Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado
Tour price (Per person): USD5,695 * GBP4,511 * EUR5,422 * AUD8,956
Single Supplement: USD450 * GBP356 * EUR428 * AUD708
Flight costs: USD110 * GBP87 * EUR105 * AUD173
Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD5,900 * GBP4,674 * EUR5,617 * AUD9,278
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 Parrots; Rufous-fronted & Flame-winged Parakeets; Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl; Moustached Puffbird; Black Inca; Empress Brilliant; Toucan & White-mantled Barbets; Greyish Piculet; White-throated Screech Owl; Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, Slaty-crowned & 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 Tanagers; Crested Ant Tanager; Turquoise Dacnis; Choco Vireo; Rufous-browed Conebill; Stiles’s & Tatama (Alto Pisones) Tapaculos; Silvery-throated Spinetail; Blue-throated & Golden-bellied Starfrontlets; Indigo-capped & Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds; Oilbird; Pacific Tuftedcheek; Black Solitaire; Buffy Helmetcrest; Glowing Puffleg; Choco & Antioquia Brushfinches; Yellow-headed Manakin; Beautiful Woodpecker.
Rainforest, Choco Cloud Forest, humid lowland forest, dry forest
Temperate to cold in highlands (Chingaza, Los Nevados), Hot and humid in the lowlands (Rio Claro). Rain is likely on some days.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
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).
425
spectacular scenery.
Reasonable, typical forest conditions of variable light & frequent cloud / drizzle.
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.
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 excellent. He made extreme efforts to make sure everyone saw the birds. Great itinerary. Covid testing was easy and smooth. Local guides were wonderful. Special dietary needs were met. Thanks again!!"
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.
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.
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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