This extension begins in Cajamarca and ends in the coastal city of Trujillo. There are two main reasons to add this extension to your northern Peru tour, the lovely Purple-backed Sunbeam, a very range-restricted endemic whose only accessible site is El Molino, and the very localized endemic Russet-bellied Spinetail, readily observed mainly at Sinsicap. Other special birds are found in both locales. These species plus stunning scenery makes this extension very worthwhile. It should be noted, however, that accessing El Molino requires driving a sometimes narrow mountain road into the valley.

After spending a night in Cajamarca at the end our our regular tour, the tour begins in earnest very early the next morning with departure south for the long drive to Huamachuco with birding stops around San Marcos en route mainly to look for Great Spinetail<. We'll depart early the next morning for the El Molino Valley, arriving mid morning. We'll have much of the day to bird the valley before returning to Huamachuco that same evening. The next day involves another half-day drive to reach Trujillo. Along the way, we'll stop in the Sinsicap District to bird that area, looking mainly for the Russet-bellied Spinetail. We'll arrive in Trujillo in time for an early evening flight back to Lima. The tour ends at the airport in Trujillo.

Tour Considerations

PACE - Easy

DIFFICULTY - This extension entails some long drives, first south from Cajamarca to Huamachuco and very early the following morning from Huamachuco to El Molino. Both drives take about half a day. The road from Huamachuco is paved part way but becomes a dirt road with switch backs from the pass down the mountain into the El Molino Valley. Birding is en route during the transfers and easy walking around somewhat inclined roads outside the town of El Molino.

CLIMATE - El Molino is located in a very arid part of Peru with little annual rainfall. The warmest months are December to April when day-time temperatures are in te mid-70's up to high 80's. Temperatures are milder during May to November.

BIRD ACTIVITY - Nesting activity in the El Molino Valley peaks between March and May, which is a good time to visit the valley. However, finding the main target species, the endangered endemic Purple-backed Sunbeam is equally good at any time of year.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Photographing the Purple-backed Sunbeam around flowers is generally easy. Since most birding is along forest edge along roads, getting photos of other species is pretty straight-forward.

 

 

 

 

 

• Photos from Past Tours
• Travel Information

BIRDING LOCALES
FOR THIS TOUR

• El Molino
• San Marcos Area
• Sinsicap