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!
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
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
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!
The Santa Marta Mountains were truly a great place to bird with several endemics to be seen and spectacular mountains views. The lodge was a fantastic place to stay for three nights. Highly recommend this extension tour!!!!
Tuomas was an excellent guide and organizer.
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.
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.