06 Mar 2025 - 19 Mar 2025 (14 days)
USD6,195 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Tuomas Seimola
Tour price (Per person): USD6,195 * GBP4,689 * EUR5,567 * AUD9,175
Single Supplement: USD450 * GBP341 * EUR404 * AUD666
Flight costs: USD130 * GBP98 * EUR117 * AUD193
18 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 (14 days)
USD6,400 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD6,400 * GBP4,844 * EUR5,751 * AUD9,479
Colombia has more species of birds than any other country – nearly 2000 species are to be found within the confines of this incredible nation’s borders; 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 tour focuses on the rarely visited southern Andes. Starting in the beautiful city of Santiago de Cali, we move up and out of the Valle de Cauca through the Farellones de Cali towards Anchicaya. Having so far taken in a fascinating traverse of the southwestern Andes, we shall turn around and bird another traverse taking us further north of Cali to Buga and Laguna del Sonso for a final few endemics.
Very few birders have been much further south of Cali. Indeed, even as recently as 2014 – insurgents made it impossible to deviate off Ruta 25 en route to Ecuador. Nowadays, we can freely explore the incredible Andean ridges from montane cloud forests all the way to the foothills along seemingly impossible road traverses including the sure to be famous Trampolina de la Muerte / de las Aves.
Colombian Chachalaca; Cauca & Baudo Guans; Chestnut Wood Quail; Crested Ant Tanager; Multicolored Tanager; Western Emerald; Blue-headed Sapphire; Purple-chested Hummingbird; Purple Quail-Dove; Pallid Dove; Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl; Five-colored & Toucan Barbets; Choco Woodpecker; Rose-faced Parrot; Pacific Tuftedcheek; Stub-tailed & Esmeraldas Antbirds; Narino Tapaculo; Sooty-headed Wren; Choco Warbler; Pacific Flatbill; Long-wattled Umbrellabird; White-bibbed, Golden-collared & Club-winged Manakins; Black-headed Brushfinch; Yellow-green, Golden-chested, Black-chinned Mountain, Purplish-mantled, Glisten-green, Blue-whiskered & Scarlet-and-white Tanagers.
Upper and foothill choco forest, lowland rainforest, subtropical forest, marshes and lakes
Warm to hot with high humidity in the Pacific Coastal lowlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader
Moderate to difficult. Endemic and target focussed trip. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Tour pace is fast.
Comfortable, some lodgings are simple/basic.
Challenging. Several skulkers and low-density targets that require repeated efforts.
Reasonable to good. Typical forest lighting difficulties. Several feeders.
"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!!"
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.
I was extremely pleased with Rob and his ability to locate birds and get all members of the group on them for viewing. This was no small task given the reclusive nature of many of the species and the size of our group. In addition to Robs valuable birding skills are his management skills in planning and timing and surmounting both the usual and the unexpected difficulties associated with delays and circumstances. Rob is extremely knowledgeable and has excellent communication skills. His stories are informative and most often entertaining. He was a fun guide and I give him a 5 star plus rating.
We had a great time with Forrest Rowland in Colombia. A wonderful country. Forrest is a fantastic birder and a great guide.
Rob's combination of bird finding skills and tour management expertise made for a great birding trip which was enjoyed by all.
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
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