Peru is such an immense country that it is impossible to do it all in one go. It boasts over 1,800 species in its various
ecological zones and offers some of the most exciting birding in South America. During the first part of our tour you will
be able to see 300-400 species and you will have a fair chance of seeing most of the 120 endemics along the route. The
itinerary entails many different habitats – pelagic and coastal birds, birds of the dry west slope, high Andean species
(Diaderned Sandpiper-Plover, Condor), sub-tropical rainforest (Tanagers), Cock-of-the-Rock at a Lek, commonplace lowland
birds. A visit to the awe-inspiring Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in Cusco followed by birding the endemics in the Polylepsis
forest at Abra Malaga rounds off the first part of the trip.
During the first part of the tour we will be travelling in Central Peru through areas with good infrastructure but which
are little known among other birdwatchers. This region was populated by immigrants from Germany and Italy from the late
1860’s and to some extent it has still preserved some of the characteristics of the old continent. German is still spoken
in Oxapampa and Pozuzo. This region has long been a favourite destination for internal Peruvian tourism and now it’s time
to introduce it to foreign birders Here the lush rainforests are protected by the Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park.
Villa Rica is the capital of the ecological coffee growing area which produces some of the best coffee in the world.
The hills surrounding the town give good possibilities for birding. Satipo Road may become an alternative to Manu Road in
the future. It cuts through from temperate elfin forests and vast puna plains with highland lakes and rocky grassland through
lush subtropical and upper tropical forest to the lowland town of Satipo. A flight to Cusco followed by a train ride to Aguas
Calientes along the Urumbamba River brings us to the Polylepsis forest at Abra Malaga.
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- Feel free to bring gifts for the local schools of Satipo. Gifts can be children’s clothes,
school material, sport equipment, etc. The schools are also running hummingbird feeders.
- Package does not include tips (participants usually allow ca. £50 for this purpose)
- We recommend a travel insurance
- Day 1
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Arrival
Transfer to Hotel Melodia.
- Day 2
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Santa Eulalia Canyon
Spectacular scenery awaits you. Leave at 4.30 am to beat the traffic and be a bit up the
road before the birding starts. When it gets light Scrub Blackbird and Long-tailed
Mockingbirds make the morning serenade. The endemic and beautiful Great Inca-Finch is best
sought after in the early hours so we shall make a stop to get this bird under the belt.
But we also need to get to the higher bushy slopes where one may find the rare and
threatened Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch. Here we shall have breakfast and also look for
Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, Bronze-tailed Comet, Black Metaltail, Black-necked Woodpecker,
Rusty-crowned and Streaked Tit-Spinetails, Canyon Canastero, Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch and
Peruvian Pygmy-Owl.
While birding our way back to Lima we shall look out for soaring Condors, Scarlet-fronted
and Mountain Parakeet. After freshen up and dinner, we shall board an extremely
comfortable overnight bus to San Ramon. The seats folds down like 1st class plane
seats.
- Day 3
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San Ramon, Oxapampa
Near San Ramon there are many mountain roads through coffee and fruit plantations.
This provides excellent birding for Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Orange-breasted Falcon,
Round-tailed Manakin including Orange-eared and Paradise Tanagers. Mid-morning trip
continues to the Oxapampa. On the way Lanceolated Monklet, Inca Flycatcher, Peruvian
Tyrannulet, Cinnamon-faced Tyrannulet and Blackish Pewee may be spotted.
- Day 4
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Antenna Road near Oxapampa
Early start. At predawn we shall be searching for the rare Cloud-forest Screech-Owl. The
habitat is moist ridge-top elfin forest, but there are no trolls, but rather a number of
colourful birds. One of the best that has a good population here is the Chestnut-crowned
Cotinga. There is also an Antpitta – that still has no formal name. Other birds include
Andean Guan, Scaly-naped Parrot, Black-winged Parrot, Barred Parakeet, Sword-billed
Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, Bay
Antpitta, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Lachrymose Tanager, Peruvian Wren,
Strong-billed Woodcreeper and many more. In the afternoon we shall continue to Pozuzo
through lovely Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park. It is not unusual to see large flocks
of Blue-headed Macaws here.
Overnight at Hospedaje Frau Maria Egg, Pozuso.
- Day 5
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Pozuso, Oxapampa
Early morning we shall visit a nearby Cock-of-the-Rock lek. We will continue birding in
the excellent habitat between 1000m-1500m in Yanachaga-Chemillen N.P. which is traversed
by the Oxapampa-Pozuso road. (Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Paradise
Tanager, Black-faced Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Peruvian, Ashy-headed, Cinammon-faced
and Marble-faced Tyrannulet, and others). Hummingbird-feeders placed in the park may
attract
hummingbirds like Black-throated and Rufous-webbed Brilliant, Booted Raquet-tail, Green
Hermit and Speckled Hummingbird.
Overnight in Oxapampa.
- Day 6
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Oxapampa, Villa Rica Road
Remarkably good birding along this road. (White-capped Tanager, Creamy-bellied Antwren,
Golden-headed Quetzal, Long-tailed Sylph, Olivaceous Greenlet, Bay Antpitta, White-backed
Fire-eye, Red-throated Caracara, White-winged Becard, Blue and Black Tanager and many more).
Around midday we will reach our hotel at Villa Rica overlooking the Laguna Oconal. In the
after noon at the lakeside for Least Grebe, Blackish Rail and Wattled Jacana. Coffee
plantations nearby for Cabani’s and Plain-crowned Spinetails, Moustached Wren and
Black-faced Tanager.
Overnight at comfortable Rapallo Hotel.
- Day 7
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Villa Rica coffee plantations cloud forest
Morning birding at altitudes between 1500m-1700m with birds like Cerulean-capped Manakin,
Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Band-bellied Owl and others. Later in the forests for hummingbirds
and tanagers.
- Day 8
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Villa Rica, Puerto Yurinaki, Satipo
On the way to Satipo more lowland species. Selected stops en route for Black Caracara,
Plumbeous Kite, Speckled Chachalaca, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Little Woodpecker,
Plain-crowned Spinetail, Great Antshrike, Black-faced and Warbling Antbirds, White-banded
Swallow, Rusty-fronted Tody Flycatcher, Little Ground-Tyrant, Epaulet Oriole, Spot-breasted
Woodpecker and Black-fronted Nunbird. Near the Perene river Collared and Pied Plovers can
be seen, and just before dusk Sand-coloured Nighthawks.
Overnight in Satipo.
- Day 9
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Satipo Road lower part
Mariposa early morning is good for crakes and rails, both Chestnut-crowned and Rufous-sided
Crake, Blackish Rail and Black-capped Donacobius, Versicoloured Barbet, Yellow-throated
Tanager, Crested Quetzal, White-eared and Andean Solitaire, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan,
Barred Fruiteater, Andean Guan, Solitary Eagle and many more. We have often seen Black
Spider Monkeys along this road. On our way back to Satipo we shall search for some
nightbirds such as Ladder-tailed Nightjar and Band-bellied Owl.
- Day 10
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Satipo Road: Carrizales-Concepción
With a predawn start we shall start birding above Mariposa today. Our main targets are the
endemics Fiery-throated Metaltail and Eye-ringed Thistletail, other birds possible include
Tchudi’s and Large-footed Tapaculo, as well as the yet to be split obscura form of Rufous
Antpitta. Often the rare Golden-plumed Parakeet can be seen. Others include Moustached,
Masked and Black-throated Flowerpiercer and Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant. Carry on through
Puna habitat. The yet formally unnamed Millpo Tapaculo is easily seen in bunch grass in
the higher areas. Also Andean Tit-Spinetail, Striated Earthcreeper, Mountain Caracara
and Puna Hawk. Other highland species encountered Andean Lapwing, Andean Goose, Andean
Ibis, Andean Gull, Giant Coot, Silvery Grebe, Andean Flicker, Puna Ibis, Speckled Teal,
Crested and Andean Ducks and Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch.
Overnight in country hotel at Concepcion.
- Day 11
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Concepción, Ticlio, Lima.
Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and White-bellied Cinclodes will be the star birds this day. O
ther endemics include Olivaceous Thornbill, Black-breasted Hillstar and Dark-winged Miner.
Overnight in Lima, Hotel Melodia.
- Day 12
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Fly to Cusco and travel by train to Aguas Calientes
Early morning flight to Cusco. Introductory birdwatching at Sacsayhuaman fortress and then
on to Huacarpay lake (marsh birds and gaudy Bearded Mountaineer). Buffet lunch then
spectacular train ride to Aguas Calientes along the Urubamba river. From train Torrent
Duck and White-capped Dipper.
Overnight in Hotel Presidente.
- Day 13
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Machu Picchu
Early morning birding up to the Machu Picchu ruins. Nearby the endemic Inca Wren, Cusco
Brush-Finch and Green-and-White Hummingbird. The area below the ruins for Torrent Duck,
White-capped Dipper, Mitred Parakeet, Barred Parakeet, Andean Guan, Cock-of-the Rock,
Ocellated Piculet, White-eared Solitaire, Highland Motmot, Variable Antshrike,
Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Black-streaked Puffbird, White-crowned, Sierran and
Highland Elaenias, Masked Fruiteater, Saffron-crowned, Flame-faced, Rust-and-Yellow
and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Mottled-cheeked and Sclater´s Tyrannulet and many more.
Overnight in Ollantaytambo, Hotel Muñay Tika.
- Day 14
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Abra Malaga
Early drive to the Abra Malaga pass at 4200m. Continue to the north side to the wet
temperate forest at Canchayoc (Diademed Tapaculo, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Golden-collared
Tanager, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Parodi´s Hemispingus, Marcapata Spinetail, Cusco
Brush-Finch, Tit-like Dacnis and many others). Rusty-breasted (Leimebamba), Red-and-White,
Rufous and Undulated Antpitta are often heard and with some luck we may be able to lure
some of them into view with play-back of its song. In the afternoon return to the dry
Ollantaytambo side of the pass (Rusty-fronted Canastero, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch,
White-tufted Sunbeam, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Giant Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing and
White-bellied Hummingbird). Overnight in Ollantaytambo, Hotel Muñay Tika.
- Day 15
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Abra Malaga Polylepis or shopping trip to Pisac in Sacred Valley
A four to five hour hike rising from 4200m – 4300m and then down hill through Polyepsis
forested slopes to main road at 3700m. (Hike is not too strenuous but some of you may
prefer walking boots and/or a walking stick). Alternatively shopping in Sacred Valley.
For those doing the walk it will be remembered as the highlight of the trip. The scenery
is breathtaking. Snowclad peak Veronica accompanies us throughout the hike. The birds
are also among the best - Royal Cinclodes, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant and White-browed
Tit-Spinetail, Giant Conebill, Line-fronted and Junin Canstero, Puna Tapaculo,
Stripe-headed Antpitta, Thick-billed Siskin, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant
and various species of Ground-Tyrants. Coming out of the valley Andean Parakeet and
Tit-like Dacnis. Eveningflight to Lima. 1 overnight in Lima.
- Day 16
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Pelagic
Full day on the sea. The inner waters just after the harbour for Peruvian Booby, Peruvian
Pelican, Band-tailed, Kelp, Gray, Franklin’s (in season) and Gray-winged Gulls and many
terns including South American and Inca Terns. Close to the North tip of San Lorenzo island
we shall encounter Humboldt Penguin, Sooty Shearwater and Peruvian Diving-Petrel. Sail on
for two hours to the continental shelf for Storm-Petrels such as Markham’s, Ringed,
Wedge-rumped and White-vented Storm-Petrels as well as Waved Albatross, White-chinned
Petrel, Pink-footed Shearwater, Chilean Skua and sometimes Cape Petrel. During the Southern
winter (May-September) other Albatrosses such as Salvin’s, White-capped, Black-browed,
Gray-headed and Buller’s Albatrosses. On the way back to port sea lion colony at Islas
Palomino.
- Day 17
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Departure
Return flight to Europe.
- Day 18
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Arrival
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