The Northern Colombia Birding Route is a birding journey in the north of the country that combines the classical Santa Marta Mountains and its surrounding lowlands with the most northern extension of the Eastern Andes, the Perija Mountains or Serranía de Perija, a big mountain complex that reaches its highest altitutes in the boundaries of Venezuela

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ITINERARY

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DAY 0

Arrive to Bogota city and transfer to hotel. Meeting dinner

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DAY 1

Early pick up and drive towards Sumapaz national Park, where is the best place to spot the Green-bearded helmetcrest. Other possible birds include the endemics Apolinar’s Wren, Bogotá Rail, Boyaca Antpitta, Bronze-tailed Thornbill. In the afternoon we will take a flight from Bogota to Barranquilla city where stay overnight

 

DAY 2

Early start in Barranquilla and visit Isla Salamanca Park and mangrove areas in the morning. After birding, drive towards Minca town in the foothills of Santa Marta mountains, some birding in the afernoon around town.

Highlight birds: Turquoise-winged parrotlet, Sapphire-bellied hummingbird, Bicolor conebill, Pied Puffbird, Red-rumped woodpecker, Stripe-backed wren, White-bearded Manakin, Black backed Antshrike, Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Straight-billed woodcreeper, Pale-legged hornero

 

DAY 3

In the morning visit nice feeders close to town for a photo session, in the afternoon, we will start driving towards El Dorado reserve area exploring on the way, where stay for 2 nights

Highlight birds: Golden-winged sparrow, Whooping Motmot, Black-chested Jay, Gray headed Tanager, Blue-black Grosbeak, Blue-ground Dove, Bay-headed tanager, Ruddy woodcreeper, Santa Marta (SM) foliage-gleaner, SM antbird, Coppery emerald, SM brush finch, SM Blossomcrown, SM woodstar, White-lored warbler, SM tapaculo, Rusty-breasted antpitta, Blue-naped chlorophonia.

 

DAY 4

Early journey in 4x4 to the top of the mountain (San lorenzo ridge) in order to look for the high altitude endemics, birding for the whole morning and come back in the afternoon for more birding around the lodge.

Highlight birds: Santa Marta Screech-owl, Santa Marta warbler, Hermit wood-wren, SM mountain tanager, Carriker’s Mountain tanager, SM bush-tyrant, SM antpitta, Sierra Nevada antpitta, SM parakeet, Sierra Nevada Brush-finch, Brown-rumped tapaculo, White-tailed starfrontlet, White-tipped quetzal, Golden-breasted fruit-eater, Black-fronted woodquail, White-rumped hawk.

 

DAY 5

Early birding around the lodge and driving down looking for missing species, then drive towards Tayrona park area where stay for one night. Some Birding in the afternoon.

Highlight birds: Black-back antshrike, Panama flycatcher, Blue-headed parrot, Buff-breasted wren, White-chinned sapphire, Black-throated mango, Orange-chinned parakeet, Bicolored wren, Scaled dove, Brown-throated parakeet

 

DAY 6

Birding in the morning along trails of Tayrona Natural Park and then leave to Flamencos Park area, where stay one night in El Remanso del Santuario Logde. Birding in the afternoon. Highlight birds: Black-crowned antshrike, Lance-tailed manakin, Olivaceus flatbill, Southern bentbill, White-necked Puffbird, Gartered Violaceuos Trogon, Blue-billed Curassow, Bright rumped Attila, Orange-crowned oriole, White-bellied antbird, Sepia-capped flycatcher

 

DAY 7

Birding in the morning with the company of a local indigenous guide along trails. There is also the possibility to arrange a boat trip to take a closer view to the American Flamencos and other aquatic species if desired. In the afternoon drive to Valledupar city Highlight birds: Vermillion cardinal, Orinoco saltator, Black-crested antshrike, White-fringed antwren, Slender-billed inezia, White-whiskered spinetail, Chestnut piculet, Tocuyo sparrow, Crested bobwhite, Glaucous tanager, Russet-throated puffbird, Venezuelan flycatcher, Green-rumped parrotlet, American flamingo, Reddish egret.

 

DAY 8

From Valledupar we will drive for almost 2 hours to a little village then walk for one hour or so to the spot for the recently discover populations of the very rare Santa Marta Sabrewing, return to Valledupar and continue to Manaure town

 

DAY 9

From here we will start driving up to the mountains doing birding stops on the way until we reach the Chamicero Reserve where we stay for 2 nights Highlight birds: Perija Brush-finch, Perija Tapaculo, Rufous-crowned Tody flycatcher, Andean Guan, Coppery emerald, Rufous-shafted woodstar, Yellow-breasted Brush-finch

 

DAY 10

We will start very early in the morning and drive up to the paramo in order to look for the endemic species. In the afternoon we will explore feeders and the surroundings of the lodge. Also possible to go out at night for White-throated Screech owl Highlight birds: Perija Antpitta, Perija Metaltail, Black-fronted woodquail, Perija Starfrontlet, Perija Thistletail, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Red-crested Cotinga, Lacrimose mountain-tanager, Andean Condor, Black-and-chestnut Eagle

 

DAY11

After breakfast we will star to descend to Valledupar city doing stops on the way, In the afternoon arrive to airport to take flight to Bogota, overnight in the city, next day transfer to airport for international flight

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BUDGET

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 1 Birder ...................... USD$4380

 2 Birders ....................USD$3380 per person

 

** It includes all ground private transportation, 2 local flights (Bogota-Barranquilla / Valledupar – Bogota), 12 nights of private accommodation, all meals with drinks, entrance fee to parks, feeders and reserves, guiding, water supply and snacks