NORTHERN PERU BIRDING TOUR
Desert, Andean Mountains, Dry Valleys, Cloud and Amazon Forest
16 Days
Best season from April to November
DATES
4-19 JULY 2026
OVERVIEW
Northern Peru has a great variety of landscapes and ecosystems and is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This makes it an excellent birding destination. From the desert, over mighty mountains, through valleys and the cloud forest, and into the Amazon rainforest. This diverse tour offers great chances to see many of Peru’s endemic and near-endemic bird species.
The tour starts at the coast, where the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, the vast desert, and the equatorial dry forests create unique conditions for endemic bird species such as Peruvian Plantcutter, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, and White-winged Guan.
We will leave the desert and the dry forests behind and cross the high Andes Mountains, which will provide us with spectacular views. In the dry valleys of the Marañón River we will search for other endemic and near-endemic species, such as Chinchipe Spinetail, Marañón Thrush, the striking Marañón Crescentchest and the critically endangered Marañon Spinetail. This region is also home to the Little Inca-Finch, one of five species of Inca-finches, all endemic to Peru.
As we wind our way up the mountains again, the vegetation becomes greener and denser. In a small area of cloud forest, we will marvel at the Marvelous Spatuletail. This endemic and endangered species is without a doubt one of the most spectacular and beautiful hummingbirds in the world. In this area we will also have good chances to spot other rare species, some of which were only discovered by scientists a few decades ago: the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet and the colorful Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher.
During the last part of this tour, we will explore the Amazon forest around the cities of Moyobamba and Tarapoto. This area allows us to see many bird species, such as the tiny Rufous-crested Coquette, Golden-headed Manakin, Lanceolated Monklet, Ivory-billed Aracari, Curl-crested Aracari, Koepcke’s Hermit, and Blue-headed Manakin.
To learn more, you can read our blog Northern Peru Birding Tour, where we explore the different birding locations we will visit during this tour.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at the international airport in Lima, where we will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel – Overnight in Lima.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport and flight to Chiclayo. Birding in Bosque de Pómac Sanctuary, Reservorio de Tinajones, and Chaparrí Reserve – Overnight at Chaparrí Lodge.
Day 3: Full day of birding around Chaparrí Lodge and Chaparrí Reserve – Overnight at Chaparrí Lodge.
Day 4: Morning birding in Chaparrí Reserve, followed by an afternoon transfer to Olmos – Overnight at a hotel in Olmos.
Day 5: Birding around the mountain pass Abra Porculla, followed by a transfer to Jaén (Marañón Valley) – Overnight at a hotel in Jaén.
Day 6: Visit to the private reserve Bosque de Yanahuanca to look for endemic birds, followed by an afternoon transfer to Huembo Reserve – Overnight at Huembo Lodge.
Day 7: Birding around the town of Pomacochas and Huembo Reserve, focusing especially on the Marvelous Spatuletail – Overnight at Huembo Lodge.
Day 8: Transfer to Abra Patricia Reserve – Overnight at Owlet Lodge.
Days 9–10: Birding around Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia Reserve and visiting the private reserve Fundo Alto Nieva – Overnight at Owlet Lodge.
Day 11: Transfer to Moyobamba with several birding stops, including a visit to the private reserve Arena Blanca – Overnight at Waqanki Ecolodge.
Day 12: Birding around Waqanki Ecolodge and Morro de Calzada Reserve – Overnight at Waqanki Ecolodge.
Day 13: Transfer to Tarapoto, with a birding stop at Lake Ricuricocha – Overnight at a hotel in Tarapoto.
Day 14: Birding around Cerro La Escalera Reserve and visiting the private reserve ACONABIKH – Overnight at a hotel in Tarapoto.
Day 15: Birding around Cerro La Escalera Reserve, followed by a transfer to the airport for a flight to Lima – Overnight at a hotel in Lima.
Day 16: Transfer to Lima Airport for your flight home – End of the tour.
KEY SPECIES
Endemic species: Coastal Miner, Cinereous Finch, Rufous Flycatcher, Peruvian Plantcutter, Chinchipe Spinetail, Little Inca-Finch, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Black-necked Woodpecker, Speckle-chested Piculet, Russet-mantled Softtail, Long-whiskered Owlet, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Black-bellied Tanager, Buff-bellied Tanager, Mishana Tyrannulet, Ash-throated Antwren, Marvelous Spatuletail, Koepcke’s Hermit, Utcubamba Tapaculo, Inca Flycatcher, Painted Manakin, Ochre-fronted Antpitta, Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Chestnut Antpitta.
Near-endemic species: Necklaced Spinetail, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Tumbes Hummingbird, Tumbes Sparrow, Tumbes Swallow, Marañon Crescentchest, Marañon Thrush, Marañon Spinetail, Sulphur-throated Finch, Three-banded Warbler, White-headed Brushfinch, Bay-crowned Brushfinch, Black-cowled Saltator, Chapman’s Antshrike, Rufescent Antshrike, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Bar-winged Wood-wren, Jelski’s Black-Tyrant, Maroon-belted Chat-Tyrant, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Peruvian Pigeon, Versicolored Barbet, Royal Sunangel, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl.
TOUR DETAILS
Group Size: Maximum 8 participants + tour guide
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: Basic to comfortable (3-star hotels)
Transportation: Private vehicle (car/minivan) and plane
Habitats Covered: Desert, Andean mountains and valleys, dry forest, elfin forest, cloud forest, and Amazon rainforest
Climate: Variable — cold and humid in the upper areas of Abra Patricia and the elfin forest; temperate in the cloud forest; warm in the dry forest and Amazon rainforest
Altitude: 0 – 2,400 meters / 0 – 7,874 feet above sea level
Possible extensions:
– Lima: Pacific Ocean boat tour Pucusana & Villa Marshes
– Iquitos: Amazon River
– Cusco: Birding and Machu Picchu
For the detailed itinerary, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, no dude en hacérnoslo saber.
PHOTO GALLERY
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Company Address: Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104 – Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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