:30. Clear weather is hoped for, but fog is always possible in the highlands. Birding takes place at the El Puente area and on a short trail off the main road at the pass, mostly in cloud forest. The main target is the rather shy Piura Chat-Tyrant in shrub-filled gullies, along with the endemic White-winged Brushfinch. Other possibilities include Gray-chinned Hermit, Peruvian Sheartail, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Chapman's Antshrike, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Gray-browed Brushfinch, White-headed Brushfinch, Bay-crowned Brushfinch, Golden Grosbeak and Black-cowled Saltator.

Lunch

Transfer from Abra Porculla to Jaén

Drive east from the Abra Porculla highlands toward Jaén with a lunch stop at a local restaurant, arriving late afternoon in time to bird the arid foothills above town.

Jaén Arid Foothills Birding and Evening Nightjar Search

Arriving in the late afternoon, there is still time to bird the arid foothills above Jaén. Foothill birds include Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Marañon Crescentchest, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Marañon Gnatcatcher and Little Inca-Finch, and early-evening birding could yield Scrub Nightjar if not already seen at Chaparri.

Dinner

Breakfast

Birding Very Xeric Habitat Outside Jaén

An early departure targets very xeric habitat outside Jaén, described as the best place to find the rather scarce Little Inca-Finch. The group also looks for Marañon Antshrike, the uncommon Marañon Spinetail, Chinchipe Spinetail and Marañon Sparrow. Also present are Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (noted as a possible future split as Cordilleran Parakeet), Yellow-cheeked Becard, White-edged Oriole, Buff-bellied Tanager and other, more widely distributed species.

Transfer from Jaén to Huembo Hummingbird Center / El Progreso

Morning drive from Jaén toward the Abra Patricia area, stopping for lunch, then to Huembo Hummingbird Center for the Marvelous Spatuletail feeders and on to the town of El Progreso.

Lunch

Huembo Marvelous Spatuletail Session

An afternoon watching the hummingbird feeders across from Huembo Hummingbird Center, where the spectacular Marvelous Spatuletail has been the regular headline visitor, joined by Sparkling Violetear, Chestnut-breasted Coronet and Little Woodstar on the flowers.

Long-whiskered Owlet Night Search

A guided session on the forested trail outside El Progreso where local knowledge now greatly improves the odds of the near-mythical Long-whiskered Owlet, rarely seen for years; the same site is good for Johnson's Tody-Flycatcher.

Dinner

Breakfast

Birding around Owlet Lodge and Abra Patricia Reserve

Morning birding along the pristine cloud-forest roadsides of Abra Patricia for mixed-species flocks built around Vermilion and Saffron-crowned Tanager, alongside Common Chlorospingus, Oleaginous and Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Blue-winged and Beryl-spangled Mountain Tanager, Masked Flowerpiercer and Capped Conebill, with Royal Sunangel at a nearby site.

Lunch

Transfer from El Progreso to Owlet Lodge

After lunch in town, transfer from El Progreso to nearby Owlet Lodge, birding lodge grounds and hummingbird feeders in the afternoon.

Owlet Lodge Grounds and Hummingbird Feeders

The afternoon at Owlet Lodge combines birding the lodge grounds with watching hummingbird feeders that host Green-fronted Lancebill, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Greenish Pufflet, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird and Chestnut-breasted Coronet.

Dinner

Breakfast

Full-Day Cloud Forest Birding on the Owlet Lodge Trail System

A full day over the extensive cloud-forest trails around Owlet Lodge in search of the localized endemic Ochre-fronted Antpitta (some come out for food), with Rusty-tinged, Chestnut and the recently split Rufous-breasted Antpitta, plus tapaculos, trogons, quetzals, manakins, fruiteaters and a long supporting cast of undergrowth species.

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Second Birding Session around Owlet Lodge and Abra Patricia

A second pass over the Abra Patricia cloud-forest roadsides and lodge surroundings targeting any species missed the previous day, keeping the mixed tanager and hemispingus flocks and the range-restricted Royal Sunangel in play.

Lunch

Transfer from Abra Patricia to Arena Blanca

Two-hour drive from the Abra Patricia area to Reserva Ecológica Arena Blanca after lunch, with the afternoon spent at the reserve's hummingbird and fruit feeders.

Amazon Foothill Birding Stops and Arena Blanca Reserve

The move to Reserva Ecológica Arena Blanca with afternoon hummingbird and fruit feeding plus forest-trail birding — Green-fronted Lancebill, Sparkling Violetear, Wire-crested Thorntail, Many-spotted and Golden-tailed Sapphire at the feeders, and Peruvian Warbling-Antbird, Fiery-capped Manakin and Andean Cock-of-the-rock on the trails.

Dinner

Breakfast

Very Early Hide Session and Gardens at Arena Blanca

Very early in the morning the group enters the blind at Reserva Ecológica Arena Blanca and waits for very secretive species, expecting very good views of Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. Afterwards, time in the gardens should produce White-tipped Sicklebill and Great-billed Hermit feeding on the flowers.

Transfer from Arena Blanca to Cocachimba (Cocahuayco Canyon)

Late-morning drive retracing the route west then south through the steep-walled Cocahuayco River canyon to Cocachimba, about 4-5 hours with birding stops in the canyon.

Drive Through the Cocahuayco River Canyon to Cocachimba

Late in the morning the route retraces westward to the turnoff onto the road heading south through the steep-walled Cocahuayco River canyon, taking about four to five hours to reach Cocachimba with birding stops along the way. Canyon stops target the endemic Coppery Metaltail, Speckle-chested Piculet, Marañon Crescentchest, Chachapoyas Antpitta and Neblina Tapaculo, with a good chance of Pale-billed Antpitta and hopes for the very scarce endemic Peruvian Pigeon along the road. Other possible birds include Rufous-capped Antshrike, White-chinned Thistletail, White-throated Tyrannulet, Peruvian Wren, Black-capped Hemispingus, Blue-backed Conebill and Drab Hemispingus. If Marvelous Spatuletail never showed around Huembo Center, there is another chance at feeders near Cocachimba.

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Transfer from Cocachimba to Leymebamba

South drive through the Cochuayco River canyon where it joins the Utcubamba River, then on to the higher-elevation town of Leymebamba, with chances for the endemic Peruvian Pigeon, Marañon Crescentchest, Black-necked Woodpecker and Marañon Thrush.

Drive to Leymebamba via the Cochuayco and Utcubamba Confluence

After breakfast the drive heads south through the Cochuayco River canyon where it joins the Utcubamba River, then on to the higher-elevation town of Leymebamba. En route there is another chance for the endemic Peruvian Pigeon and Marañon Crescentchest, with hopes for the endemic Black-necked Woodpecker and Marañon Thrush.

Lunch

Birding the Road Above Leymebamba and Dusk Owling

After lunch the group birds the road above Leymebamba. Main targets are Chachapoyas Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail and Yellow-scarfed Tanager, with other possibilities including Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Grass Wren, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch and Black-crested Warbler. As dusk approaches, the group tries for Blackish Nightjar and Koepcke's Screech-Owl.

Dinner

Breakfast

Climbing to Abra Barro Negro High Pass

After breakfast the group begins the long drive to Celendín, first climbing toward Abra Barro Negro, a high-altitude pass reaching 3670 m (12,040 ft), watching for Chachapoyas Antpitta, Neblina Tapaculo, Utcubamba Tapaculo, Russet-mantled Softtail and Gray-browed Brushfinch while enjoying spectacular scenery.

Marañon Canyon Descent to Balsas

From the pass the route descends the steep walls of the Marañon Canyon to Balsas on the Marañon River at just 850 m (2800 ft), more than 9000 ft of descent on a narrow, winding mountain road. Approaching Balsas, still on the road above town, the group tries for both Gray-winged Inca-Finch and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch.

Yellow-faced Parrotlet at a Private Orchard Above Balsas

After crossing the Marañon River, the group heads up the steep slopes of the canyon on the other side. Not far up the canyon, a private orchard is the best place to see the tiny, rare endemic Yellow-faced Parrotlet; the best way is to clamber down a quite steep path from the owner's house into the orchard below, where the parrotlets are usually feeding.

Lunch

Transfer from Leymebamba to Celendín via Balsas

Long drive from Leymebamba climbing toward the Abra Barro Negro high pass, then descending the steep walls of the Marañon Canyon to Balsas and up the switchbacks to Celendín.

Dinner

Breakfast

Morning Birding Around Celendín

After breakfast the group drives out of Celendín to look for the strangely disjunct local population of Rufous-fronted Thornbird and the near-endemic Fulvous-faced Scrub-Tyrant.

Transfer from Celendín to Cajamarca

Drive from Celendín to Cajamarca with en-route birding stops for Cajamarca Antpitta, Plain-tailed Warbling Finch and the more difficult Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch.

Drive to Cajamarca with En-Route Birding Stops

The group then departs for Cajamarca, trying en route for Cajamarca Antpitta, Plain-tailed Warbling Finch and the more difficult Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch.

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Birding the Back Gravel Road Above Cajamarca

After breakfast the group drives up a back gravel road high above Cajamarca into the foothills, where scrub habitat is home to the endemic Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail. Purple flowering plants along the river are the best place to find the prized Gray-bellied Comet, and Black Metaltail and Black-crested Tit-Tyrant should also be seen in the same area. Much harder to see is the endemic Striated Earthcreeper, which rarely responds to playback or shows itself in the dense undergrowth.

Lunch

Birding the Second Gravel Mountain Road Above Cajamarca

After lunch the group drives up a different gravel mountain road above Cajamarca to look for Great Spinetail and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch.

Transfer from Cajamarca to the Airport

Drive from Cajamarca to the airport for an early evening flight to Lima, timed to connect with international flights home.