About Peru

Peru is an amazing country, from the rich Humboldt Ocean current and the majestic Andes Mountains, to the lush Amazon rainforest. Between these extremes are dry forest, high elevation grasslands and cloud forests that result in an unsurpassed geographic and climatic diversity that is reflected in the high number of bird species.

Indeed, with nearly 1800 species recorded within its borders, Peru runs head to head with Colombia in being the country with the largest number of bird species in the world! And it is second only to Indonesia in the number of bird species with restricted geographical ranges.

The lowland rain forest appears uniform but it is incredible complex. There are a myriad of soil types that result in different plant communities to which specific sets of species are associated. The eastern Andean slopes harbor an extremely rich avifauna, and bird species are restricted to narrow bands along the altitudinal gradient. The western slopes are arid, but are dissected by deep valleys that are oases of life, where species are restricted to stripes of vegetation circumventing the rivers that flow from the high Andes. The high Andes themselves are a complex of high peaks and deep valleys. This has resulted not only in high bird diversity, but also, unsurpassed scenic beauty, and fascinating culture.

According to our birding guides these are some of the best birding areas:

Northern Peru: Mangroves in Tumbes, Cerros de Amotape National park, Cutervo National park, Maranon, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Jaen, Bagua, Cajamarca, Tarapoto, Iquitos and Pacaya Samiria.

SouthernPeru: Paracas National Park, Pampa Galeras, Arequipa and Puno. We have to put special attention to Cuzco, Manu and Tambopata areas.

Central Peru: Santa Eulalia, Marcapomacocha, Lake Junin, Huanuco and Tingo Maria.