BIRDING AND HISTORY OF NORTH PERU: CHICLAYO TO CAJAMARCA
Birding and history of north Peru: Chiclayo to Cajamarca
8-day tour
An intense 8-day “Birding and history of north Peru” tour. The tour mixes the best birding spots in northern Peru, along with the splendid museums and archaeological sites of pre-Incan cultures.
First, the adventure begins nearby the coastal city of Chiclayo, north of Lima. Before the arrival of the Incas, the Chiclayo area was occupied by the Moche people. It was a strong religious based society, in fact, their architecture, art and religion are still alive in some local communities. The birding and history tour visits the famous Huaca Rajada and the Royal Tombs of Sipan museum. Both sites related to the lavish burial of the Lord of Sipan. The tour also visits Tucume, a complex of several pyramids, all connected to ancestral shamanism and religion.
Then, the “Birding and history of north Peru” tour explores the city of Cajamarca and its surroundings. Cajamarca is located in the northern Andes of the country, at an elevation of 2700 meters. It’s in this city where the last of the Inca kings was taken prisoner by the Spanish conquistadors, therefore, it represents the fall of the Inca empire.
Also, the birding experience during this tour is also impressive. The dry forests around Chiclayo hold a set of very special birds, for example, Peruvian Plantcutter, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Rufous Flycatcher, Tumbes Tyrant, and many more. Also, the tour stays at the delightful Chaparri Lodge and Nature Reserve. There, the reserve protects endangered populations of Andean Bear and White-winged Guan.
In the same way, birdwatching around Cajamarca is also a unique experience. There, several Peruvian endemic birds are possible, for instance, Grey-bellied Comet, Piura Chat-tyrant, or Rusty-crowned Tit-spinetail.
In conclusion, the “Birding and history of north Peru” tour is perfect for people looking for a unique birdwatching and cultural experience in Peru.
Your holidays and nature conservancy: Cheqa Peru SRL, owner of Green Tours, will donate 50 US$ of its benefits per participant to association “Plantando Futuro” to support local nature conservancy initiatives.
Details and itinerary
Lima
Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at a 3 stars hotel in Lima.
Meals: None.
Lima – Chiclayo
Morning flight to the city of Chiclayo, located in the northern Pacific coast of Peru.
Upon arrival, the Birding and Culture tour first goes straight to the Bosque de Pomac reserve. Here, we will be looking for special birds like Peruvian Plantcutter, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Superciliated Wren, and many more. Then, we will explore the archaeological site of Batan Grande, located inside the reserve.
Later, we will check-in at the lodge, which is located just outside the protected forest.
Next, we will visit the Tucume archaeological site and its on-site museum.
Overnight at Huaca de Piedra lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Chiclayo: the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan
Early in the morning, we will be birding around the lodge. Here, we will be looking for typical dry forest birds like Peruvian Pygmy-owl or Amazilia Hummingbird.
Then, we spend the rest of the day exploring the history of Chiclayo. First, we visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan museum, famous for its collection of silver and gold jewellery. Also, the museum shows the mummy of the lord of Sipan.
After a typical lunch, we visit the archaeological site of Huaca Rajada. It’s here where the burial site of the Lord of Sipan was found. There is also an on-site museum here.
Overnight at Huaca de Piedra lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Chiclayo – Chaparri
After breakfast, we will drive for about 3 hours to the Chaparri Lodge and Nature Reserve. In fact, this is a community managed reserve, created to protect a coastal population of Andean Bears and the endangered White-winged Guan. Nearby the lodge’s grounds, we might see Tumbes Tyrant, Black-capped Sparrow, Elegant Crescentchest, and maybe a King vulture or Andean Condors.
Then, in the afternoon, we can go for a walk in the forest around the lodge. During the two hours hike, we might encounter Sechuran Fox, White-collared Peccary, or White-tailed Deer. Among the birds, it is possible to find Tumbes Sparrow, White-edged Oriole, Short-tailed Woodstar, and more.
Overnight at Chaparri lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Chaparri: Casupe forest
The first two hours of the morning we will drive to the Casupe forest. There, we will look for special birds like Guayaquil Woodpecker, Ecuadorian Trogon, Ecuadorian Piculet, and much more.
After some good birding, we’ll be back in the lodge on good time for lunch. Then, you will have ample time in the afternoon to be on your own.
Overnight at Chaparri lodge.
Meals: Picnic-breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Chaparri – Cajamarca
Just before breakfast, we can enjoy the hummingbirds bathing in the small creek nearby the lodge.
After breakfast, we will take the road towards the city of Cajamarca, located at an elevation of 2700 meters in the northern Andes.
The trip takes about 7 to 8 hours, including some stops for birding. During the road trip, we might see Collared Warbling-finch, Piura Chat-tyrant, Black-cowled Saltator, and more.
Overnight at a 3 stars hotel in Cajamarca.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic-lunch.
Cajamarca
We start this morning by visiting the Ventanillas de Otuzco archaeological site. This is a burial site, carved on the rocks by the Cajamarca people before the Incas came to the Cajamarca valley.
Then, we visit the Chonta valley for a few hours birding before lunch. Here, interesting birds are Grey-bellied Comet, Rusty-crowned Tit-spinetail, Giant Hummingbird, and more.
Later, in the afternoon, we visit the city centre. First, we start with the Main Square and the Ransom Room, where the last Inca was taken prisoner by the Spanish conquistadors. Then,we visit some colonial buildings, for example, the city Cathedral, the Belen Palace, and the Santa Apolonia hill.
Overnight at a 3 stars hotel in Cajamarca.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Cajamarca
Finally, the Birding and History of North Peru tour visits the Cumbemayo archaeological site. The visit includes a hike of about two hours inside the site, of course, with good opportunities for birding. Here, common birds are Stripe-headed Antpitta, Peruvian Sierra-finch, Bright-rumped Yellow-finch, and more.
Finally, in the afternoon, we will take you to the airport for the flight to Lima.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
If you want us to include the internal flights within Peru just let us know.
All itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (e.g. weather).
See our Booking Terms and Conditions.