ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Arrive Lima, Peru – Transfer to hotel Saturday 6th Nov
Plan on arriving at Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima, Peru where we will transfer you to a nearby hotel. You can arrive at any time of day, but note our tour will begin with dinner tonight.
Overnight: Costa del Sol Airport (D)

Day 2 – Arrive Lima, Peru – Journey to the Cloud Forest — Chachapoyas & The Majestic Gocta Falls
After breakfast, we will take a scenic 105-minute flight from Lima to Chachapoyas, the heart of the Amazonas region. This flight bypasses days of mountain driving, and offers offers breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the emerald-green peaks of the Northern Peruvian Andes. Upon arrival, a smooth 40-minute drive leads us through the Utcubamba Valley, a stunning landscape of deep limestone canyons and turquoise rivers. Our destination is a superb lodge, perched on a mountain ridge with front-row views of the Gocta Waterfall—one of the world’s tallest—dropping over 2,500 feet directly in front of your private terrace. The afternoon is dedicated to birding around the lodge to witness the many excellent bird species. Even the legendary Marvelous Spatuletail, can be seen in the gardens, but we have even better opportunities at the nearby hummingbird feeders. This incredible hummingbird is considered by many the most beautiful hummingbird on Earth. You may also see the Buff-bellied Tanager, Speckle-chested Piculet,  Marañon Gnatcatcher and Green-tailed Trainbearer. In addition to the iconic Marvelous Spatuletail, the gardens and forest edges around the lodge host a dazzling variety of hummingbirds including Violet-fronted Brilliant, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph and White-bellied Woodstar. Mixed flocks move through the moss-draped trees carrying colourful tanagers such as Beryl-spangled, Saffron-crowned and Blue-and-black Tanagers, while species like Montane Woodcreeper, Streaked Tuftedcheek and the endemic Inca Flycatcher add to the excitement. The surrounding forest is also home to Masked Trogon, Andean Guan, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant and White-capped Dipper along the streams below the waterfall. 
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Huaylla Belén
After an early breakfast, we drive toward the Huaylla Belén Valley, widely considered one of the most diverse birding hotspots in the Amazonas region. The birding here is exceptionally convenient, as we explore a quiet mountain road that allows us to spot high‑altitude specialists directly from or very near our vehicle. Our targets include the endemic Pale‑billed Antpitta, Yellow‑scarfed Tanager, Russet‑mantled Softtail, and the elusive Chachapoyas Antpitta. The open forest edges also provide great opportunities for the Gray‑breasted Mountain‑Toucan, Sword‑billed Hummingbird, and the stunning Rainbow Starfrontlet. This valley is also home to a superb supporting cast of Andean cloud‑forest birds. Mixed flocks often carry Grass‑green Tanager, Golden‑collared Tanager, Blue‑and‑black Tanager, Black‑capped Hemispingus, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Montane Woodcreeper and the charismatic Barred Fruiteater. The mossy elfin forest holds secretive species such as Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Rufous‑headed Pygmy‑Tyrant, White‑throated Tyrannulet, and with luck, the impressive Mountain Avocetbill. Overhead, we may encounter White‑collared Swift, while the bamboo thickets can produce Unstreaked Tit‑Tyrant and Rufous Spinetail. We return to the lodge for a relaxed lunch. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace, watching the diverse hummingbirds visiting the feeders in the lodge’s gardens.
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Gocta’s Cloud Forest Treasures
Today is dedicated to the lush, moss‑draped cloud forests surrounding Gocta Andes Lodge. After a leisurely breakfast with a view, we explore the trail to the waterfall, which acts as a natural corridor for high‑altitude species. The pace is intentionally slow, allowing for good views of colourful birds like Flame‑faced Tanager, Golden‑naped Tanager, Silvery Tanager and Metallic‑green Tanager. With some patience it’s possible to see the Black‑streaked Puffbird, Rufous‑capped Antshrike, and the vibrant Southern Emerald‑Toucanet. As we move through the forest, the trees are draped with orchids such as Masdevallia veitchiana, Epidendrum secundum, and delicate Pleurothallis species clinging to moss‑covered trunks. Sunlit gaps along the trail attract butterflies including Morpho sulkowskyi, Adelpha “sisters”, and the striking Callicore “88” butterflies, which often settle on leaves beside the path. Mixed flocks weave through the canopy carrying Beryl‑spangled Tanager, Saffron‑crowned Tanager, Blue‑and‑black Tanager, and the charismatic Barred Becard, while the understory may reveal Montane Woodcreeper, Streaked Tuftedcheek, or the tiny Rufous‑headed Pygmy‑Tyrant. In quieter moments, we may hear rustling from Mountain Agouti in the leaf litter, or spot Andean Night Monkeys peering from vine tangles if the morning is overcast. The rocky streams below the waterfall sometimes produce the White‑capped Dipper, and distant slopes occasionally hold signs of Spectacled Bear, which feeds on bromeliads in this region. We will focus on the most accessible sections of the forest, where the mist of the waterfall creates a unique microclimate that supports orchids, bromeliads, butterflies, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. After lunch, we can spend the afternoon visiting the “Marvelous Spatuletail Refuge”, just 5 minutes from the lodge, where we’ll have spectacular views of this extraordinary hummingbird and other regional specialties. 
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Huaylla Belén 
Given the extraordinary biodiversity and the sheer number of endemic species in the Huaylla Belén Valley, one visit is rarely enough. Today, we return to this amazing place at a more deliberate pace, specifically targeting any elusive species we may have missed the previous day. Our second morning here allows us to focus on the more secretive inhabitants of the elfin forest and bamboo thickets. We will have another chance for the Chachapoyas Antpitta, Russet‑mantled Softtail, and the rare Pale‑billed Antpitta. As the forest warms, mixed flocks often appear along the roadside, carrying species such as Black‑capped Hemispingus, Superciliaried Hemispingus, Blue‑and‑black Tanager, White‑banded Tyrannulet, and the energetic Rufous‑headed Pygmy‑Tyrant. The bamboo patches may reveal Unstreaked Tit‑Tyrant, Rufous Spinetail, and the furtive Tyrannine Woodcreeper, while more open edges can produce Mountain Wren, White‑throated Tyrannulet, and the ever‑present Cinereous Conebill. The changing light throughout the morning also offers new opportunities for photographing the Golden‑collared Tanager, Grass‑green Tanager, and the spectacular Mountain‑Toucans. Overhead, we may see Variable Hawk, Black‑chested Buzzard‑Eagle, or small groups of Mitred Parakeets moving between fruiting trees. Even common species such as Great Thrush, Sparkling Violetear, and Hooded Siskin add colour and activity to the morning’s birding. We return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy watching the diverse birds around the lodge.
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 6 – The Utcubamba River & Marañón Specialties 
The surrounding scrub and canyon slopes hold a superb supporting cast, including Purple‑collared Woodstar, Marañón Tyrannulet, Marañón Gnatcatcher, Marañón Thrush, Marañón Sparrow, Cordilleran Parakeet, Mouse‑gray Flycatcher, Black‑necked Woodpecker, and the colourful Buff‑bellied Tanager. More common species such as Blue‑gray Tanager, Golden‑olive Woodpecker, Tropical Kingbird, Eared Dove, and Vermilion Flycatcher add movement and colour to the morning’s birding. Raptors are often visible along the canyon, and we may encounter Harris’s Hawk, Variable Hawk, or the elegant Black‑and‑white Hawk‑Eagle soaring above the cliffs. The cactus‑studded slopes can also produce White‑tipped Dove, Streaked Saltator, White‑winged Black‑Tyrant, and the distinctive Rufous‑fronted Thornbird working its bulky stick nests. The riverbanks and rocky edges may reveal Fasciated Tiger‑Heron, while the scrubby patches above the road can hold Tumbes Hummingbird, Purple‑throated Euphonia, and small groups of Mitred Parakeets moving between fruiting trees. Even the common House Wren and Rufous‑collared Sparrow feel different here, adapted to the dry, sun‑baked slopes of the canyon. We return to the lodge for a final celebratory lunch, spending the afternoon at your leisure.
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Pedro Ruiz – Cuispes Road
After breakfast, we head north. A short 30-minute drive brings us to the village of Pedro Ruiz, the starting point for our morning birding along the quiet road leading to Cuispes. This area offers a fantastic mix of species in a very accessible setting. We will focus on finding colorful birds such as the Green-and-black Fruiteater, Sickle-winged Guan, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and the endemic Peruvian Pigeon. We will also keep a sharp eye out for the rare Marañon Spinetail, a regional specialty. We return to the lodge for a relaxed lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure where you will be free to relax, enjoy the gardens or make the short 100 meter walk to the Marvelous Spatuletail feeders. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace, watching the diverse hummingbirds visiting the feeders in and around the lodge’s gardens.
Overnight: Gocta (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Flight back to Lima – End of Tour – 13th Nov
After a final Andean breakfast, we take our morning flight from Chachapoyas back to Lima. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a relaxed lunch together. Afterward, we will arrange a private transfer to take you to the airport in time for your international flight home.  (B,L,)