Hummingbirds of Northern Peru
07/03/2024
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Peru Birding Tours: Northern Route
PERU BIRDING TOURS: EXPLORING THE NORTHERN CLOUD-FORESTS & AMAZONIAN FORESTS OF PERU
- 11 days
- Available May-November
TOUR DETAILS
ITINERARY
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICE EXCLUDES
TOUR DETAILS
Itinerary: Lima, Villa Marshes and Pucusana, Lomas de Lachay, Tarapoto, Waqanki, Abra Patricia, Huembo, Tarapoto and Lima
Duration: 11 days
This photography tour takes a small transect of Northern Peru, from the lowland forests of Tarapoto to the incredibly dense cloud forest located on the eastern slope of the Andes. The beauty of this trip is the combination of incredible landscapes, different habitats and the opportunity to see and enjoy a great diversity of wildlife and endemic species.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Peru
Meeting with your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel located in Miraflores.
Overnight at your Hotel in Miraflores. D
Day 2: Lima, Pantanos de Villa & Pucusana
We start our tour early in the morning in order to avoid the rush hour and we head directly to the Pantanos de Villa Reserve. The Villa marshes is the only protected area within the city limits of Lima. It was declared a RAMSAR (International Convention of Wetlands) site in 1997. This complex of lagoons, pools and marsh areas made up of totora reed clumps, are part of a migratory corridor and resting point for several bird species along the Peruvian coast. More than 130 bird species have been recorded here, and at least 40 species can be seen on a single visit.
Our first stop within the reserve take us to a coastal lagoon next to the beach where we will be looking for birds like Great Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, White-cheeked Pintail, Andean Duck, Gray-hooded Gull and Gray Gull. Depending on the season sometimes we find small numbers of Andean Gulls in this area. A quick scan from the seashore will allow us to observe species like Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Boobies, Guanay Cormorants flying by, and sometimes even Peruvian Diving-Petrels.
As the day starts to warm up we move to our next location, a group of small ponds surrounded by totora reeds. This vegetation is the habitat of two species, the Many-colored Rush-Tyrant and the Wren-like Rushbird. After we see these targets we’ll try to find some rarer birds like Plumbeous Rail and Least Bittern. On the trail back to our car we will stop for a moment to look for Peruvian Thick-knees in an open area covered with grass.
Our next stop is the fishing village of Pucusana, about 60 Km (38 miles) south of Lima. Pucusana is located inside a small cove and protected by an island just in front of the town. From here we will take a boat to navigate the waters around the island where we will have close views of some of the Humboldt current specialties like Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Boobie, Guanay Cormorant, Red-legged Cormorant, Blackish Oystercatcher, Belcher’s Gull, Humboldt Penguins, the stunning Inca Terns and the endemic Surf Cinclodes.
Continuing with the navigation we visit a small colony of South American Sea Lions. This rocky coast is also the habitat of the endangered Marine Otter, one of the smallest otter species in the world.
After our boat trip we will have lunch at a local restaurant. Then we’ll move to our next location at the Lurin river. This area is home to the rufescens subspecies of Bran-colored Flycatcher, that might be split in the future. Other species that we can observe in this area includes Croaking Ground-dove, Amazilia Hummingbird, Long-tailed Mockingbird, Scrub Blackbird, Harris’s Hawk and Peruvian Meadowlark.
Night at Miraflores. B, L, D
Day 3: Lima and Lomas de Lachay National Reserve
We will depart early in the morning towards Lomas de Lachay located 100 km (65 miles) north of Lima. On the way to the reserve we will scan the agricultural fields looking for Peruvian Thick-knees. After scoring this bird we enter the reserve. The landscape in this area looks pretty desertic, but this is the habitat of the endemic Coastal Miner and Least Seedsnipe. Further on we will notice how the vegetation starts to appear on both sides along the road. Birds like the uncommon austral migrant Tawny-throated Dotterel, Yellowish Pipits, Burrowing Owls and Peruvian Meadowlarks prefer this open habitat with low vegetation. We will pay attention to the raptors here, as the Variable Hawks and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles constantly soars above these plains.
Once we enter the main part of the reserve the landscape changes dramatically, mountains covered with dense vegetation and trees growing along the creeks, it’s hard to imagine that the desert is only a couple of miles away. The trees in this valley are the place to look for the auricularis subspecies of Masked Yellowthroat, sometimes considered a separate species called Black-lored Yellowthroat.
We’ll walk along a trail to a waterhole where flocks of birds gather together to drink as this is the only permanent water source in the reserve. It’s not uncommon to see Andean Tinamous crossing the trail in this area early in the morning. Along the trail to the water hole we can observe species like Mountain Parakeets, PeruvianSheartail, Oasis Hummingbird, Band-tailed Sierra-finch, Collared Warbling-finch and the endemic Raimondi’s Yellow-finch.
After walking these trails we’ll drive to Quebrada Guayabito located on the dry side of the reserve. This area is home to the endemic Cactus Canastero and also Short-tailed Field Tyrant and Grayish Miner.
Overnight at Miraflores. B, L, D
Early flight to Tarapoto and then drive to the Waqanki Lodge located outside the city of Moyobamba. Moyobamba is the capital city of the orchids in Peru, it’s been estimated that the region holds around 2,000 different species. For those interested in macro photography there is an interesting collection of orchids at the gardens of our lodge that can be visited at any time.
About 400 species of birds live in the forests of the reserve and 18 species of hummingbirds visit the feeders close to the lodge. We will spend the morning photographing some of these birds at the feeders. The most common species that visit the feeders are Rufous-crested Coquette, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Blue-tailed Emerald, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-chinned Sapphire and Black-throated Hermit.
During the night we will try to find owls around the lodge, the most frequent species in this area includes Band-bellied Owl, Striped Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl and Black-banded Owl. There is also a location for Stygian Owl, but is further away and the owl is not always present.
Overnight at Waqanki Lodge in Moyobamba. B, L, D
Day 5: Waqanki Lodge & Surroundings
Early in the morning we will set up two hides on the shore of a lagoon located about 30 minutes from the lodge. Here we will photograph the uncommon and secretive Masked Duck. Other birds that can be seen in this area includes Rusty-backed Antwren, Wedge-tailed Grass-finch and Russet-crowned Crake.
We will spend the rest of the morning walking on the trails around the lodge. The forest in this area is a good place to photograph Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Fiery-capped Manakin, Peruvian Warbling Antbird, Lafresnaye’s Piculet and the endemic Mishana Tyrannulet, among other species.
During the night we can try to locate some of the owl species that we might have missed the night before.
Overnight at Waqanki Lodge in Moyobamba. B, L, D.
Day 6: Arena Blanca Reserve & Abra Patricia
Early morning drive to the Arena Blanca Reserve on our way to Abra Patricia. This reserve is located on the foothills of the Andes and it has feeding stations for hummingbirds and tinamous. Some of the most interesting species that use the feeders includes Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Orange-billed Sparrow, Amethyst Woodstar, Blue-fronted Lancebill and Wire-crested Thorntail. On the trees around the feeders is not uncommon to see Golden-collared Toucanets and Lettered Aracaris.
After we photograph the interesting birds of this reserve we will head up towards the Owlet Lodge located in the Abra Patricia Reserve. On route we might stop at the Alto Nieva river to search for Torrent Ducks and the endemic Lulu’s Tody-tyrant.
Once on the lodge we will spend the rest of the afternoon on the hummingbird feeders where Bronzy Inca, Collared Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Speckled Hummingbird, White-bellied Woodstar, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Emerald-bellied Puffleg and sometimes the uncommon Sword-billed Hummingbird can be seen. Some mammals like the Tayra (a relative to the weasels) and Black Agoutis visit a feeding station and are easy to photograph.
Depending on the weather we might try to visit the Fundo Alto Nieva to try to photograph the almost mythical Long-whiskered Owlet and the uncommon Cinnamon Screech-Owl.
Overnight at Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia. B, L, D.
Day 7: Abra Patricia
Early in the morning we will search for mixed species flocks along the highway on route to the Fundo Alto Nieva. These impressive flocks usually have many different species of birds like Flame-faced Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, the endemic Yellow-scarfed Tanager, White-collared Jay, Montane Woodcreeper and Crimson-mantled Woodpeckers. We will stop at another location for Royal Sunangel, Bar-winged Wood-wren and White-capped Tanagers.
Fundo Alto Nieva has hummingbird feeders that attract some uncommon species like Rufous-vented Whitetip, Greenish Puffleg and Booted Racket-tail. Also we will have the opportunity tu photograph a couple of endemic antpitta species, Rusty-tinged and Ochre-fronted Antpittas.
Then return to the lodge for lunch. We will spend the rest of the day working the station grounds searching for more tanager mixed flocks and the several hummingbird species that visit the feeders.
During the night we might try again for Long-whiskered Owlet on Fundo Alto Nieva or White-throated Screech-Owls around the lodge.
Overnight at Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia. B, L, D.
Day 8: Huembo Reserve, Marvelous Spatuletail
Early in the morning we will drive to the Huembo Reserve. The main target is the spectacular Marvelous Spatuletail, but the feeders of this reserve also attract other species like Little Woodstar, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Green Violetear and Andean Emerald.
During the night we will explore a nearby location for Buff-fronted Owl, Koepcke’s Screech-Owl and the roboratus race of West-Peruvian Screech-Owl.
Overnight at Huembo Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 9: Huembo & Abra Patricia
Another morning at the Huembo area looking for Marvelous Spatuletail. During the afternoon we will drive back to the Abra Patricia Lodge.
Walk to the observation tower located close to the lodge. With a little patience we might see some of the species that forage close to the canopy and mid level of the forest like Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Grass-green Tanager, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Rufous Spinetail, Black-throated Tody-tyrant, and Green-and-black Fruiteater.
Overnight at Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia. B, L, D.
Day 10: Tarapoto
Early morning drive to Tarapoto. On route we will make a short stop at a bridge that has a small colony of Oilbirds. We will arrive at our hotel at Tarapoto for lunch and then we will visit the Ricuricocha lake in the afternoon. Here we will use our hides again in order to photograph Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Comb Ducks, Wattled Jacanas and other species of waterbirds. The forest nearby is a good place for Planalto Hermit, but there aren’t any feeders in the area.
Overnight at Tucan Suites, Tarapoto. B, L, D.
Day 11: Flight from Tarapoto to Lima
Today we have the first hours of the morning to explore the tropical forest of “Cerro Escalera Conservation Area”, located in the mountains above Tarapoto. In this area we will look for some restricted range species like Plumbeous Euphonia, Dotted Tanager and the endemic Koepcke’s Hermit. This place is also a great spot for some colorful tanagers like Paradise, Bay-headed and Swallow Tanagers. Other lowland tropical birds like Golden-collared Toucanet and White-throated Toucan are not uncommon around her
Later we will visit the ACONABIKH reserve that has a very nice set of hummingbird feeders that provide a unique opportunity to photograph species like Gould’s Jewelfront and Koepcke’s Hermit. This reserve also has a lek of Golden-headed Manakins.
After a few hours on this spectacular spot we will be heading back to Tarapoto to board our flight back to Lima.
B, L.
END OF SERVICES
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICE EXCLUDES
GALLERY
Join us on this trip
For as low as
$
3,600
per person
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Welcome to Wild Andes! We offer unforgettable birdwatching and photography experiences for nature enthusiasts. Explore our popular destinations, upcoming tours, and travel alongside expert guides. Let us show you the incredible flora and fauna of Peru!
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions, or need to request additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us
- +51 946 851 289
- [email protected]
- Av. San Martin 617, Lima, Peru
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