ovenbird43
Well-known member
I'm planning a one-week trip through northern Peru for Nov 2-9, ending just before a conference in Paracas that I will be attending. It's just me (unless I can find some people to join! seriously, send me a pm if interested), and I'm trying to keep costs on the low end, though I haven't yet set a firm budget cutoff. Major targets include Marvelous Spatuletail and Long-whiskered Owlet, with plenty of other range-restricted or endemic species targets. My question at the moment mainly concerns transportation: should I rent a car, take public transport/taxis, or shell out more money and hire a driver? I've driven rental cars in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and South Africa before without incident, but just the same the combination of aggressive drivers and Andean roads is a bit intimidating to me. Here is my tentative itinerary:
Nov 2. Afternoon flight from Lima. Overnight in Tarapoto.
Nov 3. AM bird along the Cordillera Escalera (easier with rental car but doable with taxi?), afternoon travel to Moyobamba, with stops along the way (if driving). Overnight at Wakanki Lodge or in Moyobamba.
Nov 4. All day Wakanki - hike to see Ash-throated Antwren, other targets = Rufous-crested Coquette, Fiery-capped Manakin, Black-bellied Tanager, Mishana Tyrannulet.
Nov 5. Morning birding at Wakanki or Moyobamba surroundings (e.g. Indane wetlands for Masked Duck, crakes). Stop at Afluenta area if possible. PM arrive at Fundo Alto Nieva, stay overnight.
Nov 6. All day at Fundo Alto Nieva. Many targets, incl. the owlet, Royal Sunangel, Johnson's Tody-Tyrant, White-capped Tanagers, Ochre-fronted, Chestnut, and Rusty-tinged Antpittas, plus more.
Nov 7. Morning birding at Fundo (or nearby areas if have car), afternoon drive to Huembo for Marvelous Spatuletail. Overnight at new Huembo lodge or in cheap hotel in Pomocochas.
Nov 8. Morning/afternoon at Rio Chido/San Lorezno for Pale-billed Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softail, and some other targets. Evening back at Huembo or Pomocochas.
Nov 9. Return to Tarapoto for pm. flight to Lima.
It seems I could do the bulk of this trip with public transport, I'd have to skip some lesser stops and it's unclear how to get around between Huembo and San Lorenzo but I imagine I could make it work. My main hangup is not wanting to lose a lot of time waiting for buses or trying to figure out how to get around. Renting a car would give me freedom and save time, but would be pricier (cost unknown yet, no online quotes available for Tarapoto) and possibly scary. I'd appreciate any input from folks who have visited the region.
Nov 2. Afternoon flight from Lima. Overnight in Tarapoto.
Nov 3. AM bird along the Cordillera Escalera (easier with rental car but doable with taxi?), afternoon travel to Moyobamba, with stops along the way (if driving). Overnight at Wakanki Lodge or in Moyobamba.
Nov 4. All day Wakanki - hike to see Ash-throated Antwren, other targets = Rufous-crested Coquette, Fiery-capped Manakin, Black-bellied Tanager, Mishana Tyrannulet.
Nov 5. Morning birding at Wakanki or Moyobamba surroundings (e.g. Indane wetlands for Masked Duck, crakes). Stop at Afluenta area if possible. PM arrive at Fundo Alto Nieva, stay overnight.
Nov 6. All day at Fundo Alto Nieva. Many targets, incl. the owlet, Royal Sunangel, Johnson's Tody-Tyrant, White-capped Tanagers, Ochre-fronted, Chestnut, and Rusty-tinged Antpittas, plus more.
Nov 7. Morning birding at Fundo (or nearby areas if have car), afternoon drive to Huembo for Marvelous Spatuletail. Overnight at new Huembo lodge or in cheap hotel in Pomocochas.
Nov 8. Morning/afternoon at Rio Chido/San Lorezno for Pale-billed Antpitta, Russet-mantled Softail, and some other targets. Evening back at Huembo or Pomocochas.
Nov 9. Return to Tarapoto for pm. flight to Lima.
It seems I could do the bulk of this trip with public transport, I'd have to skip some lesser stops and it's unclear how to get around between Huembo and San Lorenzo but I imagine I could make it work. My main hangup is not wanting to lose a lot of time waiting for buses or trying to figure out how to get around. Renting a car would give me freedom and save time, but would be pricier (cost unknown yet, no online quotes available for Tarapoto) and possibly scary. I'd appreciate any input from folks who have visited the region.