This pioneering birdwatching tour aims to offer spectacular views of the world’s most powerful bird of prey alongside a fabulous range of colourful birds and special mammals.
When it comes to the title of the most sought-after bird of prey, the harpy eagle is hard to beat. Even among all the great raptors of the world, this eagle is particularly special. With huge, curved talons the length of a grizzly bear’s claws, piercing eyes, striking colouration and immense size, these eagles are a spectacular sight to behold.
Finding these rare, forest dwelling eagles is no easy task, but we're pleased to have a tour that offers the chance to admire these majestic birds at their enormous nest site. With both parents involved in raising their chick over two years, we visit a location where two active nests are accessible, affording us fantastic opportunities for activity. These nests and the surrounding forests are protected by the local community, and through our visit we help ensure their protection.
In addition to enjoying the harpy eagles, our tour also takes us in search of many other iconic Colombian birds including the improbable looking Guianan cock-of-the-rock, the spectacular coloured paradise tanager and the vivid military macaw, scarlet ibis and king vulture. We also seek out some fantastic encounters with mammals too, including three species of endemic monkey, the peculiar giant anteater and its smaller relative, the southern tamandua.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Bogota & birdwatching
Our adventure begins upon arrival in Bogotá, where we enjoy light birding in a wetland site on the edge of the city. The afternoon can be spent resting in the hotel or, for those that wish, we can visit a hummingbird garden which attracts the likes of blue-throated starfrontlet, sword-billed hummingbird, Longuemare’s sunangel, both black-tailed and green-tailed trainbearer and white-bellied woodstar.
Accommodation: BS Rosales Hotel, 1-night
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Day 3:
Transfer to San Juan de Aramá
After breakfast, we begin our transfer through stunning Andean scenery, perhaps making a few birding stops as we go to reach our destination, the small village of San Juan de Aramá. We arrive at our simple but well-appointed guest house for lunch, with time this afternoon to do some introductory birding in the gardens and surrounding area.
Accommodation: Local Guest House, 4-nights
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Day 4:
Harpy eagles & birdwatching
Today we set off in rugged 4x4 vehicles, heading into spectacular foothill scenery before reaching the trailhead, from where we start the walk (1.5 hours) to the harpy eagle nest. Horses will assist with our gear, so we can walk unhindered, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in this beautiful wildlife rich forest. We make regular stops for drinks, snacks, and birdwatching along our walk. Upon reaching the nest site, we hope to enjoy a sighting of both the chick and an adult, which at the time of our visit will hopefully be visiting regularly.
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Days 5-6
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Birdwatching in San Juan de Aramá
Over the course of the next two days, we again visit the harpy eagle, or potentially a second nest that's also in the area. On one of the days, we also plan another walking excursion to a Guianan cock-of-the-rock lek in another truly inspiring location. A spectacular range of other birdlife can be found in the area and during our walks we might see military and chestnut-fronted macaws, white-bearded, blue-capped, striolated and golden-headed manakins, paradise and swallow tanagers, white-throated toucan and Amazonian motmot. There are a variety of mammals and reptiles in the area too that we lookout for.
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Day 7:
Relaxed birdwatching & primate watching in Villavicencio
Today we may choose to have a relaxed morning, after our adventures of the previous days, perhaps with some relaxed birding around the gardens of our guest house. Later on we transfer to our next lodge. After settling in we enjoy some relaxed birding around in the lodge's small private reserve and this evening watch as endemic Brumback's night monkeys leave their roosts.
At nearby wetlands, scarlet ibis, roseate spoonbill and black-crowned night herons may be seen in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Rancho Camana, 3 nights
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Day 8:
Birdwatching & giant anteaters in Villavicencio
This morning we enjoy birdwatching in a nearby reserve where a range of regionally important species can be found in addition to some beauties such as many-banded aracari, white-chinned jacama, gilded barbet and cobalt-winged parakeet. We can enjoy spending the late morning and early afternoon relaxing around the lodge. Later this afternoon we set out in search of the wonderfully bizarre giant anteater and southern tamandua in the savannahs of the area.
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Day 9:
Birdwatching & primates in Villavicencio
Today we visit a private reserve which holds a number of special primates including ornate titi and Colombian squirrel monkey – both unique to Colombia. Later we enjoy a bird walk in a beautiful area of open pasture with fringing palm forests with a great selection of birds such as red-bellied macaw, red-breasted meadowlark and rufescent tiger heron. After lunch, we can explore more local habitats in search of the wide range of birds and mammals found in this region.
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Day 10:
Birdwatching & depart from Bogotá
Following a final relaxed morning and breakfast, we have a long travel day ahead of us, returning to Bogotá before catching our onward international flight back to the UK late this evening.
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Day 11:
Arrive UK
Please note: This tour is only suitable for those with a good level of fitness, as we spend much of our time walking forest paths, some of which include some steep sections. To reach one of the harpy eagle nest sites, we may need to walk for around 45 minutes, while another site is likely to be around 1.5 hours walking each way along a forest path. The shorter walk involves some steep sections and although the pace will be slow and steady, the walk is only suitable for those with a good walking ability.
