Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD8,600 * GBP6,870 * EUR8,266 * AUD13,235
Can be linked with: Colombia - Mitu Extension 2026
Colombia is simply vast. With arguably the most diverse avifauna of any single country on Earth, there are far too many special and important habitats to visit in anything less than several months’ time. As part of our continuing effort to do this magnificent country justice, our Remote Colombia birding tour takes us into some seldom-explored areas in search of a whole host of rare, special and localised species. Targets are too many to mention but include such gems as Baudo Guan, Fuertes’s Parrot, Baudo Oropendola, Bicolored, Thicket, Hooded, White-bellied and Streak-chested Antpittas, recently described Perija Tapaculo, Turquoise Dacnis, Recurve-billed Bushbird, Multicolored Tanager, White-mantled Barbet, Gorgeted Wood Quail, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Indigo-crowned and Lined Quail-Doves, Niceforo’s Wren, Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, Esmeraldas and Magdalena Antbirds, Choco Brushfinch, Perija Metaltail, Perija Thistletail and Perija Brushfinch.
Recurve-billed Bushbird; Baudo & Wattled Guans; Colombian Chachalaca; Choco Tinamou; Chestnut Wood Quail; Horned Screamer; Indigo-crowned & Lined Quail-Dove; Rusty-faced & Rose-faced Parrots; Flame-winged Parakeet; Choco, Cinnamon & Crimson-bellied Woodpeckers; Greyish Piculet; Spot-crowned Barbet; Crested & Golden-headed Quetzals; Red-bellied Grackle; Baudo Oropendola; White-chinned Jacamar; Barred, Golden-breasted & Scaled Fruiteaters; Striolated, Yellow-headed & Golden-headed Manakins; Bicolored, Thicket, Hooded, White-bellied & Streak-chested Antpittas; Black Antshrike; Stub-tailed, Zeledon’s, Klage’s & Esmeraldas Antbirds; Rufous Spinetail; Perija Thistletail; Choco, Paramillo, Stiles’s, Pale-bellied & Perija Tapaculos; Perija Metaltail, Purple-chested, Chestnut-bellied, Tooth-billed & Green-bellied Hummingbirds; Purplish-mantled, Multicolored, Moss-backed, Glistening-green, Golden-chested, Crested Ant, Tawny-crested, Grey-and-gold, Golden-hooded, Rufous-winged, Emerald, Blue-whiskered, Scarlet-and-white & Lemon-spectacled Tanagers; Antioquia, Sooty-headed, Munchique Wood, Niceforo’s & Chestnut-breasted Wrens; Apical Flycatcher; Choco & Grey-throated Warblers; Turquoise Dacnis; White-mantled Barbet; Perija & Choco Brushfinches. Chances for Harpy Eagle & Sapayoa.
cloud forest, temperate cloud forest, humid foothill forest, lowland & foothill Choco forest, secondary forest, wetlands, mangroves, rivers, meadows, creeks, Oak forest, subparamo scrub, paramo grassland, fincas
temperate to cold in highlands; hot and very humid in the lowlands. Rain is likely on some days.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader
WARNING: This tour involves strenuous activities and is intended for experienced adventurers. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, please check out our [Explore Relaxed Tours]
Moderate to difficult. Endemic and target focused trip. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Tour pace is fast. 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.
Comfortable, some lodgings are simple/basic.
Challenging. Several skulkers and low-density targets that require repeated efforts. Many species that require patience, persistence & repeat attempts (ie: Antpittas & Tapaculos).
600+
often spectacular endemic reptiles and amphibians, stunning scenery, little-explored pristine forests
Reasonable to good. Typical forest lighting difficulties. Several feeders.
"Tuomas was very knowledgeable, personable, and savvy. He did an excellent job of balancing hard core birding with the needs of the group. The accommodations and food were good throughout and the transportation was excellent! This was an adventurous, fun, and challenging trip and I very much enjoyed it. Roger, the local guide, was also very good. Thank you!"
This was an excellent opportunity to see a part of Colombia that I hadnt visited. It was a vigorous schedule, as predicted; fortunately, participants could opt out of activities if they preferred. Our guides were both top rate, with complementary strengths. The result was a lot of birds, particularly endemics, seen. Accommodations were appropriate to each area. The van and driver were superb.
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!
Rob did an outstanding job on this tour. He is an excellent birding guide, great personality and provided insights on a variety of diverse subject matters. I was also impressed with the local operator and their quick actions in dealing with unexpected situations like the general strike and road closure to Medellin.
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.
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Colombia - Santa Marta Extension I 2023 - August 2023
Colombia - Highlights 2023 - August 2023
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension II 2022 - December 2022
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Colombia - Northern Andes: Bogota & surrounds 2022 - November 2022
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Colombia - Mega Birding Tour I 2020 - January 2020
Colombia - Highlights 2019 - November 2019
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