DAY 1 - LIMA
Arrive at international airport in Lima and transfer to your hotel near the airport. Night at LimaQ Hotel.
DAY 2 - TRANSFER & PLATAFORMA
Early morning flight to Tarapoto followed by transfer along a sometimes rough mountain road by 4x4 vehicle to Plataforma, the most accessible site in the world to see the highly localized endemic Scarlet-banded Barbet. The transfer takes about 3 hours even with the improved road conditions. The village of Plataforma is at the end of the road. We'll spend the rest of the day birding Plataforma area, which involves hiking up some steep and usually quite muddy tracks so rubber boots are advisable. The barbet is reliably seen at Plataforma but is not always easy to find. Also present is the recently discovered Plataforma Antbird, a second target species there. Other good species likely to be seen include Rose-fronted Parakeet, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Wire-crested Thorntail, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Short-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Gray-tailed Piha, Yungas Manakin, Foothill Schiffornis, Amazonian Umbrellabird, and Blue-browed Tanager. Early evening birding could well produce views of Foothill Screech-Owl near the town. Night at La Flor Cafe in Plataforma.
DAY 3 - PLATAFORMA & TARAPOTO
We'll have the morning to bird the Plataforma area again, seeking any species we may have missed the previous day. After lunch we'll transfer back to Tarapoto. Night at hotel in Tarapoto.
DAY 4 - CORDILLERA ESCALERA, ACONABIKH CENTER, & YURIMAGUAS
The Cordillera Escalera north of Tarapoto, also known as the Tarapoto Tunnel area, is an important lowland birding site north of Tarapoto featuring a mix of lowland and foothill species. Birding on either side of the 100m long tunnel is mainly along the road in remnant forest patches. The most desired target species is the seldom seen Dotted Tanager. This site is also one of the few places in Peru to see Plumbeous Euphonia from the lowlands. Other interesting species include the near-endemic Rose-fronted Parakeet, Ocellated Woodcreeper, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, and Oriole Blackbird. Around mid-day we'll visit Aconabikh Center to view hummingbirds at the feeders. The main target species is Koepcke's Hermit, normally very difficult to find but lately coming to feeders there. Also present are Gould's Jewelfront and with some luck the scarce Black-throated Brilliant. There are forest trails at Aconabikh Center where Golden-headed Manakins display on a lek. If we encounter an army ant swarm, we have a good chance of seeing White-plumed Antbird and maybe even the seldom seen Hairy-crested Antbird. Also possible are Opal-rumped Tanager and Opal-crowned Tanager. From there we'll continue downslope toward the town of Yurimaguas, a gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. A number of lowland species are possible in that area, including Black-fronted Nunbird, White-eared Jacamar, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Riparian Antbird, Black-faced Antbird, and Paradise Tanager. In late afternoon we'll return to Tarapoto for another night there. Night at a hotel in Tarapoto.
DAY 5 - TRANSFER & WAQANKI RESERVE
After breakfast we'll transfer to Moyabamba and nearby Waqanki Reserve, stopping at the Quiscarumi Bridge to look down into a deep, narrow, dark gorge to view roosting Oilbirds on the crevices and ledges of the gorge. After arrival, we'll spend some time viewing hummingbirds at the feeders. Our main target bird there is very localized Koepcke's Hermit. There are also three trails in the reserve that offer forest birding. Night at Waqanki Ecolodge.
DAY 6 - WAQANKI & ARENA BLANCA
We'll spend the morning birding trails around Waqanki Reserve, also known as Quebrada Mishquiyacu. Key target species in this forest reserve are the recently described Painted Manakin as well as the "San Martin" form of Mishana Tyrannulet, a likely future split. Other specials include Band-bellied Owl, Spot-tailed Nightjar, Fiery-capped Manakin, Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Varzea Thrush, and Red-shouldered Tanager. Numerous other upper tropical zone species are also present, including Blue-crowned Trogon, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Tschudi's Woodcreeper, Plain-winged Antshrike, Stripe-chested Antwren, Foothill Stipplethroat, Ornate Stipplethroat, White-browed Antbird, Spot-winged Antbird, Wing-barred Piprites, Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, Forest Elaenia, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Olive-faced Flatbill, Coraya Wren, Fulvous-crested Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Masked Tanager, Yellow-bellied Tanager, and Buff-throated Saltator.
After lunch we'll depart for Arena Blanca Ecological Reserve. about a half 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 7 - ARENA BLANCA & ABRA PATRICIA
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.
After lunch in town, we'll transfer to nearby Owlet Lodge. During the transfer we'll stop at a site that is the best place to see the range-restricted stunning Royal Sunangel. During the transfer we'll do some roadside birding 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. Night at Owlet Lodge.
DAY 8 - ABRA PATRICIA AREA
The habitat around Abra Patricia is pristine cloud forest and is home to numerous special birds. We'll spend the morning 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.
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.
DAY 9 - ABRA PATRICIA & EL PROGRESO
We'll spend the morning birding around Abra Patricia looking for any species missed the previous day. After lunch we'll transfer to the nearby town of El Progreso. We'll arrive in El Progreso in time for a late lunch. During late afternoon we'll do some birding outside town in some prime habitat for Johanson's Tody Flycatcher. As dusk approaches we'll begin our search for one of our main target species in this area, 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 El Progeso, where a local guide will help us find it. Night at hotel in El Progreso.
DAY 10 - HUEMBO CENTER & TRANSFER TO COCACHIMBA
After breakfast we'll do some birding of roadsides in the area outside town. Mid morning we'll depart for Pomacochas and nearby 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 watching hummingbirds, we'll drive south through the scenic Cocahuayco River gorge on to the town of Cochachimba. 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 for Cajamarca Antpitta and also 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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