24 Aug 2025 - 17 Sep 2025 (25 days)
USD9,495 - 1 Space Available
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Tour price (Per person): USD9,495 * GBP7,589 * EUR9,128 * AUD14,634
Single Supplement: USD640 * GBP512 * EUR615 * AUD986
16 May 2026 - 09 Jun 2026 (25 days)
USD9,900 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD9,900 * GBP7,912 * EUR9,518 * AUD15,259
23 Aug 2026 - 16 Sep 2026 (25 days)
USD9,900 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD9,900 * GBP7,912 * EUR9,518 * AUD15,259
Northern Peru hosts an abundance of highly sought-after endemic avifauna which combined with spectacular scenery, makes for one of the worlds definitive birding destinations. Our specially crafted Northern Peru tour will seek out more than 50 endemics and several future endemic splits.
We begin with two of the worlds 'newest' and most rarely seen species, Scarlet-banded Barbet and Cordillera Azul Antbird. While no longer a dedicated expedition, the Plataforma area offers the chance at some spectacularly rare and attractive species.
We’ll then explore the Tarapoto area, where we’ll search for the tricky Dotted Tanager and rare Koepcke's Hermit. We move slowly northwards, taking in Moyobamba and the highly localised endemics Painted Manakin and Mishana Tyrannulet before spending a good number of days in the brilliant, and little-known forests of Abra Patricia. Top bird species here include Bar-winged Wood Wren, Lulu's Tody-Flycatcher, Royal Sunangel, the scarce Yellow-scarfed and White-capped Tanagers and the enigmatic Long-whiskered Owlet.
Near Pomacochas, we deliver one of the great highlights of the trip, Marvelous Spatuletail! Heading into the drier Marañón Valley, we’ll seek Little Inca Finch, Maranon Crescentchest and Maranon Spinetail. Coppery Metaltail and the scarce Russet-mantled Softtail await at Abra Barro Negro before we descend once more into the stunning Marañón Valley searching for the beautiful Buff-bridled and Grey-winged Inca Finches and Yellow-faced Parrotlet. Near the town of Cajamarca, we are likely to add the recently rediscovered Grey-bellied Comet, critically endangered Cajamarca Antpitta, and the dazzling Black Metaltail.
After Cajamarca, we journey to the Pacific Coast, and the town of Pacasmayo, stopping to search for the endemic Great Spinetail, Rufous Flycatcher and Peruvian Planctcutter en route. Having reached the coast, we travel north to our base at Chaparri, deep in the Tumbes region. From here, we shall explore several habitats, targeting White-winged Guan (with as little as 300 birds estimated to survive in the wild), near endemic Tumbes Hummingbird, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, beautiful Elegant Crescentchest and Cinereous Finch. We end the tour in Trujillo after searching for some of Peru’s most poorly known endemics such as Russet-bellied Spinetail and Piura Chat Tyrant near Sinsicap.
White-winged Guan; Koepcke's Hermit; Grey-bellied & Bronze-tailed Comets; Coppery & Black Metaltails; Marvelous Spatuletail; Spot-throated Hummingbird; Long-whiskered Owlet; Koepcke's Screech Owl; Scarlet-banded Barbet; Speckle-chested Piculet; Black-necked Woodpecker; Yellow-faced Parrotlet; Ash-throated Antwren; Cordillera Azul Antbird; Pale-billed, Rusty-tinged, Chestnut & Ochre-fronted Antpittas; Unicolored, Large-footed, Neblina & Rufous-vented Tapaculos; Coastal Miner; Striated Earthcreeper; Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail; Chestnut-backed Thornbird; Russet-mantled Softtail; Cactus Canastero; Great, Chinchipe & Russet-bellied Spinetails; Painted Manakin; Masked Fruiteater (rare); Peruvian Plantcutter; Inca & rufous Flycatcher; Lulu's Tody-Flycatcher; Mishana & Peruvian Tyrannulets; Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant; Piura Chat-Tyrant; Maranon Gnatcatcher; Peruvian Wren; Rufous-eared Brushfinch; Little, Buff-bridled, Grey-winged, Rufous-backed & Great Inca Finches; Huallaga Tanager; Cinereous Finch; White-browed Hemispingus; Plain-tailed Warbling Finch; Yellow-scarfed Tanager.
Rio Mayo Titi; Saddleback Tamarin; Common Squirrel Monkey; Andean Night Monkey; Black Agouti; Northern Amazon Red & Guayaquil Squirrels; Sechura Fox; Tayra;
cloud forest, dry deciduous forest, lowland forest, coastal desert, unique Marañon valley
Climate ranges from hot & humid to cold, even very cold at high altitudes. Rain is to be expected at any time. Thick cloud can impact time in cloud forests.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
This is a moderate to difficult tour. You should have a VERY GOOD level of fitness & stamina, as well as being in good health. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Early starts on almost all days, many long days in the field.
Mostly comfortable to good, some nights at a basic lodge at Plataforma.
Moderate to demanding. Bird density is low, some visuals in high canopy, many skulking species (antpittas & tapaculos), several difficult/low density target species.
exceptional scenery, amazing pristine forests, unique, seldom-explored habitats
worthwhile to good
Forrest Rowland is a terrific guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable of the birds we encountered on our trip. Further, he is very friendly, engaging and enthusiastic. I’d be quite pleased to join him again on any birding tour in the Neotropics.
This tour and the extension tour were exceptional. Of course the birds were a real pleasure to view, scenery was unbelievable, food and lodging were excellent. The main highlight were the people. A wonderful, fun group to be with. Hope I see everyone on another trip. The driver not only carried us many miles safely, he did so many other things for us, making certain getting out of bus safely, setting up for meals, and on and on. The local guide got us onto so many birds with his x-ray vision (seemed that way) and was helpful in so many ways. He and the driver were simply put, very nice people. I addition to his obvious bird locating and identification skills, Lev has exceptional people skills with his attentiveness and humor. I had a problem with the altitude one day. I wa., to put it simply.. very slow..lots of breaks. Lev was with the whole way and made certain I was OK. I am very appreciative for that. Thanks again. Its things like that, to me, that makes a guide exceptional. Lev is an exceptional guide. Now to the office team. Wow. Tia and Sarah were so helpful to me with all the questions I had. Not only do they have the answers. the answers come quickly. And I thank them for their patience. As usual, a wonderful job. Thanks again. Lastly, to the Peruvian people, the tour group, the guides, drivers, cooks, office staff and to many others. Thank you. Take care everyone.
Guides were awesome. Found lots of birds; guide was way too knowledgeable about the bird species and taxonomy.
It is terrific to have a bilingual guide in any country and one who knows the history and culture of the country is even better, thanks Rob! As always, terrific eyes, ears and birding skills.
Rob Williams is right up there among the very best tour leaders. His vast experience from lots of research and conservation projects and intimate knowledge of the country add lots of value compared to a tour leader who is "just" a good organiser, birder and guide. He is also great company, with a sublime sense of humour.
Peru - Central: Rare Andean Endemics 2024 - September 2024
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2023 - October 2023
Peru - Southern: Machu Picchu Extension 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Southern: Classic Andes & Manu Road 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Southern: Lima & Ancash Extension 2023 - April 2023
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2021 - September 2021
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2018 - September 2018
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2016 - September 2016
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2015 - September 2015
Peru - Northern: Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail 2014 - September 2014