High level of endemism...With 22 bird species that are unique to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, it is both the world's highest coastal mountain has one of the world's highest levels of endemism. We will look for a total of 22 endemic species, such as the Santa Marta Screech-Owl, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Warbler, just to name a few!
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Birding along the Caribbean Coast...On this trip, we will visit Tayrona and Los Flamencos National Parks, where we can encounter species, including the near-endemic Buffy Hummingbird, the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca, the Russet-throated Puffbird, the near-endemic Chestnut Piculcet, Bicolored Conebill, Tocuyo Sparrow and Panama Flycatcher.
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Tour Information
Dates: January 21-28, 2025
Leader: Gavin McKinnon + local guides
Cost: $5495 CAD | $4070 USD
The tour fee above its based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, all meals and professional guiding services. Single Supplement available for $955 CAD, $695 USD.
Deposit and Cancellation Information: $1400 CAD | $1000 USD
The deposit for this tour becomes non-refundable 150 days prior to the starting date of the tour. The remaining balance is due by October 1, 2024. For cancellations between 60-90 days prior to departure a 50% refund will be issued. If a cancellation is made 59 days or less prior to departure, no refund will be issued.
Group Size: 6-10 participants
This small group size and high guide to participant ratio ensures that everyone will have an enjoyable experience on this tour.
This tour can be combined with Colombia: Western Andes and Colombia: Central Andes
Leader: Gavin McKinnon + local guides
Cost: $5495 CAD | $4070 USD
The tour fee above its based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, all meals and professional guiding services. Single Supplement available for $955 CAD, $695 USD.
Deposit and Cancellation Information: $1400 CAD | $1000 USD
The deposit for this tour becomes non-refundable 150 days prior to the starting date of the tour. The remaining balance is due by October 1, 2024. For cancellations between 60-90 days prior to departure a 50% refund will be issued. If a cancellation is made 59 days or less prior to departure, no refund will be issued.
Group Size: 6-10 participants
This small group size and high guide to participant ratio ensures that everyone will have an enjoyable experience on this tour.
This tour can be combined with Colombia: Western Andes and Colombia: Central Andes
January 21: Arrive in Santa Marta
Today we will arrive in Santa Marta and if time allows, we'll the local university grounds for some afternoon birding. For those joining this tour from the Colombia-Central Andes tour, your flight from Pereira is included in the tour price.
January 22: Santa Marta to El Dorado Lodge
We will start our climb up the Santa Marta Mountains after breakfast. We will be birding our way through a wide range of altitudes during the day, making stops at several points along the route to El Dorado Lodge, our base for three nights. Numerous species can be seen while travelling up the mountain, such as the stunning Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Rusty-headed Spinetail, the recently described Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Black-backed Antshrike, and Ruddy Foliage-gleaner.
January 23: Cerro Kennedy
In search of endemic species, , we will rise early and ascend to higher altitudes near Cerro Kennedy: Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Warbler, Santa Marta Mountain-tanager, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, and Brown-rumped Tapaculo. We plan to enjoy a picnic at a vantage point with breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada. As we descend the road, we hope to spot species like the near-endemic White-tipped quetzal, the endemic White-lored Warbler, the Black-chested Jay, the Grove-billed and Santa Marta Toucanet, and the Swallow Tanager. We are sure to search for the endemic and recently identified Santa Marta Screech-owl after dinner.
January 24: El Dorado Lodge
We will have time to admire the lodge's well-maintained feeders after breakfast. The endemic White-tailed Starfrontlet, White-vented Plumeteer, and Long-tailed Hermit are among the hummingbirds that frequent the feeders. The garden's numerous flowers draw Black and White-sided Flowerpiercers, while the bananas draw in the endemic Santa Marta and Colombian Brush-Finches. We'll spend some time hoping to observe Santa Marta Antpitta, a difficult-to-see skullker. A day spent birdwatching close to the lodge will have its benefits, with the nearly endemic Black-fronted Wood-quail visiting the lodges' compost pile in the afternoon being a particular delight.
January 25: El Dorado Lodge to Caribbean Coast
We will bird near the lodge in the early hours of the morning, then bird along the famous road to Minca where we will have breakfast. We will focus our efforts to see any birds we may have missed during our time at El Dorado. Stopping in the village of Minca, which is a fantastic place to see birds of lower altitudes. We will spend time watching the hummingbirds that visit the local feeders. Some of the species that we may spot are the near-endemic Red-billed Emerald, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, and Violet-crowned Woodnymph. Additionally, we will have time to explore the area and look for species such the Masked Tityra, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Black-backed Antshrike, Scaled Piculet, Swallow Tanager, Keel-billed Toucan and Whooping Motmot. In the afternoon we will make our way to our hotel near Tayrona National Park.
January 26: Los Flamencos National Park
Los Flamencos National Park is very close village of Riohacha. This is the western boundary of the Guajira desert, where the trees are separated from one another by barren, dry land and a dry forest that is growing shorter and less dense. Los Flamencos is a coastal town with shallow waterbodies that fill with rain during the rainy season and evaporate during the dry one. The American Flamingo, the park's namesake bird, is attracted to the brine shrimp bloom created by these evaporating ponds, which concentrate salt! On a good day, there may be hundreds of them here; their numbers vary according on the depth of the water. At Los Flamencos, we can see terns, gulls, and a variety of migratory shorebirds.When we retreat into the forest, we hope to encounter a variety of incredibly alluring local specialties. Vermillion Cardinal is one of them, nothing can prepare you for this species' brilliant red, exaggerated crest, and drastically different appearance from its close relative the Northern Cardinal.The Chestnut Piculet, a little and colorful woodpecker, is among the species found here. More specialties, such the White-tipped Inezia and Slender-billed Tyrannulet are also found in these forests. The Russet-throated Puffbird, often known as the "Bobo" by the locals, is a popular bird that will simply sit there and give you the same intense stare in return. The unique Orinoco Saltator stands out among a the saltators, which are generally unremarkable, greenish or grayish birds.
January 27: Tayorona National Park to Barranquilla
We will visit Tayorona National Park in the morning, and if all goes according to plan, wemight be able to see the Blue-billed Curassow. Apart from that, this is a fantastic location to see some species that we are not as likely to see during the journey. The beautiful Lance-tailed Manakin is one common bird that is more easily spotted here than anywhere else. It occasionally appears alongside the White-bearded Manakin. This area is home to a wide variety of species, including Rufous-tailed Jacamars, Greater Ani, White-necked Puffbird, and Crane Hawks and Boat-billed Heron. There are many of blue-headed parrots, and seeing the spectacular Lineated Woodpeckers feed on the tall trees is a sight to behold. From the undergrowth, White-bellied Antbirds can be heard singing, and if we are fortunate, they may even come into view. The forest is home to a variety of bird sounds, such as the nasal sounds of Barred Antshrikes, the repeated songs of Scrub Greenlets, and the harsh calls of Boat-billed and Streaked flycatchers. It's an active location with lots of birds! The stunning Red-legged Honeycreepers and Crimson-backed Tanagers add a lot of color to the surrounding flocks. The Cotton-top Tamarin, a stunning small monkey that is dwarfed by the less frequent White-fronted Capuchin, is typically seen while birding here. Later in the day we travel to Barranquilla to prepare for our flights back home.
January 28: Depart Barranquilla
You can make travel arrangements to depart Barranquilla at any time on this day.
Today we will arrive in Santa Marta and if time allows, we'll the local university grounds for some afternoon birding. For those joining this tour from the Colombia-Central Andes tour, your flight from Pereira is included in the tour price.
January 22: Santa Marta to El Dorado Lodge
We will start our climb up the Santa Marta Mountains after breakfast. We will be birding our way through a wide range of altitudes during the day, making stops at several points along the route to El Dorado Lodge, our base for three nights. Numerous species can be seen while travelling up the mountain, such as the stunning Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Rusty-headed Spinetail, the recently described Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Black-backed Antshrike, and Ruddy Foliage-gleaner.
January 23: Cerro Kennedy
In search of endemic species, , we will rise early and ascend to higher altitudes near Cerro Kennedy: Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Warbler, Santa Marta Mountain-tanager, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, and Brown-rumped Tapaculo. We plan to enjoy a picnic at a vantage point with breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada. As we descend the road, we hope to spot species like the near-endemic White-tipped quetzal, the endemic White-lored Warbler, the Black-chested Jay, the Grove-billed and Santa Marta Toucanet, and the Swallow Tanager. We are sure to search for the endemic and recently identified Santa Marta Screech-owl after dinner.
January 24: El Dorado Lodge
We will have time to admire the lodge's well-maintained feeders after breakfast. The endemic White-tailed Starfrontlet, White-vented Plumeteer, and Long-tailed Hermit are among the hummingbirds that frequent the feeders. The garden's numerous flowers draw Black and White-sided Flowerpiercers, while the bananas draw in the endemic Santa Marta and Colombian Brush-Finches. We'll spend some time hoping to observe Santa Marta Antpitta, a difficult-to-see skullker. A day spent birdwatching close to the lodge will have its benefits, with the nearly endemic Black-fronted Wood-quail visiting the lodges' compost pile in the afternoon being a particular delight.
January 25: El Dorado Lodge to Caribbean Coast
We will bird near the lodge in the early hours of the morning, then bird along the famous road to Minca where we will have breakfast. We will focus our efforts to see any birds we may have missed during our time at El Dorado. Stopping in the village of Minca, which is a fantastic place to see birds of lower altitudes. We will spend time watching the hummingbirds that visit the local feeders. Some of the species that we may spot are the near-endemic Red-billed Emerald, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Black-throated Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, and Violet-crowned Woodnymph. Additionally, we will have time to explore the area and look for species such the Masked Tityra, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Black-backed Antshrike, Scaled Piculet, Swallow Tanager, Keel-billed Toucan and Whooping Motmot. In the afternoon we will make our way to our hotel near Tayrona National Park.
January 26: Los Flamencos National Park
Los Flamencos National Park is very close village of Riohacha. This is the western boundary of the Guajira desert, where the trees are separated from one another by barren, dry land and a dry forest that is growing shorter and less dense. Los Flamencos is a coastal town with shallow waterbodies that fill with rain during the rainy season and evaporate during the dry one. The American Flamingo, the park's namesake bird, is attracted to the brine shrimp bloom created by these evaporating ponds, which concentrate salt! On a good day, there may be hundreds of them here; their numbers vary according on the depth of the water. At Los Flamencos, we can see terns, gulls, and a variety of migratory shorebirds.When we retreat into the forest, we hope to encounter a variety of incredibly alluring local specialties. Vermillion Cardinal is one of them, nothing can prepare you for this species' brilliant red, exaggerated crest, and drastically different appearance from its close relative the Northern Cardinal.The Chestnut Piculet, a little and colorful woodpecker, is among the species found here. More specialties, such the White-tipped Inezia and Slender-billed Tyrannulet are also found in these forests. The Russet-throated Puffbird, often known as the "Bobo" by the locals, is a popular bird that will simply sit there and give you the same intense stare in return. The unique Orinoco Saltator stands out among a the saltators, which are generally unremarkable, greenish or grayish birds.
January 27: Tayorona National Park to Barranquilla
We will visit Tayorona National Park in the morning, and if all goes according to plan, wemight be able to see the Blue-billed Curassow. Apart from that, this is a fantastic location to see some species that we are not as likely to see during the journey. The beautiful Lance-tailed Manakin is one common bird that is more easily spotted here than anywhere else. It occasionally appears alongside the White-bearded Manakin. This area is home to a wide variety of species, including Rufous-tailed Jacamars, Greater Ani, White-necked Puffbird, and Crane Hawks and Boat-billed Heron. There are many of blue-headed parrots, and seeing the spectacular Lineated Woodpeckers feed on the tall trees is a sight to behold. From the undergrowth, White-bellied Antbirds can be heard singing, and if we are fortunate, they may even come into view. The forest is home to a variety of bird sounds, such as the nasal sounds of Barred Antshrikes, the repeated songs of Scrub Greenlets, and the harsh calls of Boat-billed and Streaked flycatchers. It's an active location with lots of birds! The stunning Red-legged Honeycreepers and Crimson-backed Tanagers add a lot of color to the surrounding flocks. The Cotton-top Tamarin, a stunning small monkey that is dwarfed by the less frequent White-fronted Capuchin, is typically seen while birding here. Later in the day we travel to Barranquilla to prepare for our flights back home.
January 28: Depart Barranquilla
You can make travel arrangements to depart Barranquilla at any time on this day.