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Kolibri Expeditions - Peru Birding Tours and Birdwatching Holidays Worldwide

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 Peru Tours

Where do I start? There are too many trips to choose from!

Which trip is best for you to choose? We have the largest amount of different trips for birders to Peru. It is hard to choose. The following short summary will help you.

  • BIG DAY. Break 300 in 24 hours - no promise but quite possible at Amigos Research Center.
  • Long list. High biodiversity: GRAND CENTRAL PERU, Manu road, North Peru with its extensions, North Peru and Southen Ecuador
  • For the beginner. Slow pace, birds easy to find, alternatives for the non-birding spouse. Southern Circuit.
  • Endemics. Central Peru, Carpish, North Peru 2, North Peru 4, Tumbes. Not necessarily the longest lists but many restricted range species.
  • New species to science and undescribed species. Iquitos, Central Peru (Satipo road).
  • Pelagic birds. Pelagics and Southern Circuit.
  • Wildlife. Manu Jaguar Safari,Amigos research Station
  • Archeology and birding. MST archeology and birding, Southern Circuit.
  • Hummingbirds. Hummingbird programs on MST (North and Machu Picchu and Manu)
  • Comfort. Marvelous Spatuletail Tours: Southern Circuit, MST archeology and birding, Amigos Research Station, Tambopata, Short North 9 day and Machu Picchu and Manu Hummingbird trip.
  • Limited time. Short North 9 day, North Peru 2, Carpish, Concise Manu road Light, Amigos research Station in SE Peru.
  • North Peru. NEW PROGRAMS. With the new lodge at Abra Patricia and Kolibri Expeditions''''''''s committment to support local communities to become part of the itineraries when their vicinity harbour very rare birds, our North Peru programs called for re-writing. Most birders should realize that there are simply too many birds in North Peru to see them all. Therefore we have produced a circuit that starts in Tumbes and ends in Lima. If you do the whole circuit it takes 43 days. Nobody has all this time, but since this shall be our core itinerary for years to come, you may always come back and do another stretch at a later date.
    There are basically 2 core trips. One is Piura to Tarapoto, with a 4 day Tumbes section offered as a pre-trip that includes a pelagic, Tumbes forest and mangroves, featuring White-winged Guan, Abra Patricia Lodge and Marvellous Spatuletail and the other core trip is Tarapoto to Cajamarca, working more trails looking for endemic primates such as YellowYellow-tailed Woolly Monkey and Alto Mayo Titi Monkey, as well as Antpitttas and Long-whiskered Owlet and featuring Abra Patricia Lodge, Marvelous Spatuletail, Leimebamba, Gray-winged Inca-Finch and Gray-bellied Comet with the possibility to add Purple-backed Sunbeam and Russet-bellied Spintetail (the last bit offered as an extension). The first core trip is offered in two versions, a 7 day trip (no camping) or a 15 day trip with camping and supporting local awaruna indean communities when searching for Orange-throated Tanager. The second core trip gives the option to make a 6 day hike for Yellow-browed Toucanet, Pale-billed Antpitta and Carpish endemics.

    There is also the Comfort MST style, short North Peru program for 9 days that starts in Chiclayo and ends in Tarapoto, featuring Chaparri and Abra Patricia Lodge. 
    Also one may combine Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador to get specialities on both sides of the boarder. 
  • Inexpensive. Gran Central Peru and Cerros de Sira - both for only 99 US/day when group size is six or more.
  • Expedition birding points. Iquitos,, Abra Malaga and Machu Picchu, Scarlet-banded Barbet (strenuous), White-masked Antbird, Cerros de Sira.
  • Photography. Southern Circuit, Machu Picchu and Manu (Hummingbirds), Amigos Research Station.
  • First time in South America. Peru is overwhelming. You cannot do it all on one trip. Chose a trip that gives you the flavour of Peru triggering the desire to come back. Don''''''''t kill yourself with a Megalist the first time in South America. Southern Circuit, Abra Malaga and Machu Picchu, Lima days (see below), Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra. Carpish is also good but very endemic concentrated. Tambopata is probably the best lowland alternative, but the lowlands are really too species rich and it is difficult to see the birds well. It would not be my first choice for someone that never spent any time in South America and is not familiar with the families.
  • Rainy Season. January-April. This is the time of year when it is most difficult to visit i.e. Manu road (but it is not impossible) due to East slope rains. These rains are usually most severe in the south. In the North during the same period there is also considerable amount of rain on the west slope, but rarely too much to spoil your birding –after all they are xerophytic areas. During Niño years there is more rain in the north and central Peru and probably less so in the SE. Now for the recommendations. During normal conditions we recommend North Peru, Tumbes (January and beginning of February), Iquitos, Southern Circuit (you can do this any time), and surprisingly also Tambopata and especially Amigos research station. Puerto Maldonado  is served by jet-planes and there are many good lodges nearby, but add a few days to compensate for possible rain.
  • Time to kill in Lima. Quite a few people come on very short trips to Lima for business or passing through on a more extensive trip and may have a spare day.
    Along the coast there are Pucusana and Puerto Viejo to the south and Lomas de Lachay and Paraiso to the north. If you have more time in Lima any of the above can be made more extensively. More time allows you to trips into the Andes. A day trip to Santa Eulalia Canyon offers many pacific slope endemics including Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch and Great Inca-Finch, as well as good possibilities to see condors, but you do need to make a very early start from Lima. Ticlio and Marcapomacocha road at extreme altitude above 4000m gives an almost 100% hit-rate for Diademed Sandpiper Plover and White-bellied Cinclodes. Santa Eulalia and Marcapomacocha road can be combined in a two or three day trip to also allow time to look for White-cheeked Cotinga
  • Cruises. If you are on a cruise, by the time you get off the boat, the most important part of the morning may have been lost. I would recommend a program consisting of Pantanos de Villa and Pucusana in combination. Some goodies that may be seen are Peruvian Thickknee, Humboldt Penguin and Peruvian Seaside Cinclodes.
    If you are very keen on endemics one could make a go for Cactus Canastero at Lomas de Lachay 100km north of Lima - but it can sometimes be difficult to find the Canastero it if its very hot. July-September, during the mist season, it should be easier however. Also in this area are Grayish, Thick-billed and Coastal Miner. Most of these species you will not get in Arica, Chile if you plan also to go birdwatching there later on your cruise.
    Many cruise ships also dock in Salaverry
    near Trujillo in the North. We have sites for Peruvian Plantcutter that may be reachable in the time you have available.
    We can also arrange guides and transport in Arica and Valparaiso (see Batuco-Lampa for high diversity and pre-cordillera for endemics in Chile and in Guayaquil in Ecuador if you want to go birding here.

 


 NATURAL HISTORY TOURS
Birding Heath River Lodge
A new itinerary. Our scouting starts in January 2012. Eventually, this trip will be offered with a bird guide. As for now it is a great trip for photography as you get close to the macaws and gives a decent chance to see jaguars on the river bank of Rio Heath that seperates Peru from Bolivia. Trip leaves every Monday and Thursday.
Butterfly watching Satipo
Butterfly watching near Satipo at famous collecting sites.
Manu Reserved Zone 7 days Natural History
This short tour has fixed departures on Fridays. It is not a birdwatching trip but more concentrated on wildlife and a natural history experience.
Southern circuit - Classic Peru Culture and Natural History
A tour not only for birders but for anyone that wants to see a lot of Peru. Natural History, food and culture are equally important. Now also including the Amazon rain forest.
Tambopata Research Center and Posada Amazonas

This program is the standard TRC and Posada Amazonas program. The local guide from the lodge is provided.

Trekking and Birding: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu 10 days
Incredible and breathtaking scenery when trekking through some of the most remarkable mountain scenery in South America. Two of the most spectacular Inca sites are visited: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. Birding and wildflower watching as we trek.

 KOLIBRI EXPEDITIONS TRIPS   
300 species in one day - The Biggest Day
With some 600 species in 10m radius from Puerto Maldonado, it should be quite possible to get over 300 during our Big Day attempt. You will be part of the team. The first four days will be spent watching each species and scout for the Big Day. The last day ends in Lima, to add additional birds to the Big Day.
5 day Manu Road Birding and Photography
A 5 day trip covering the best sites on the Manu road. Immensely diverse and loads of hummingbirds.
5 days Birding Canopy walkway, river islands and white sand forest.
A great Iquitos combo giving you many species of birds that are hard in other parts of the Amazon, visiting ExplorNapo and Allpahuayo-Mishana reserve.
Abra Malaga - Acclimatization for the Inca Trail. 3 days.
Bird watching at Abra Malaga while you get accustomed to altitude before hiking the Inca Trail. Don't stay in Cusco feeling miserable at 3450m before Inca Trail. Better to work high and sleep low as the pro mountain climbers. Birding at Abra Malaga
Archeology and Birding at Machu Picchu, Cuszco and the Sacred Valley.
Your non-birding spouse wants to go to Peru and see Machu Picchu. Offer him/her this. Archeology and birding. The best of both worlds
Archeology and birding: Nazca lines and Paracas 3 days
A short excellent trip over 3 days for anyone wanting to experience the Nazca lines combining culture and nature. It can easily be added as a post Cusco trip with flights that arrive in Lima before 2 pm.
Arequipa half day birding Chiguata Polylepis
A short trip to the Polylepis scrub above Chiguata at 3600-3800m helps prepare against altitude problems later. Good chance of seeing Tamarugo Conebill and White-throated Earthcreeper.
Arequipa half day birding Lago Salinas
The trip serves as altitude training as it is only a short exposure to altitude of 4300m. We'll look for Puna Flamingo, James's Flamingo and Chilean Flamingo and Andean Avocet
BIG MONTH BIRDING PERU with Gunnar Engblom and special guests.
Get +1000 species in one month in Peru.
Big Month Part 1: 300 species in one day - The Biggest Day Prep,
With some 600 species in 10m radius from Puerto Maldonado, it should be quite possible to get over 300 during our Big Day attempt. You will be part of the team. The first four days will be spent watching each species and scout for the Big Day. The last day ends in Lima, to add additional birds to the Big Day.
Big Month Part 2: Birding Manu road, Abra Malaga and Apurimac Catchment
During 5 and half day we shall bird like crazy along the Manu road, Salcantay road and Abra Malaga.
Big Month Part 3: 2 Pelagics and Tumbes with Trevor Hardaker and Noah Strycker
A pelagic in Central Peru from Paracas with cold water and a warmer water pelagic from Mancora, plus two days looking for a number of Tumbesian Birds. Many endemics and seabirds that are difficult to get elsewhere.
Big Month Part 4: North Peru Birding Blitz, Piura - Tarapoto
Join Noah Strycker and Gunnar Engblom in a North Peru whirlwind of birding in Northern Peru. Although the pace shall be brutal we aim to see all the special birds on the itinerary.
Big Month Part 5: Scarlet-banded Barbet
Plataforma, also known as Flor de Cafe, has become a popular site the last couple of years to see the recently discovered and spectacular Scarlet-banded Barbet. Since two years if became focus again as a totally new Antbird - Cordillera Azul - was found just a couple of 100 meters where experienced birders had birding for a few years.
Big Month Part 6: Iquitos with Canopy Walkway, River Islands and White Sand Forest. With Noah Strycker
Iquitos will add a number of Amazonian species that do not occur in South East Peru, plus a lot of species that may have been missed. The Canopy Walkway will be a highlight.
Big Month part 7: Birding Central Peru
Part 7 of Peru Big Month. Birding Central Peru: Star birds include Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Cloud-Forest Screech-Owl and Black-spectacled Brush-Finch, Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and White-bellied Cinclodes. Visiting Satipo road, Oxapampa, Junin Lake, Unchog, Marcapomacocha and Santa Eulalia at a demanding pace.
Bird and Run. Machu Picchu and Lima Marathon
A lot of birders are runners. Here is a trip that will combine our passions. Inca Trail, Rain Forest and Lima Marathon and plenty of birding. The tour is also open for non runners who want to bird the inca trail and bird seldom visited areas such as Pampas del Heath in South East Peru.
Bird photography at Chuncho Macaw Lick and birding at Chuncho Lodge. 3 days.
This is a great alternative if you want a very short but massive rainforest experience in only 3 days. The impressive macawlick attract all of the big macaws and a number of other parrot species. Days.
Bird photography in Lima
A program specifically directed to bird photographers.Close ups of Inca Tern and the use hides at the Villa wetlands. Many other tours in the Lima area can be adpated to suit bird photographers. Just let us know.
Birding Arequipa 1 day.
The best full day birding tour one can make in Arequipa is to Laguna Salinas and Chiguata to see all three species of flamingos and birds of the Polylepis scrub, as well as Tamarugo Conebill and White-throated Earthcreeper. .
Birding at Explorers Inn
Birding at classical Explorer's Inn.
Birding Tumbes and North Peru pelagic
A great 5 day pre-trip to any of our North Peru trips that commence in Chiclayo. It includes birdng in Amotape National Park, the Tumbes mangroves and a Pelagic from Los Organos.
California endemics and seabirds 9 days.
California offers relatively easy birding but with intense pace during 9 days. Five days of these include pelagic. Lots of driving. Start in L.A and end in San Francisco. Special birds include Island Scrub Jay, California Gnatcatcher, Yellow-billed Magpie, Black-footed Albatross and California Thrasher. Check our Pinterest for some photos of California birds.
Carpish - Biodiversity Workshop
See birds, butterflies and orchids and support local community members to learn to become local natural history guides.
Carpish and Colibri Cloudforest on Satipo Road, 8-days
Bloggers, Facebook users and non-bloggers come together to raise money for the benefit of the local communities on Satipo road and Carpish.birding for Less - 8 days.
Carpish, Unchog and Junin Lake 5 days.
A short 5 day trip which aims to see Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager at Bosque Unchog and the other Carpish endemics, Paty trail, and Junin Grebe and Junin Rail at Lake Junin. On the way back to Lima we stop for White-bellied Cinclodes and Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.
Chiclayo-Tarapoto Birding Connection 4 days
A very fast trip Connecting Chiclayo with Tarapoto in a fast 4 day trip with highlights such as Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous Flycatcher, White-winged Guan, two species of Crescentchest, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Long-whiskered Owlet etc.
Cock of the Rock Lodge. Manu road: Short pre-tours
Short pre-tours for Manu road before our 8 days Lowland Manu Community lodges. Wayquecha Field station at 2700m and Cock of the Rock Lodge at 1300m for 2, 3 or 4 days.
Complete Central Peru
An epic birding trip to the backyard of Lima, with no need for internal flights and a good price. Some of the best birds of Peru can be seen on this trip. Birding Central Peru: Star birds include Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Cloud-Forest Screech-Owl and Black-spectacled Brush-Finch, Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and White-bellied Cinclodes. Visiting Cordillera Blanca, Satipo road, Junin Lake, Unchog, Marcapomacocha and Santa Eulalia.
Complete Manu Birding Tour 18 days
17 days birdwatching in South East Peru on the famous Manu road and the best lowland Manu lodges with the famous Macaw lick and Giant Otter lake.
Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra
6 days leaving on day 1 in the evening (1 hour drive from the airport). Russet-bellied Spinetail, Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch and Rufous-eared Brush-Finch.
Cusco day trip. Chonta Condors and Apurimac Endemics at Sorayapampa
Two new areas visited during a LONG day trip from Cusco, with best place to watch Vilcabamba Tapaculo, Apurimac Spinetail and Apurimac Brush-Finch, as well as a fairly strenuous 3.5km hike (and 3.5 km back of course) at 3400m for spectacular views of Andean Condor over the breath-taking Apurimac river.
Cusco or Sacred Valley: Half day birding tour.
A very short morning or afternoon trip for people on cultural tours with a half day off in Cusco area. You can choose to do two different half day tours with different content.
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado Birding Overland
Birding the Interoceanica. road between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado. Many of the same species as the more famous Manu road occurs here. And it is accessible all year around.
Cusco/Ollantaytambo birding day trip: Abra Malaga
Day trip to Abra Malaga to sample some of the best birds of Peru. Trip starts preferably from Ollantaytambo, but if needed be it can also start from Cuzco.
Cuzco altitude adaptation. Birding Cuzco-Ollantaytambo
Arriving at 3400 meters from sea level, and stay there, is a bit too much for many people. Therefore, to fight altitude sickness it is a good idea not stay in Cuzco the first night, but rather bird and sightseeing your way down to Ollantaytambo.
Cuzco Birding Day trip: Huacarpay and San Salvador full day
We visit two sites. The Huacarpay lake near Cusco good for waterbirds and the Andean slopes above San Salvador good for various passerined. Targets include Giant Coot and Bearded Mountaineer.
GRAND CENTRAL PERU ON 120 US$/DAY - MORE THAN 700 SPECIES
750?species in 27 days (including pelagic and Lomas de Lachay). This itinerary will give you More Birds! than Manu.?But is dead cheap. Cost is only?120 dollars per day.
GRAND MANU and THE MANU SPLIT - Manu road and Manu Biosphere reserve. 12 or 22 days
Manu road and Manu lowlands have received well worth attention in the past years. Over 1000 species of bird. This is our most complete itinerary.
Hummingbirds - Satipo road
A hummingbird trip on the Satipo road and Chanchamayo areas.
Hummingbirds: Manu and Machu Picchu Budget 12 days
Best trip for the person who wants to see as many of SE Peru's Hummingbirds as possible and inlcude a visit to Machu Picchu. We have chosen basic but adequate lodging. At Cock-of-the Rock Lodge we sleep in rooms wall to wall next to the diningroom. It is possible to upgrade to private cabins. 30US per person. Also possible to upgrade the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Iquitos Specialties White-sand forest, river islands, Canopy Walkway and Wattled Curassow
9 days. This trip concentrates on the birds that are difficult to see elsewhere in the Amazon basin. It is possible to add days for other lodges. One can easily spend up to 3 weeks in the Iquitos area
Junin Grebe twitch
If you want to get the Junin Grebe but have little time and worry about altitude sickness, a fast way to do it is to start at midnight in Lima and go to Junin, see the Grebe and the Rail and then come back down to Lima again.
La Montañita
10 days special. Support the conservation project at this locality and see some of the best birds of Peru. Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager and Yellow-browed Toucanet.
Lima days Tinajas valley close to Lima
Endemics Cactus Canastero and Thick-billed and Grayish Miners
Lima days: Daytrip to Santa Eulalia Canyon
A one day birding trip into the Andes concentrating on the endemics and specialities of the west slope such as Great Inca-Finch, Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch, Thick-billed Miner, Black-necked Woodpecker, Bronze-tailed Comet, Peruvian Sheartail and Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch.
Lima days: Daytrip to Ticlio and Marcopomacocha area
Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and White-bellied Cinclodes
Lima days: El Olivar Park and Pantanos de Villa
Good introduction to the birds of LIma
Lima days: Junin Grebe twitch 2 days
Main target: Junin Grebe and birds often missed in the Santa Eulalia Canyon.
LIMA DAYS: La Punta and Pozo Arenillas
Good introduction to the birds in Lima. The trip can be run almost anytime. A short trip to do very close to the airport. Perfect  for a short trip to kill time. Especially good for North American waders, gulls and terns - September-April is the best time migrating birds, but it is always something to see.
Lima days: Lomas de Lachay and Paraiso Lagoon.
Endemic or near-endemic birds: Cactus Canastero, Thick-billed, Coastal and Grayish Miners. Also interesting flora with many endemic fog adapted plants and cacti. At Paraiso lagoons sometimes Peruvian Tern and Chilean Flamingo are seen.
Lima Days: Palomino Islets and La Poza Arenilla en La Punta
Visit South American Sealions, Humboldt Penguin and the Palomino guano islands off La Punta, Callao with a good bird guide.
Lima days: Pantanos de Villa, Pucusana, Puerto Viejo, Lomas de Asia and Cañete valley
One of our Lima favorites.
Lima days: Santa Eulalia valley and Marcopomacocha
Classic Lima excursion for two or three days up into the Rimac drainage wiht 18 endemic species possible including White-bellied Cinclodes and White-cheeked Cotinga. Also one of the best places in South America to see Diademed Sandpiper Plover.
Lima days: Tinajas and Pucusana
Combine the two programs
Lima Days: Ventanilla Lagoons - a few hours to kill near airport

Great wetland area just north of the airport. Combine with La Punta.

Lowland SE Peru specialties at Los Amigos Research Center
Incredible diversity with good bamboo, varzea and terra firme. Thus you can get all Manu and Tambopata specialists at a very decent price. Departures from Lima on Thursdays. Perfect for someone who only wants a short stay.
Machu Picchu and Abra Malaga - Birding program
5 days recommended, but shorter trips are possible. Excellent birding in the magic environment of the Incas.
Machu Picchu and Abra Malaga overland
This is a birdier and slightly less expensive version of Machu Picchu and Abra Malaga that does not use the (expensive) train service to Machu Picchu, which gives a better list of species. Limited hiking.
Machu Picchu and Quillabamba birding
The upper Urubamba area is opening up with a new road that connects to San Francisco and Ayacucho at cuts over Cordillera Vilcabamba at its lowest point. Birding here will be full of surprises. By combining with Machu Picchu going there and Abra Malaga on the way back it shall give a long list of species. It is a quite bad road at the upper Urubamba.
Machu Picchu: Independant one day or two day trip
Machu Picchu in just one day or two day. A budget version for very small groups and those with limited time.
Manu community owned lodges 13 or 15 days - BUDGET!!
Excellent birding! Kolibri Expeditions is promoting birdwatching in community owned lodges. We are principally promoting a 15 day itinerary that makes use of all the lodges. An 11 day program is also presented as an alterantive.
Manu Light - Birding Manu road and lowlands in 14 days.
The concise version of Grand Manu. The pace is faster but you still have chance on all local specialities.
Manu lowland community lodges (8 days) - Fixed departures budget
Special economical promotional trips for bird bloggers and Facebook birders to support the community birding tourism project. Spread the word, please!
Manu mammals and birds - the Jaguar Safari.
A new trip that takes you into Manu National Park, where you have your best chances of spotting mammals.
Manu Road Bird Photography
Here is the best bird photography itinerary for mega diverse South East Peru with Macaw licks and Cock of the Rock. A trip of a lifetime. Both mobile bird photographers who want to get many species photographed as well as those who want to shoot with tripods near feeders, will find ample possibilities here.
Marvelous Spatuletail, 40 hummingbirds and Long-whiskered Owlet.
A short only 5 day trip, perfect as an extension to a longer trip or just a short escape. Main targets as the name implies are Marvellous Spatuletail and Long-whiskered Owlet, but loads of other birds will be seen on this short trip between Tarapoto and Jaen.
Nazca days with Pelagic
Since Pelagics in Lima have been suspended, we have created a new tour that includes the Punta Lomas pelagic, which replaces the one in Lima. It also allows observations of many other birds including difficult birds such a Peruvian Tern, and newly split full species Rufescent Flycatcher and Tschudi's Nightjar.
Nigel Marven and Gunnar's Peru Bird Party
North Peru 2 with Orange-throated Tanager, Marvelous Spatuletail and Long-whiskered Owlet.
This North Peru program features a visit to areas where we have a chance of seeing Orange-throated Tanager and White-masked Antbird.
North Peru 3: Tarapoto days extension (2 days)
After a long trip it is nice to be able to have two easier days to catch up to do some laundry and have time to visit the internet. These two days are placed after our Tumbes-Tarapoto program and prior to the Tarapoto-Trujillo program.
North Peru 4: MEGADIVERSITY TRIP. Tarapoto-Cajamarca (Chiclayo) 9-10 days
This route can have a different focus apart from birds if the clients request so, such as Orchids, Butterflies, and primates - or specifically keen bird photographers. Focus can change according to your demand. The upper Marañon is also home of several endemics that are difficult elsewhere.
North Peru 4b: Tarapoto-Cajamarca - Extremely short version 4 days.
Focusing on the endemics en route to complement a Chiclayo/Piura-Tarapoto program.
North Peru 6. Peruvian Martin and Cordillera Blanca Extension
Short extension overland to Lima
North Peru Birding Blitz: Hummingbirds and Endemics
Our most intense North Peru program trying to get more birds at a faster pace. Particular focus on hummingbirds and endemic species.
NORTH PERU SOUTHERN ECUADOR with Jocotoco Antpitta and Tumbesia endemics 22 days
Combine the Chinguela ridge with the key species in SOuthern Ecuador and end in Tumbes for the ultimate Tumbesian clean-up trip. Jocotoco Antpitta will be a main target duiring this trip.
North Peru: Budget Birding Chiclayo to Tarapoto 8 days
A short trip that concentrates on seeing the Long-whiskered Owlet and many other birds on the Northern Circuit.
North Peru: Marvelous Spatuletail display tour
An easy tour with bird photography and videography as prime objectives. But also general easy birdwatching. No strenuous hikes except the specific search for Pale-billed Antpitta and Long-whiskered Owlet. Marvelous Spatuletail leks principally between November and April. The full plumaged males of the Marvelous Spatuletail can be found all year around.
Northern Peru Complete Standard Birding Route in 16 days.
The 16 day tour that covers all the main birding sites and the species along the Northern Peru territories.
Northern Peru Endemics 10 days - Budget or Comfort
High paced North Peru trip aiming to see as many of the regional endemics and over 50 species of hummingbirds. Budget (Pro) and Comfort (MST) style are available.
Pampas del Heath
Pampas del Heath presents practically the only savanna habitat in Peru and presents 14 species found nowhere else in Peru. We shall be camping 3 nights at Puerto Juliaca where the best Peruvian Pampas is. White-naped Xenopsaris was recorded as a new species for Peru in 2004.
Paracas and Ayacucho
2-4 days depending on program chosen
Pelagic
There are monthly departures. This is a Kolibri Expeditions special. The first regular departures of Pelagics in Peru is organized by us in 2001 we found three new species for Peru!!.
Peru Pelagic Bonanza. Five days 3 ports
There are some birders that care principally for certain type of birds,. A very popular group of birds are those that you see on a pelagic. This tour does 5 pelagics in a row from three different ports,. A perfect trip for the seabird lover.
Piedras River - Macaws and Wildlife
A new destination accessible from Puerto Maldonado that can be run throughout the year and with considerbly easier access than Manu with similar birdlife and wildlife. The lodge is very comfortable. It is possible to add days at Tipishca and Iberia for special birds there (more for hard-core birders). For best price minimum 2 people.
Piura-Chiclayo connection
Leisurely open area birding adding some localities which are not visited extensively on other Kolibri Expeditions itineraries such as Manglares de Vice and Puerto Eten. Perfect to add some less intense birding while traveling between Tumbes-Piura-Chiclayo.
Puerto Maldonado - Birding
Puerto Maldonado have some very special birds that can be easily looked for in the vicinity. It is worth to spend a morning before the flight looking for White-throated and Purus Jacamar and savanna birds such as Brazilian Teal and Southern Lapwing. With a full day other localities can be included.
Puerto Maldonado Day Trip: Cocha Tres Chimbadas
Visit an oxbow lake during a daytrip to see Giant Otter and a multitude of birds. Good Bamboo available with Peruvian Recurvebill and Rufous-headed Woodpecker possible.
Puerto Maldonado-Cuzco or Puno.
Birding along the transoceanic highway from the lowlands of Puerto Maldonado to the puna of Puno or Cusco with a stop overnight in Mazuko.
Puno department with Sandia and Abra Maruncunca
Very exciting area with many species that arew very difficult even in Bolivia. Green-capped Tanager. Some hiking is needed if one does not want to spend too many hours in the vehicle.
Puno-Arica (Chile)-Arequipa. Pelagics in the South
If you like Pelagics and the Andes this trip is for you. Usually this trip would be run in connection with Puno special, but you may also sign-up only for t
Purple-backed Sunbeam and Russet-bellied Spinetail extension.
Short, quite rough trip with lots of driving, to get the very rare Purple-backed Sunbeam and Russet-bellied Spinetail.
Salaverry Cruise-ship special - Peruvian Plantcutter and Rufous Flycatcher
This day trip will make the most of birding wise of your stop at the port of Salaverry south of Trujillo. The key species to look for that you will not find in Guayaquil or Lima are Peruvian Plantcutter, Rufous Flycatcher, and an undescribed (s)sp of Neclaced Spinetail (without neclace!).
Different cruiships will have different length of stay, so time will limit exactly what will be done this day.
Saona Lodge - Durand brothers Puerto Maldonado
More birds in a lodge under construction for less money!!!
Satipo Road and Carpish (17 days)
17 days. Endemic dense and extremely birdy. more than 500 species when combined with Lima excursions.
Satipo Road and Colibri Cloud Forest - Short 5 Day Tour
Promoting the recent community project at Satipo road we introduce this short trip that contains both excellent cloud forest birding and the endemic specialties which can not be seen on a short Carpish/Unchog trip.
Satipo road special
The extended version of the Satipo road trip.
Scarlet-banded Barbet extension
Scarlet-banded Barbet was discovered in 1995 on an isolated peak in the Cordillera Azul in the headwaters of Rio Cushabatay and was formally described to science in 2000. For many years the only way to see it was doing a 10 day expedition with a 2-3 day grueling hike to reach the peak. Recently a new site has been discovered very near an extremely rough - but nonetheless - road allowing much easier access. This is still a rough trip with camping and extremely bumpy 4WD ride to get to the base, but the rewards are high with a number of other seldom seen birds in the same area.
South East Peru ENDEMICS. Manu road and Abra Malaga 13 days
We recommend to do SE Peru in 22 days for Manu and 4 days for Abra Malaga and Machu Picchu if SE Peru is to be done properly. However, if you want to concentrate on the species you cannot see elsewhere you may strip down the trip to only 13 days, and keep a very high pace. The reason why this is possible is that there are relatively few endemics and specialities in the lowlands apart from the bamboo birds. Since many of the bamboo birds can be gotten near Pilcopata relatively close to the road, it is possible to skip lowland Manu completely and still get most of the special birds.
The other SE Peru species are found in high Andean forests (Abra Malaga), in the cloud forest and in the foothills (on Manu road).
The Biggest Day Amazonian Birding Workshop
A 5 day tour to Puerto Maldonado to prepare oneself for the Biggest day birds to learn Amazonian birdcalls, a lot of time birding with world experts in Amazonian birding, on day 10 you'd aim for personal Big Day record as you will be paired up with an expert leader. There will be max 3 people per leader.
Tumbes
7 days. Best combined with North Peru as a pre-trip. Restricted range species.
White-masked Antbird twitch at San Lorenzo
Recently the rare and little known White-masked Antbird was found at San Lorenzo. Accessible by light aircraft from Yurimaguas. There are also many other good birds here such as Black-necked Red-Cotinga and Black Bushbird

Looking for trips with very high levels of comfort: Check our Marvelous Spatuletail Tours - trips instead.


 KOLIBRI PHOTO & VIDEO SAFARI
Safari Photo Video: Cloud forests
The cloud forests of Carpish and Unchog in central Peru, is the transition of the high Andes and the Amazon rain forest and a strategic location for a variety of colorful fauna such as the Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Band-tailed Fruiteater and Bay-vented Cotinga etc, as well as dream-like scenery.
Safari Photo-Video: Nor-Yauyos-Cochas Reserve and the Inca Trail (Qapaq Ñan)
One of the most beautiful scenic areas of Peru which includes the Scenery Reserve of Nor Yauyos-Cochas, part of the ancient Inca trail (Qapaq Nan) and the sacred Pariaqaqa glacier areas. A variety of wildlife lives among the spectaculars turquoise lagoons, waterfalls and Polylepis woodlands.
Photo-Video Safari: Macaw-lick and Red Uakari 8 days.
Close to Contamana, one of the most beautiful villages in the Amazon, there is clay/mineral lick of sulfurous waters, known as collpa, where hundreds of Red-and-Green Macaws visit. Close by are the hills of Sierras del Divisor Reserved Zone, where troops of monkeys such as the rare Red Uakari can be found. This is one of the few places where this species is protected and is in relative abundance. At the top of these hills the newly described Acre Antshrike possibly occcurs. A photography expedition to the rain forests of central Peru to photograph Macaws and Red Uakari.
Photo-Video Safari: Where the condors fly
The spectacular Andes of Santa Eulalia Canyon and Milloq bog and lagoon, near Lima, are habitats for 14 species endemic to Peru, such as Great-Inca Finch, Black-necked Woodpecker, Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch, White-cheeked Cotinga, White-bellied Cinclodes etc, that can be photographed. These mountains provide water to Lima?s desert climate and also represent a natural refuge where the Andean Condor flies.
Safari Photo Video , A toda costa - Perú
A journey through the scenic desert settings of southern Peru, where the only two inland-marine reserves in the country are located: The Paracas National Reserve and the San Fernando Reserve. A variety of species native to the cold Humboldt Current can be found here, as well as others that descend from the high Andes like the Andean condor and the Guanaco. All this surrounded by the enigmatic figures of the Nasca lines, which the ancient Peruvians have drawn on the desert.

 EXPEDITION BIRDING EXTREME

We´re introducing a new concept. Or rather developing one of the principle driving forces of Kolibri Expeditions. In 1998 were we the first to see Orange-throated Tanager and Great Spinetail for at least 15 years and later that same year we found several new localities for Peruvian Plantcutter. In 1999 we discovered the Montañita site. In 2000 we rediscovered Kalinowski´s Tinamou after 100 years. Montañita held its promise and produced the Golden-backed Mountain Tanager and most of the other Carpish endemics. Millpo Tapaculo was relocated at a new site. In 2001 we found a new taxon of Thrythorus wren near Otuto in Junin, and we have the first observations of eye-ringed Thistletail in over 15 years. Furthermore in the Apurimac Valley we recorded the voice of a new Otus owl and a the local form of Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, which is vocally distinct from the coastal form and consequently may be split in the near future. In 2002 we learnt that Rufous Antpitta in Canchaque Piura sounds very different from Grallaria rufula rufula which has been collected in this area. It seems that when considering the voice a new taxon is invloved. It sounds like the Rufous Antpitta from Cajamarca (cajabambae), but looks more than the Rufous Antpitta from Ecuador (rufula). We also found Little Woodstar near Pedro Ruiz - a species that had no confirmed recent records in Peru.

During 2007 we will offer a couple of extremes. There may be surprises out there.


Also see the discussion group for Expedition Birding.
Trip reports Check out past trips to Peru with Kolibri Expeditions on our trip report page.
Safe birding in Peru Are you worried about the safety in Peru? Terrorism and Guerilla? Check out or updated page with recommendations to people who are not on a Kolibri Expedition trip. Most of the country is OK to travel in...some areas require care and common sense. Kolibri Expeditions have those qualities.
The Condor fiesta Read about the filming of the condor and the bull fiesta featured in the tv-series Giants.
Birds of Peru mentions 1817 species, but there are several candidates for species level which yet are to be described or "officially" split. Be sure you’ll get your armchair ticks. Look at the 28 potential additions.
 
Self-guided birding in Peru
Rent our vehicle with an experienced birder/driver for two weeks or more and set off on a road trip with wonderful safe birding in Peru for a fraction of the Normal tour price.

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Telephone: +51-1- 652 76 89. From the US: 011-51-1- 652 76 89. Cell: 988 555 938 (Gunnar) or 999 007 886 (Elia Gallo) - Email: kolibriexp@gmail.com