Our comprehensive highlights of Colombia tour covers all three Andean ranges and both inter-Andean valleys, as well as lowland rainforest in search of numerous endemics and regional avian specialties. We will be searching for a remarkable collection of birds that are likely to exceed 400 species, including over 60 species of colourful tanagers, 8 species of furtive antpittas, and nearly 50 species of dazzling hummingbirds! Combined with spectacular scenery, friendly locals, and pleasant lodges situated within prime birding areas, this tour of Colombia offers the very best of South American birding!
Wattled Guan, Bogota Rail, Northern Screamer, Merida Speckled Teal, Yellow-eared & Rusty-faced Parrot, Rufous-fronted & Flame-winged Parakeet, Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl, Moustached Puffbird, Black Inca, Empress Brilliant, Toucan & White-mantled Barbet, Greyish Piculet, White-throated Screech Owl, Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, Slaty-crowned and Bicolored Antpittas, Bar-crested Antshrike, Red-bellied Grackle, Beautiful Jay, Star-chested Treerunner, Uniform Treehunter, Munchique Wood Wren, Tanager Finch, Black-chinned Mountain, Gold-ringed, Black-and-gold & Glistening-green Tanager, Crested Ant Tanager, Turquoise Dacnis, Choco Vireo, Rufous-browed Conebill, Stiles’s & Tatama (Alto Pisones) Tapaculo, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Blue-throated & Golden-bellied Starfrontlet, Indigo-capped & Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Oilbird, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Black Solitaire, Buffy Helmetcrest, Glowing Puffleg, Choco & Antioquia Brushfinches, Yellow-headed Manakin, Beautiful Woodpecker
Habitats Covered rainforest, Choco Cloud Forest, humid lowland forest, dry forest
Expected Climate temperate to cold in highlands (Chingaza, Los Nevados), Hot and humid in the lowlands (Rio Claro). Rain is likely on some days.
Max Group Size 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking brisk pace, some demanding walks
Accommodation basic to very comfortable
Ease of Birding moderate with some challenging species
Number of Species Expected 500+
Other Attractions spectacular scenery.
Photographic Opportunities good
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.
Forrest Rowland was superb as usual. Both his birding skills and people skills are extraordinary.
Dusan is an outstanding guide. He consistently made sure that all of us saw each bird and knew its name. I have hearing and mild short-term memory problems and Dusan took specialefforts to be sure that these did not interfere with my birding success on the trip. Not only does Dusan know all of the Colombian birds by sight, but he knows all of their calls and is able to talk at length about their biology and behavior - that is, he is an excellent teacher, too. This is something that I appreciate greatly, as I am a retired college professor of biology and I recognize an excellent teacher when I see one in action. In addition to his skills as a guide, Dusan was tireless in making sure that the constantly-changing tour arrangements went smoothly from day to day. I am certain that we got every minute that was possible out in the field looking for new birds; this was the goal of the tour (1000 species seen in 30 days of birding). He has a very pleasant, enthusiastically-encouraging personality and is outstanding at promoting group coherence and morale in difficult and sometimes mildly-dangerous situations.
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.
First of all, Forrest Rowland's profound knowledge of the full range of bird identification traits, songs and calls, habitat preferences and behavioural detail was indispensable to our ability to view, hear, and understand what we were looking for/at. Even more so, his knowledge and ability to effectively convey such information in a timely and readily comprehensible manner was an essential component of our ability to get on birds effectively. Plus his expertise and experience did not stop with the bird life. Secondly, he was an amazing leader in keeping a diverse group of participants focused on tasks at hand and committed to an inclusive "team" dynamic, not an easy feat! His very personable and easy going style kept everyone engaged and appreciating contributions from the whole group... and no one ever appeared isolated. Lastly, and also crucial to an effective journey of this type, Forrest was always on top of tour logistics and management, which are extremely complex and sometimes change with little notice (e.g. flights being cancelled). ln part this was due to his own experience travelling within Colombia, building upon the wonderful network of supporting "staff/contributors", and he was always able to easily provide next step details, rationales, and alternatives to the group.