The Birds of Northern Peru

Tour Code: PER01

An 18-day holiday combining the best of northern Peru's birds, wildlife and culture, travelling from the verdant Amazonian lowlands to the breathtaking Maranon Canyon, across the Western Cordillera of the Andes, through dry foothills and desert, before finishing at the Tumbesian lowlands and Pacific coast.

18 days from
£6,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£5,895
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

We will explore northern Peru on this adventurous tour, travelling from the verdant Amazonian lowlands to the breathtaking Maranon Canyon, across the Western Cordillera of the Andes, through dry foothills and desert, then to the Tumbesian lowlands and crashing surf of the Pacific coast. Northern Peru is home to some of South America’s most iconic wildlife as well as rich in endemic birds and other wildlife. From the Marvellous Spatuletail to Spectacled Bear, river dolphins and the pyramids of ancient peoples, northern Peru is perhaps the overlooked highlight of a diverse and spectacular country … and on this comprehensive tour we’ll go in search of its many natural and cultural treasures.

  • Marvellous Spatuletail, Andean Cock-of-the-rock & Amazonian Umbrellabird
  • Tumbesian rarities such as White-winged Guan & Tumbes Tyrant
  • Spectacled Bear possible at Chaparri
  • Sechuran Fox, White-tailed Deer & many monkey species
  • Hummingbirds, tanagers, sunangels & vultures
  • Visit the stunning Maranon Canyon & pre-Inca pyramids at Pomac
  • The Chachapoya fortress of Kuelap (rivals Machu Picchu’s grandeur)
  • Stay in Amazonian lodges & explore on foot & by boat
  • Led by expert naturalist guides

Grading

Easy day walks only.

Northern Peru is arguably the overlooked highlight of a truly diverse and spectacular country. With a mountainous backbone dissected by the mighty Marañon River and its tributaries, this vast region is a biogeographic jigsaw that is surely yet to reveal many hidden wildlife secrets. We will explore it on this adventurous tour, as we travel from the midst of the verdant Amazonian lowlands to the breathtaking Utcubamba Canyon, over the Western Cordillera of the Andes, and through desert and dry foothills before concluding at Chaparri Lodge and the crashing surf of the Pacific.

This will be a spellbinding journey offering a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the region’s spectacular scenery and rich archaeological heritage, as well as an ornithological feast that may include such legendary gems as the remarkable Marvellous Spatuletail, endemic Incafinches, the endangered White-winged Guan (which was thought to be extinct for over 100 years), and a huge variety of more widespread species such as Andean Condor, King Vulture and Andean Cock-of-the-rock. Without doubt, this is one of the world’s most tantalising birding destinations!

We begin our tour with a flight to Iquitos, from where a short boat ride will deliver us to a well-appointed Amazonian lodge which allows us to embark on our holiday in style! Here we will explore a variety of Amazonian habitats, seeking the birds and wildlife of the region. We will pay special attention to an area of rare white-sand forest where there are several endemics, some only recently discovered, and to the inhospitable habitats on the islands in the river where several specialist species have also evolved. We should also see monkeys, river dolphins, caiman and much more as we explore this region on foot and by boat.

We next spend two days exploring the humid forests to the east of the Andes, home to such species as Royal Sunangel and huge mixed species flocks teeming with colourful tanagers. The lower elevations here also accommodate such sought-after species as Andean Cock-ofthe- rock and Amazonian Umbrellabird. We will eventually bird our way up to the high pass of Abra Patricia. The stunted forests around the pass, amidst the most awe-inspiring scenery of the tour, are home to some of Peru’s least known species. The birders’ lodge here, Owlet Lodge, is ideally placed overlooking the forested ridges falling away to the east, and will be our base for the next two nights. The Longwhiskered Owlet (after which our lodge is named), is one of the great ornithological mysteries of the continent. Discovered in 1976, it was for many years only ever encountered by a handful of mist-netting researchers. Finally, in February 2007, it was discovered naturally by researchers and has been seen by a regular trickle of keen birders since then.

Remaining in the Andes, we next explore the drainage basin of the mighty Marañon, one of Peru’s principal Amazonian tributaries. The area comprises an incredibly complex topography and it is here in these mountains that another suite of endemic species has evolved. Travelling up the spectacular Utcubamba Valley to the Andean town of Chachapoyas, we will, over the course of two days in the region, explore the area for birds, and also sample the remnants of the incredible Chachapoya culture which include the fortress of Kuelap (considered by many to rival Machu Picchu for its grandeur and location).

After crossing the Marañon itself, we will spend a night in the town of Jaen to search the nearby areas for such endemics as Marañon Thrush and Little Inca-finch. Next, we cross the lowest pass in the Andean chain (at just 2,200 metres) and, leaving the Andes behind, move on towards the dry coastal lowlands of the Tumbesian region of Peru, one part of the most diverse centre of bird endemism on the planet. Based at the rustic and charming Chaparri Ecological Reserve (run by the local community), the traditional cabins provide a comfortable base from which to go in search of such species as the critically threatened White-winged Guan and the endemic Tumbes Tyrant, as well as such mammals as White-tailed Deer and Sechuran Fox.

This coastal plain was once also home to a diversity of pre-Inca civilisations, including the Muchik who left behind a rich heritage of fine gold and silver jewellery in their adobe pyramids. We will see some of these huge structures at the Pomac Archaeological Sanctuary (which is also home to many of the endemic birds of the region) and, during a short visit to the Tumbas Reales Museum in Lambayeque, we will be able to marvel at the treasures of the Lord of Sipan. These were discovered as recently as 1988 and are now displayed in a splendid new museum that was recently named as one of the world’s 10 best small museums by the Art News magazine of New York.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Lima
Day 2/4
Muyuna Lodge
Day 5
Iquitos
Day 6
Reserva Alpahuayo, Tarapoto
Day 7
Moyobamba
Day 8/9
Owlet Lodge, Abra Patricia
Day 10
Puerto Pumas
Day 11
Kuelap, El Chillo
Day 12
Jaen
Day 13
Tucume
Day 14/15
Chaparri Ecological Reserve
Day 16
Chiclayo
Day 17
Lima/in flight
Day 18
Arrive in UK
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: A mixture of the best available lodges and hotels, some very comfortable, some more rustic though clean; most with private facilities.
  • Food:

    All food included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 2nd Oct – Sun 19th Oct 6 £6,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£595

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 2nd Oct – Mon 19th Oct SPACES £6,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£595 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


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We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

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Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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