Colombia - Central & Eastern Andes 2026

17 Nov 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 (14 days)

USD7,800 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD7,800 * GBP6,231 * EUR7,497 * AUD12,004

Colombia has more species of birds than any other country - a staggering 1900 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, Magdalena, and Cauca Valleys, as well as the dry Guajira desert and the impressive Santa Marta Mountains.

Around Bogota we head to the Eastern Andean sites of Laguna Pedro Palo, Laguna Tabacal, Chingaza, BioAndina, Sumapaz, Chicaque and Tororoi for Black Inca, Turquoise Dacnis, Flame-winged Parakeet, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Cundinimarca Antpitta, Apolinar's Wren, Bogota Rail and Moustached Brushfinch. In the central Andes we visit Otun-Quimbaya, Finca Cortaderal, Rio Blanco, Hacienda el Bosque and PNN Los Nevados for Cauca Guan, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Chestnut Wood Quail, Crescent-faced, Brown-banded, Slaty-crowned, Moustached & Bicolored Antpittas, Fuertes’s & Rusty-faced Parrots, Golden-plumed & Rufous-fronted Parakeets, Cocoa Thrush, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Masked Saltator, Black-thighed Puffleg, Golden-crowned Tanager, Buffy Helmetcrest and Viridian Metaltail.

Top Birds

Cauca Guan; Red-ruffed Fruitcrow; Chestnut Wood Quail; Crescent-faced, Brown-banded, Slaty-crowned, Moustached & Bicolored Antpittas; Fuertes’s & Rusty-faced Parrots; Golden-plumed & Rufous-fronted Parakeets; Cocoa Thrush; Crimson-mantled Woodpecker; Masked Saltator; Black-thighed Puffleg; Golden-crowned Tanager; Buffy Helmetcrest; Viridian Metaltail; Black Inca; Turquoise Dacnis; Moustached Brushfinch; Golden-bellied Starfrontlet; Silvery-throated Spinetail; Indigo-capped Hummingbird; Rufous-browed Conebill; Coppery-bellied Puffleg; Blue-throated Starfrontlet; Flame-winged Parakeet; White-capped Tanager; Cundinimarca & Muisca Antpittas; Bronze-tailed Thornbill; Green-bearded Helmetcrest; Apolinar’s Wren; Bogota Rail; Ochre-breasted Brushfinch; Brown-breasted Parakeet.

Habitats Covered

Cloud forest, elfin forest, paramo, alpine grassland, upper Choco forest, lowland rainforest, stunted forest, Montane forest, montane grassland, montane lakes, crater lakes, dry forest, temperate forest

Expected Climate

Temperate to cold in highlands (very cold on Los Nevados), hot and humid in lowlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Moderate. Endemic and target focussed trip. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges.

Accommodation

Comfortable, some lodgings are simple/basic.

Ease of Birding

Moderate. Several skulkers and low-density targets that require repeated efforts.

Other Attractions

spectacular scenery in Los Nevados NP

Photographic Opportunities

Good to good+. Typical forest lighting difficulties. Several feeders.

What our clients say about us

Forrest Rowland
SS - Colombia 2019

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.

Tuomas Seimola
MS, Colombia 2021

"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!!"

Robert Williams
LW, Colombia 2021

"This was the fourth of four tours we did for Colombia 2021. This was a great experience. Such diversity of habitats and birds in this small area! Both our guides were excellent. Rob particularly went above and beyond all expectations helping participants with the logistics of getting Covid testing done under the severe time restrictions imposed by recent changes in US rules. We always feel secure traveling with Rockjumper because of the quality of the tour leaders!!"

Tuomas Seimola
GP, Colombia 2019

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.

Forrest Rowland
DP - Colombia 2019

No one beats Rockjumper and Forrest Rowland for running wonderful trips. The logistics are incredible and involving so many Colombians to get us places and up steep trails were amazing. Thanks to all involved at Rockjumper for making this trip possible.

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