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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

Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.

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

Robert Williams
IS, Colombia 2019

Rob's combination of bird finding skills and tour management expertise made for a great birding trip which was enjoyed by all.

Forrest Rowland
JA - Colombia 2019

I was thrilled when Forrest Rowland agreed to run another Colombia Mega, as I really wanted to join a tour led by him – he has such extensive experience of this country and its birds. Even with that expectation, the trip exceeded my wildest dreams. Forrest’s grasp of Colombia’s birds, herps, plants, geography and history sets the scene for a magnificent experience. His humour and personality ensure one enjoys every minute.

Tuomas Seimola
TK, Colombia 2019

Two great tours led by Tuomas, who is an outstanding birder and great tour leader. Local guides were also very good, so we all saw virtually all of our hit list birds. Thanks to all.

Forrest Rowland
AH, Colombia 2018

I have travelled with Forrest before, and still he manages to beat my expectations with his wonderful visual and auditory skills, hard work and preparation, and he is just fun to travel with. Special kudos on this trip for how he continued on despite being very unwell with fever and chills.

Robert Williams
CA, Colombia 2017

From the several members of the office staff to the actual tour itself, I have nothing but high praise for my Rockjumper experience. This was my first tour with Rockjumper, but I hope it won't be my last. Alison and Sarah were tremendously helpful. Rob Williams is as good a leader as I have ever experienced. He not only knows the birds, but he made sure that we all got to see them, showing patience way beyond what I thought necessary. When one of our participants lost his passport, Rob bent over backwards to help this hapless person, never complaining while doing so. Rob always told us what the plan was for the next day. When Plan A didn't pan out, he had Plan B ready. If something went askew, he handled it with aplomb, always keeping his sense of humour. Did I mention he showed us wonderful birds? Oh, we saw some beautiful ones!

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 * GBP9,645 * EUR11,299 * AUD18,701

Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP651 * EUR763 * AUD1,263

Flight costs: USD710 * GBP571 * EUR669 * AUD1,107

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