Colombia is undoubtedly the most diverse and exciting country 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 that it holds. Our Mega tour spends a month traversing all three Andean Chains and exploinge the depths of the Magdalena and Cauca Valleys. From the white sand and terra firme forests of Inírida, to the humid Choco, we will sample the richest rainforests in the country. Finally, from the dry Caribbean coast, up lush slopes to the San Lorenzo Ridge, we will enjoy the best of the legendary, endemic-rich, Santa Marta Mountains. This tour is hands down the single most comprehensive offer to experience the most biodiverse nation in the world, and we welcome you to join us on this amazing challenge!
Flights to Inírida are operated by a single airline, with a variable schedule. It is highly likely that the tour logistics will require adjustments closer to departure once the flight schedules are confirmed.
Bogota Rail; Cauca Guan; Chestnut-winged & Colombian Chachalacas; Chestnut Wood Quail; Red-fan, Yellow-eared & Rusty-faced Parrots; Golden-plumed, Rufous-fronted, Barred, Cobalt-winged & Santa Marta Parakeets; Santa Marta Screech Owl; White-tipped Quetzal; Pompadour & Purple-breasted Cotingas; Capuchinbird; Red-ruffed Fruitcrow; Red-bellied Grackle; Black-collared Jay; Beautiful Woodpecker; Orinoco & Chestnut Piculets; White-mantled Barbet; Crescent-faced, Cundinimarca, Brown-banded, Slaty-crowned, Muisca & Bicolored Antpittas; Grey-cheeked Nunlet; Brown-banded Puffbird; Antioquia Bristle Tyrant; Pale-bellied, Narino, Magdalena, Stiles’s & Tatama Tapaculos; Golden-breasted & Orange-breasted Fruiteaters; Silvery-throated & White-whiskered Spinetails; Recurve-billed & Black Bushbirds; Bar-crested & Klage's Antshrikes; Turquoise Dacnis; Bronze-tailed & Rainbow-bearded Thornbills; Sapphire-bellied, Indigo-capped, Chestnut-bellied & 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, Golden-collared, Black, Lance-tailed & Yellow-headed Manakins; Rose-breasted Chat, Yapacana, Chestnut-crested & Magdalena Antbirds; Choco Vireo; Bicolored Antvireo; Ruddy Foliage-gleaner; Amazonian Umbrellabird; Orinoco Softtail; Chestnut-capped & Olivaceous Pihas; Apolinar’s, White-headed, Chestnut-breasted, Niveforo's & Sooty-headed Wrens; Munchique Wood Wren; Rufous-rumped Antwren; Indigo & Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercers; 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, Multicolored & White-capped Tanagers; Black-chinned Mountain Tanager; Antioquia, Choco, Santa Marta, Ochre-breasted, Sierra Nevada, Pale-naped, Moustached & Black-headed Brushfinches; Colombian Mountain Grackle.
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 (Los Nevados, Santa Marta), hot and humid in the lowlands (Rio Claro, Inírida). Rain is likely on some days.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
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.
basic to comfortable
moderate with some challenging species
900+
Spectacular scenery in Los Nevados and Santa Marta Mountains, rarely seen mammals.
limited due to time constraints
Forrest Rowland was superb as usual. Both his birding skills and people skills are extraordinary.
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.
Thank you so much for a wonderful experience on my Remote Colombia Tour. Forrest remains among one of the best guides I have ever travelled with. His knowledge of the areas within Colombia is astounding, he clearly knows his birds and their respective calls, he knows the off-track spots to seek out the more difficult species and the local people he interacts with clearly respect and value their relationship with him. Witnessing the interaction of these relationships makes for such a more enjoyable overall experience. Forrest as a guide brings a strong combination of spotting birds, knowing the bird calls and getting people on the bird. Equally important, he interacts with each and everyone of his participants and just displays such a passion for birds, wildlife and the local culture.
Tuomas was an excellent guide and organizer.
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 * GBP9,602 * EUR11,216 * AUD18,362
Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP648 * EUR757 * AUD1,240
Flight costs: USD710 * GBP568 * EUR664 * AUD1,087
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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