Peru: Northern Andes Bird Tour
An exceptional birding expedition through northern Peru, covering Amazonian foothills, Andean cloud forests, inter-Andean valleys and Pacific dry forests. This tour targets an outstanding range of endemics and rare species, including the iconic Scarlet-banded Barbet and the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet. Designed for dedicated birdwatchers seeking maximum diversity, expert guiding and access to some of South America’s most celebrated birding locations.
About this tour
Northern Peru: Endemics & Andean Specialities Birding Tour
This immersive birding tour through northern Peru explores one of the richest and most diverse birding regions in South America. Traveling from Amazonian lowlands and Andean foothills to cloud forests, inter-Andean valleys and Pacific dry forests, the journey offers an exceptional variety of habitats and an outstanding list of species, including numerous endemics and regional specialties.
The tour begins in the forests around Tarapoto and the Cordillera Azul, where Amazonian and Andean birds overlap. Here we search for legendary species such as the stunning Scarlet-banded Barbet, along with a remarkable diversity of fruiteaters, antbirds, manakins and owls. As we move north toward Moyobamba and Waqanki, hummingbird feeders, lowland forest trails and wetlands provide close views of colorful species, while night excursions add rare nocturnal birds to the experience.
A major highlight is the Abra Patricia region and the area around Owlet Lodge, considered one of the finest birding destinations in the Andes. Several days are devoted to cloud forest birding, with targets including antpittas, toucanets, tanagers and spectacular hummingbirds. Special effort is made to find the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet, one of the world’s rarest owls.
The route then continues through the Utcubamba and Marañón valleys, home to many localized endemics adapted to dry forests and fragmented habitats. The journey concludes on the Pacific slope and in the Tumbesian dry forests, where a completely different set of birds awaits, including endangered and range-restricted species, before finishing near Chiclayo.
This tour is designed for dedicated birdwatchers seeking maximum diversity, high-quality guiding and access to some of Peru’s most iconic and difficult-to-see birds, all combined into one comprehensive and unforgettable expedition.
This immersive birding tour through northern Peru explores one of the richest and most diverse birding regions in South America. Traveling from Amazonian lowlands and Andean foothills to cloud forests, inter-Andean valleys and Pacific dry forests, the journey offers an exceptional variety of habitats and an outstanding list of species, including numerous endemics and regional specialties.
The tour begins in the forests around Tarapoto and the Cordillera Azul, where Amazonian and Andean birds overlap. Here we search for legendary species such as the stunning Scarlet-banded Barbet, along with a remarkable diversity of fruiteaters, antbirds, manakins and owls. As we move north toward Moyobamba and Waqanki, hummingbird feeders, lowland forest trails and wetlands provide close views of colorful species, while night excursions add rare nocturnal birds to the experience.
A major highlight is the Abra Patricia region and the area around Owlet Lodge, considered one of the finest birding destinations in the Andes. Several days are devoted to cloud forest birding, with targets including antpittas, toucanets, tanagers and spectacular hummingbirds. Special effort is made to find the elusive Long-whiskered Owlet, one of the world’s rarest owls.
The route then continues through the Utcubamba and Marañón valleys, home to many localized endemics adapted to dry forests and fragmented habitats. The journey concludes on the Pacific slope and in the Tumbesian dry forests, where a completely different set of birds awaits, including endangered and range-restricted species, before finishing near Chiclayo.
This tour is designed for dedicated birdwatchers seeking maximum diversity, high-quality guiding and access to some of Peru’s most iconic and difficult-to-see birds, all combined into one comprehensive and unforgettable expedition.
Guides
Julien Mazenauer with a local guide
English, German
Itinerary ▼
Day 1
The tour starts this afternoon at Tarapoto Airport (TPP). From there, we will drive to Bellavista. Night at Monteverde Hotel.
Day 2
We will leave early in our 4WD vehicles, heading to Flor de Café Village (formerly known as “Plataforma”), located at 1400m in the foothills of the Cordillera Azul. Stops on the way might produce Hoatzin, Limpkin, Snail Kite, Grey-necked Wood Rail, White-Winged Swallow, Blackish Pewee, Western Striolated and White-Necked Puffbirds, and Lemon-throated Barbet. Of course, our number one target here is the amazing Scarlet-banded Barbet, and we will start searching for it on our first afternoon. Owling can yield Foothill (Napo) and Rufescent Screech Owls and Band-bellied Owl. Night at Flor de Café.
Day 3
Full day looking for a number of specialities, including more chances of seeing the barbet, as well as the recently discovered Cordillera Azul Antbird, together with Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Scaled, Fiery-throated and Scarlet-breasted Fruiteaters, the newly described foothill form of Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Rose-fronted Parakeet, Foothill Schiffornis, Grey-tailed Piha, White-Fronted Tyrannulet, Yellow-throated Spadebill, Dusky Leaftosser, Yellow-cheeked Becard, Jet, Yungas, and "Milky-rumped" Blue-rumped Manakins, Blue-browed Tanager, and many others. The list of uncommon birds of this area is truly extraordinary! Night at Flor de Café.
Day 4
After some early morning birding at Flor de Café, we will transfer via Bellavista to Tarapoto for an overnight stay, stopping en route to explore some lower areas with gallery forest and dry deciduous woodland. Birds to look for include Pheasant Cuckoo, the distinctive local form of "Huallaga" Northern Slaty Antshrike, Southern Chestnut-tailed Antbird, White-bellied Pygmy Tyrant, Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant, Rufous Casiornis, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Ashy-headed Greenlet, and Band-tailed Manakin. Night at Hotel Rio Cumbaza, Tarapoto.
Day 5
The morning will be spent at a private reserve close to Tarapoto, where hummingbird feeders usually attract Koepcke’s Hermit, Gould’s Jewelfront, and sometimes Black-throated Brilliant, among others. Birding the trails should produce Golden-headed Manakin at a lek, and, if lucky, White-plumed and Hairy-crested Antbirds attending an ant swarm. Later, we will drive to Moyobamba, with a stop on the main road to look at some amazing Oilbirds at what’s surely the easiest place in the world to observe this extraordinary species. Night at Waqanki Lodge.
Day 6
All day birding around the lodge, searching for the recently-described Painted Manakin and the local form of Mishana Tyrannulet. The former has become harder in recent years, btu we will be working hard for it! Other species here include Buff-throated Tody Tyrant, Olive-chested Flycatcher, Dusky and Cinereous-breasted Spinetails, Red-shouldered Tanager, Lanceolated Monklet, and many more. Hummingbirds are a feature of the place and include Rufous-crested Coquette, Black-throated Hermit, White-chinned Sapphire, and others. Note that while Varzea Thrush has been a target here in the past, it has now seemingly disappeared from the area.
In the afternoon, we will visit a couple of lowland forest sites where Masked Duck, Russet-crowned Crake, Buckley’s Forest Falcon (if lucky), Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Pearly-vented and Stripe-Necked Tody Tyrants, Rusty-backed Antwren, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Yellow Tyrannulet, Black-faced Tanager, and Wedge-tailed Grassfinch all occur. Nightbirds are well represented too and can include Stygian, Striped, and Tropical Screech Owls and Spot-tailed and Rufous Nightjars. Night at Waqanki Lodge.
In the afternoon, we will visit a couple of lowland forest sites where Masked Duck, Russet-crowned Crake, Buckley’s Forest Falcon (if lucky), Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Pearly-vented and Stripe-Necked Tody Tyrants, Rusty-backed Antwren, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Yellow Tyrannulet, Black-faced Tanager, and Wedge-tailed Grassfinch all occur. Nightbirds are well represented too and can include Stygian, Striped, and Tropical Screech Owls and Spot-tailed and Rufous Nightjars. Night at Waqanki Lodge.
Day 7
Today will be an action-packed day! Starting with a visit to Carrizal for the endemic Ash-throated Antwren, we also have chances for Wattled Guan, Masked Fruiteater, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Black-streaked Puffbird, and Black-billed Treehunter.
Afterwards, we will move to another site, Afluente, where mixed flocks can hold Ecuadorian Tyrannaulet, Equatorial Greytail, Grey-mantled Wren, and Bicoloured Antvireo, while Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Ecuadorian Piedtail are both present. Later on, we will move to Fundo Alto Nieva, where we will make our first evening attempt at the near-mythical Long-whiskered Owlet. If the weather is good, we have a fair chance of seeing this extreme rarity. Later, we will drive to Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia, where we will spend the following 3 nights.
Afterwards, we will move to another site, Afluente, where mixed flocks can hold Ecuadorian Tyrannaulet, Equatorial Greytail, Grey-mantled Wren, and Bicoloured Antvireo, while Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Ecuadorian Piedtail are both present. Later on, we will move to Fundo Alto Nieva, where we will make our first evening attempt at the near-mythical Long-whiskered Owlet. If the weather is good, we have a fair chance of seeing this extreme rarity. Later, we will drive to Owlet Lodge in Abra Patricia, where we will spend the following 3 nights.
Day 8
During these two days, we will be birding at Fundo Alto Nieva and around Owlet Lodge, trying for Rusty-tinged and Ochre-fronted Antpittas, which at the time of writing are being fed with mealworms. Other species we will be focusing on include the astounding Royal Sunangel, Chestnut Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antpitta, Bar-winged Wood Wren, Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Flycatcher, Vermilion, White-capped and Yellow-throated Tanagers, Olivaceous Piha, Lulu’s (Johnson’s) Tody-Tyrant, Maroon-belted Chat-Tyrant, Black-throated Toucanet, Inca Flycatcher, Saffron-Crowned, Yellow-scarfed, Red-hooded, and Grass-green Tanagers, White-collared Jay, Peruvian Tyrannulet, Olive Tufted Flycatcher, the endemic Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Streak-headed Antbird, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Rufous Spinetail, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, and many more.
Day 10
Full morning around the lodge searching for whatever we might have missed, then transfer to Pomacochas. The early evening will be spent at a lake where we can see Puna Snipe, Plumbeous Rail, Speckle-chested Piculet, Subtropical Doradito, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Buff-bellied Tanager, "Baron's" Line-cheeked Spinetail, and Rufous-capped Antshrike. Night at Hotel las Brisas.
Day 12
After some final morning birding in the area, we will drive to Leymebamba, stopping at Utcubamba Valley in search of Speckle-chested Piculet, Buff-bellied Tanager, Pacific Hornero, and Maranon (Speckle-breasted) Wren, and maybe Koepcke’s Screech Owl at a roosting place. This afternoon will be spent in the forest of Atuen Valley where Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Northern Mountain Cacique, Red-hooded Tanager, and Peruvian Treehunter are all possible. Night at Hotel la Casona.
Day 13
Mostly a driving day, but with a few nice short stops for some excellent birds! We will set off very early to go to the lower part of the Marañon Valley, where we will look for Yellow-faced Parrotlet and Peruvian Pigeon. After seeing these two, we continue to Hacienda el Limon, where we will aim to pick up Buff-bridled and Grey-winged Inca Finches, Chestnut-backed Thornbird, and Marañon Thrush. Towards the end of the day, we head to Abra Barro Negro where targets include Russet-mantled Softtail, White-chinned Thistletail, Coppery Metaltail, and Blackish Tapaculo, amongst others. Night at at Hotel la Casona.
Day 14
After a chance to try for Koepcke’s Screech Owl predawn if needed, we will take a long drive towards Jaen for an overnight stay. Stops along the way should produce Little Inca Finch, "Marañon" Black-capped Sparrow, "Marañon" Speckle-chested Wren, Marañon Thrush, Marañon Crescentchest, Marañon Slaty-Antshrike, and Chinchipe Spinetail. Night at Urku Hotel.
Day 15
A predawn start will see us hoping to find "Marañon" West Peruvian Screech Owl. Once it gets light, we will search for the uncommon Marañon Spinetail and Ecuadorian Ground Dove, while interesting subspecies include the isolated Marañon/Huallaga Valley race of Rufous-fronted Thornbird and the leucogaster race of Northern Slaty Antshrike. Afterwards, we will drive to Chiclayo, stopping at Abra Porcuya to look for Piura Chat-Tyrant and Henna-hooded and Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaners. Night at Hotel Inti.
Day 16
Early morning transfer to Bosque de Rafan, where Pacific dry forest specialities such as Rufous Flycatcher and Peruvian Plantcutter occur. A quick stop at Santa Rosa beach should produce Peruvian Tern, Least Seedsnipe, Many-coloured Rush Tyrant, Coastal Miner, and more. We will then move on to Chaparri Lodge, where our main target will be the endangered White-winged Guan, as well as Collared Warbling Finch, Elegant Crescentchest, Sulphur-throated Finch, and others. Night at Chaparri Lodge.
Day 17
Full morning birding around the lodge. Many of the birds occurring in these woodlands are restricted to semi-arid habitats in northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador (the so-called ‘Tumbesian endemics’), including Ecuadorian Trogon, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Grey-chinned Hermit, Tumbes Hummingbird, Chapman’s Antshrike, Pacific Elaenia, Grey-breasted Flycatcher, Tumbes Pewee, Tumbes Tyrant, Baird’s Flycatcher, Speckle-breasted Wren, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, Black-capped and Tumbes Sparrows, White-winged Brushfinch, White-edged Oriole, and Grey-and-gold and Three-banded Warblers. After lunch, we will head towards Tinajones Lake, where we will search for Tschudi’s Nightjar in the evening. Night at El Torito Lodge.
Locations & map
Open in MapsAvailability & pricing
DateStatusSeatsFrom
Dec 2, 2025 - Dec 19, 2025
closed
0/6
$7,300
Nov 1, 2026 - Nov 17, 2026
open
6/6
$7,600
Package
Amount
Terms
Price per person for group of 6
$7,600 / person
Deposit 750.00
(Nov 1, 2025 - Dec 17, 2025)
Single traveler supplement: 600.00 USD
(Nov 1, 2025 - Dec 17, 2025)
Single traveler supplement: 600.00 USD