phone-icon 1-888-990-5552 email-icon info@rockjumper.com
user-icon
Log in / Register

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

Book Now

client-img

Tour Leader: Adam Walleyn

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

Tour price (Per person): USD6,900 * GBP5,343 * EUR6,396 * AUD11,014

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

15 Jul 2027 - 25 Jul 2027 (11 days)

USD7,100 - Spaces Available

Book Now

client-img

Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado

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

Tour price (Per person): USD7,100 * GBP5,498 * EUR6,581 * AUD11,333

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
SP, Colombia 2019

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.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
SS, Colombia 2021

Dusan is an excellent guide (best ears in the business!) as well as a wonderful person to share this long of an adventure. He’s very concerned for everyone’s health, safety and enjoyment of the birding.

Robert Williams
CA, Colombia 2017

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!

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
DM, Colombia 2019

Tuomas was an excellent guide and organizer.

  • Your details

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Contact permission

    We would love to send you Newsletters (twice yearly).via Type a message, Promotions/Discounts (weekly), Blog Articles/Image of the Month (monthly) and other content that we think you would find interesting. If you are happy with this then please select your preferences below. If you would like to unsubscribe from previous subscriptions, or leave our mailing list entirely, then please do so by visiting the Preference Centre link at the bottom of these emails.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Route Map

Tour Route Map

map-direction-img
Download Tour Itinerary