"Endemics Paradise" is a specially designed adventure program for experienced birders, who want to see the rarest and most difficult to find birds of northern Peru.

On this tour we'll experience long drives along less developed roads, do some hiking, and be ready for mud, rain, and both hot and cold temperatures.  Our reward will be many endemic, very restricted-range species, among them some of the most endangered and localized birds in the Neotropics. Birding in northern Peru means not only endemic, specialized birds, but also lots of more widely-distributed yet still astonishing birds. On this tour we'll spend the night in good hotels, but in the more isolated areas our birders will spend the night in basic but comfortable hostels and lodges, which are all pre-certified by Ritual Andino Tours, are clean, and have hot water.

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PROGRAM

Day 01. CAJAMARCA

After arrival in Cajamarca we'll move straight to the Grey-bellied Comet site at El Chicche, where we can also find Black Metaltail, Spot-throated Hummingbird, Giant Hummingbird, White-winged Cinclodes, Rusty-crowned Tit-spinetail, and 60 other species. From El Chicche we'll leave for San Marcos, the most reliable place to see the Great Spinetail. Night in hotel in Cajamarca. (B, L, D.)

Day 02.  CELENDIN

Cajamarca to Celendin. Depart from Cajamarca at dawn, birding along the route to Celendin.  Along the road its possible to spot the Rufous-eared Brush-Finch, White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Rufous-webbed Tyrant, Paramo Pipit, Rufous Antpitta (cajamarcae subspecies), Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Plain-tailed Warbling-Finch, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, and many others. Spend the night in a basic but comfortable hotel in Celendin.( B, L, D.)

Day 03.  LEIMEBAMBA

An early start to be at the El Limon site as early as possible to catch the Grey-winged Inca-Finch. Along the road to El Limon the Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch and Jelski's Chat Tyrant are possible (but rare). We may also find the Tricolored Brush-Finch and Fawn-breasted Tananger. At El Limon we'll look for the Gray-winged Inca-Finch, Chesnut-backed Thornbird, Marañon Thrush, and Tropical Gnatcatcher. Before noon we'll leave to Balsas for the Yellow-faced Parrolet, Peruvian Pigeon, Buff-bridle Inca-Finch and Black-necked Woodpecker. After lunch, we'll depart for Leimebamba, while birding along the road for the Rufous-capped Antshrike, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Russet-mantled Softtail, Peruvian Thistletail (split from White-chinned Thistletail), an undescribed species of Tapaculo, and some good hummingbirds like the Sword-billed Hummingbird and Coppery Metaltail. Overnight in a small basic hotel in Leimebamba.

(B, L, D.)

Day 04. UTCUBAMBA RIVER / POMACOCHAS

In the morning a visit to the town of Pedro Ruiz to seek the Little Woodstar. The road follows the Utcubamba River where the Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Torrent Duck and Green Jay are typically easy to see. In less than an hour we´ll arrive at La Florida, the site for the Marvelous Spatuletail. This area may also produce the Buff-bellied Tanager, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Long-tailed Sylph, Purple-collared Woodstar, Large-footed Tapaculo, Speckled-breasted Wren, Plain-tailed Wren, Green-throated Tanager, and Blue-browed Tanager. We'll spend the night in a nice hotel in Pomacochas. (B, L, D.)

Day 05. ABRA PATRICIA LODGE

Birding around Lake Pomacochas. Around the lake we find interesting birds like Rufous-capped Antshrike, Black-crested Warbler, Peruvian Meadowlark, Plumbeous Rail, Puna Snipe, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Curve-billed Tinamou, and the hard to find Spotted Rail. The water holds a large population of White-cheeked Pintail, as well as grebes, herons, coots, gallinules, Osprey, and Andean Gull.

Before noon we'll depart for our first visit to the renowned Abra Patricia area.

In Abra Patricia, we'll start birding just after cresting the mountain pass; the key attractions here are the Johnson's Tody-Tyrant, Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Pale-billed Antpitta, and Ochre-fronted Antpitta. At dusk we can look for White-throated Screech-Owl, Rufescent Screech-Owl and Lyre-tailed Nightjar. Night at Abra Patricia lodge.

( B, L, D.)

Day 06. VALLE HERMOSO

A full day in Abra Patricia, including birding in the Valle Hermoso (Beautiful Valley). We'll start early to reach Valle Hermoso at about 7:00 a.m. This is the premier habitat for the enigmatic Long-whiskered Owl, which is a very rare bird, so we'll have to keep our expectations reasonable. In this habitat we stand better chances with the Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Royal Sunangel, White-capped Tanager, Jet Manaquin, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Cinammon-breasted Tody-Tyrant, and lots of Tanager flocks. Night at Abra Patricia lodge. (B, L, D.)

Day 07.  RIOJA

A second day in Abra Patricia, specifically the Afluente area. Here we can hope to find the Speckle-chested Piculet, Equatorial Gray-tail, Marble-faced Bristled-Tyrant, Andean Cock-of-the Rock, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, and many others. After birding in Abra Patricia we'll move on to overnight in the small town of Rioja. (B, L, D.)

Day 08.  AGUAS VERDES / RIOJA

Rioja and Aguas Verdes. We'll spend most of the day around Aguas Verdes where the following species are possible: Huallaga Tanager, Vermillion Tanager, Buckley's Forest-Falcon, Napo Sabrewing, Russet Antshrike, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Plain-backed Antpitta, Gray-mantled Wren, Foothill Antwren, Versicolored Barbet, Black-mandibled Toucan, and lots of Tanager flocks. Hotel in Rioja. (B, L, D.)

Day 09.  TARAPOTO

Yacumama and Calzada. Not far from Rioja we'll encounter a good savannah habitat with the Tataupa Tinamou, Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, and Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch. Other nearby habitat types hold the Russet-crowned Crake, Olive-chested Flycatcher, Burnished-buff Tanager, Point-tailed Palmcreeper and Cobalt-winged Parakeets. There is another savannah habitat in the Calzada area that includes the Blackish Rail, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Yellow Tyrannulet, Lesser Seed-Finch and pale-eyed Blackbird. The forest at Morro de Calzada can produce the Lafresnaye's Piculet, Mishana Tyrannulet, Fiery-capped Manakin, Stripe Manakin, Pale-breasted Thrush and Blue-crowned Trogon. In the late afternoon we'll drive to the low jungle town of Tarapoto, where we'll overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 10. JUAN GUERRA & QUEBRADA UPAQUIHUA

Juan Guerra and the Quebrada Upaquihua. We'll leave early for the drive to Juan Guerra for the Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Stripe-chested Antwren and Marañon Slaty Antshrike. Then we'll continue on to the Quebrada Upaquihua for the Planalto Hermit, Mishana Tyrannulet and Ashy-headed Greenlet. Overnight in Tarapoto. (B, L, D)

Day 11.  TARAPOTO/ LIMA

El Tunel area. A nice lower elevation mountain evergreen forest that offers the Dotted Tanager, Blackish Peewee, Koepke's Hermit, and Purple Euphonia. Evening flight from Tarapoto to Lima. ( B, L, D.)

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