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Colombia - Central Andes (Relaxed)

© Gold-ringed Tanager by Dusan Brinkhuizen

Colombia needs no introduction in birding circles, home to over 1900 species, more than any other country. This huge diversity of species results from the equally diverse range of habitats: three Andean Cordilleras (Western, Central and Eastern Andes), two inter-Andean valleys (the Cauca and Magdalena Valleys), the lowland forests of the Amazon and Orinoco regions, the isolated snow-capped Santa Marta Mountains, the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, deserts and lakes, and the rich wet forests of the Chocó all help to make it one of the most exciting countries to bird on earth!

This relaxed tour focuses on the Pacific slope habitat of Las Tangaras, montane forests above Jardin, the famous antpittas of Rio Blanco and the high-altitude elfin forest and paramo of Los Nevados del Ruiz.

Top Birds

Red-bellied Grackle; Gold-ringed, Multicolored, Flame-rumped & Black-and-gold Tanagers; Chestnut-capped Piha; Yellow-headed Manikin; Velvet-purple Coronet; Empress Brilliant; White-throated Daggerbill; Crested Ant Tanager; Yellow-eared Parrot; Black-billed Mountain Toucan; Tourmaline Sunangel; Golden-headed Quetzal; Toucan Barbet; Yellow-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, Brown-banded, Slaty-crowned, Chestnut-naped & Bicolored Antpittas; Andean Cock-of-the-rock; Cauca Guan; Red-ruffed Fruitcrow; Golden-collared Manakin;

Top Mammals

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Habitats Covered

gallery forest, grasslands, humid forest, Choco forest, coffee plantations, scrub

Expected Climate

cool in highlands, mostly hot and humid in lowlands

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Our Relaxed series of tours are designed to focus on having an enjoyable holiday with a bird and wildlife focus. Where possible; we have reduced or removed long drives, single night stays and poor/rustic accommodation. We have also sought to reduce or remove difficult hikes, narrow/muddy trails and otherwise oppressive environmental conditions. Early starts and night birding are mostly optional, and we will not spend much time searching for difficult and/or skulking species. These tours are not suitable for hardcore birders and listers, or dedicated photographers.

Accommodation

Comfortable, some lodgings are simple.

Ease of Birding

Moderate. Several low-density species. Typical forest birding difficulties of visibility & lighting.

Photographic Opportunities

Good. Typical forest lighting difficulties. Several feeders.

What our clients say about us

Tuomas Seimola
DM, Colombia 2019

Tuomas was an excellent guide and organizer.

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!!"

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
JP, Colombia 2021

I was extremely pleased with Rob and his ability to locate birds and get all members of the group on them for viewing. This was no small task given the reclusive nature of many of the species and the size of our group. In addition to Robs valuable birding skills are his management skills in planning and timing and surmounting both the usual and the unexpected difficulties associated with delays and circumstances. Rob is extremely knowledgeable and has excellent communication skills. His stories are informative and most often entertaining. He was a fun guide and I give him a 5 star plus rating.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
PE, Colombia 2021

I would just like to praise Dušan for all the constant effort he put in during a trip with external problems. He dealt with the bureaucracy of all our nations in getting our covid tests and the form filling, and it was no easy task. His knowledge of the birds and especially their calls, gave the the whole trip an extra level and I profited handsomely from his skills. I would be most happy to go on a tour with Dusan again.

Colombia - Central Andes (Relaxed) 2025

01 Aug 2025 - 13 Aug 2025 (13 days)

USD6,195 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox

Tour price (Per person): USD6,195 * GBP4,951 * EUR5,749 * AUD9,376

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