The nice town Leimebamba in the upper Utcubamba Valley at about 2000 m is along the route Pedro Ruiz-Cajamarca. This road is generally in a rather poor condition and in the rainy season it can be very bad. However, this area, and the whole upper Maranon circuit, holds many rare and range-restricted species. Nearby are also archeological sites like Kuelap and Chachapoyas.
Along the Utcubamba river birds like Maranon Thrush and Purple-collared Woodstar can be seen. In the more humid montane forest above Leimebamba good birds like Russet-mantled Softtail, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Coppery Metaltail, Baron´s Spinetail, Blackish Tapaculo of the intermedius form which may be a good species, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan and the peruviana race of White-chinned Thistletail can be found.
Leimebamba is a center for trekking tourism especially to archeological sites such as Laguna de los Condores. However, the forest patches that one pass on these hikes are highly interesting for the nature lover. This whole are is could well become a center for Natura Trekking - organized trekking with biologist guides that can give you the names of plants, orchids, butterflies and birds you encounter on the way.
Birdwise there is much to explore, especially if you venture over the ridge to the east slope of the mountains where there still is forest similar to that of Abiseo and Carpish and where the specialities of these regions can also be found including Pardusco, Yellow-eared Toucanet and Pale-billed Antpitta.
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