Dates: January 23-February 4, 2026 (13 days)
Start/End City: Bogota
Tour Leader: Gavin McKinnon
Cost: $8900 CAD | $6200 USD
Single Supplement
Start/End City: Bogota
Tour Leader: Gavin McKinnon
Cost: $8900 CAD | $6200 USD
Single Supplement
January 23: Arrive in Bogota
Arrive at any time today in Bogota and check in to the hotel. We will gather in the evening to go over the plan for the tour and to meet the group.
January 24: Sumapaz National Park
Today we will start early and drive up to Sumapaz National Park. Sumapaz has Colombia's largest paramo habitat and is conveniently located 90 minutes from the city of Bogota. The park's route runs through glacial lakes and wetlands, making Noble Snipe a highly desired target here. The area also features Colombian endemics such as Apolinar's Wren, Bogota Rail, and Green-bearded Helmetcrest. After birding in the morning, we will have lunch before returning to Bogota with stops along the way.
January 25: Bogota to Honda with a stop at Jardin Encantado and Tabacal Lagoon
Today's destination is the colonial city of Honda in the Magdalena Valley, located along the Magdalena River, the largest river system in the andes. We'll stop at Jardin Encantado, a neighborhood house in San Francisco with a beautiful hummingbird feeder, to break up the journey. At the feeders the major focus is finding the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird which is ususally common. Other probable species include the Red-billed Emerald, Lazuline Sabrewing, White-Bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars, Ruby Topaz, and White-vented Plumeleteer.
Later in the morning, we will descend to Tabacal lagoon, located at an elevation of 1,250 meters and surrounded by a well-preserved pre-montane forest. Here we will seek out the following species; Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Ash-browned Spinetail, White-bellied Antbird, Jet Antbird, Dusky Antbird, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Black-headed Brush-Finch, White-bearded Manakin, Striped Manakin, Band-backed Wren, and Speckle-breasted Wren. After lunch, we travel to Honda.
January 26: Bellavista Reserve and Travel to Rio Claro Area
To beat the head at the lower elevations of Magdalena Valley, another early morning is required. We will spend the morning at the Bellavista Reserve near Victoria, focusing on two endemic species: the White-mantled Barbet and the aptly named Beautiful Woodpecker. We will also look out for Sooty Ant-Tanager, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, and White-bibbed and Golden-headed Manakin. If time permits, we will make some stops for Black-face Dacnis, Tody Motmot and Dull-mantled Antbird on our way to the Rio Claro area.
January 27: Rio Claro Reserve
Our first morning in Rio Claro, we will explore a dirt road in search of unique birds like as the Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant and Barred Puffbird. Among the birds we may see are the Panama Flycatcher, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Becard, One-colored Becard, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Citroen-throated Toucan, Collared Aracari, Olivaceous Piculet, and Fulvous-vented Euphonia.
Rio Claro is home to a diverse range of species, including the Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-breasted Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, and Western. Birds include White-tailed Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Slaty-winged Foliage-Gleaner, Western-Slaty Antshrike, Black-faced Antthrush, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Pacific Streaked Antwren, Checkered Antwren, Moustached Antwren, Yellow-backed Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Orange-crowned Oriole, and others. In the evening, we can observe Oilbirds leaving a cave near the river before returning to the hotel for dinner.
January 28: Rio Claro Reserve and transfer to Medellin for flights to Bogota
We will have the morning to look for any targets we mau have missed at Rio Claro before heading to Medellin to catch flights to Bogota. Lunch will be on the road. Once at the Bogota airport, we will take the airport shuttle to the hotel to prepare for flights to San Jose del Guaviare.
January 29: Flight to San Jose del Guaviare, afternoon birding at Gravilleras
We plan to arrive in Guaviare for lunch, check-in, and then go birding in the surrounding area to spot Cream-colored Woodpecker, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Solitary Cacique, Large-billed Tern, Turquoise Tanager, and Green-backed Trogon. This area is unique due to its location at the intersection of the Guyana Shield region and the Andean foothills, as well as the transition between Orinoquia and the Colombian Amazon.
January 30: Villa Marcela and Nuevo Tolima
The Nuevo Tolima path, located one hour from San Jose del Guaviare, follows ancient rock formations from the Guianan Shield, the planet's oldest formation. Nuevo Tolima, located in Serrania La Lindosa, hosts around 250 species. Our major aim for the day is Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, but we'll also look for other species including Opal-rumped Tanager, Lesser Elaenia, Golden-bellied Euphonia, Paradise Tanager, Cliff Flycatcher, Purple Honeycreeper, and Wing-barred Piptites. We will get the opportunity to visit old petroglyphs in addition to enjoying the amazing birds. These petroglyphs reveal the history, beliefs, and lifestyles of the people who lived in this area for almost 10,000 years.
January 31: Guayabero River
We will bird along the Guayabero River, looking for Russet-crowned and Ashy-throated Crakes, Red-shouldered Tanager, Short-tailed Swift, Lesser Elaenia, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Black-tailed Tityra, White-winged Becard, White-throated Toucan, and Masked Cardinal.
February 1: Buena Vista
Buena Vista is located near San Jose del Guaviare, along the Guaviare River. This area includes gallery forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with over 350 species recorded. The targets include Festive Coquette, Black-crested Antshrike, Amazoninan Antshrike, White-shouldered Antbird, Agami Heron, Bown Nutlet, Pink-throated Becard, Rugous-browed Pepershrike, and Citron-bellied Atilla.
February 2: Playa Guio and Laguna Negra and flight to Bogota
Playa Guio, located 30 minutes from the hotel, features a seasonal flooded varzea forest affected by the nearby Guaviare River. The primary target is the Bare-necked Fruitcrow, followed by White-eared Jacamar, Spot-crowned Barbet, and Cream-colored Woodpecker. The well-preserved forest, meadows, and farmland offer a diverse range of species, including Black Caracara, Magpie Tanager, Long-billed Woodcreeper, and Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Many-banded Aracari, Brown Nunlet, Pink-throated Beccard, White-shouldered Antbird, and Citron-bellied Attila. The site's aquatic habitat, including oxbows, attracts Hoatzin, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Horned Screamer, and Black-capped Donacobius. A full day of birding at Playa Guio typically yields a large and high-quality list. We will fly to Bogota in the afternoon.
February 3: Guasca Area
Today, drive early for the municipality of Guasca, where we will have breakfast before heading to the 55-hectare reserve. You will explore the Paramo ecosystem and the cloud forest at 2800-3200 meters. Target species include Golden-faced Whitestart, the endemic Brown-breasted Parakeet, Silverythroated Spinetail, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Glowing Puffleg, Longuemare's Sunangel, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Tyrian Metaltail, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, and Great Sapphirewing. We may alson see Muisca Antpitta and Pale-bellied Tapaculo. With some luck, we might see a Spectacled Bear and roosting Andean Potoo. In the afternoon we will return to Bogota for the final night of the tour.
February 4: Depart Bogota
You may arrange travel from Bogota at any time today.
Arrive at any time today in Bogota and check in to the hotel. We will gather in the evening to go over the plan for the tour and to meet the group.
January 24: Sumapaz National Park
Today we will start early and drive up to Sumapaz National Park. Sumapaz has Colombia's largest paramo habitat and is conveniently located 90 minutes from the city of Bogota. The park's route runs through glacial lakes and wetlands, making Noble Snipe a highly desired target here. The area also features Colombian endemics such as Apolinar's Wren, Bogota Rail, and Green-bearded Helmetcrest. After birding in the morning, we will have lunch before returning to Bogota with stops along the way.
January 25: Bogota to Honda with a stop at Jardin Encantado and Tabacal Lagoon
Today's destination is the colonial city of Honda in the Magdalena Valley, located along the Magdalena River, the largest river system in the andes. We'll stop at Jardin Encantado, a neighborhood house in San Francisco with a beautiful hummingbird feeder, to break up the journey. At the feeders the major focus is finding the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird which is ususally common. Other probable species include the Red-billed Emerald, Lazuline Sabrewing, White-Bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars, Ruby Topaz, and White-vented Plumeleteer.
Later in the morning, we will descend to Tabacal lagoon, located at an elevation of 1,250 meters and surrounded by a well-preserved pre-montane forest. Here we will seek out the following species; Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Ash-browned Spinetail, White-bellied Antbird, Jet Antbird, Dusky Antbird, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Black-headed Brush-Finch, White-bearded Manakin, Striped Manakin, Band-backed Wren, and Speckle-breasted Wren. After lunch, we travel to Honda.
January 26: Bellavista Reserve and Travel to Rio Claro Area
To beat the head at the lower elevations of Magdalena Valley, another early morning is required. We will spend the morning at the Bellavista Reserve near Victoria, focusing on two endemic species: the White-mantled Barbet and the aptly named Beautiful Woodpecker. We will also look out for Sooty Ant-Tanager, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, and White-bibbed and Golden-headed Manakin. If time permits, we will make some stops for Black-face Dacnis, Tody Motmot and Dull-mantled Antbird on our way to the Rio Claro area.
January 27: Rio Claro Reserve
Our first morning in Rio Claro, we will explore a dirt road in search of unique birds like as the Antioquia Bristle-Tyrant and Barred Puffbird. Among the birds we may see are the Panama Flycatcher, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Cinnamon Becard, One-colored Becard, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Citroen-throated Toucan, Collared Aracari, Olivaceous Piculet, and Fulvous-vented Euphonia.
Rio Claro is home to a diverse range of species, including the Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-breasted Warbler, Buff-rumped Warbler, and Western. Birds include White-tailed Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Slaty-winged Foliage-Gleaner, Western-Slaty Antshrike, Black-faced Antthrush, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Pacific Streaked Antwren, Checkered Antwren, Moustached Antwren, Yellow-backed Tanager, Tawny-crested Tanager, Orange-crowned Oriole, and others. In the evening, we can observe Oilbirds leaving a cave near the river before returning to the hotel for dinner.
January 28: Rio Claro Reserve and transfer to Medellin for flights to Bogota
We will have the morning to look for any targets we mau have missed at Rio Claro before heading to Medellin to catch flights to Bogota. Lunch will be on the road. Once at the Bogota airport, we will take the airport shuttle to the hotel to prepare for flights to San Jose del Guaviare.
January 29: Flight to San Jose del Guaviare, afternoon birding at Gravilleras
We plan to arrive in Guaviare for lunch, check-in, and then go birding in the surrounding area to spot Cream-colored Woodpecker, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Solitary Cacique, Large-billed Tern, Turquoise Tanager, and Green-backed Trogon. This area is unique due to its location at the intersection of the Guyana Shield region and the Andean foothills, as well as the transition between Orinoquia and the Colombian Amazon.
January 30: Villa Marcela and Nuevo Tolima
The Nuevo Tolima path, located one hour from San Jose del Guaviare, follows ancient rock formations from the Guianan Shield, the planet's oldest formation. Nuevo Tolima, located in Serrania La Lindosa, hosts around 250 species. Our major aim for the day is Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, but we'll also look for other species including Opal-rumped Tanager, Lesser Elaenia, Golden-bellied Euphonia, Paradise Tanager, Cliff Flycatcher, Purple Honeycreeper, and Wing-barred Piptites. We will get the opportunity to visit old petroglyphs in addition to enjoying the amazing birds. These petroglyphs reveal the history, beliefs, and lifestyles of the people who lived in this area for almost 10,000 years.
January 31: Guayabero River
We will bird along the Guayabero River, looking for Russet-crowned and Ashy-throated Crakes, Red-shouldered Tanager, Short-tailed Swift, Lesser Elaenia, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Black-tailed Tityra, White-winged Becard, White-throated Toucan, and Masked Cardinal.
February 1: Buena Vista
Buena Vista is located near San Jose del Guaviare, along the Guaviare River. This area includes gallery forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with over 350 species recorded. The targets include Festive Coquette, Black-crested Antshrike, Amazoninan Antshrike, White-shouldered Antbird, Agami Heron, Bown Nutlet, Pink-throated Becard, Rugous-browed Pepershrike, and Citron-bellied Atilla.
February 2: Playa Guio and Laguna Negra and flight to Bogota
Playa Guio, located 30 minutes from the hotel, features a seasonal flooded varzea forest affected by the nearby Guaviare River. The primary target is the Bare-necked Fruitcrow, followed by White-eared Jacamar, Spot-crowned Barbet, and Cream-colored Woodpecker. The well-preserved forest, meadows, and farmland offer a diverse range of species, including Black Caracara, Magpie Tanager, Long-billed Woodcreeper, and Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Many-banded Aracari, Brown Nunlet, Pink-throated Beccard, White-shouldered Antbird, and Citron-bellied Attila. The site's aquatic habitat, including oxbows, attracts Hoatzin, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Horned Screamer, and Black-capped Donacobius. A full day of birding at Playa Guio typically yields a large and high-quality list. We will fly to Bogota in the afternoon.
February 3: Guasca Area
Today, drive early for the municipality of Guasca, where we will have breakfast before heading to the 55-hectare reserve. You will explore the Paramo ecosystem and the cloud forest at 2800-3200 meters. Target species include Golden-faced Whitestart, the endemic Brown-breasted Parakeet, Silverythroated Spinetail, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Glowing Puffleg, Longuemare's Sunangel, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Tyrian Metaltail, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, and Great Sapphirewing. We may alson see Muisca Antpitta and Pale-bellied Tapaculo. With some luck, we might see a Spectacled Bear and roosting Andean Potoo. In the afternoon we will return to Bogota for the final night of the tour.
February 4: Depart Bogota
You may arrange travel from Bogota at any time today.