12 Aug 2026 - 17 Aug 2026 (6 days)
USD2,595 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn
Pricing notes : Linked flight = BOG to BAQ
Tour price (Per person): USD2,595 * GBP1,999 * EUR2,293 * AUD4,037
Single Supplement: USD190 * GBP146 * EUR168 * AUD296
Flight costs: USD110 * GBP85 * EUR97 * AUD171
Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD110 * GBP85 * EUR97 * AUD171
30 Nov 2026 - 05 Dec 2026 (6 days)
USD2,595 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado
Pricing notes : Linked flight = BOG to BAQ
Tour price (Per person): USD2,595 * GBP1,999 * EUR2,293 * AUD4,037
Single Supplement: USD190 * GBP146 * EUR168 * AUD296
Flight costs: USD110 * GBP85 * EUR97 * AUD171
Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD110 * GBP85 * EUR97 * AUD171
12 Aug 2027 - 17 Aug 2027 (6 days)
USD2,700 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD2,700 * GBP2,080 * EUR2,385 * AUD4,201
Flight costs: USD120 * GBP92 * EUR106 * AUD187
Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD120 * GBP92 * EUR106 * AUD187
21 Nov 2027 - 26 Nov 2027 (6 days)
USD2,700 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD2,700 * GBP2,080 * EUR2,385 * AUD4,201
Flight costs: USD120 * GBP92 * EUR106 * AUD187
Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD120 * GBP92 * EUR106 * AUD187
Our Santa Marta tour takes us to the Santa Marta Mountains and the Guajira Peninsula on the northern coast of Colombia. The Santa Marta massif is an isolated mountain range, and its snow-capped peaks are the highest coastal mountains in the world. It is also one of the most endemic-rich regions of South America, hosting nearly 50 endemic and regional specialities plus numerous endemic subspecies several of which, upon further taxonomic review, are likely to be elevated to full species status in the future.
Santa Marta & Sierra Nevada Brushfinches; Santa Marta Bush Tyrant; Santa Marta Parakeet; Santa Marta Woodstar; Santa Marta Mountain Tanager; White-tailed Starfrontlet; Hermit Wood Wren; Santa Marta & White-lored Warblers; Yellow-crowned Whitestart; Black-backed Thornbill; Rusty-headed Spinetail; Santa Marta Blossomcrown; Santa Marta Antpitta; Santa Marta Screech Owl; Santa Marta & Brown-rumped Tapaculos; Vermilion Cardinal; Glaucous Tanager; Sapphire-bellied, Buffy & Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds; Red-billed & Coppery Emeralds; Ferruginous Pygmy Owl; Chestnut Piculet; Rufous-vented & Chestnut-winged Chachalacas; White-tipped Quetzal; Black-fronted Wood Quail; Bronze-brown Cowbird; Turquoise-winged Parrotlet.
Rainforest, dry forests, estuarine, xerophytic scrub
Temperate to cold in highlands (El Dorado), hot and dry in the lowlands (Guajira Peninsula). Rain is likely on some days.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
This is a moderately difficult tour. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; or anyone with mobility / health challenges. Some very early mornings / long days.
Comfortable to good.
Moderate to demanding. Bird density is low in some areas, several difficult target species that require patience, persistence & repeat attempts (ie: Antpittas & Tapaculos).
270+
spectacular Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, Caribbean Sea
good
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.
Forrest Rowland: We think you did a great job organising and leading this trip. It all seemed to go very smoothly so, if you had any problems, they weren't obvious to us. We thought your fieldcraft was also first class. Clearly, all your previous experience has meant that you know the birds, their calls and the sites exceptionally well. We think we did very well with the avifauna, in no small part thanks to you.
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.
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.
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.
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension 2025 - July 2025
Colombia - Highlights 2025 - July 2025
Colombia - Mitu Extension 2024 - November 2024
Colombia - Remote 2024 - October 2024
Colombia - Perijá & Santa Marta Endemics - Tailormade 2024 - September 2024
Colombia - Highlights 2024 - July 2024
Colombia - Highlights (ECU replacement) 2024 - January 2024
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