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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 * GBP5,507 * EUR6,634 * AUD11,057

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

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!!"

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.

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.

Forrest Rowland
CL & RL - Colombia 2019

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.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
CH, Colombia 2021

Dusan is an outstanding guide. He consistently made sure that all of us saw each bird and knew its name. I have hearing and mild short-term memory problems and Dusan took specialefforts to be sure that these did not interfere with my birding success on the trip. Not only does Dusan know all of the Colombian birds by sight, but he knows all of their calls and is able to talk at length about their biology and behavior - that is, he is an excellent teacher, too. This is something that I appreciate greatly, as I am a retired college professor of biology and I recognize an excellent teacher when I see one in action. In addition to his skills as a guide, Dusan was tireless in making sure that the constantly-changing tour arrangements went smoothly from day to day. I am certain that we got every minute that was possible out in the field looking for new birds; this was the goal of the tour (1000 species seen in 30 days of birding). He has a very pleasant, enthusiastically-encouraging personality and is outstanding at promoting group coherence and morale in difficult and sometimes mildly-dangerous situations.

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