About this tour: Colombia is the birdiest country on earth, with more than 1,950 species (almost 20% of the world’s total in less than 1 percent of the world’s landmass). It is easy to see why. Colombia is tropical, yet it also has ample elevation changes due to the Andes, furthermore, it has both the Pacific and, Caribbean coasts. Lots of different habitats ensure an abundance of bird species.
This tour celebrates the signing of the peace agreement with an itinerary that focuses on sites that were once FARC strongholds and have since become eco-tourism destinations for birders from all over the world. This is important, as the locals that once lived in a war zone are now benefiting from tourism and in turn, are becoming stewards of the natural ecosystem that attracts birders to the country.
Departure Date: Private Tour or TBD
Duration: 13 days total, including estimated travel time.
Expedition type: Birdwatching Photographic Adventure
Focus: Photography; Natural history and Birdwatching.
Highlights
• Spend two days birding along the Trampoline of Diversity road, experiencing an elevation gradient of 1,800 m (6,000 ft).
• Observe Andean Condors up close in the paramo of Purace National Park.
• Explore the Anchicaya Watershed, an area that inspired the first Bird Identification guide for South America.
• Marvel at the feeders at KM 18, where more than 22 species of hummingbirds have been recorded.
• Visit an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, just a 20-minute hike away.
• Embark on an exhilarating rail ride in the Pacific Lowlands, birding close to sea level in search of lowland species.
• Discover the surreal Paramo Ecosystem, birding above 3,500 meters in search of the rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga and Masked Mountain-tanager.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Cali
Day 2: Cali – Pance River – Popayan
Day 3: Purace National Park
Day 4: Patia Valley and Besuaco Road
Day 5: Bordoncillo Paramo
Day 6 – 7: Trampoline of Diversity
Day 8: Rumiyaco
Day 9: Mocoa and flight to Cali
Day 10: Km 18
Day 11: Upper Anchicaya
Day 12: San Cipriano
Day 13: Depart Cali
Ex-FARC combatants and Colombian biologists performing field-work.
Photo © Carlos Herney Castro
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