Peru offers some of the most amazing birding in the world so what better place is there to go to photograph birds? In January of 2017 we will travel to the northern part of the country to explore beautiful environments while searching for the many endemic species found in the region. In addition to the endemics, north Peru is home to numerous species of hummingbirds, tanagers and other colorful birds. It will be our goal to photograph as many of these species as we can.

Our trip will start in Lima where we will travel south along the coast to photograph birds like Inca Tern, Belcher’s Gull, Kelp Gull, Elegant Tern, Surf Cinclodes, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Humboldt Penguin, Red-legged Cormorant, Plumbeous Rail, Peruvian Pelican and more.

From there we will fly north to Tarapoto where we will bird our way north eventually making our way to the Utcubamba Valley, home of the Marvelous Spatulatail and the bizarre Long-whiskered Owlet. Some of the other birds we hope to encounter along the way include Spectacled Redstart, Squirrel Cuckoo, White Hawk, Plumbeous Pigeon, Koepcke’s Hermit, Golden-collared Toucanet, Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Cliff Flycatcher, Silver-beaked Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Lulu’s Tody-Flycatcher, Royal Sunangel, Oilbird, Sand-colored Nighthawk, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Long-tailed Sylph and many more.

Our trip will conclude by flying from Tarapoto back to Lima and from there we will catch our flight back to the US.

This trip is designed for photographers at all skill levels and is an opportunity for all guests to build their photographic skills as well as to make beautiful images of the exotic and often colorful birds of the area. This part of Peru is very scenic and we will not ignore opportunities to capture some of that beauty with our cameras. Butterflies and other insects as well as reptiles and mammals will also offer photographic opportunities that we hope to work on.

Some of the areas we will visit during this trip are very remote so accommodations will be limited for some portions of the trip. Having said that, we will be staying at clean and comfortable lodges, most of which have full time electricity and hot water. Throughout the trip we will be staying at the best lodging available and on past trips the food has been good.

The level of physical exertion on this trip is moderate with some hikes of a mile to a mile and a half along roads and well maintained trails. When birding along the roads we will have a van close by if anyone needs a break. While we won’t be going to any extreme altitudes on this trip we will be as high as 7500 feet above sea level.

This trip will be limited to four guests to accommodate photography and the trip cost will be $3400/person. This cost includes internal flights, guide fees, lodging, ground transportation, boat ride and all entrance fees during the trip. It does not include most meals, alcoholic beverages, tips, souvenirs and international flights. We hope you will join us!