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Dry deciduous Forest, Coastal Desert, Cloud Forest and the Marañon (North of Peru)

This trip is a neo-tropical birders dream. The route taken is designed around some of the most endangered and localized birds to be found in the neo-tropics. The beauty of this trip is that, although centered around certain special birds, we see so much of more widely distributed species on the way and tremendous scenery and places little visited by foreigners. Because many areas are isolated and no adequate accommodations are available, we will necessarily have to camp some nights. See note at the end of the day by day description.

DAY 1: LIMA
Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel in Lima.
Overnight at selected Lima Hotel

DAY 2: LIMA - CHICLAYO
Transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to Chiclayo
Ival, reception and transfer to selected hotel in Chiclayo. Morning at leisure
Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon dedicated to visit Sipan archaeological site and Tucume pyramids
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)

Day 3: CHICLAYO
Early morning visit Santa Rosa wetlands then we'll head out south to a patch of acacia scrub. Birds we may see include Peruvian Thicknee, Bay-winged Hawk, Rufous-collared Swallow, Saffron Finch, Peruvian Plantcutter, Cinereous Finch and Rufous Flycatcher. We may take a look at the sea for Cormorants, Shearwaters and Pelicans.
Afternoon, visit and Royal tombs of Sipan Museum.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel. (B,BL,D)

DAY 4: CHICLAYO - OLMOS
Early we'll head out on the road to Batan Grande. Here we'll bird the protected Algorrobo woodland for Tumbes Swallow, Rufous Flycatcher, Necklaced Spinetail, Peruvian Plantcutter, Supercilliaried Wren, Coastal Miner, and more. At about 10:00am as the desert sun becomes too hot, we'll head out for the dry deciduous forest north of Naupe. We'll bird the scrub and some of the possibilities include: Tumbes Tyrant (endemic), Tumbes Sparrow, Sulphur-throated Finch, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Gray-breasted Flycatcher (endemic), Gray and Gold Warbler, Sooty-capped Flycatcher, Gray and White Tyrannulet etc. We'll head to Olmos in the late afternoon. In the evening we’ll look for West Peruvian Screech Owl and Scrub Nightjar. Common Potoo is here too. Overnight at local hotel. (B,BL,D)

DAY 5: OLMOS
Here we will meet our local guides who will have been scouting the side canyons for the last two days, and we should have some pretty precise information on the whereabouts of the bird we have come to see - the recently re-discovered White-Winged Guan. We'll get the up to date information as our cook team prepare coffee and breakfast, then off onto a maze of tracks into the canyons. We hope to see Guans of course and we will give them priority. Other species we are likely to see in the canyons are: White-winged and White-headed Brush-finch, Elegant Crescentchest, Tumbes Hummingbird (endemic) Red-masked Parakeet, Long-billed Starthroat, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Baird's Flycatcher, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Cinereous Finch (endemic), Short-tailed Woodstar and Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner. Returning to the main highway in the afternoon, we'll head for Olmos. Overnight at local hotel. (B,BL,D)

DAY 6: OLMOS - JAEN
Leaving the coastal strip behind we'll set off early heading for one of the lowest passes in the Andes - Abra Porculla. Making selected stops along the way, we will pay particular attention to a side trail where we have seen Piura Chat-tyrant, a very rare and local endemic. Other birds we may see include: Black-cowled Saltator, Andean Tinamou, Elegant Crescentchest, Three-banded Warbler, White-winged and Bay crowned Brush-Finch’s Chapman’s Antshrike, Rufous-necked and Henna-hooded Foliage-Gleaners, Yellow-bellied and Black and White Seedeaters. Dropping over the east side of the pass for lunch, we'll drive straight through to our hotel. Arriving in the bustling town of Jaen on the lip of the Maranon canyon we'll transfer to our hotel.
Overnight at local hotel in Jaen. (B,BL,D)

DAY 7: JAEN
Pre-dawn start and breakfast in the field at first light. We'll drive to a side road where we have had spectacular success with the endemic Maranon Crescentchest. Here we will see other Maranon endemics including- Chinchipe Spinetail, Marañon Slaty Antshrike, Marañon Spinetail, Marañon Thrush and Yellow-cheeked Becard. The distinct Maranon races of Speckle-breasted Wren and Black-capped Sparrows are here too as well as Tataupa Tinamou and, surprisingly, Miltary Macaw. After lunch in the afternoon as it cools down, we'll bird the arid desert north of Jaen. Our target bird here is the Little Inca-finch (endemic), fairly common in the scrub. Here also are : Crimson Finch, Dull colored Grassquit, Drab Seedeater, Spot-throated Hummingbird(endemic), Purple-throated Euphonia, Brown-crested Flycatcher. In the evening the sky fills with Lesser Nighthawks. Overnight at Local hotel in Jaen. (B,BL,D)

DAY 8: JAEN – BAGUA CHICA - POMACOCHAS
Early morning transfer to Bagua Chica. If we have not seen Little Inca Finch yet we’ll for sure see it here. Then on to an area of rice fields to look for Spotted Rail and Paint-billed Crake. We'll drive during the heat of the day with a brief stop along the Maranon river where we can see some Amazonian species such as Yellow-billed Tern and Pied Lapwing. The riverine scrub should hold White-lined Tanager. We continue up the Utcubamba river, keeping an eye out for Fasciated Tiger-heron and Torrent Duck passing through Pedro Ruiz and onto Florida. Late afternoon birding. Here we will be looking for the rare and spectacular Marvelous Spatulatail, perhaps the classiest of all Hummingbirds - last trip here the first bird we saw on leaving the bus was an incredible male!. Overnight at Pomacochas Hotel. (B,BL,D)

DAY 9: POMACOCHAS
All morning at Florida. We'll give priority to Marvelous Spatulatail, but will also explore the San Lorenzo trail. Patches of good cloud forest remain and some of the possibilities here that we have seen in the past include : Torrent Duck, Speckled Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Colared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Versicolored Barbet, Gray-breasted Mountain- toucan, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, White-tailed and White-banded Tyranulets, Inca Flycatcher (endemic), Chestnut-crested Cotinga, White-capped Tanager, White-collared Jay, Andean Solitaire, Silver-backed and Straw-backed Tanagers plus lots more. Overnight (B,BL,D)

DAY 10: POMACOCHAS
Full day at Abra Patricia. This famous collecting site is home of some of the least known Peruvian birds. We may bump into mixed flocks with Blue-browed, Metallic-green and other Tanagers. Exploring side trails we may see the new Lulu’s Tody-tyrant, Tyrranine Woodcreeper, Spotted and Rusty-winged Barbtails. During the three full days we have here, we'll bird varous altitudinal zones between 1200 and 2200 meters. We have recently located Ash-throated Antwren here. Target birds - some very rare -we hope to see include; Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Bar-winged Wood-wren (endemic), Royal Sunangel (endemic), Equatorial Graytail, White-capped and Scaly-naped Parrots, Straw-backed, Metallic-green and Blue-browed Tanagers, White-capped Tanager, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Crimson- mantled Woodpecker, Montane Woodcreeper. We may hear or see if we are lucky Ochre-fronted (endemic) or Rusty-tinged Antpittas (endemic). Long-tailed Antbird, Large-footed Tapaculo, Golden-faced Tyranulet, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Fiery-throated and Scaled Fruiteaters, Cock of the Rock, Lanceolated Monklet., Fine-barred Piculet (endemic), Barred Becard , Sharpe’s Wren, Black-crested Warbler and more. We’ll also look for a new Antvireo related to Bicolored and Ochre-fronted Antpita. Night birding should be good here with Rufous-banded Owl, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, Cinnamon Screech Owl. This is also the type locality for Long-whiskered Owlet and we will certainly be on the alert for any strange vocalizations at night. Overnight at Pomacochas Hotel (B,BL,D)

DAY 11: POMACOCHAS – RIOJA - MOYOBAMBA
On this day we will repeat the itinerary from yesterday with the difference that we will on the afternoon we will keep descending to around 1000 m. In the afternoon we will visit the Aguas Verdes bridge. One of our targets will be the endemic Black-bellied Tanager (also known as Huallaga Tanager). On some trails we will enter shortly we might see Zimmer’s Anbird, Equatorial Gaytail, Plain-backed Antpitta, Burnich-buff Tanager, Dusky Spinetail and many others. At dusk we will go to Moyobamba. Overnight at selected Hotel (B,BL,D)

DAY 12: MOYOBAMBA - RIOJA - POMACOCHAS
Early in the morning we will visit the open grasslands with some tree islands and some marshes in the rioja area. We have had Buckleys Forest Falcon before calling from one of these islands where tyrants like the Stripe-necked Tody-Tyrant, Yellow Tyrannulet and Olive-chested Flycatcher are also possible. In the marshy areas we will look for russet-crowned Crake and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch. At midmorning we will retrace our tracks from yesterday stipping wherever we feel we have some gaps or where we encounter flocks next to the road. We will spend the night in Pomacochas hotel (B,BL,D)

DAY 13: POMACOCHAS - CHACHAPOYAS
We will drive to Pedro Ruiz - Chachapoyas and visit the amazing Kuelap fortress the whole day. Mostly an archeological day, but the whole is set on semihumid scrub where we will be constantly using our binoculars. Overnight at Hostal El Chillo (B,BL,D)

DAY 14: CHACHAPOYAS - LEYMEBAMBA
Early start for birding around El Chillo. Afternoon, visit Leymebamba Museum and Macro if time permits Overnight at Centro Mallqui Museum (B,BL,D)

DAY 15: LEYMEBAMBA - BALSAS
Today we will drive over Abra Barro Negro and drop into the spectacular Maranon canyon. We should see the pretty Buff-bridled Inca-finch (endemic) in the open Bombax forest and we'll camp near a mango grove that holds a healthy population of Maranon Thrushes (endemic). Other birds to look out for on this day include - Puna Hawk, Andean Lapwing, Andean Flicker, Violet-throated Startfrontlet, Great Sapphirewing and Rufous-capped Antshrike. Peruvian Pigeons (endemic) assemble in large groups in the evening. Overnight camping close to Balsas (B,BL,D)

DAY 16: BALSAS - CELENDIN
We'll spend the whole day birding the west side of the Maranon canyon. Initially birding the riverine and agricultural vegetation, we should see Peruvian Pigeon (endemic). In the Bombax woodland there should be Buff-bridled Inca-finch (endemic) and the endangered Yellow-faced Parrotlet (endemic). We'll slowly bird up the valley side to Limon, where Chestnut-backed Thornbird (endemic) and Gray-winged Inca-finch (endemic) are our targets. Buff-bellied Tanager (endemic) is here too. The afternoon we’ll devote to searching for Jelski’s Chat-tyrant (endemic) and commoner Andean species. In the afternoon we’ll continue to Celendin. Overnight at Celendin basic hostal. (B,BL,D)

DAY 17: CELENDIN - CAJAMARCA
Early morning birding in remnant humid forest. On this road we'll make planned stops for some Andean species we may not have seen - Peruvian Sierra-finch, Shining Sunbeam etc and also stop on the high puna grasslands for Cinclodes, Canasteros, Pipits, Ground-tyrants and Sierra-finches, Rainbow Startfronlet, Black-crested Warbler, Maranon Tit-tyrant, Many-striped Canastero. We’ll make a special effort for the Cajamarca race of the Rufous Antpitta ( a for sure split) . We plan to be at our very comfortable hotel early to-day in good time for dinner. Overnight at the charm La Laguna Seca Hotel (B,BL,D)

DAY 18: CAJAMARCA
All day excursion out of Cajamarca for the endemic Great Spinetail. Easier to see species are Buff-bridled Inca-Finch (endemic) and Fasciated Wren. In the afternoon we’ll go to our stakeout for the endemic Gray-bellied Comet (Cumbemayo) picking up Black Metaltail along the way. Overnight at the La Laguna Seca Hotel. (B,BL,D)

DAY 19: CAJAMARCA
In the morning dedicated to visit Ventanillas de Otuzco (Necropolis).
Afternoon free to explore the surroundings of Cajamarca or a massage session at La Laguna Seca Spa or some relaxation at the pool with thermal waters. Overnight (B,L,D)

DAY 20: CAJAMARCA - TRUJILLO
Leaving Cajamarca we drop over the pass above town and into the pacific drainage. We’ll stop at a bushy ravine where we have seen Uniolored Tapaculo (endemic) and our 4th Inca finch of the trip – the Rufous-backed. We’ll make a few more stops on our way to Trujillo. Overnight at Libertador Hotel Trujillo. (B,BL,D)

DAY 21: TRUJILLO
Early start for the short drive to Sinsicap. This is site for the endemic Russet bellied Spinetail to which we’ll give priority. Other birds here include a different form of Speckled Hummingbird, Piura Chat-tyrant, Curve-billed Tinamou, Three-banded warbler, Unicolored Tapaculo,bay-crowned Brush Finch. Overnight at Hotel Libertador Trujillo (B,BL,D)

DAY 22: TRUJILLO - LIMA
Full day archaeological tour : that includes :

• Chan Chan the biggest adobe city in the world, capital of the ancient Chimu empire.
• The city with its colonial houses and museum
• Huanchaco beach (lunch at local restaurant included)
• Sun and Moon temples built by the Moches

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Arrival, reception and transfer to selected hotel. Dinner and overnight at selected Hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 23: LIMA
Morning, city tour and Larco Herrera Museum or Pantanos de Villa. (must be informed in advanced) Lunch at las Brujas de Cachiche Restaurant.
Day use room and transfer to the airport to take the international flight (B,L)

Trip Report

Northern Peru Marañon and Tumbesian Endemics

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Comments from clients

Edwards Party Septe 2006
Dear Patricia and all at Inkanatura,

We have just returned to England from an excellent tour of Northern Peru and I write to thank you very much for all you have done for us. The trip was exactly what we wanted - a great mix of birding, archaeology and local colour - and the six of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We expected Inkanatura to be good because we had travelled in Peru with you in 2003 but this time all of the people involved worked really hard to ensure that this was one of our best trips ever. In Fernando, we had a natural leader and an expert birder - I can not imagine a better guide (and we had a lot of fun too!). Elmer Reyes was an excellent, steady driver and it was very comforting to know that his brother, Pedro, and S. Bernal were always nearby looking after us. Each time that we had a local guide - Maritsa in Chiclayo, Kuelap and Leimebamba, Fanny in Cajamarca, Luis in Trujillo and Ofelia in Lima - they helped us enormously to understand what we were seeing and the history behind it. The local lunches, at the beginning in Chiclayo and at the end in Trujillo, were a great idea and very enjoyable.

We will certainly recommend this trip and Inkanatura in England whenever we can, and if there is anything else that we can do, please let me know.

We have great memories of Peru and we are extremely grateful to Inkanatura - thank you all very much.

With best wishes,

Geoff Edwards (on behalf of Joan and Richard Munns, Judith and Peter Matthews and Mary Edwards)