Classic Central Peru – 17 days
Central Peru is, unsurprisingly, the endemic hotebed of the country. Birding the Humboldt Current and Atacama Desert on the Pacific Coast, the dry West Andean Slope, the barren but diverse high-elevation puna, and humid forests from the treeline to the beginnings of the Amazon lowlands, you will find a rewarding variety of habitats in this area. Some of the star birds include Humboldt Penguin, Great Inca-Finch, White-cheeked Cotinga, Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Junin Grebe, Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, and Oilbird.
Most of this tour is on decent paved roads, though some time is spent on gravel roads in more remote areas. Most hotels are comfortable, clean, and some mid-range, but unique local endemic species.
Day 1: LOMAS DE LACHAY.
We start the tour by heading up to north to Lomas de Lachay; special humid hill, close the pacific ocean, forming an special habitat for endemic species. Coastal Miner, Cactus Canastero, Raimondi’s Yellow-finch, Thick-billed Miner and several common widespread species, Least Seedsnipe, Grassland Yellow-finch, Peruvian Meadowlark, Andean Tinamou, and others, late in the day we drive back to visit some mashy area along the coast, Peruvian Tern, Gray-hooded Gull, Many-colored Rush-tyrand Wren-like Rushbird, them we drive to base of the mountains if time allows some other selection of birds will be possible.
Night:Santa Eulalia. B:L:D.
Day 2: SANTA EULALIA VALLEY.
The spectacular scenery of the Santa Eulalia Valley provides an appropriate backdrop for tracking down a number of rare endemic birds. Our primary targets are the extremely localized Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch and Great Inca-Finch; while looking for them we’re likely to encounter other goodies like Bronze-tailed Comet, Black Metaltail, and Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Black-necked Woodpecker, Thick-billed Miner- all Peruvian endemics. More common species we may encounter through the day include Canyon Canastero, Giant Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, White-capped Dipper, White-winged Cinclodes, and Torrent Duck.
around midday Andean Condor could be flight by, late in the day we drive back to Santa Eulalia where Peruvian Pygmy-owl can be calling.
Night: Santa Eulalia. B:L:D.
Day 3: MILLOC – MARCAPOMACOCHAS.
This is one of the most exciting birding days in Peru, in spite of a relatively low total species count due to the high elevation – almost every bird we’ll see is a specialty! We’ll start by scouring a patch of Polylepis forest for the rare White-cheeked Cotinga. Other birds here include Stripe-headed Antpitta and Striated Earthcreeper. We’ll then move up the Milloc Valley, ticking off puna birds on the way: Black Siskin and Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch are common, while we’ll concentrate on finding Black-breasted Hillstar and a variety of canasteros (including the endemic Junin Canastero) and ground-tyrants (including the rare migrant Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant). In the afternoon we’ll bird the famous Marcapomacochas area where we will hope for a plethora of special birds, including the enigmatic Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, the stunning White-bellied Cinclodes, and the incongruous Olivaceous Thornbill. We’ll return to paved roads in the late afternoon, after a tiring but very rewarding day of birding and bumping along dirt roads.
Night: La Oroya. B:L:D.
Day 4: JUNIN LAKE – HUANUCO.
We’ll do whatever present conditions require to find the Critically Endangered Junin Grebe this morning. Currently we plan to take a small motor boat out into the deeper parts of Lake Junin to ensure good views of this hard-to-identify bird. There are many other interesting birds at Lake Junin, including Plumbeous Rail, Puna Plover (seasonal), and a variety of waterfowl. White-tufted Grebe, Puna, Yellow-billed Teals, Yellow-billed Pintail, Chilean Flamingos are sometimes present. We’ll drive on towards Huanuco in the afternoon, stopping to look for Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Thick-billed Siskin, and a few more endemics such as Brown-flanked Tanager and Baron’s Spinetail on the way.
Night: Beautiful lodge outsite Huanuco. B:L:D.
Day 5 – 6: BOSQUE UNCHOQ.
We’ll have a 2 full days and to explore this most important site of the trip. The «»Big Four»» here – Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-browed Hemispingus, Bay-vented Cotinga and Pardusco – are all among Peru’s best birds, but are difficult. Of course there are other goodies to be found, among them Golden-collared Tanager, Coppery Metaltail, Tscudi’s and Large-footed Tapaculos, Line-fronted Canastero, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher, and the obscura race of Rufous Antpitta (likely to be elevated to full species status and often referred to as ‘Fulvous Antpitta), White-chinned Thistletail (here of the endemic southern race, which is sometimes split as Plenge’s Thistletail), We will also listen for the monotonous calls of the endemic Neblina (or Elfin Forest) Tapaculo, while we hope to find the smart Line-fronted Canastero in grassy areas with large boulders.
Night: beautiful Lodge Outside Huanuco (on the Way to Bosque Unchoq). B:L:D.
Day 7: PATY TRAIL – TINGO MARIA.
We’ll spend most of the day at the Paty Trail, one of Central Peru’s most famous birding sites. Though the habitat is unprotected and more degraded each year, many good birds can still be found. A few of the candidates include Peruvian Tyrannulet, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, and Bay Antpitta, all Peruvian endemics. If we’re lucky Masked Fruiteater, we’ll also experience some good general flocks bringing us a diversity of tanagers, flycatchers and furnariidae. In the afternoon we’ll descend to Tingo Maria, perhaps giving Band-bellied Owl a try at dusk.
Night in Tingo Maria. B:L:D.
Day 8: TINGO MARIA – OILBIRD CAVE
East of Tingo Maria we can find some remnant forest patches still home to some good birds, including Rufous-crested, Orange-eared, and Golden-naped Tanagers, Masked Fruiteater (uncommon and endemic!), and many others. In the afternoon we’ll bird around Tingo Maria National Park. Though trails are rather limited, there are a few and we’ll try for the endemic Black-bellied Tanager, Spot-winged Antbird, Fiery-capped Manakin, and a variety of other Amazonian bird species. Of course, we’ll take some time off to visit the spectacular Oilbird cave as well.
Night: Tingo Maria. B:L:D.
Day 9: CARPISH TUNNEL.
Leaving the biodiverse foothills behind, we’ll move back to higher elevations today to continue our quest for endemics. This morning we’ll especially be looking for Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, and Peruvian Wren, Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan, Barred Fruiteater, Rufous-headed Pygmy-tyrant, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, and if we are lucky Buff-tailed Sicklebill, while Chestnut Antpitta is also a distinct possibility at this site. In the afternoon we’ll drive to our comfortable Lodge.
Night: Huanuco. B:L:D.
Day 10: HUANUCO – OXAPAMPA.
Today will mostly be a travel day as we head back up past Lake Junin before descending again into the cloud forest. Along the way we’ll make a couple of birding stops for missing species, probably looking for the difficult Rufous-backed Inca-Finch among others. Late in the day we’ll settle into our cabins at Oxapampa.
in the evening we have our first chance for Cloud-forest Screech-owl.
Night: Oxapampa. B:L:D.
Day 11: OXAPAMPA -BOSQUE SHOLLET.
Around the area we look for some our targets species number of Peruvian endemics found in this fabulous area, including Masked Fruiteater, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Peruvian Wren, Yellow-scarf Tanager, Chestnut Antpitta ‘Huanuco Fruiteater’ (a small, distinctive race of Green-and-Black Fruiteater which probably merits being elevated to species level).
In the afternoon we’ll drive to Bosque Shollet is a patch of beautiful cloud forest where we’ll spend the day looking for birds such as Black-winged Parrot, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, Pale-footed Swallow, Sickle-winged Guan, and Moustached Flowerpiercer. It will also be another chance for Bay Antpitta and other species we may have missed in the Carpish Mountains.
In the evening second chance for Cloud Forest Screech-Owl.
Night: Oxapampa. B:L:D.
Day 12: VILLA RICA – COFFEE PLANTATION.
We’ll spend the whole day birding the shade coffee plantations around Villa Rica. Possibilities here are numerous; a few of the mouth-watering possibilities are Creamy-bellied Antwren, Foothill Elaenia, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, Versicolored Barbet, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, and of course a variety of flycatchers and tanagers typical of cloud forest flocks. Around a marsh near town we’ll try for the enigmatic Subtropical Doradito as well as Green-backed Becard and some waterbirds, Masked Duck.
Night: Villa Rica. B:L:D.
Day 13: VILLA RICA – SATIPO.
Today we’ll bird our way out of this fascinating area, adding to our growing list of cloud forest species and looking for some missing are rare species localized in the area Masked Saltator and Andean Tyrant could be possible. In the afternoon we’ll drive through the down the valley to reach Satipo.
Night: Satipo B:L:D.
Day 14: SATIPO ROAD.
This area is similar in appearance to the famous Manu road, but less pristine and some other selection of species: we start birding at lower elevation, Paradise, Golden, Blue-necked, Bay-headed tanagers and more birds are mix flocks members, Ocellated Piculet and rare Lanceolated Monklet will be part of party, we’ll be concentrate above Apalla Calabaza for Bay Antpitta. Eyering Thistletail, Marcapata Spinetail «weskei subspecies», Junin Tapaculo and nice humid montane mix flocks: Inca Flycatcher, Lacrimose Mountain-tanager, Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan, Grass-green Tanager, and many more birds.
Night: Apalla Calabaza. B:L:D.
Day 15 SATIPO ROAD TO ACCOBAMBA.
after breakfast we start birding looking for junin Tapaculo, eyering thistletail and some other missing species of day before, them we keep going higher up to cross the mountain just around the pass we look for Millpo Tapaculo undescribed species, Junin Canastero, Andean Ibis and several andean species, at the distance will see Mantaro Valley, down below habitat has a nice surprise, we’ll have our first change for Mantaro Thornbird and Mantaro Spinetail (different race of Azara’s Spinetail). and recently described Black-spectacled Brush-finch.
In the evening we have change for night birding, we look for the undescribed specie of Screech Owl, Accobamba Screech-owl
Night: Accobamba. B:L:D.
Day 16: MANTARO VALLEY – LA OROYA.
Today we are going birding around Accobamba looking for the recently discovered and described Black-goggled Brush-Finch. The shrubby slopes also provide a home for the endemic, recently discovered Thryothorus wren «Mantaro Wren» either an undescribed race of the endemic Inca Wren or perhaps a new species to science. In the same area we have a chance for Mantaro Thornbird, and Mantaro Spinetail (different race of Azara’s Spinetail).
After a morning birding around Acobamba we drive toward high andes leaving Mantaro Valley in the background, after midday we take the road to Comas. This village is located close to Mantaro Valley around this village we look for Eye-ringed Thistletail, and Fire-throated Metaltail, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Tschudi’s Tapaculo, Millpo Tapaculo. still we have a long driving.
Night: La Oroya. B:L:D.
Day 17: BACK To LIMA.
Today we’ll make the drive back to Lima, looking for Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and perhaps other missing species in the high andes as time allows. Black Metaltail, Rusty-crowned Tit-spinetail, White-capped Deeper, Torrent Duck would be our last birds, We should arrive in Lima in the mid-afternoon.
We concluded the trip with a transfer at the airport or your hotel for a well-deserved rest
B:L.
What to Bring:
- During this tour we are not going to take any domestic flight, but just for your information please do not bring too much luggage. For domestic flights you can hold 23 kg. ( 50.7063 lbs.) and 8 kg. (17.637 lbs.) in hand luggage. Extra costs run by yourselves.
- Lightweight comfortable clothing is recommended, i.e. standard field pants and shirts for the entire trip, some jackets, gloves, for cold places is enough, at least for the Marcapomacochas and Bosque Unchoq.
- At Huanuco and Oxapampa laundry can be done.
- Sunblock and hat or cap.
- An umbrella and rain poncho.
- Rubber boots / gumboots specially for Bosque Unchoq.
- Small flashlight for owling – I will have a strong owling light (guide).
- You will need a fleece or other light jacket – Sometimes it’s very cold, please consider this.
- This is noted for the high elevations. We will be in all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary. If you are a person that gets cold easily – perhaps a little more clothing, like a warm hat or light-weight gloves would be in order.
- Please using camouflaged clothing would be ok not really any military clothing avoid the second.
- Shower thongs / rubber flip flops will be useful.
Recommendation:
- Binoculars.
- Extra Batteries.
- Camera (Optional).
- Telescope (Optional).
General:
- Birding will primarily be on forested roads and some trails – difficulty is easy to moderate level.
- We will be moving between 0 – 4700 meters, asl (15419.95 feet, this just on one day). Mostly between 1000 and 3200 meters.
- We will experience all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary.
- We will have electric power at all our destinations. There are sockets inside all rooms with 220 volt electricity.
- Please note be sure and bring extra batteries as electricity may sometimes go out in sites like Satipo adn Oxapampa.
Medical and Health Information:
High altitude information you may find useful. Arriving in Lima is not a problem because is basically sea level, them gradually we will go to the andes, the highest point during the tour is 4700 meters, we’ll be birding mostly roadside so effort its minimal, Adjusting to higher altitude is a very individual thing.
Some may feel no effects at all, some may have minor effects, and others may experience great difficulty. any way we have oxygen just in case.
You may feel the lack of oxygen, and will easily get «out of breath» for the first two or three days, so take it easy. You may feel a little nauseous, have a headache, or tire easily.. You will acclimatize to it by producing more red blood cells, so you should make sure you stay well hydrated, as the extra cells thicken your blood.
Drink lots of water, while avoiding alcohol or caffeine. Dehydration can make any effects of altitude worse. Try to avoid overeating the first day.
Please keep in mind our birding tour will be over a wide range of altitudes – and we will be acclimatizing as we move through the different habitats.
By the time we reach the very high altitude of the Puna we should be adjusted to the altitude. We will be taking our time, birding slowly, and enjoying ourselves. That being said, your safety and well-being is of first importance above all else.
Therefore, I will be making frequent checks to make sure everyone is feeling well.
If someone in the group isn’t feeling well our driver will be ready to take the person or the group to lower altitude very quickly.
There are medications available for altitude sickness. Please check with your doctor. For the headache, you can take an over-the-counter medicine, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
Travel insurance
Our suggestion is that you use travel insurance service. The normal price of this tour not cover travel insurance.
Books:
Birds of Peru is the best field Guide.
If you consider you can bring some other field guide are welcome.
+ Prices Include:
- Private transport in all the way.
- All accommodations in all the tour (Lima/Lima).
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch/ picnic or box lunch depending where we are, dinner, snacks, water available all the time).
- Bird guide specialist.
- Bird checklist per person.
- Entrances to all Birding spots.
- Transfers in Lima.
- Basically full board in a private tour.
- Oxygen Bottle.
– Not included:
Laundry, calls, medical costs or hospitalization, excess baggage charges, insurance, or other items of personal nature.
What I (guide) will have with me
- Recording stuff Roland R-05/Microphone SENNHEISER ME66/K6.
- Two iPods- speakers.
- A Swarovski ATX 80 scope 20-60 zoom
- Green laser pointer
- Owling light.
- GPS.
- Personal Swarovski Binoculars.
- I will be carrying the new field guide Birds of Peru this can be found on www.amazon.com.
Tour Calendar 2023:
- 15th May 2023.
- 7th July 2023.
- 29th August 2023.
- 21th October 2023.
If some our fixed departure doesn’t work with you, we can propose a fixed departure with your available dates , also if you need private or customized tour, please contact us for more information, all our tours are totally flexible and adjustable to your needs.
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- info@tanagertours.com
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