20D/19N: Endemic birds, orchids and archaeology

This route stands out for traveling through different ecosystems of Peru, rich in biodiversity and endemism that have also been the scene of several ancient cultures of ancient Peru as the Mochica, Chachapoyas, Chimu, Inca, and others, as well as the colonial history of these spaces.

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 trip begins in Tarapoto city after picking up from the airport. We visit the surroundings of the Cordillera Escalera Conservation Area and Huallaga river to see owls and other wildlife nocturnal species. The highlights of the day are: Black-banded Owl, Crested Owl and Band-bellied Owl. The sleeping site is a local lodging in the middle of the woods of Cordillera Escalera Conservation Area.

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

In day 05 we do all our activities close to Moyobamba and Rioja city in forest and wetlands mainly.

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

The day 07 we go to Alto Mayo Protected Forest and surroundings to see many daily and nightly birds. The highlights are 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. We go for the Long-whiskered Owlet and other nightly species at night.

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

From day 12 we start the visits to very important archaeological and historical complexes of ancient Peru, which at the same time are home to important species of birds in and around them.

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

On the 13th we start early the birding activity to see the Andean Condor. Then we visit the Leymebamba Museum to know about mummies of Chachapoyas culture and then we go for seeing local hummingbirds and other species, where highlights 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 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

On the 14th we go early to the dry forests of the Marañón where we observe endemic birds of this particular ecosystem. The highlights are Yellow-faced Parrotlet, Buff-bridled Inca-Finch, Gray-winged Inca-Finch, Rufous-backed Inca-Finch and Chestnut-backed Thornbird.

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

On day 16 we go to the Chonta River Canyon, where we look for the endemic Gray-bellied Comet, the Giant Hummingbird, Black Metaltail, Andean Parakeet and the White-winged Cinclodes.

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

On the 18th we visit very early the Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, where we go in search of the Peruvian Plantcutter and visit the pyramids situated there. Then we go to the Sican Museum and in the afternoon to the Archaeological Complex of Tucume.

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

The price per person from $ 3770 dollars (for group size of 4 passengers).

INCLUDE

Private ground transportation.

Lodging with 3 meals for day.

All entrance fees for nature reserves.

Drink water supply, coffee and snacks available.

Natural Guide.

Specialized equipment and material.

DOES NOT INCLUDE

Air transportation (international and national flights).

Any extra beverages and meal in the route and hotels.

Another extra service demanded.

International airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature.

GALLERY

Phragmipedium Kovachii

Spatuletail, Marvelous

endemic birds — Inca-Finch, Buff-bridled

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