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Colombia - Perijá & Santa Marta Endemics (Small Group)

© Santa Marta Parakeets by Adam Riley
Colombia - Perijá & Santa Marta Endemics (Small Group) 2026

12 Jul 2026 - 22 Jul 2026 (11 days)

USD6,900 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Adam Walleyn

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

Tour price (Per person): USD6,900 * GBP5,261 * EUR6,241 * AUD10,861

Colombia - Perijá & Santa Marta Endemics (Small Group) 2027

15 Jul 2027 - 25 Jul 2027 (11 days)

USD7,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado

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

Tour price (Per person): USD7,100 * GBP5,413 * EUR6,421 * AUD11,176

Colombia has more bird species than any other country; a staggering 1 900 species occur within the confines of this incredible nation, nearly 100 are endemic! Our endemics-laden tour of Northern Colombia takes us to the Santa Marta Mountains and the Guajira Peninsula on the northern coast of Colombia, as well as the and the recently explored Perija range on the Venezuelan border. 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 endemics 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). We spend time at both low and high elevations of the Perija Range, birding near Valledupar before basing ourselves at the Chamicero Reserve. Purchased in 2014 after the discovery of good forest tracts on accessible land for the entire suite of Sierra de Perija endemics, including recently described Perija Tapaculo, Perija Starfrontlet, Perija Metaltail, Perija Thistletail and other proposed splits that require more conclusive documentation.

Top Birds

Santa Marta Parakeet; Santa Marta Woodstar; Santa Marta Mountain Tanager; White-tailed, Golden-bellied & Perija Starfrontlets; Santa Marta & White-lored Warblers; Yellow-crowned Whitestart; Rusty-headed Spinetail; Santa Marta Blossomcrown; Santa Marta & Perija Antpittas; Santa Marta Bush Tyrant; Santa Marta Screech Owl; Santa Marta, Perija & Brown-rumped Tapaculos; Vermilion Cardinal; Glaucous Tanager; Sapphire-bellied, Sapphire-throated, Buffy, Shining-green & Scaly-breasted Hummingbirds; Perija Metaltail; Longuemare's Sunangel; Red-billed & Coppery Emeralds; Chestnut Piculet; Rufous-vented & Chestnut-winged Chachalacas; Perija Thistletail; White-tipped & Crested Quetzals; Black-fronted Wood Quail; Turquoise-winged Parrotlet; Stripe-backed & Bicolored Wrens; Russet-throated, Pied & Double-banded Puffbirds; Golden-winged Sparrow; Tocuyo Sparrow; Military Macaw; White-whiskered & Rufous Spinetails; Chestnut-capped, Slaty, Black-fronted, Santa Marta & Sierra Nevada Brushfinches.

Top Mammals

Kinkajou; Red Howler Monkey; Grey-handed Night-Monkey.

Habitats Covered

Rainforest, dry forests, estuarine, xerophytic scrub, paramo grasslands

Expected Climate

Temperate to cold in highlands (El Dorado and Perija), hot and dry in the lowlands (Guajira Peninsula). Rain is likely on some days.

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader and 1 local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

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.

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

Accommodation

Mostly comfortable, one lodge is simple to basic.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to difficult. Several skulkers and low-density targets that require repeated efforts. Many species that require patience, persistence & repeat attempts (ie: Antpittas & Tapaculos).

Number of Species Expected

300+

Other Attractions

Cartagena, spectacular scenery of the Santa Marta massif, stunning Caribbean ocean

Photographic Opportunities

Reasonable to good. Typical forest lighting difficulties. Several feeders.

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
CS, Colombia 2021

Dušan was an amazing guide. His acute hearing and anticipation of where the birds would be was extraordinary. He had a well balanced sensibility in regards to our limits and possibilities and was always exercising his desire that everyone in the group was able to see each bird we encountered as best as the circumstances permitted. His passion for birding was very apparent and sincere. Dušan's communication and updates as things changed benefited the whole group.

Tuomas Seimola
MR, Colombia 2021

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.

Tuomas Seimola
EM, Colombia 2019

"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!"

Forrest Rowland
DH & RD, Colombia Highlights

Forrest was absolutely fantastic. The best birder/guide that we have ever had the pleasure of travelling with. His enthusiasm and passion for his work were exceptional and made for an awesome birding trip.

Adam Walleyn
JS, Colombia 2023

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.

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