20D/19N: Endemic birds, orchids and archaeology
The presence of several endemic birds of Peru is remarkable, such as Koepcke’s Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae), Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis), Long-whiskered Owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi), Ochre-fronted Antpitta (Grallaricula ochraceifrons), Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), Koepcke’s Screech-Owl (Megascops koepckeae), Yellow-faced Parrotlet (Forpus xanthops), Gray-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris), Peruvian Plantcutter (Phytotoma raimondii) and the White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis).
We can observe up to 800 species, 38 of which are endemic.
ITINERARY
DAY 01 to DAY 04
Owls, Cotingas, Antbirds, Hoatzin & Koepcke’s Hermit
The day 02 initiates very early with the purpose to see Plum-throated Cotinga, Spangled Cotinga, Northern Slaty-Antshrike, al Amazonian Motmot and Hoatzin in the shore of Huallaga river and surroundings.
At the afternoon we go to a close lagoon close to Tarapoto city to look for Ashy-headed Greenlet, Southern Lapwing, American Comb-Duck, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Planalto Hermit.
Third day goes to another area of Cordillera Escalera Conservation Area looking for the endemic Kopcke’s Hermit and other species like Ivory-billed Araçari, Curl-crested Araçari, Plumbeous Euphonia and Dotted Tanager.
The sleeping site is a local lodging in the middle of the woods of Cordillera Escalera Conservation Area.
Fourth day we drive to Huallaga dry forest to looking for Rusty-backed Antwren, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous Casiornis, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin and Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant. At the afternoon we go to Alto Mayo valley to Moyobamba city and in the route, we make a few stops to see Oilbird and White-eyed Parakeet.
After to go and left the lugage in the local hotel we are going to make nocturnal wildlife sighting around Moyobamba, where owls and other nocturnal wild species are the highlights.
DAY 05 to DAY 06
Painted Manakin, Owls, Birds of prey & San Martin Titi Monkey
The highlights of the day are: Rufous-crested Coquette, Lettered Araçari, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Black-bellied Tanager, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Pale-eyed Blackbird and Black-billed Seed-Finch. In addition is possible to see San Martin Titi Monkey, an especial endemic mammal of the area. The sleeping site is a local lodging in Moyobamba city.
Sixth day is mainly dedicated to see manakins which highligth Painted Manakin, Band-tailed Manakin and Fiery-capped Manakin.
At the afternoon we go to Morro de Calzada ZOCRE where we go for two endemics that are Mishana Tyrannulet and Black-bellied Tanager. We also can see Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Golden-headed Manakin and Painted Manakin.
We have the chance to see San Martin Titi Monkey an especial endemic mammal of the area. The sleeping site is a local lodging in Moyobamba city.
DAY 07 to DAY 10
Hummingbirds, Antpittas, Tanagers & Long-whiskered Owlet
It is important to say that there are many specialized spots that have facilities to seeing the species easier because the conservation and tourism efforts.
The sleeping site is a local lodging in the middle of the woods of Alto Mayo Protected Area.
In day 08 we still stay in the zone to look for Booted Racket-tail, Royal Sunangel, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, White-bellied Woodstar y Greenish Puffleg.
After breakfast we go to Abra Patricia Private Conservation Area (ACP) and surroundings to see more birds and wildlife. Abra Patricia ACP has great facilities and trail systems to see wildlife and birds in special.
The highlights of the day in Abra Patricia are: Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Collared Inca, Little Woodstar y Sword-billed Hummingbird. The sleeping site is a local lodging in the middle of the woods of Abra Patricia ACP.
Day 09 we continue in Abra Patricia ACP enjoying this wonderfull natural site and seeing Chestnut Antpitta, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, White-faced Nunbird, Chestnut-crested Cotinga and Rufous-vented Tapaculo. By afternoon we go to Pomacochas lagoon to see mainly aquatic birds like Subtropical Doradito, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Lapwing y White-cheeked Pintail. The sleeping site is a local lodging in the little city of Pomacochas.
The tenth day we go for more endemics of the area like: Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Peruvian Wren, Pale-billed Antpitta, and Russet-mantled Softtail. The sleeping site is a local lodging in the little city of Pomacochas.
DAY 11
Marvelous Spatuletail
The 11th day we focus mainly in Marvelous Spatuletail, that is an endemic species of Peru and recognized as the most beautiful hummingbird in the world.
By the afternoon we go to Bagua where we sleep in a local lodging.
DAY 12
Birds of Kuelap Archeological Complex
This day we start with a visit to the Chachapoyas Kingdom, so we visit the archaeological complex of Kuelap and natural areas near this archaeological monument. In addition to visiting such an important fortress, we observe the following species: Marvelous Spatuletail, Tyrian Metaltail, Golden-billed Saltator, Rainbow Starfrontlet and Shining Sunbeam.
At the end of the day, we go to Leymebamba, where we spend the night in a local lodging with all the comforts.
DAY 13
Mummies, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl & Andean Condor
In the evening there is a nocturnal wildlife sighting in search of the Koepcke’s Screech-Owl.
We spend the night in a local lodging with all the comforts.
DAY 14 to DAY 15
Endemics of Maranon valley
Finally, in the afternoon we settle in Celendin where we spend the night in a local lodging.
On the 15th we continue in the Maranon valley, looking mainly for the endemic Great Spinetail.
At the end of the day we leave to the city of Cajamarca, where we spend the night in a local lodging.
DAY 16 to DAY 17
Birds and culture of Cajamarca
In afternoon we visit the Archaeological Complex of Cumbemayo where a stone forest and an aqueduct from 1000 B.C. stand out. We finish the day and go to the city of Cajamarca, where we spend the night in a local lodging.
DAY 18 to DAY 20
Moche Civilization and Birds of Ecuadorian dry forest
We spend the night in the district of Tucume in a local lodging.
Day 19 we leave early to the Chaparri Ecological Reserve to observe the endemic White-winged Guan, among other species. In the evening we make our last nocturnal wildlife sighting.
We spend the night in the lodge of the Reserve.
Early in the morning on day 20, there is another birding excursion, mainly to see the White-winged Guan, Tumbes Tyrant, Cinereous Finch, Tumbes Sparrow, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Superciliated Wren and Collared Antshrike.
After lunch, we transfer to the airport where the service ends.
It includes guide services, payment of entry to tourist sites, lodging, food, land, and river transfers, activities, use of telescope or binoculars and information materials.
PRICE
INCLUDE
Natural Guide.
Specialized equipment and material.