Colombia has more species of birds than any other country - a staggering 1930+ species are to be found within the confines of this incredible nation; of which, at least 89 are endemic. 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!
Our series of northern Andes tours focus on the bulk of endemics that Colombia has to offer; working our way through the Central and Eastern Andean ranges and both the Magadalena and Cauca Valleys, as well as the dry Guajira desert and the impressive Santa Marta Mountains.
Our tour of Bogota and the Upper Magdalena Valley takes us to the Eastern Andes sites of Chingaza, Guasca, Sumapaz and Chicaque for Flame-winged Parakeet, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Apolinar's Wren, Bogota Rail and Moustached Brushfinch. We next move west, visiting the hummingbird paradise of Jardin Encatado en route to Mariquita. The dry forest sites are home to Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Apical Flycatcher and Tolima Dove, while the higher cloud forests of Clarito Botero hose Yellow-headed Brsuhfinch and Crested Ant Tanager. A quick side stop to Canon Combeima should deliver Tolima Blossomcrown, before we continue to Loros Andinos for the rarely seen Fuertes's Parrot. Finally, we have a day around Otun-Quimbaya to find the formerly presumed extinct Cauca Guan and possibly Multicolored Tanager.
2023 Tour price is an estimate and will change. Tour dates could be adjusted.
Client Testimonials
Can be linked with: Colombia - Northern Andes: Western & Central Andes 2022
Tour price (Per person): USD2,995 * GBP2,234 * EUR2,686 * AUD4,286
Single Supplement: USD190 * GBP142 * EUR170 * AUD272
Flight costs: USD130 * GBP97 * EUR117 * AUD186
Can be linked with: Colombia - Northern Andes: Western & Central Andes 2023
Tour price (Per person): USD3,345 * GBP2,495 * EUR3,000 * AUD4,787
Our local leader Ivan Lau was spectacular. He was very knowledgeable of all the birds and all the songs, calls and chips. He was easy going, very friendly and and real pleasure to travel with. He was also excellent with travel logistics and keeping everything organized. I would certainly travel with him again!
Dusan is an excellent guide (best ears in the business!) as well as a wonderful person to share this long of an adventure. He’s very concerned for everyone’s health, safety and enjoyment of the birding.
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.
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.
Tuomas was excellent. He was an excellent birder and group leader, ensuring the everyone saw each bird. He was persistent in pursuing our target birds but knew when enough was enough for the day. Tuomas has an easy going manner, but he (and the local leader) were efficient and effective in dealing with problems in the field or with the accomodation.