Northern Peru is arguably theoverlooked highlight of a trulydiverse and spectacular country.With a mountainous backbone dissectedby the mighty Marañon River and itstributaries, this vast region is abiogeographic jigsaw that is surely yet toreveal many hidden wildlife secrets. Wewill explore it on this adventurous tour, aswe travel from the midst of the verdantAmazonian lowlands to the breathtakingUtcubamba Canyon, over the WesternCordillera of the Andes, and throughdesert and dry foothills before concludingat Chaparri Lodge and the crashing surf ofthe Pacific.This will be a spellbinding journey offeringa wealth of opportunities to enjoy theregion's spectacular scenery and richarchaeological heritage, as well as anornithological feast that may include suchlegendary gems as the remarkableMarvellous Spatuletail, endemic Inca-finches, the endangered White-wingedGuan (which was thought to be extinct forover 100 years), and a huge variety ofmore widespread species such as AndeanCondor, King Vulture and Andean Cock-of-the-rock. Without doubt, this is one of theworld's most tantalising birdingdestinations!We begin our tour with a flight to Iquitos,from where a short boat ride will deliver usto a well-appointed Amazonian lodgewhich allows us to embark on our holidayin style! Here we will explore a variety ofAmazonian habitats, seeking the birds andwildlife of the region. We will pay specialattention to an area of rare white-sandforest where there are several endemics,some only recently discovered, and to theinhospitable habitats on the islands in theriver where several specialist species havealso evolved. We should also seemonkeys, river dolphins, caiman and muchmore as we explore this region on foot andby boat.We next spend two days exploring thehumid forests to the east of the Andes,home to such species as Royal Sunangeland huge mixed species flocks teemingwith colourful tanagers. The lowerelevations here also accommodate suchsought-after species as Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Amazonian Umbrellabird.We'll eventually bird our way up to the highpass of Abra Patricia. The stunted forestsaround the pass, amidst the most awe-inspiring scenery of the tour, are home tosome of Peru's least known species. Thenew birders' lodge here, Owlet Lodge, isideally placed overlooking the forestedridges falling away to the east, and will beour base for the next two nights. TheLong-whiskered Owlet (after which ourlodge is named), is one of the greatornithological mysteries of the continent.Discovered in 1976, it was for many yearsonly ever encountered by a handful ofmist-netting researchers. Finally, inFebruary 2007, it was discovered naturallyby researchers and has been seen by aregular trickle of keen birders since then.Remaining in the Andes, we next explorethe drainage basin of the mighty Marañon,one of Peru's principal Amazoniantributaries. The area comprises anincredibly complex topography and it ishere in these mountains that another suiteof endemic species has evolved. Travellingup the spectacular Utcubamba Valley tothe Andean town of Chachapoyas, we will,over the course of two days in the region,explore the area for birds, and also samplethe remnants of the incredibleChachapoya culture which include thefortress of Kuelap (considered by many torival Machu Picchu for its grandeur andlocation), the impressive cliffs andsarcophagi of Karajia, and the museum ofLeimebamba (the lagoon of themummies).After crossing the Marañon itself, we willspend a night in the town of Jaen tosearch the nearby areas for suchendemics as Marañon Thrush and LittleInca-finch. Next, we cross the lowest passin the Andean chain (at just 2,200 metres)and, leaving the Andes behind, move ontowards the dry coastal lowlands of theTumbesian region of Peru, one part of themost diverse centre of bird endemism onthe planet. Based at the rustic andcharming Chaparri Ecological Reserve (runby the local community), the traditionalcabins provide a comfortable base fromwhich to go in search of such species asthe critically threatened White-wingedGuan and the endemic Tumbes Tyrant, aswell as such mammals as White-tailedDeer and Sechuran Fox.This coastal plain was once also home toa diversity of pre-Inca civilisations,including the Muchik who left behind a richheritage of fine gold and silver jewellery intheir adobe pyramids. We will see some ofthese huge structures at the PomacArchaeological Sanctuary (which is alsohome to many of the endemic birds of theregion) and, during a short visit to theTumbas Reales Museum in Lambayeque,we will be able to marvel at the treasuresof the Lord of Sipan. These werediscovered as recently as 1988 and arenow displayed in a splendid new museumthat was recently named as one of theworld's 10 best small museums by the ArtNews magazine of New York.Northern PeruAn 18-day holiday combining the best of northern Peru's birds, wildlife and culture. Thursday 6th October - Sunday 23rd October 2011 Cost: £3,695Thursday 11th October - Sunday 28th October 2012 Cost: £3,895Outline itineraryDay 1Fly Lima.Day 2/4Muyuna Lodge.Day 5Iquitos.Day 6Reserva Alpahuayo,Tarapoto.Day 7Moyobamba.Day 8/9Owlet Lodge, AbraPatricia.Day 10Puerto Pumas.Day 11Kuelap, El Chillo.Day 12Jaen.Day 13Tucume.Day 14/15Chaparri EcologicalReserve.Day 16Chiclayo.Day 17Lima/in flight.Day 18Arrive London.Accommodation A mixture of the best availablelodges and hotels, some verycomfortable, some more rusticthough clean; most have privatefacilities.Food All included in the price.GradingGrade A/B. Easy day walks only.Focus Birds, other wildlife andarchaeology.LeaderPepe Moscoso or Alejandro Solano.Single room supplement£395.Web quick search: PER01210Call now or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk for your free Trip ItineraryCHICLAYO PACIFIC OCEAN PERU LIMA JAEN MOYOBAMBA TARAPOTO IQUITOS LEIMEBAMBA CHAPARRI BOLIVIA CHILE ECUADOR COLOMBIA BRAZIL Chaparri Ecological ReserveMarvellous SpatuletailPink River Dolphin

Home to 1,400 different bird species,Venezuela boasts the sixth richestavifauna on Earth. To sample thiswealth of birdlife, bird tours havetraditionally focused on the north of thecountry; this holiday, however, will explorethe little-known southern region whichforms the core of the world's largesttropical wilderness area, the territoryidealised in Conan Doyle's 'The Lost World'and Hudson's 'Green Mansions'. Here wewill focus on the birds of the famous tepuis,or table mountains, together with thelowland forests which collectively comprisethe ancient Guayana Shield. By adding avisit to the Oilbird Cave and the PariaPeninsula (the point at which Columbusfinally landed on mainland America), weoffer you an unbeatable wildlife tour ofeastern Venezuela!We begin on the Caribbean coast, with anight in an inn not far from the airportbefore flying on, the following morning, tothe north-east of the country. Here we willspend the rest of the day exploring thestrange, arid moonscape of the ArayaPeninsula, looking for such dry countryspecialities as Yellow-shouldered Parrot,Buffy Hummingbird, Glaucous Tanagerand Vermilion Cardinal, as well asAmerican Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis and awide range of waders. An hour's drive nextmorning takes us to Finca Vuelta Larga, aGerman-owned conservation ranch wherewe will look for the diminutive Black-dottedPiculet, White-chested Emerald and thestunning Crimson-hooded Manakin,together with a variety of both open-country and wetland birds. Cerro de Humo (Smoke Mountain), on theParia Peninsula, is our fourth day'sdestination. Here we hope to rendezvouswith the Paria endemics - Scissor-tailedHummingbird, White-tailed Sabrewing,White-throated Barbtail, Paria Whitestartand Venezuelan Flowerpiercer - and alsotry to find such birds as VenezuelanParakeet, the local form of Slate-crownedAntpitta and Handsome Fruiteater beforewe drive on to Caripe. This site is bestknown as the location of the Oilbird Cavefirst described by Humboldt, and on oneof our two evenings here we will witnessthe remarkable sight of thousands ofOilbirds leaving their cave. Whilst in Caripewe will also take a hike up Cerro Negro insearch of the endangered endemic, Grey-headed Warbler, and Venezuelan Sylph.Bidding farewell to Venezuela's north-east,we now set our sights on an entirelydifferent avifauna. Our lodge in theImataca Forest Reserve is best known asthe access point to the world's top regionfor breeding Harpy Eagles. Here we havearguably the best chance anywhere in itsrange of finding this, the world's largesteagle. The reserve is also home to aplethora of superb lowland rainforestspecies and we will spend the next threenights here in search of them. Amongstthe hundreds of species that we could seehere, Marail Guan, Black Curassow, manyparrots (including Caica and Red-fanParrot), Black-necked and Green Aracaris,Guianan Toucanet, Black-spotted Barbet,Curve-billed Scythebill, Fasciated andGreat Antshrikes, a host of antbirds (suchas Rufous-throated, Ferruginous-backedand the spectacular White-plumed),antwrens (including Todd's, Spot-tailed,Long-winged and Grey) and PompadourCotingas are just a few! Reluctantly dragging ourselves away fromthis rainforest bonanza, we next drivesouthwards towards the tepuis, where wewill spend our final four nights in thewonderful, family-run Barquilla de Fresalodge. The owners are excellent hosts andknow exactly what we have come for, theirlodge being located in the fabulouslowland forests at the base of the Sierra de Lema escarpment - home toCapuchinbirds and other cotingas. Aftereach long day's birdwatching in thelowland rainforests, and on the wall of thetable mountain above the lodge, we will nodoubt return to relax at the lodge with acold drink and to enjoy the Crimson Topazat the feeders, the Paradise Jacamars inthe garden and the Swallow-wingedPuffbirds nesting by our cabins. However,our main targets will be the 30 or moretepui endemics, amongst them TepuiTinamou, Tepui Parrotlet, TepuiGoldenthroat and so on; not to mention theTepui Spinetail, Antpitta, Brush-finch,Whitestart, Greenlet and Mountain-grackle!Blue-cheeked Parrot, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Bearded and White Bellbirds andsuch rare birds of prey as Orange-breastedFalcon and Black-faced Hawk will beamongst other species that we hope to seein this unforgettable prehistoric-lookinglandscape with its sweeping vistas ofunbroken rainforest and sheer tepui walls.It is little wonder that this area is aUNESCO World Heritage Site! A marvellousspot at which to conclude our tour!Those of you wishing to stay on may optto take our 3-day extension to visit theAngel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.Our camp lies alongside the stunninglybeautiful Carrao River, with a series ofwaterfalls close by. One day will bedevoted to travelling up-river in canoes tovisit the base of the Angel Falls.Venezuela - Oilbirds, Harpy Eagles & Table MountainsA 16-day birdwatching and wildlife holiday visiting the Araya and Paria Peninsulas, Oilbird Cave, Guayana Shield and Table Mountains, with an extension to the Angel Falls.Wednesday 16th November - Thursday 1st December 2011 Cost: £3,395Wednesday 14th November - Thursday 29th November 2012 Cost: £3,495Angel Falls extension available on both tours Cost: £1,095 Book direct on 01962 733051or see page 280 for Booking InformationCOLOMBIAANGEL FALLSRIVERORINOCORIVERCARONICANAIMACIUDADGUAYANAGRANSABANAIMATACAFORESTRESERVEPUERTO ORDAZ(EXTENSION)CARIPEARAYAPENINSULAPARIAPENINSULACARACASVENEZUELAOutline itineraryDay 1Fly Caracas. Day 2Fly Carüpano; ArayaPeninsula. Day 3/4Paria Peninsula. Day 5/6Caripe. Day 7/9Imataca Forest Reserve. Day 10/13La Gran Sabana. Day 14Puerto Ordaz. Day 15Depart Venezuela. Day 16Arrive London.Angel Falls extension Day 15/17Canaima and AngelFalls. Day 18Depart Venezuela. Day 19Arrive London.Accommodation Birding lodges and small inns, mostwith private facilities.Food All included in the price.GradingWalking is fairly easy, except for two(optional) longer hikes up Cerro deHumo and Cerro Negro. Focus Birds and wildlife.LeaderCecilia Herrera (main tour);Alejandro Nagy (extension).Single room supplement£250, where available (extension:£250).Web quick search: VEN04211KukenánHarpy Eagle