On this trip, we'll explore the areas where some of the most unique and lesser-known birds in the world reside. We'll observe and photograph them using field techniques. While keeping our focus on the special bird species, we'll also make stops to appreciate other beautiful and abundant species along the way.

Itinerary

First, we will visit the coastal hills near Lima. Here we can find many special birds, including the Coastal Miner, Thick-billed Miner, Cactus Canastero, Raimondi's Yellow-Finch, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Collared Warbling-finch, and Andean Tinamou. And in the seasonal flowers, we will encounter the Oasis Hummingbird, Peruvian Sheartail, Purple-collared Woodstar, and Amazilia Hummingbird.
The second part is the Santa Eulalia Route, an impressive Andean valley just a few hours away from Lima. Here, we will encounter the Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch, Great Inca-Finch, Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch, Black-necked Woodpecker, Pied-crested Tit-Tyrant, among others.
We will continue along the path and have the opportunity to observe the White-cheeked Cotinga, Black Metaltail, Giant Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Comet, Rusty-crowned Tit-Spinetail, Stripe-headed Antpitta, and Junin Canastero.
At higher altitudes, we will encounter the Diameded Sandpiper Plover, Glacier Finch, Olivaceous Thornbill, Black-breasted Hillstar, and White-bellied Cinclodes.
Another part of the trip is the route called Satipo Road, which covers various habitats with endemic birds such as the Fire-throated Metaltail, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Peruvian Wren, Eye-ringed Thistletail, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Marcapata Spinetail, Chestnut Antpitta, Jalca Tapaculo, and Junin Antpitta.
Moreover, along this stretch, we will encounter subspecies that are on their way to becoming new species, such as the Huanuco Starfrontlet, Amethyst-throated Sunangel (decolor form), and Mantaro Wren.
Continuing along the route, we will enter a beautiful Hacienda where we will find the Cerulean-capped Manakin, White-crowned Manakin, Round-tailed Manakin, Cloud-forest Screech-Owl, and the stunning Andean Cock-of-the-rock.
Another part of the tour is Lake Junin, one of the highest lakes in the world, where at an altitude of 4,000 meters, we can find the Junin Grebe, Junin Rail, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Flicker, Andean Negrito, Aplomado Falcon, and Black-breasted Hillstar.
We will make a stop and encounter the Rufous-backed Inca-finch, Black-crested Tit-Tyrant, Baron's Spinetail, and Giant Conebill.
And another part is the cloud forest of Unchog, where we will go in search of the "Fantastic Four": Golden-backed Mountain-tanager, Bay-vented Cotinga, Pardusco, and Rufous-browed Hemispingus. We will also encounter other species such as the Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Coppery Metaltail, and Chestnut Antpitta.

• Andean Cock-of-the-rock
• Bay-vented Cotinga (E)
• White-cheeked Cotinga (E)
• Golden-backed Mountain-tanager (E)

• The first stage is Santa Eulalia, which takes 2 days.
• Lake Junin and its surroundings require 2 days.
• Unchog allows for an additional 3 days.
• And for Satipo Road, we recommend adding 4 days.

The stages are consecutive. Santa Eulalia can be taken as a standalone route if desired.

Leader

Carlos Calle

He is a conservationist and nature and bird photographer in Peru. He is passionate about birds and especially hummingbirds.
Owner partner of the Fundo Alto Nieva Reserve, in the Bosque del Alto Mayo, in Northern Peru.
He has photographed more than 1,100 birds in Peru, and knows each one very well.
He has published the books: "Hummingbirds of Peru" and "Lima, vida silvestre y rutas espectaculares".

The route

Perubirds photo tour / Fundo Alto Nieva Km 374 + 200, Carretera Fernando Belaunde, entre Amazonas y San Martín Teléfono / wasap : (+51) 995 090 370 E-mail : guiacalles@gmail.com