Search for Colombia's famed birds and mammals - some of which can only be found in this diverse country - in Colombia's mountains and coasts. Enjoying this variety of habitats gives us the best opportunity to encounter our target species.
Colombia is well known for its incredible number of bird species, which currently stands at more than 1,900! Of these, around 90 species are endemic to the country and many more share only a slither of their respective ranges with Colombia’s neighbouring countries. Throughout this itinerary, we will spend time observing the birds of Colombia with a particular focus on some of the more iconic species, such as buffy helmetcrest, Andean motmot, sword-billed hummingbird, golden-hooded tanager and grey-breasted mountain toucan.
What some people are not aware of is the abundance of mammals that can also be encountered in Colombia. The country is home to more than 450 mammal species. In fact, Colombia has the highest number of terrestrial mammals (those mammals that live predominantly or entirely on land) out of any nation in the world. In particular there is a wealth of primates and we will aim to observe some of these during our tour such as cotton-top tamarin, red howler monkey, ornate titi and Brumback's night monkey. However, there is much more mammalian life to spot in Colombia and we may have sightings of giant anteater, southern tamandua, northern pudu and, if we are extremely lucky, spectacled bear during our Colombian exploration.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Bogotá and afternoon excursion in Villavicencio
We arrive into Bogotá in the early morning where we are met on arrival and transfer through the Colombia Andes to the outskirts of Villavicencio. We check-in to our hotel for a two-night stay and have some time to relax after our flight.
Later in the afternoon, we head out for a relaxed excursion as an introduction to this region's ecosystem and its wildlife. Hopefully, we will encounter Brumback's night monkey as well as a variety of birds.
Accommodation: Rancho Camana, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Full day exploring Villavicencio and the surrounding area
We spend the full day out in the field in search of this region's mammals and birds. There is a fantastic range of mammals that we could observe during the course of the day including ornate titi, Brumback's night monkey, giant anteater and southern tamandua.
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Day 4:
Morning wildlife watching excursion & optional wetland visit
We spend the morning searching for any species that we haven't seen so far during our time near Villavicencio. Afterwards, we transfer back to Bogotá where spend the night and there is also the option of visiting a nearby wetland for some birding depending on how long the journey takes and the weather conditions.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn, 1-night
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Day 5:
Visit to coffee plantation and transfer to Nevado del Ruiz
Following our early morning flight to Manizales, we visit a local coffee finca for a guided tour of the plantation, whilst also taking in the colourful and abundant birdlife, and finishing with coffee tasting and a delicious local lunch.
In the afternoon, we continue to Nevado del Ruiz where we check-in to our hotel for a three-night stay and we can enjoy the lodge's hummingbird and tanager feeders as well as the the thermal hot spring pools.
Accommodation: Hotel Termales del Ruiz, 3-nights
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Day 6:
Search for high altitude species in Nevado del Ruiz
In the morning, we will focus our time on searching for high altitude specialities and, in particular, the wonderful buffy helmetcrest in Nevado del Ruiz. This unique hummingbird is only found in the paramo of the Central Andes of Colombia. Some of the other species that we may observe today are plushcap, scarlet-bellied mountain-tanager, western mountain coati, northern pudu and, if we are incredibly lucky, spectacled bear or mountain tapir.
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Day 7:
Morning birding at Hacienda del Bosque
We spend the morning enjoying some birding in the grounds of Haceinda del Bosque which is known for its cloudforest environment. There are various highlights for us to keep an eye out for during our time here including grey-breasted mountain toucan, Andean motmot, sword-billed hummingbird and various tanagers and trogons. For the rest of the afternoon, we can relax in the grounds of our hotel and enjoy the thermal pools.
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Day 8:
Transfer to Rio Claro with birding stop
Today will be spent travelling from Manizales to Rio Claro. The journey takes around five to six hours in total, however, to break up the drive we will stop halfway for a spot of birding and some lunch. We should arrive at Rio Claro in the late afternoon with enough time to freshen up and settle into our accommodation before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Los Colores Hotel Campestre, 2-nights
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Day 9:
Explore Rio Claro Nature Reserve
Today, we will explore the Rio Claro Nature Reserve which is a haven for wildlife and is home to numerous bird and mammal species. Some of the notable mammal highlights that we could encounter today are slivery-brown bare-faced tamarin, varied capuchin and neotropical otter if we are lucky. As for birds, we will visit an oilbird cave and hopefully observe some of the endemic species of Magdalena Valley, such as white-mantled barbet, spectacled parrotlet, beautiful woodpecker and sooty ant-tanager.
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Day 10:
Transfer to Minca
After catching our flight from Medellin to Santa Marta, we transfer the short distance to Minca where we spend the night and can enjoy some birding around the grounds of the lodge and its hummingbird feeders.
Accommodation: Hotel Minca La Casona, 1-night
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Day 11:
Birding transfer to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Today we journey from Minca to Mountain House in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta searching for some of the endemic bird species of this isolated mountain range along the way. The journey will take most of the day, but there will be several stops to enjoy the scenery and observe any species that we come across. We arrive at our lodge during the late afternoon in time to settle into our accommodation before dinner.
Accommodation: Mountain House, 3-nights
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Days 12-13
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Explore El Dorado & surrounding area
For the next two days, we explore the El Dorado Reserve and the surrounding area in search of the region's endemic species, including the Santa Marta antpitta and Santa Marta mountain-tanager, as well as taking in the stunning landscapes. This will include a visit to the San Lorenzo. We also hope to head out on some night walks to encounter some of the nocturnal mammals and birds, such as the Santa Marta screech owl.
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Day 14:
Tayrona National Park
We depart El Dorado Reserve in the morning and wind our way back down to sea level as we transfer to Tayrona National Park on Colombia's Caribbean coastline. We stop en route at a local finca for some coffee, cake and also the chance of observing some red howler monkeys. We continue to Tayrona and arrive at our lodge during the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to spend as we wish before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Senda Koguiwa, 2-nights
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Day 15:
Full day in Tayrona National Park
Today, we have a full day exploring Tayrona National Park. Whilst there are a number of intriguing mammals and birds to be seen in this beautiful national park, our main focus will be encountering the characterful cotton-top tamarins that can only be found in Tayrona. There will also be some time to enjoy one of the numerous beaches that the park is renowned for before returning to our lodge.
Other highlights may include encounters with white-fronted capuchins, military macaws, swallow and bay-headed tanagers, orange-crowned orioles, and reptiles such as green iguanas, basilisk and blue-tailed skinks.
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Day 16:
Depart Colombia
Today, we have some free time to enjoy the surroundings of our lodge until it's time to return to the airport and catch our flight to Bogotá and onward flight home.
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Day 17:
Arrive UK
Please note: In 2024 we will also be offering an extension to this group tour to hopefully encounter spectacled or Andean bear. Please contact us for more details.
