Northern Peru Specials – Owlet, Barbet, White-Masked Antbird, Spatuletail & More
Discover northern Peru's top birding targets: Owlet, Barbet, White-Masked Antbird, Spatuletail, and more.
This northern Peru birding tour is built around rare endemics and recently rediscovered populations. We travel a circuit that takes in the Scarlet-banded Barbet at Flor de Café, the White-masked Antbird near San Lorenzo, the Long-whiskered Owlet around Abra Patricia, and the Marvelous Spatuletail at Huembo. Expect simple-to-rustic lodging, full days in the field, and patient searching for birds that are never guaranteed.
We begin in Tarapoto and soon reach Flor de Café, where explorer Todd Mark found an accessible site for the Scarlet-banded Barbet. After working that forest, we cross Cordillera Escalera and take a small plane to San Lorenzo for the White-masked Antbird, discovered there in 2013 and now far more available than on the Morona River. Returning via an Oilbird gorge, we stop at Waqanki Lodge for its hummingbird garden and photography.
The route then climbs to Abra Patricia and Owlet Lodge, base for cloud-forest birding, a Long-whiskered Owlet night search, and the Afluente roadside. A morning on San Lorenzo Hill and time at Huembo for the Marvelous Spatuletail precede the descent to Tarapoto. It is a moderate tour for birders and photographers who enjoy full-day searching; we keep the group to eight and let the birds set the pace.
Northern Peru’s Concentration of Endemics
Northern Peru brings together a remarkable group of specialised birds, including the Long-whiskered Owlet, Marvelous Spatuletail, White-masked Antbird and other species tied to particular valleys and forest types.
The route is not built around one reserve. It connects dry forest, foothills, cloud forest and the Marañón Valley so that each target is understood in its landscape and ecological context.
Expedition Highlights
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Seasonality
What to expect
- Travel Style: Focus on Finest Experiences
- Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
- Transportation: Transportation in confortable Vehicles
- Dining Options: Meals are not included, except when specified in the program.
- Physical Rating: Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
What Not to Expect
- Don't expect five-star lodging every night — several nights are simple, family-run or rustic by design
- Don't expect every rare species to show — many targets depend on patience and a flexible morning
- Don't expect meals included beyond those stated in the program
- Don't expect a fixed small-plane schedule on the Marañón day — the departure time is confirmed the same morning
Who is it for
- Birders and bird photographers drawn to rare endemics and recently rediscovered populations
- Travellers comfortable with simple-to-rustic lodging in exchange for exceptional birding
- People who enjoy patient, focused searching and full-day birding transfers
Who is it not for
- Travellers expecting luxury or resort-standard lodging throughout
- Those seeking guaranteed sightings of the rarest targets — we work for them, we do not promise them
- Non-birders looking for a predominantly cultural or urban itinerary
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 6 chapters.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Detailed itinerary
Lima to Tarapoto, Afternoon Woodland Birding
Travel from Lima to Tarapoto by flight, then transfer into the foothills. Lunch is included before an afternoon of slow-paced birding in woodland near Tarapoto, where the rare Huallaga race of Northern Slaty Antshrike is the highlight, alongside Bluish-fronted Jacamar and Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin. Dinner is included, with the night at Tucan Suites Apart Hotel.
Key activities
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Afternoon Woodland Birding near Tarapoto
Tarapoto to Flor de Café (Plataforma)
After breakfast, travel by road from Tarapoto to Flor de Café (Plataforma), an isolated outlying ridge. Spend the afternoon birding this accessible site for the almost legendary Scarlet-banded Barbet, searching for the bird and exploring the surrounding area. Lunch and dinner are available, and an optional evening owling walk around Flor de Café offers the chance to look for the Vermiculated Screech Owl for anyone still up for it after a day in the field.
Key activities
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Scarlet-banded Barbet Site at Flor de Café (Plataforma) — Afternoon Birding
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Optional Evening Owling Walk for Vermiculated Screech Owl (Flor de Café)
Full Day at Flor de Café (Plataforma)
Spend a full day birding at Flor de Café, focusing on the Barbet area with the Scarlet-banded Barbet and Cordillera Azul Antbird as the main targets. The supporting avifauna is rich, including foothill fruiteaters, Grey-tailed Piha, Rose-fronted Parakeet, a colourful variety of tanagers and several manakins. Breakfast is included in the package, with lunch and dinner available. This Plataforma day centres on immersive birding in the Flor de Café area.
Key activities
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Full-Day Birding at Flor de Café (Scarlet-banded Barbet & Cordillera Azul Antbird)
Flor de Café to Tarapoto
Begin with early morning birding around Flor de Café, making the most of a final session on the ridge while staff load gear for departure. After breakfast, leave Plataforma by road for the transfer back to Tarapoto, with birding stops along the way. A lunch and dinner break round out the journey, before settling in at Tucan Suites Apart Hotel in Tarapoto.
Key activities
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Early Morning Birding at Flor de Café
Tarapoto to Yurimaguas via Cordillera Escalera
Travel from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas through the Cordillera Escalera, combining a full-day birding transfer with time in foothill forest and roadside edges. Explore selected birding spots for hummingbirds, tanagers, manakins, and Koepcke’s Hermit, a warm and active contrast to the higher Alto Mayo sites. Breakfast is included, with lunch and dinner available along the route. This journey links Tarapoto’s lowland edge with Yurimaguas, making the most of the scenic drive through Cordillera Escalera.
Key activities
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Cordillera Escalera Foothill Birding
Small-Plane Flight to San Lorenzo (Marañón)
After an included breakfast, a small-plane flight from Yurimaguas to San Lorenzo on the Marañón River begins the journey. Local transport then reaches the White-masked Antbird forest patch near San Lorenzo, where most of the day is spent birding a highly diverse forest. This site hosts the White-masked Antbird population found in 2013, making the species readily available here rather than requiring a separate expedition along the Morona River. Lunch and dinner are available at additional cost.
Key activities
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White-masked Antbird Forest Birding near San Lorenzo
Full Day with the White-masked Antbird
A full day at San Lorenzo is dedicated to the White-masked Antbird, an obligate follower of army ants that is typically found by locating a working swarm and waiting for the birds to attend. If the swarms stay quiet, playback can be tried as a fallback. Breakfast is included in the package, while lunch and dinner are listed separately. This focused search gives birders a dedicated opportunity to look for this sought-after species in the field.
Key activities
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Full-Day White-masked Antbird Search with Army-Ant Swarms (San Lorenzo)
Return Flight, Oilbird Gorge and Wankanki Lodge
A return small-plane flight from San Lorenzo to Yurimaguas sets up a road birding transfer toward Moyobamba, with a stop at an Oilbird gorge where the birds rest on their roosting ledges. The journey continues to Waqanki Lodge, a birdwatching sanctuary in the San Martín Region near Moyobamba, known for hummingbird sightings and orchid gardens in lush tropical surroundings. Breakfast is included, with lunch and dinner available along the way.
Key activities
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Oilbird Gorge Roosting-Ledges Stop
Wankanki Lodge: Owling, Valley and Hummingbird Garden
Experience Wankanki Lodge in Moyobamba, starting with an optional pre-dawn owling and nightjar walk around the grounds, where Rufous, Blackish and Spot-winged Nightjars and Black-banded and Tropical Screech Owls are regularly noted. Morning birding in the Wankanki Lodge valley may reveal Mishana Tyrannulet, Lesser Elaenia, Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Pale-breasted Spinetail and Varzea Thrush. Later, the Waqanki Garden hummingbird session works feeders, gardens and forest edge for hummingbirds, tanagers, butterflies and orchids, with Rufous-crested Coquette among the foothill species. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Key activities
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Pre-Dawn Owling and Nightjar Walk at Wankanki Lodge
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Morning Birding around Wankanki Lodge Valley
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Waqanki Garden Hummingbird Session
Birding Drive up to Abra Patricia
A birding drive from Wankanki Lodge climbs toward Abra Patricia, birding through lower elevations along the way. The first stop may reveal Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Black-billed Seed-Finch and Cinereous-breasted Spinetail before the route continues to Owlet Lodge. Breakfast is included, with lunch and dinner available along the journey.
Key activities
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Birding Drive from Wankanki Lodge up to Abra Patricia
Owlet Lodge Trail System and First Owlet Night
Spend a full day birding the extensive cloud-forest trails around Owlet Lodge, home to the localized Ochre-fronted Antpitta along with Rusty-tinged, Chestnut and Rufous-breasted Antpitta, plus tapaculos, trogons, quetzals, manakins and fruiteaters. After lunch and dinner, join a guided night search on the forested trail outside El Progreso, where local knowledge improves the odds of the near-mythical Long-whiskered Owlet; the same site is good for Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher. Return to Owlet Lodge for the night.
Key activities
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Full-Day Cloud Forest Birding on the Owlet Lodge Trail System
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Long-whiskered Owlet Night Search
Afluente Roadside Forest
Breakfast is included before heading to the Afluente Roadside Forest below Abra Patricia, where birding takes place along the road through upper lowland tropical forest near the tiny settlement of Afluente. Look for standout specialties such as the tiny Speckle-chested Piculet and the canopy-dwelling Ash-throated Antwren, alongside chances of Andean Cock-of-the-Rock crossing the road and the Ecuadorian Piedtail. Lunch and dinner are available, and the night is spent at Owlet Lodge.
Key activities
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Afluente Roadside Forest Birding (below Abra Patricia)
San Lorenzo Hill Trail and Huembo Reserve
Begin with morning birding along the San Lorenzo Hill Trail near Abra Patricia, where cloud forest patches offer chances to see Pale-billed Antpitta, Rusty-tinged Antpitta and Russet-mantled Softtail, along with Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan, Golden-headed Quetzal, the endemic Inca Flycatcher and other species. In the afternoon, visit the hummingbird feeders across from Huembo Hummingbird Center for a session with the Marvelous Spatuletail, joined by Sparkling Violetear, Chestnut-breasted Coronet and Little Woodstar. Return to Owlet Lodge.
Key activities
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San Lorenzo Hill Trail Morning Birding (Abra Patricia)
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Huembo Marvelous Spatuletail Session
Cloud Forest across Altitudinal Zones
Birding across the cloud forest altitudinal zones at Owlet Lodge, between 1000 and 2200 metres, fills the day with targeted searches for Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, the endemic Bar-winged Wood-wren and Royal Sunangel, Equatorial Graytail, and possible endemic antpittas such as Ochre-fronted and Rusty-tinged. Breakfast is included, while lunch and dinner are listed separately. The route stays within the lodge’s forested elevations, focusing on the shifts in birdlife across these zones before returning to Owlet Lodge.
Key activities
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Cloud Forest Birding across Altitudinal Zones at Owlet Lodge (1000–2200 m)
Transport to Tarapoto Airport
After breakfast at Abra Patricia, travel by road toward Tarapoto Airport for departure. The journey offers a flexible, flight-dependent chance for optional birding en route or near Tarapoto before drop-off. This final transfer connects the cloud forest with onward flights to Lima and homeward connections, closing the tour with a scenic drive through northern Peru.
Key activities
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Optional Birding en Route to Tarapoto before Departure
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Hotels
Tucan Suites Apart Hotel
Tucan Suites Apart Hotel is the first four-star hotel in Tarapoto, in the San Martín region of the Peruvian Amazon. Its apartments and suites face a central pool and include a living room, kitchenette-dining area and full bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast and a restaurant complete the stay, with the city centre a short walk away.
Waqanki Lodge
Ecolodge | $$$ | Altitude: 985m (3,232 ft)
Nestled in the lush landscapes of Moyobamba, Waqanki Lodge offers an immersive experience into Peru's vibrant biodiversity. Guests enjoy world-renowned orchid gardens and observation decks that attract rare hummingbirds while staying in comfortable, rustic cabins integrated into the tropical forest. This serene retreat features well-maintained trails and expert-led tours, providing a unique blend of adventure and relaxation within a stunning ecological paradise.
Owlet Lodge
Owlet Lodge sits in the misty cloud forest of Abra Patricia, in the highlands between Moyobamba and the Utcubamba valley. The lodge is a renowned base for northern Peru's specialities, with a communal dining area serving local cuisine and feeders that attract hummingbirds and tanagers. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast are offered, and the reserve's trails protect species such as the Long-whiskered Owlet.
Gallery
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 9.995 USD (666 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 8.595 USD (573 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 6.995 USD (466 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 5.995 USD (400 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Tucan Suites Apart Hotel — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Waqanki Lodge — 2 nights · Ecolodge
- Owlet Lodge — 5 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van)
- Meals indicated in the program: 14 breakfasts, 14 lunchs, 14 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Departure day
- Tips
- International flights
- Optional gear rental (e.g., sleeping bag, pad, trekking poles)
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (2.099 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
Services to Expect
Local Guides, Lodges and Remote Access
Local guides are essential on this route. Their knowledge of calls, seasonal movements, access tracks and discreet observation points gives us a better chance of finding the specialities without disturbing the places where they live.
Accommodation is selected for access to the birding areas and may range from comfortable hotels to simpler lodges in remote locations. Long transfers are part of reaching the most rewarding valleys.
Practical Information
A Route of Dry Forests and Cloud Forests
The journey moves between warm, seasonal dry forests and cooler, humid cloud forests. These contrasts shape both the bird community and the rhythm of the days, from open valley habitats to steep forested slopes.
Some sites are reached by long drives and early starts. The changing scenery is part of the experience, and the programme adapts to access, weather and bird activity.
Altitude, Roads and Field Conditions
Expect uneven trails, steep slopes, warm lowlands, cool mountain mornings and roads that can be slow or winding. Altitude and heat affect people differently, so a steady pace and regular hydration are important.
Birding may involve roadside stops, forest walks, feeders and long periods of patient observation. Conditions can change quickly, especially during mountain weather.
Target Species, Patience and Conservation
Several of the tour’s key birds are localised, elusive or dependent on particular habitats. Sightings are never guaranteed, so the best approach is to give each site time and value the broader community of birds around the main targets.
Follow guide instructions, remain quiet at observation points and avoid disturbing birds or nesting areas. Protecting dry forest and cloud forest is inseparable from the long-term future of these species.
What to Pack for Northern Peru
Bring binoculars, a field guide or offline reference, spare batteries, memory cards, a small daypack and comfortable walking shoes. Pack light layers for changing elevations, rain protection, sun protection and insect protection.
Keep medication and valuables accessible during long transfers. A camera with a versatile telephoto lens is useful, but the most important equipment is a kit you can carry comfortably through warm valleys and cloud forest.
Detailed Trip Notes, including practical tips, cultural insights, and a complete packing list will be sent to you 60 days before departure.
Booking this tour means you agree to our full Terms and Conditions. Below is a summary of the key points. As life is unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.
- Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable for 7 days (less transaction fees), after which it becomes a non-refundable credit, transferable to a future tour offered by Remote Expeditions within 4 years of the cancellation date, less any non-recoverable costs already paid on your behalf.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour begins.
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: You will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the 30% deposit. Your deposit will be converted into a travel credit valid for 4 years on a future tour Remote Expeditions.
- Cancellation within 90 days of departure: 100% of the tour price is forfeited. There are no refunds or credits.
* This is a summary only. Please read our complete
Terms and Conditions
for full details before booking.
** We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Your Tour Guide
Tristan Quevilly
Tristan has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked all Guatemala, trekked alone across the Triglav in Slovenia, travelled through all the Amazon by boat. He also has worked and leaded tours in Senegal, Morroco, Croatia, Greece, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and many more. Remote Expeditions is the fruit of his love for people and travel.
- Nationality: French
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
- Guiding since: 2003
- Specialties: Photography, Trekking, Indigenous Communities
Extend your journey
Optional extensions and add-ons you may consider for your trip. Each can be added to your itinerary on request — just let me know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
