HELPING BIRDERS PLAN INDEPENDENT TRIPS TO PERU
GET STARTEDHola! I’m Pepe, a Peruvian ornithologist and birding guide with over 25 years experience leading tours throughout the Americas, from the Alaskan tundra to Antarctica. I’ve also owned and operated a birding travel company focused on private expeditions in Peru. You can read my full bio, including my current work as a cruise expedition ornithologist, here.
Independent / self-led birding tours
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after guiding hundreds of birders throughout my career, it’s that we are a diverse bunch. Some love the convenience of a traditional group tour, while others prefer the personalization of a private tour. And then there are those of us that — thanks to the magic of the internet — genuinely enjoy the process of designing, booking, and executing our own independent birding adventures to destinations around the world.
Independent or self-led tours are gaining popularity among listers, budget travelers, and those with unique trip goals (such as photography) that are looking for greater itinerary flexibility and lower price tags than what’s offered with a traditional group or private birding tour. With careful, informed planning (and an adventurous attitude) independent tours can yield spectacular birding outcomes!
Travel deeper, birding like a local
If you’ve always traveled this way, this is nothing new. But if you’re new to independent travel you might be wondering, is this for me? See if this sounds familiar:
You love researching new destinations, reading maps, and devour any information you find online about your next prospective birding trip. Cross-referencing online trip reports and blog posts, you’ll piece together the logistics one by one, and then book reservations for lodging, drivers, and internal flights directly. No bundled tour quote, no middle man. Not only does this save you a ton of money vs. a traditional tour, but you’re able to explore lesser-traveled destinations that the birding companies don’t travel to. And, by connecting with local guides in each location, you get an authentic, local’s perspective on each of the places you visit.
Careful, informed planning to minimize risk
This doesn’t mean planning your trip will be easy; in addition to the time it takes to design a trip from scratch, there are risks and unknowns when planning on your own. It’s not enough to rely on the personal anecdotes of friends that once traveled to Peru, or forum/blog posts from travelers with a tourist perspective. A few things you might run into:
Is this the best possible itinerary to maximize my time and checklist — am I giving myself enough time in each location and will I see actually see the birds I’m traveling all this way to see?
How accurate is this trip report I found online, are these habitats still active?
Are there any safety concerns I should take into consideration about these destinations?
How do I identify, contact, and hire reliable and trustworthy drivers and skilled/bilingual local guides in advance?
How can you answer these questions with certainty, ensuring a smooth and seamless trip full of breathtaking moments in nature and incredible birds?
Consult with a pro! Someone who will take the time to answer all of your questions and provide precise, up-to-date information about bird habitats and the logistics of reaching them. A local, bilingual expert who knows Peru birding travel better than anyone.
Here’s where I can help.
Independent Trip Planning Services with Pepe
Providing as much or as little support as needed, I’ll help you design a custom birding itinerary that maximizes your checklist (if you have one), time constraints, budget, and travel style. I’ll answer all of the what-if’s and will share my knowledge, professional advice, local tips, and priceless local contacts developed from over two decades of experience.
You can then decide to either book your itinerary directly, or have me handle booking and management of your independent tour. Whatever you choose, at the end of our collaboration you’ll have everything you need to be your own successful tour leader.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
HOW IT WORKS
Through my in-depth customized itinerary service, I’ll help you pinpoint target destinations based on your birding checklist, lodging options (up to 3 for each location) at each point in the itinerary, optional activities & tours based on interests, and even restaurants. You will receive local driver and guide recommendations for each location, along with pricing and contact information for each service. Your trip itinerary will be delivered as a 10 to 25-page document that will serve as the framework for your entire trip.
My recommendations are based on your personal preferences (including travel style and budget), which are gathered through an online survey at the beginning of our collaboration. The recommendations I make will be catered specifically to you and your trip goals/needs. Unlike traditional travel companies that only work with a set list of hotels and service providers, I don’t work for commission so I have no restrictions on what I can and cannot recommend. This means you’ll get completely honest, unbiased advice and recommendations. My only interest is to ensure that you have the BEST independent birding experience possible in Peru.
STEP 1:
Submit your request through my online form. I will need to know your prospective travel dates and the number of people in your group.
STEP 2:
Within 48 hours of your request, you will then receive from me: (1) an email with a quote; (2) a survey to learn more about your birding goals, budget, and travel preferences; and (3) an invoice via PayPal.
Once I receive your survey response and payment, I will add you to my schedule and give you a date that your itinerary will be completed by.
STEP 3:
With your custom itinerary in hand, you now have all of the information needed to book your hotel, transport, and tour reservations directly.
Or, if you’ve opted to have me handle your reservations, you’ll receive an itemized invoices for services — these are the same prices you’ll find online with zero markup. Once payment is made, I’ll book your reservations and you’ll receive a final itinerary with confirmation numbers.
View a sample customized itinerary to see an excerpt of an itinerary we’ve created.
PRICING
PLANNING JUMPSTART
Your investment:
$ 50
Who it’s for:
You’re in the earliest planning stage and want expert, unbiased advice and input about your ideas. Or, you already have an itinerary in mind but would like me to review it and provide feedback.
What you get:
- 20 minute skype call with me to discuss your trip ideas, birding goals and travel style.
- Follow-up document from me with customized recommendations and suggested trip summary. If you are working on a specific bird list, I will ask you to send it to me so I can craft my recommendations accordingly.
+Note that if you purchase an Initial Jumpstart session and then later decide to upgrade to either custom itinerary service, I will credit this payment towards your final balance.
CUSTOM ITINERARY
Your investment:
$ 290*
Who it’s for:
You’re in the earliest planning stage and want expert, unbiased advice and input about your ideas. Or, you already have an itinerary in mind but would like me to review it and provide feedback.
What you get:
- 20 minute skype call with me to discuss your trip ideas, birding goals and travel style.
- Follow-up document from me with customized recommendations and suggested trip summary. If you are working on a specific bird list, I will ask you to send it to me so I can craft my recommendations accordingly.
*Up to 7 day itinerary
8 to 14 day itinerary: $ 390
15 to 21 day itinerary: $ 490
ITINERARY + BOOKING
Your investment:
$ 490*
Who it’s for:
You’re in the earliest planning stage and want expert, unbiased advice and input about your ideas. Or, you already have an itinerary in mind but would like me to review it and provide feedback.
What you get:
- 20 minute skype call with me to discuss your trip ideas, birding goals and travel style.
- Follow-up document from me with customized recommendations and suggested trip summary. If you are working on a specific bird list, I will ask you to send it to me so I can craft my recommendations accordingly.
*Up to 7 day itinerary
8 to 14 day itinerary: $690
15 to 21 day itinerary: $ 950
Ready to start planning your trip?
, of quo of bundled quotes and replicated itineraries just aren’t meeting the needs of some travelers. These might seem logical and obvious to everyone, but it’s important to note that independent birding is NOT for every birder.
Your Title Goes Here
, of quo of bundled quotes and replicated itineraries just aren’t meeting the needs of some travelers. These might seem logical and obvious to everyone, but it’s important to note that independent birding is NOT for every birder. Those who prefer an all-inclusive style of travel (aka zero work on your end) and the social dynamics of group travel are not likely to enjoy this DIY-approach. Independent travel requires you to oversee many aspects of your trip and is typically a much more low-key experience where, for example, meals are taken in the company of just your local guide. Unless you’re a group of friends planning an indie trip, in which case, let the good times roll!
So then, who is it for?
Independent birding trips are ideal for LISTERS, BUDGET-MINDED TRAVELERS (who don’t want to sacrifice quality), and ADVENTUROUS BIRDERS with a DIY attitude.
Self-guided trips don’t have to be risky and it should be exactly . YOU deserve to call the shots.
What you’ll get is my knowledge, professional advice, extensive local contacts, and tips from over 25 years of experience (click here for my bio).