HUMMINGBIRD PHOTO TOUR NORTHERN PERÚ 10DAYS 9NIGHTS

Day 1 Lima – Tarapoto

This morning we fly from the Peruvian coast to the northern Amazonian foothills. After a flight of approximately 50 minutes, we arrive in Tarapoto (350 m / 1,148 ft).

Upon arrival, we will visit two excellent hummingbird photography locations. Species regularly seen include Gould’s Jewelfront, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-necked Jacobin, Koepcke’s Hermit, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Long-billed Starthroat, Amethyst Woodstar, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Blue-tailed Emerald, and Sparkling Violetear. Black-bellied Thorntail is also possible during certain seasons.

Overnight: Tarapoto Hotel
Meals: B, L, D

Day 2  Tarapoto – Waqanki lodge

After an early breakfast, we will spend the morning at the hummingbird feeders around Tarapoto, taking advantage of the favorable morning light for photography.

Later, we will drive approximately three hours to Waqanki Lodge. During the afternoon, we will become familiar with the lodge grounds and its productive hummingbird feeders.

Overnight: Waqanki Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Day 3  Waqanki Lodge full day

Waqanki Lodge is one of the best-known birding and photography locations along the Northern Birding Route, situated at approximately 860 m (2,820 ft).

One of the main targets here is the spectacular Rufous-crested Coquette. Other hummingbirds regularly visiting the feeders include White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Great-billed Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, Blue-tailed Emerald, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, White-chinned Sapphire, Black-throated Hermit, Amethyst Woodstar, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, and Black-eared Fairy.

Overnight: Waqanki Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Day 4 Waqanki to Owlet Lodge

We depart early and travel to Aguas Verdes, approximately one hour from Waqanki. This area, also known as the Arena Blanca Reserve, offers excellent hummingbird photography opportunities.

Species include Wire-crested Thorntail, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Brown Violetear, Blue-tailed Emerald, Rufous-crested Coquette, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green-fronted Lancebill, Long-billed Starthroat, Reddish Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Green Hermit. Black-throated Brilliant and Rufous-throated Sapphire are possible during certain seasons.

Afterward, we continue ascending through the Alto Mayo Valley, stopping at several elevations for bird photography before arriving at Owlet Lodge.

Overnight: Owlet Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Elevation: 2,300 m / 7,360 ft

Owlet Lodge 2300mts/ 7360ft

Day 5  Owlet Lodge full day.

Owlet Lodge offers outstanding hummingbird photography opportunities in the upper cloud forest. The feeders located near the dining room are especially productive and provide excellent photographic conditions.

Species regularly observed include Lesser Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Bronzy Inca, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, White-bellied Woodstar, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Brown Violetear, and Long-tailed Sylph.

Overnight: Owlet Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Owlet Lodge 2300mts/ 7360ft

Day 6  Owlet Lodge full day activities

Today we visit the nearby Alto Nieva Reserve, one of the finest hummingbird locations in northern Peru.

Target species include Royal Sunangel, Greenish Puffleg, Lesser Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Violet-fronted Brilliant, White-bellied Woodstar, and Many-spotted Hummingbird.

Later we will visit Llantería, another productive hummingbird site where we may find Ecuadorian Piedtail, Napo Sabrewing (seasonal), Green Hermit, Gray-chinned Hermit, White-tipped Sicklebill, and Violet-fronted Brilliant.

Overnight: Owlet Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Day 7 Owlet Lodge to Huembo Lodge

Today we drive toward the village of Pomacochas, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery, agricultural landscapes, and remnant cloud forest along the way.

Our destination is Huembo Reserve, where we will focus on photographing one of Peru’s most extraordinary endemic hummingbirds, the Marvelous Spatuletail.

Overnight: Huembo Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,400 ft

Day 8  Huembo Full day

The main target today is undoubtedly the Marvelous Spatuletail, one of the world’s most spectacular hummingbirds.

Other species regularly photographed at Huembo include Sparkling Violetear, Lesser Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Violet-fronted Brilliant, White-bellied Hummingbird, Little Woodstar, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Purple-throated Sunangel, Andean Emerald, Rufous-capped Thornbill, White-bellied Woodstar, and Brown Violetear.

Overnight: Huembo Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Day 9 Huembo – wakanki lodge

After breakfast, we begin our journey back toward Tarapoto. Along the route, we will stop for bird photography opportunities whenever conditions allow.

Upon arrival, we will spend the night at Waqanki Lodge, providing one final opportunity to photograph hummingbirds.

Overnight: Waqanki Lodge
Meals: B, L, D

Day 10 wakanki tarapoto- Lima

Depending on flight schedules, we may spend some final time photographing hummingbirds around the lodge before transferring to Tarapoto Airport for our flight back to Lima.

End of Tour.