24-Day North Peru Birding Tour from Tarapoto to Chiclayo

Meet in Tarapoto and transfer to Pumarinri Lodge. Depending on arrival times, begin with riverside and forest-edge birding before an optional evening spotlighting session.

Explore east of Pumarinri toward Chazuta, working a mix of foothill habitats. Cotingas, raptors, oropendolas and other Amazonian species may be encountered, followed by night birding if conditions allow.

Take a covered-boat outing between Pumarinri and Shapaja for riverside birds, then continue by road to dry forest around Juan Guerra. The day spans riverbanks, open country and drier woodland habitats.

Search the Ricuricochas wetlands for rails, crakes and waterbirds before returning to the dry forests near Juan Guerra. Move into Tarapoto after the day's birding.

Climb into cloud forest around the tunnel on Cordillera Escalera. Work both sides of the ridge for mixed flocks and forest birds, with Andean Cock-of-the-Rock among the possibilities.

Return to Cordillera Escalera and cover sites at different elevations, including hummingbird feeders and lower foothill forest. The changing altitude broadens the day's mix of manakins, antbirds, barbets and other forest species.

Travel toward Moyobamba with birding stops that may include the Oilbird roost at Quiscarrumi, Morro de Calzada and Rioja ricefields. A late-afternoon canoe outing may explore the Santa Elena backwaters.

Walk the Mishquiyacu trail and visit hummingbird feeders around Waqanki before exploring lowland and open-country sites. The evening may include a search for owls where access and conditions are suitable.

Bird from hides around Aguas Verdes, then climb through Afluente into the montane forests of Abra Patricia. Arrive near Owlet Lodge and begin the first evening search for Long-whiskered Owlet.

Spend a full day on high-elevation forest trails and around hummingbird feeders. Antpittas, tanagers, woodpeckers, tapaculos and night birds are among the groups sought, subject to current conditions.

Continue on lodge trails and selected roadside sites east of Abra Patricia. The day provides further chances for cloud-forest specialties such as Royal Sunangel and Bar-winged Wood-Wren.

Use the morning for additional birding at Abra Patricia before travelling to the Gocta area. Stops may be made for Torrent Duck and other species along the descent.

Spend the day in cloud forest and bamboo habitat around Huaylla Belén. The area supports a distinctive mix of antpittas, wrens, softtails, hemispinguses and other montane birds.

Walk the San Pablo trail toward Gocta Falls and visit hummingbird feeders near Cocachimba. Marvellous Spatuletail is a major target, while roadside stops may add Marañón specialties.

Use a flexible day to explore additional trails and roadside habitats around Gocta and Pedro Ruiz. The precise sites are selected according to recent sightings and species still being sought.

Travel south through the Utcubamba valley toward Leymebamba and visit the Chachapoyas site at Kuélap. Birding along the river corridor may produce Torrent Duck, tiger-herons, parakeets and other valley species.

Bird up the Río Atuén and visit private hummingbird feeders before moving onto the lower slopes toward Abra Barro Negro. The Leymebamba museum may be included if time permits.

Cross the high ridge at Abra Barro Negro and descend through dramatic Andean scenery toward the Marañón River at Balsas. Bird elfin forest, high-elevation scrub and drier slopes before returning to Leymebamba.

Return north along the Utcubamba River with stops for noteworthy sightings. The remainder of the day allows relaxed birding around Gocta and Cocachimba.

Travel west through Pedro Ruiz, Bagua Grande and the Marañón corridor toward Jaén. Dry scrub, quarries and river-valley habitats introduce a different suite of regional birds.

Make a day trip north of Jaén to Tamborapa and La Coipa Road. Dry forest and roadside birding may yield Marañón and Chinchipe specialties.

Cross the Andes through the lower pass at Porculla, birding around Limón de Porcuya and Abra de Porcuya. Descend into increasingly dry western habitats before reaching Olmos.

Bird at selected elevations around Olmos, then continue toward Chiclayo with stops that may include Bosque de Pómac and the Túcume area. The western dry forest supports plantcutters, woodpeckers, antshrikes, finches and other coastal specialties.

Finish with coastal birding west of Chiclayo around Puerto Eten and Morro Rock. Search beaches, wetlands and seabird colonies before transferring to Chiclayo Airport for the onward flight.