Birding in Central Peru is extraordinary, most of the targets birds are very localized and some of the them are critically endangered, this tour is very special, we visit some remote area where there are well know but undescribed species, so this makes even more exiting our birding tour in Satipo road.
There is some remote area close by Satipo that we consider part of an expedition, where Sira Tanager and Sira Barbet are present, if you passion is add some especial and unique species on your personal bird list this area is not to be missed!!
Day 1: PELAGIC TOUR – SANTA EULALIA.
Transfer service from your hotel to take a boat for our birding pelagic trip, priority is to see sea bird we spend most of day birding in the Pacific ocean.
Attracting seabirds we use Chumming: We make a gue of rotten fish entrails and old fish left-overs, oil mixed with pop-corn. this smells horrible, all the seabirds have acute sense of smell. When chumming the boat suddenly gets surrounded by Storm Petrels some albatross and several different species of sea birds: Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Cape Petrel, Markham´s, White-vented, Wilson´s and Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels. Chilean and South Polar Skuas, Waved, Gray-headed, and Salvin’s Albatross and more birds depending of the season, we see some whales; in the mid afternoon we drive up to the mountains, here we have a nice and relaxing birding around the lodge.
Night:Santa Eulalia Valley. L:D.
Day 2: DRY WEST PACIFIC SLOPE.
We a long day birding with lots of nice and enigmatic birds, our primary targets are the extremely localized Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch and Great Inca-Finch; Bronze-tailed Comet, Black Metaltail, and Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Black-necked Woodpecker, Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch – all Peruvian endemics. we keep going higher up to Polylepis forest, here White-cheeked Cotinga next to Striated Earthcreeper, Giant conebill and Stripe-headed Antpitta, in top of the high andes we look for White-bellied Cinclodes and Diademed Sandpiper-plover, after a full exiting birding we go back to the paved road on the way to La Oroya.
Night: La Oroya. B:L:D.
Day 3: MANTARO’S VALLEY HEART.
Today will leave very early for 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, in the afternoon we’ll have our first change for Mantaro Thornbird, and Mantaro Spinetail (different race of Azara’s Spinetail).
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 4: To APALLA CALABAZA. – MANTARO VALLEY
We spend all morning in the middle of Mantaro Valley, birding around Accobamba looking for the recently discovered and described Black-goggled Brush-Finch – Black-spectacled 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 Satipo Road where are Junín Tapaculo, (new sp), (Large-footed Tapaculo) and weskei ssp of Marcapata Spinetail which looks as a good split. Late in the day we can look for Lyre-tailed Nightjar.
Night: Apalla Calabaza. B:L:D.
Day 5: SATIPO ROAD.
This area is similar in appearance to the famous Manu road, but less pristine and some other selection of species: Birding morning above Apalla Calabaza for Bay Antpitta. some missing specie or second view of Eyering Thistletail, Marcapata Spinetail, Junín Tapaculo and nice humid montane mix flocks: Inca Flycatcher, Lacrimose Mountain-tanager, Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan, Grass-green Tanager, down below forest have another set of mix flock, Paradise, Golden, Blue-necked, Bay-headed tanagers and more birds are mixed flocks members, Ocellated Piculet and rare Lanceolated Monklet are in lower elevation, them we drive to Satipo where we spend a night.
Night: Satipo. B:L:D.
Day 6: VILLA RICA – COFFEE PLANTATION.
Early in the morning we drive to Villa Rica, we’ll be birding in Coffee plantation our main target is Creamy-bellied Antwren, if we are lucky maybe Foothill Elaenia, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Chestnut-back Antshrike and lots of tanagers, around midday we visit a lake where can see erratic Mask Duck, Plumbeous Rail, Blackish Rail and some other shore birds. late in day we drive to Oxapampa on the way we pass by bosque shollet – Gran Pajonal, where chestnut-crested Cotinga, Peruvian Wren another chance for Bay Antpitta are ´possible, then drive to Oxapampa, night birding can show us Cloud forest Screech-owl,
Night: Oxapampa. B:L:D.
Day 7: BIRDING IN OXAPAMPA.
Forest in Oxapampa is home of several endemic species, there is a nive protected 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).
If we are very fortunate we will even see such highly sought-after specialities as the rarely seen Andean Tyrant, or the mega-elusive Masked Saltator (both species just couple records in the area).
In the evening second chance for Cloud Forest Screech-Owl
Night: Oxapampa. B:L:D.
Day 8: GO BACK TO THE HIGH ANDES.
We have a final morning in the area looking for some missing species depending what we are missing we visit some of the previous places that we visited, after mid morning we drive back to the high andes, we’ll be birding around the the Junín Lake, Dark-winged Canastero, Junín Canastero, Black-breasted Hillstar (Endemics), White-tufted Grebe, Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, Andean Avocet, seasonally present and lots wetland andean species, late in the day we try for the recently described Junín Rail.
Night: La Oroya. B:L:D.
Day 9: JUNIN LAKE.
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. Our second main target is Junin Rail ( Laterallus tuerosi), this species is recently described, known from a very small area of marshland around Junin lake, where habitat quality is declining There are many other interesting birds at Lake Junin, including Puna Plover and Andean avocet (seasonal), and a variety of waterfowl, Plumbeous Rail, Silvery Grebe, White-tufted Grebe, Cinnamon, Puna, Yellow-Billed Teals , Andean Negrito, Slate-colored and Giant Coot, Chilean Flamingos are sometimes present. We’ll drive back to Lima in the afternoon. if times allow we have a final scan around the pass for Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and ln lower elevation for Black Metaltail and rusty-crowned Spinetail. we can drop you in the airport to take your international flight or hotel in Lima
Night in Lima. 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 Marcapomacochas and Andamarca. - At Villa Rica and Oxapampa laundry can be done.
- Sunblock and hat or cap.
- Mosquito or insect repellent.
- 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 1500 and 3100 meters.
- We will experience all kinds of weather, but no special clothing is necessary.
- We will have electric power at all our destinations. (Except in Apalla Calabaza this if we are going to camping but we can avoid this option, Please contact us for more information) 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 and 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:
- 1st June 2023.
- 24th July 2023.
- 15th September 2023.
- 7th November 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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- https://www.tanagertours.com
- info@tanagertours.com
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