Birding in Paradise
Santa Marta & the Caribbean Coast endemics birding tour

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is arguably Colombia’s most spectacular birding destination. Its towering snow-capped peaks rise as high as 5,700 metres above sea level and overlook sun-drenched beaches and sparkling Caribbean waters far below. Between lies a series of rich and varied habitats, from tropical coastal dry forests and saltwater lagoons, through to lower and mid-elevation cloud forests, all the way up to cool elfin forests and sub-paramo zones. On this 8-day classic Colombian birding tour, we shall spend our time searching out the rich avian diversity found in each of these locations, including 3 nights at the famous El Dorado lodge, which offers access to some of the most exciting birding on the entire South American continent! 

Birding in Paradise - Itinerary at a glance
Day 1
Days 2
Days 3
Day 4
Days 5-7

Days 8
Arrive in Bogotá
Birding La Florida wetlands (near Bogotá)
Tropical dry forests and coastal lagoons of the Guajira Peninsula
Birding near Minca and en route to El Dorado Nature Reserve
El Dorado Nature Reserve – one of the most exciting birding locations in South America
Birding near Minca and fly back to Bogotá, where the tour ends
Day 1
Days 2, 3
Days 4, 5
Day 6
Days 7, 8
Days 9, 10
Day 11
Days 12-14
Day 15
Day 16
Birding in Paradise- 
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1      Arrive Bogotá
Day 2      Birding La Florida wetlands (near Bogota)
Day 3      Tropical dry forests and coastal lagoons of 
                 the Guajira Peninsula
Day 4      Birding near Minca and en route to El 
                 Dorado Nature Reserve
Day 5-7   El Dorado Nature Reserve – one of the 
                 most exciting birding locations in South 
                 America
Day 8      Birding near Minca and fly back to Bogotá, 
                 where the tour ends 

Arrive in Bogotá
Birding the Eastern Andes from Bogotá
Lowland tropical forests of the Magdalena Valley
Rio Claro to Medellín with birding stops
Cloud forests and cock-of-the-rock lek from Jardin
Maninizales, birding Rio Blanco Reserve 
High altitude Los Nevados National Park 
Birding the mega-diverse Chocó from Montezuma
Otún Quimbaya Reserve 
Fly back to Bogotá where the tour ends
Tour Details

Tour type: Classic birding tour
Duration of the tour: 8 days        
Group size: Limited to 8 participants

Dates:  
*This departure can be combined with our 'The golden birding trail' tour 
 

Pricing: US $ 2,395 per person
              Single room supplement: US $ 345

Tour leader(s): With 5-8 guests there will be x2 expert birding bilingual guides (Rob Smith + additional guide). With less than 5 guests there will be one expert bilingual guide. 
Tour highlights 

Birding near Bogota for endemics including Bogota Rail, Silvery-throated Spinetail and Apolinar’s Wren

Explore tropical dry forests and lagoons on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, for range-restricted species such as Vermillion Cardinal, White-whiskered Spinetail and Chestnut Piculet!

Spend 3 nights birding the high elevations of Santa Marta from El Dorado lodge – surely one of the most scenic birding locations in all of South America!

A host of Santa Marta special endemics and near endemics are possible including gems such as Santa Marta Sabrewing, Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Antpitta, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta Screech-owl and Black-backed Thornbill!

From Minca we search for the likes of Golden-winged Sparrow, Rosy-thrush Tanager, Northern Royal Flycatcher, Black-crowned Antshrike and Keel-billed Toucan.

Enjoy world-class Colombian coffee, delicious food and amazing hospitality throughout the tour

View other Colombia birding and wildlife tours

The Golden Birding Trail
Andes, Magdalena Valley & Choco endemics

learn more

Birds & Mammals 
An all-round natural history tour with time dedicated to mammals 

learn more