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Colombia - Mega Birding Tour

© Toucan Barbets by Adam Riley

Colombia birding is undoubtedly the most diverse, exciting birding destination on Earth. With two coastlines, four cordilleras and a vast expanse of Amazonian rainforest habitats, one could spend years searching out all the natural wonders it holds. So, how many birds could one see in a month – 600 species? 800? On this intrepid tour, we expect 1 000 species of birds in less than a month – and we have already achieved this on four occasions!! In our quest to accomplish this incredible feat, we will traverse all three Andean Cordilleras and explore the depths of the Magdalena and Cauca Valleys. From the white sand and terra firme forests of Mitu, to the humid Choco, we will sample the richest rainforests in the country. Finally, from the dry Caribbean coast, up lush slopes to San Lorenzo Ridge, we will enjoy the best of the legendary, endemic-rich Santa Marta Mountains. This Colombia birding tour is the most comprehensive offer to experience the most biodiverse nation in the world!

Top Birds

Bogota Rail, Cauca Guan, Chestnut-winged & Colombian Chachalacas, Chestnut Wood Quail, Noble Snipe, Red-fan, Yellow-eared & Rusty-faced Parrots, Golden-plumed, Rufous-fronted, Barred, Santa Marta & Flame-winged Parakeets, Santa Marta Screech Owl, White-tipped Quetzal, Pompadour & Purple-breasted Cotingas, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Red-bellied Grackle, Black-collared Jay, Beautiful Woodpecker, Orinoco Piculet, White-mantled Barbet, Brown-banded, Slaty-crowned & Bicolored Antpittas, Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Brown-banded Puffbird, Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, Pale-bellied, Narino, Stiles’s & Alto Pisones Tapaculos, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Bar-crested Antshrike, Turquoise Dacnis, Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Sapphire-bellied, Indigo-capped & Shining-green Hummingbirds, Santa Marta Blossomcrown, Black Inca, Empress Brilliant, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Buffy Helmetcrest, Black-thighed & Coppery-bellied Pufflegs, Pacific Tuftedcheek, White-tailed Hillstar, Fiery Topaz, White-bibbed Manakin, Chestnut-crested & Magdalena Antbirds, Choco Vireo, Bicolored Antvireo, Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, Chestnut-capped & Olivaceous Pihas, Apolinar’s, White-headed, Chestnut-breasted & Sooty-headed Wrens, Munchique Wood Wren, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Masked Saltator, Uniform Treehunter, Star-chested Treerunner, Fulvous-breasted Flatbill, Black Solitaire, Yellow-collared & Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Crested & Sooty Ant Tanagers, Purplish-mantled, Glistening-green, Black-and-gold, Gold-ringed, Scarlet-and-white, Multicolored & White-capped Tanagers, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Choco, Santa Marta, Sierra Nevada, Pale-naped, Moustached and Black-headed Brushfinches.

Top Mammals

South American & Mountain Coatis, Crab-eating Fox, Pale-throated Three-toed, Brown-throated & Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloths, Black-eared Opossum, Colombian Red Howler Monkey, Variegated Spider Monkey, Silvery-brown & Mottle-cheeked Tamarins, Grey-handed Night Monkey, White-throated, Guianan Brown & White-fronted Capuchins, Tapeti, Central American Agouti, Santander Dwarf, Western Dwarf, Red-tailed, Northern Amazon Red & Andean Squirrels, Tayra, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Long-tailed Weasel, Red Brocket and White-tailed Deer.

Habitats Covered

Amazonian terra firme and white sand forest, Paramo and Elfin Forest, montane lakes and xerophytic scrub, coastal lagoons, mangroves, grasslands & wetlands

Expected Climate

Temperate to cold in highlands (Chingaza, Los Nevados, Santa Marta), hot and humid in the lowlands (Rio Claro, Mitu). Rain is likely on some days.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Fast paced, with the intention to see as many birds in as short a time as possible

Accommodation

Basic to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Moderate with some challenging species

Number of Species Expected

1000+

Other Attractions

Spectacular scenery in Los Nevados and Santa Marta Mountains, rarely seen mammals.

Photographic Opportunities

Good, but limited due to time constraints.

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
CS, Colombia 2021

Dušan was an amazing guide. His acute hearing and anticipation of where the birds would be was extraordinary. He had a well balanced sensibility in regards to our limits and possibilities and was always exercising his desire that everyone in the group was able to see each bird we encountered as best as the circumstances permitted. His passion for birding was very apparent and sincere. Dušan's communication and updates as things changed benefited the whole group.

Robert Williams
SP, Colombia 2019

Rob did an outstanding job on this tour. He is an excellent birding guide, great personality and provided insights on a variety of diverse subject matters. I was also impressed with the local operator and their quick actions in dealing with unexpected situations like the general strike and road closure to Medellin.

Robert Williams
LW, Colombia 2021

"This was the fourth of four tours we did for Colombia 2021. This was a great experience. Such diversity of habitats and birds in this small area! Both our guides were excellent. Rob particularly went above and beyond all expectations helping participants with the logistics of getting Covid testing done under the severe time restrictions imposed by recent changes in US rules. We always feel secure traveling with Rockjumper because of the quality of the tour leaders!!"

Forrest Rowland
PI, Colombia 2018

Thank you so much for a wonderful experience on my Remote Colombia Tour. Forrest remains among one of the best guides I have ever travelled with. His knowledge of the areas within Colombia is astounding, he clearly knows his birds and their respective calls, he knows the off-track spots to seek out the more difficult species and the local people he interacts with clearly respect and value their relationship with him. Witnessing the interaction of these relationships makes for such a more enjoyable overall experience. Forrest as a guide brings a strong combination of spotting birds, knowing the bird calls and getting people on the bird. Equally important, he interacts with each and everyone of his participants and just displays such a passion for birds, wildlife and the local culture.

Forrest Rowland
AF, Colombia 2018

Forrest Rowland was superb as usual.  Both his birding skills and people skills are extraordinary.

Colombia - Mega Birding Tour II 2024

15 Nov 2024 - 14 Dec 2024 (30 days)

USD11,995 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos

Tour price (Per person): USD11,995 * GBP9,548 * EUR11,137 * AUD18,108

Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP645 * EUR752 * AUD1,223

Flight costs: USD710 * GBP565 * EUR659 * AUD1,072

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