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!
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.
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.
Amazonian terra firme and white sand forest, Paramo and Elfin Forest, montane lakes and xerophytic scrub, coastal lagoons, mangroves, grasslands & wetlands
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.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Fast paced, with the intention to see as many birds in as short a time as possible
Basic to comfortable.
Moderate with some challenging species
1000+
Spectacular scenery in Los Nevados and Santa Marta Mountains, rarely seen mammals.
Good, but limited due to time constraints.
No one beats Rockjumper and Forrest Rowland for running wonderful trips. The logistics are incredible and involving so many Colombians to get us places and up steep trails were amazing. Thanks to all involved at Rockjumper for making this trip possible.
Tuomas was an excellent guide and organizer.
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.
Stephan Lorenz is an outstanding guide – extremely knowledgeable, extremely diligent in getting target birds, and is full of enthusiasm every day. A real pleasure.
Tuomas is a great guide and excellent with bird IDs and helping people see all of the birds as much as possible. He also managed to maintain group morale despite a very ambitious and exhausting itinerary.
15 Nov 2024 - 14 Dec 2024 (30 days)
USD11,995 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos
Tour price (Per person): USD11,995 * GBP9,658 * EUR11,279 * AUD18,742
Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP652 * EUR762 * AUD1,266
Flight costs: USD710 * GBP572 * EUR668 * AUD1,109
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Colombia - Northern Andes: Central Andes 2023 - October 2023
Colombia - Northern Andes: Medellin & surrounds 2023 - October 2023
Colombia - Northern Andes: Bogota & surrounds 2023 - October 2023
Colombia - Northern Andes: Santa Marta 2023 - September 2023
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension I 2023 - August 2023
Colombia - Highlights 2023 - August 2023
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension II 2022 - December 2022
Colombia - Northern Andes: Western & Central Andes 2022 - November 2022
Colombia - Northern Andes: Medellin & Magdalena Valley 2022 - November 2022
Colombia - Northern Andes: Bogota & surrounds 2022 - November 2022
Colombia - Highlights 2022 - September 2022
Colombia - Mega Birding Tour II 2021 - November 2021
Colombia - Mega Birding Tour I 2020 - January 2020
Colombia - Highlights 2019 - November 2019
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension 2019 - November 2019
Colombia - Perijá & Santa Marta Endemics (SGT) 2019 - October 2019
Colombia - Mega Birding Tour 2019 - February 2019