CHICLAYO-CAJAMARCA TOUR

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Cajamarca-El Molino Extension 3 days, 3 nights 2-3 Price: $1250     (Single Suppl $130) 4+ Price: $1150     (Single Suppl $130) Click for Tour Details

The reason for birding northern Peru is to see the numberous endemics and range-restricted birds not found anywere else. These birds combined with numerous more widely distributed species and stunning scenery make for a truly memorable tour. Featured birds on this tour include the poorly known and only recently observable Long-whiskered Owlet, found only around Abra Patricia and nearby Fundo Alto Nieva, the extraordinary Marvelous Spatuletail, perhaps the world's most astonishing hummingbird. South of Pomacochas lies the incredible scenery and numerous endemics of the Cocahuayco and Marañon River canyons where a whole new set of endemics awaits. This tour is a shorter version of our longer Chiclayo-Tarapoto-Cajamarca tour for those with less time or budget available for our more comprehensive tour.

Our Chiclayo-Cajamarca tour follows the traditional northern Peru birding route and visits nearly all the important birding sites between Chiclayo in northwestern Peru and Arena Blanca but includes the Cocahuayco River gorge, first to Cocachimba and then onwards south and west through stunning, steep-walled canyons to Leymebamba, down into the deep Marañon River gorge to Balsas, and on to Cajamarca. It adds many endemics not possible on our Chiclayo-Tarapoto tour while leaving out others.

The tour begins with a flight to Chiclayo and transfer to the Chaparri Ecological Reserve located to the east of that city. This site is the most important reserve protecting the dry forest of northwestern Peru and is home to several endemics. Next stop on the itinerary is the dry forest pre-Colombia archaeological site of Bosque de Pomac Historic Sanctuary, located about an hour north of Chiclayo, important for a couple endemics of that habitat. The following day we have a half-day drive to the northern city of Jaen. En route we'll be driving over the highland pass of Abra Porculla, where we'll spend some time seeking several target species there. The Jaen area will be our first opportunity to see some localized Marañon specialties. We'll have a morning birding that area before continuing on to the Abra Patricia area. During the transfer we'll stop near the Huembo Center at Pomacochas, where the incredible Marvelous Spatuletail typically comes to hummingbird feeders. We'll spend 3 days birding roadsides in the cloud forest around Abra Patricia. One night we'll use a local guide to take us to the most reliable site for seeing the recently discovered Long-whiskered Owlet. After a final morning of birding that area, we'll continue on to the Arena Blanca Ecological Reserve. An early morning visit to a blind there will afford us with views of 3 normally very secretive birds, Cinerous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. After that we retrace our steps a couple hours to the junction with the road leading south, some 6 hours driving time to the junction and another hour and a quarter to Cocachimba. We'll be driving through dramatic scenery of the steep-walled Chachapoyas River Canyon to reach Cocachimba, where we'll have stunning views of Peru's tallest waterfall, 540 m (1772 ft) Catarata Gocta from our hotel. After an overnight stay there, we'll then continue upward to the village of Leymebamba, followed a day later by a long drive down the steep, narrow, winding road that drops some 4000 ft to the Marañon River far below. After some birding near the town of Balsas, located along the river, we'll drive back up the other side of the steep canyon walls to Celendin. After an overnight stay in Celendin, we'll continue on to Cajamarca, where we'll spend a final night. The tour ends with an early evening flight from Cajamarca back to Lima the following evening.

Day 1 - Meals: None; Accommodation: LimaQ Hotel; Activity: Arrive in Lima.
Day 2 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Chaparri Ecolodge; Activity: Early morning flight to Chiclayo and transfer to Chaparri Reserve. Remainder of day in the reserve.
Day 3 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Chaparri Ecolodge; Activity: All day Chaparri Reserve.
Day 4 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Chiclayo; Activity: Morning Casupe Road. Afternoon Bosque de Pomac Sanctuary north of Chiclayo.
Day 5 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Jaen; Activity: Morning Abra Porculla near Limon. Afternoon Jaen area.
Day 6 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in El Progreso; Activity: Morning outside Jaen. Afternoon transfer toto Pomacochas area, stopping at Huembo Center for Marvelous Spatuletail. Continue on to El Progreso. Early evenng look for Long-whiskered Owlet.
Day 7 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Owlet Lodge; Activity: All day Abra Patricia area.
Day 8 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Owlet Lodge; Activity: All day Abra Patricia area.
Day 9 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Arena Blanca Ecological Reserve; Activity: Morning Abra Patricia area. Then transfer to Arena Blanca.
Day 10 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Cocachimba; Activity: Early visit to blind at Arena Blanca. After lunch drive through the Cocahuayco River gorge to Cocachimba with birding stops en route.
Day 11 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Leymebamba; Activity: Morning transfer to Leymebamba. Rest of day birding there.
Day 12 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Celendin; Activity: Depart early for long drive to Balsas in the Marañon River canyon. Birding above the town on both sides of the river. Continue on to Celendin with birding stops en route.
Day 13 - Meals: BLD; Accommodation: Hotel in Cajamarca; Activity: Birding around Celendin until mid morning. Then transfer to Cajamarca with birding stops en route.
Day 14 - Meals: BL; Accommodation: None; Activity: All day birding Cajamarca area. Early evening flight from Cajamarca to Lima. End of tour at airport in Lima. Overnight flight home.
Day 15 - Meals: None; Accommodation: None; Activity: Arrive home.

During the tour we'll be staying at moderately priced comfortable hotels plus reasonably comfortable ecolodges at Chaparri, Abra Patricia, and Arena Blanca.

PACE - The pace of this tour is easy to moderate. It can be adjusted to the preferences and physical abilties of the participants.

DIFFICULTY - Much of the birding is along roadsides that can be a bit hilly. Some of the roads are main highways, such as at Abra Porculla, where traffic can be fairly heavy. Some birding is along trails that are more difficult through steep terrain, especially at Waqanki and Abra Patricia. The trail up to the main hummingbird feeders at Waqanki is fairly short but a bit steep. The site for Long-whiskered Owlet near the town of El Progreso is quite steep and muddy going downhill in the dark. Some significant driving of half days or longer with birding stops en route is necessary to bird the areas between Leimebamba and Cajamarca. The birding during that part of the tour is mainly along roadsides. Hiking down a very steep, rocky, poorly maintained private trail into an orchard is necessary to see the endemic Yellow-faced Parrotlet. The mountain pass at Abra Barro Negro is at an elevation of 3670m (12,000ft) but we'll not be stopping there. The road down the other side of that pass is long with numerous switchbacks to the Marañon River below.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS - An early flight about 7:00am from Lima to Chiclayo is necessary at the beginning of the tour. The return flight from Cajamarca to Lima can be adjusted according to the departure time of international flights home. The preferred flight is in early evening around 5:30pm. Reervations for these flights must be made by participants in coordination with the tour guide.

CLIMATE - The climate is geographically variable, with the western slope of the Andes quite arid while the eastern slope is more lush and forested. Dry season is from June to November and is the best time to visit. Heavy rains can result in flooding and road washouts during the wet season from December to May, especially in January and February.

BIRD ACTIVITY - The nesting season is mainly from August to November when bird activity is very good. In the northwest peak activity is from December to April. The best months for seeing Marvelous Spatuletail are from November to April. Even so, activity at hummingbird feeders is highest during dry season from May to November when fewer flowers are in bloom. The best activity is in early mornings during dry season. The best time to see Long-whiskered Owlet is from March through May when they are most active.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Bird photography is excellent around hummingbird feeders and in the arid northwest. Getting photos in the dense cloud forests around Abra Patricia is much more challenging.

DAY 1 - LIMA

Arrive at international airport in Lima and transfer to your hotel near the airport. Night at LimaQ Hotel.

DAY 2-3 - CHICLAYO & CHAPARRI

Morning flight to Chiclayo followed by transfer to Chaparri Reserve near Piura with some birding en route, arriving mid-day. Chaparri is a private reserve the arid region of northwestern Peru. The reserve protects a biodiverse dry forest in the Tumbesian region of Peru located 75 km. east of Chiclayo. The reserve was established to protect the endangered White-winged Guan, easily seen there, and Spectacled Bear, also commonly seen. Habitat is dry scrub and semi-deciduous forest. Some 39 species restricted to arid northwestern Peru and southeastern Ecuador, "Tumbesian endemics", are found in the reserve. A few are rare or only seasonally present, but most are resident and many are common or fairly common.

We'll devote the remainder of this day and the next day to birding at this site. Endemics expected there include Collared Antshrike, Marañon Antshrike, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Rufous Flycatcher, Baird's Flycatcher, White-tailed Jay, Black-capped Sparrow, Marañon Sparrow, White-headed Brushfinch, and Sulphur-throated Finch. In slightly higher humid forest, the rare and quite shy Ochre-bellied Dove occurs. and there is a good chance of seeing this species as well. A variety of other specialties found only in northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador are present in the reserve, including Gray-chinned Hermit, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Chapman's Antshrike, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Gray-breasted Flycatcher, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, and more.The area around the lodge features gardens and a pond that attract a variety of additional specialties such as Elegant Crescentchest, Necklaced Spinetail, Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, and White-edged Oriole. Several species of hummingbirds regularly appear at the feeders near the lodge including Long-billed Starthroat, Peruvian Sheartail, Short-tailed Woodstar, Oasis Hummingbird, Tumbes Hummingbird, and Spot-throated Hummingbird. In early evening some owling could produce Peruvian Screech-Owl, Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, and Striped Owl. Nights at Chaparri Ecolodge.

DAY 4 - CASUPE ROAD & BOSQUE DE POMAC SANCTUARY

We'll depart early for some birding at higher elevation cloud forest along the Casupe-Tocmoche Road, about an hour's drive from Chaparri. This is a relatively unexplored birding site offering chances to see birds such as Ecuadorian Trogon, Ecuadorian Piculet, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Gray-and-gold Warbler, Black-cowled Saltator, and Black-capped Sparrow.

Late morning we'll drive to Chiclayo for lunch and then continue north for an hour to Bosque de Pomac Historic Sanctuary. Aside from the interesting ruins, the dry forest and scrub habitat at this site is excellent for a number of good birds. The primary target species are the endemic Peruvian Plantcutter, which can usually be found in dry scrub along the road, and Rufous Flycatcher. Of special interest is the very rare Tumbes Swallow, often seen flying above the Acacia forest in the reserve. Other interesting species here include Ecuadorian Piculet, Tumbes Chat-Tyrant, Short-tailed Field Tyrant, Snowy-throated Kingbird, and Tumbes Sparrow. Night at a hotel in Chiclayo.

DAY 5 - ABRA PORCULLA & JAEN

We'll depart early for the 2-hour drive up into the highlands, reaching the pass, Abra Porculla, by 7:30. We hope for clear weather but fog is always possible in the highlands. We'll be birding the "El Puente" area and a short trail off the main road at the pass in mainly cloud forest. The main target bird is the rather shy Piura Chat-Tyrant, found in shrub-filled gullies. We also hope to find the endemic White-winged Brushfinch. There is good birding at this site and other possibilities include Gray-chinned Hermit, Peruvian Sheartail, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Chapman's Antshrike, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Gray-browed Brushfinch, White-headed Brushfinch, Bay-crowned Brushfinch, Golden Grosbeak, and Black-cowled Saltator.

At mid-day we'll continue driving east to Jaen with a stop at a local restaurant for lunch en route. We'll arrive in late afternoon, in time to bird some arid foothills above the town. Birds there include Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, Marañon Crescentchest, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Marañon Gnatcatcher, and Little Inca-Finch. Some early evening birding could yield Scrub Nightjar if not already seen at Chaparri. Night at hotel in Jaen.

DAY 6 - JAEN & ABRA PATRICIA

We'll depart early for some very xeric habitat outside Jaen. This area is the best place to find the rather scarce Little Inca-Finch. We'll also be looking for Marañon Antshrike, the uncommon Marañon Spinetail, Chinchipe Spinetail, and Marañon Sparrow. Also present are Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, a possible future split as Cordilleran Parakeet, Yellow-cheeked Becard, White-edged Oriole, Buff-bellied Tanager, and other more widely distributed species.

In late morning we'll depart for the Abra Patricia area. After a 3-hour drive plus a stop for lunch, we'll arrive at the Huembo Hummingbird Center. Our main target bird there is the spectacular Marvelous Spatuletail, which most recently has been visiting hummingbird feeders set up on a hillside across the road from the center entrance. Also typically present at those feeders are Sparkling Violetear, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, and Little Woodstar. After spending some time there, we'll continue on to the town of El Progreso, located near Abra Patricia.

One of our main target species in this area is the elusive and near mythical Long-whiskered Owlet. For many years this bird was rarely seen, but local knowledge has greatly improved our chances of seeing it. Most recently, the best place to see this species is a forested trail outside the nearby town of El Progeso, where a local guide will help us find it. The same site is also a good place to see Johnson's Tody-Flycatcher. Night at hotel in El Progreso.

DAY 7 - ABRA PATRICIA AREA

The habitat around Abra Patricia is pristine cloud forest and is home to numerous special birds. During the morning we'll bird roadsides in the area where we hope to find mixed species flocks comprised of species such as Common Chlorospingus, Rufous-crested Tanager, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Vermilion Tanager, a key target species, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, and Metallic-green Tanager, the scarce Blue-browed Tanager, another target species Saffron-crowned Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Capped Conebill, Masked Flowerpiercer, and Gray-hooded Bush Tanager. A nearby site is the best place to see the range-restricted stunning Royal Sunangel.

After lunch in town, we'll transfer to nearby Owlet Lodge. During the afternoon we'll do some birding around the lodge and view hummingbirds attracted to lodge feeders such as Green-fronted Lancebill, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Greenish Pufflet, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Chestnut-breasted Coronet. Night at Owlet Lodge.

DAY 8 - ABRA PATRICIA AREA

We'll spend this day birding the extensive trails around our lodge. We have a reasonable chance of seeing the localized endemic Ochre-fronted Antpitta, which has some individuals coming out for food, and possibly also the endemic Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Chestnut Antpitta, and the recently split Rufous-breasted Antpitta. Other special birds we'll target include Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, Johnson's Tody-Flycatcher, Golden-browed Chat-Tyrant, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Rufous-tailed Tyrant, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Black-eared Hemispingus, and Yellow-scarfed Tanager. Other possibilities include Uniform Antshrike, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal, Streak-headed Antbird, Blackish Antbird, Spotted Barbtail, Ash-browed Spinetail, Rufous Spinetail, Golden-winged Manakin, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Scaled Fruiteater, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Sharpe's Wren, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Three-striped Warbler, Red-hooded Tanager, among many others. Night at Owlet Lodge.

DAY 9 - ABRA PATRICIA & ARENA BLANCA

We'll spend the morning birding around Abra Patricia looking for any species missed the previous day. After lunch we'll depart for Arena Blanca Ecological Reserve. about a two hour drive. The main attraction awaits us the following morning, but we have the afternoon to view the hummingbird and fruit feeders. The hummingbird feeders attract Green-fronted Lancebill, Brown Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Black-throated Mango, Wire-crested Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Many-spotted Hummingbird, and Golden-tailed Sapphire while Blue-gray Tanager, Black-bellied Tanager, and possibly others come to the fruit feeder. There are also some trails through the forest at the reserve where a variety of birds can be found including Peruvian Warbling-Antbird, Zimmer's Antbird, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Fiery-capped Manakin, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and many others. Night at Arena Blanca.

DAY 10 - ARENA BLANCA & COCACHIMBA

Very early this morning we'll enter the blind at Arena Blanca and wait for some very secretive species to appear. We should have very good views of Cinereous Tinamou, Little Tinamou, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail while in the blind. Afterwards, we'll spend a little time around the gardens where we should see White-tipped Sicklebill and Great-billed Hermit feeding on the flowers.

In late morning we'll retrace our route back westward to he turnoff onto the road heading south through the stunning scenery of the steep-walled Cocahuayco River canyon. It's about 4-5 hours to reach Cocachimba. We'll be making stops along the way in the canyon to look for the endemic Coppery Metaltail, Speckle-chested Piculet, Marañon Crescentchest, Chachapoyas Antpitta, and Neblina Tapaculo. We also have a good chance of seeing Pale-billed Antpitta and hope to see the very scarce endemic Peruvian Pigeon along the road. Other birds we could see include Rufous-capped Antshrike, White-chinned Thistletail, White-throated Tyrannulet, Peruvian Wren, Black-capped Hemispingus, Blue-backed Conebill, and Drab Hemispingus. Also, if Marvelous Spatuletail never showed around Huembo Center, we'll have another chance for it at feeders near Cocachimba. Night at a hotel in Cocachimba.

DAY 11 - LEYMEBAMBA

We'll depart after breakfast for the higher elevation town of Leymebamba. We'll be driving south through the Cochuayco River canyon where it joins up with the Utcubamba River and then onwards to the town. On the way we'll have another chance for the endemic Peruvian Pigeon and Marañon Crescentchest and hope to also see the endemic Black-necked Woodpecker and Marañon Thrush.

After arrival and lunch in Leymebamba, we'll bird the road above town. Our main target birds are Chachapoyas Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softtail, and Yellow-scarfed Tanager. Other possibilities include Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Grass Wren, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, and Black-crested Warbler. As dusk approaches, we'll try for Blackish Nightjar and Koepcke's Screech-Owl. Night at a hotel in Leymebamba.

DAY 12 - BALSAS & CELENDIN

We'll depart Leymebamba after breakfast for the long drive to Celendin. We'll be driving first upward toward the Abra Barro Negro, a high altitude pass that reaches 3670 m (12040 ft), and then down the steep walls of the Marañon Canyon to the town of Balsas on the Marañon River. The town of Balsas is at an elevation of just 850 m (2800 ft), so we'll be descending over 9000 ft on this narrow, winding, mountain road. On our way up to the pass we'll be looking for birds such as Chachapoyas Antpitta, Neblina Tapaculo, Utcubamba Tapaculo, Russet-mantled Softtail, and Gray-browed Brushfinch while enjoying spectacular scenery. As we approach Balsas, but still up the road above town, we'll try for both Gray-winged Inca-Finch and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch. After crossing the Marañon River, we'll head up the steep slopes of the canyon on the other side. Not far up the canyon is a private orchard that is the best place to see the tiny, rare endemic Yellow-faced Parrotlet. The best way to see this species is to clamber down a quite steep path from the owner's house into the orchard below, where the parrotlets are usually feeding. From there we'll continue up the tortuous mountain switchbacks and eventually reach the town of Celendin two hours later. Night at a hotel in Celendin.

DAY 13 - CELENDIN & CAJAMARCA

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive out of town to look for the strangly disjunct local population of Rufous-fronted Thornbird and the near-endemic Fulvous-faced Scrub-Tyrant. We'll then depart for Cajamarca. En route we'll try Cajamarca Antpitta and also for Plain-tailed Warbling Finch and the more difficult Rufous-breasted Warbling Finch. Night at a hotel in Cajamarca.

DAY 14 - CAJAMARCA & LIMA

After breakfast, we'll drive up a back gravel road leading high above town into the foothills, where the scrub habitat is home for the endemic Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail. Purple flowering plants along the river is the best place to find the prized Gray-bellied Comet. We should also see Black Metaltail and Black-crested Tit-Tyrant in this same area. Much harder to see is the endemic Striated Earthcreeper, which rarely responds to playback or shows itself in the dense undergrown. After lunch we'll drive up a different gravel mountain road above town to look for Great Spinetail and Buff-bridled Inca-Finch. We'll then return to Cajamarca and drive to the airport for an early evening flight to Lima in time to connect with international flights home. End of tour at the Lima Airport.

DAY 15 - ARRIVAL HOME

Arrive home from overnight flight.

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