Colombia Birding Tour in Mitú-Vaupés, Amazon region.
This is an 8-day Amazon bird watching Colombia tour to the Colombian Amazon Region of Mitú-Vaupés.
Once we fly to the Amazon region we will be enjoying bird species restricted to its unique ecosystems present in this part of the Colombian Amazon: White sand, Varsea, and Terra firme forests; small Tepuyes and black rivers. All of them are plenty of bird elements from those classic ones from Amazonia to Orinoquia and Guyanas region, so, an ample array of bird species are enjoyed in just one enrich birding tour.
In the south-east area of Colombia, in the middle of the Amazon jungle rests Mitú, which means Curassow in the local language; the municipality is the capital of the Vaupés department, and it’s bathed by Vaupés River waters, this region has Brazil as its neighbour to the east.
This is an indigenous territory, holding around 27 ethnic groups, its native people still use traditional agricultural methods is known as “Chagras” or Conucos, which results in the conservation of the jungle.
Petroglyphs depicting The Ancestral Groups are found on the rocks around some areas we visit and Malocas are the hub of their celebrations, as one example is the one in Urania Community which we visit.
The Guiana rocky shield makes its presence by small Tepuyes, inviting you to contemplate impeccable views of the green carpet: The jungle at its highest expression! What about a sunset over there? Any description will not honour it properly.
Some Guiana birds extend its distribution over this land, creating a combination of Amazonian and Guiana avifauna; this feature turns it into a very valuable area since it integrates easy access, suitable trails, variety of ecosystems and, of course, more diverse bird specialities compared with other countries of the Guiana region.
Amazon bird watching Colombia Tour highlights include:
- Meet bird species restricted to only White-sand, and Varzea forest and Tepuyes.
- An ample mixture of birds from Amazonia, Guyana and Orinoquia regions.
- Opportunity to experience authentic Amazon bird watching with a local guide from the Cubeo and Tucano ethnic groups based in Mitú.
- Birding the Amazon with indigenous communities and some of their sacred places.
- Know how indigenous people refer to and name birds that dwell in their territories and the myths behind them.
- Taste typical food and fruits from the Amazonia region.
- Enjoy unparalleled views of the Amazon landscape from small Tepuyes rocky formations.
Please note: this tour is also available as a private tour on request from the beginning of September to the end of April of every year. Just define your visit date!
Keen to explore what else is on offer or fancy a birding tour in a different location? Check out the Birdwatching Tour in the Santa Marta Mountains.
Alternative Tour Name: Amazon region: Mitú – Vaupés
Pick up at El Dorado international airport, night in hotel Vilar América, Bogotá.
Once in Mitú, transfer to hotel Los Paisas, lunch and move to Urania community (Varzea forest and small Tepuyes) looking for: Amazonian Umbrellabird, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Black throated and Dusky Antbirds, Bronzy and Paradise Jacamar, Spotted Puffbird, Cream-coloured Woodpecker and Pearly Antshrike plus many more.
Night: Hotel Brasilia.
Before the sun shows up, we will be leaving to Ceima Cachivera community (terra firme forest and small Tepuyes) to meet the spectacular: Guianan-Cock-of the Rock and some more species, plus a great sunset over the jungle from the Cerro Flecha.
Night: Hotel Brasilia.
Early in the morning, we will board a boat for 15´ on the Vaupés river and then 10’ up to the Cajure river to reach Santa Marta Trails. It is an all-day birding at this spot; some targets are: Imeri warbling-Antbird, Pompadour Cotinga, Azure-naped Jay, Lemon-throated Barbet, Brown- Banded Puffbird, Bar-bellied Woodcreeper, Yellow-Throated Antwren, Yellow Crowned Manakin, Plumbeous Euphonia plus many more birds… Night at the hotel.
We will cross the Vaupés river to Garafa community (swampy primary forest and Chagras) for Black Bushbird, Pearly Antshrike, Amazonas Antbird, Amazonian black- Tyrant, Sulphury Flycatcher, Screaming Piha, Saffron-crested Tyrant- Manakin and more. Lunch at the hotel and after the move to a trail at Mitú Cachivera community (White sand forest). Night at the hotel.
A 4x4 or moto-taxi will pick us up at the hotel early in the morning, driving around one hour to Santa Cruz road “Puente de Lata” spot, where terra firme forest holds: Fiery topaz, Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Pavonine Quetzal, White-plumed, Bicoloured, and chestnut crested Antbird, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Thrush-like Antpitta, Blue-crowned Manakin, Red-fan Parrot. It is an all-day birding in this area. Night at the hotel.
We will enjoy all day long in the Bocatoma and Mitú Cachivera trails (White sand forest), the best spots in Mitú area, let’s focus on: Grey-bellied, Black-throated, and Imeri Warbling Antbirds, if we get into an army ant swarm: White-plumed, Bicoloured and Chestnut-crested Antbirds; Spangled, Pompadour and Purple-breasted Cotingas, Black Caracara, White-throated Toucan, Green Oropendola, Dusky-chested Flycatcher, Versicolored Emerald, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Yellow-billed Jacamar and Ringed Antpipit plus many more jewels. Night at the Hotel.
This is our last day in Mitú, so let’s come back to Bocatoma trail for remaining species from the day before, plus, Blackish-grey Antshrike, Cherrie´s Antwren, Pectoral sparrow, Collared Gnatwren, Slaty Grosbeak, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Chestnut and Scale-breasted Woodpeckers, Scarlet Macaw and many more surprises. Lunch at the hotel and transfer to the airport for returning to Bogotá city. Night: Hotel Vilar America; next day transfer to El Dorado airport and returning to your country.
Wildlife species expected to see:
Imeri warbling-Antbird, Pompadour Cotinga, Azure-naped Jay, Lemon-throated Barbet, Brown- Banded Puffbird, Bar-bellied Woodcreeper, Yellow-Throated Antwren, Yellow-Crowned Manakin, Plumbeous Euphonia, Black Bushbird, Pearly Antshrike, Amazonas Antbird, Amazonian black- Tyrant, Sulphury Flycatcher, Screaming Piha, Saffron-crested Tyrant- Manakin, Fiery topaz, Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Pavonine Quetzal, White-plumed, Bicoloured and chestnut crested Antbird, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, Thrush-like Antpitta, Blue-crowned Manakin, Red-fan Parrot, White-plumed, Bicoloured and Chestnut-crested Antbirds; Spangled, Pompadour and Purple-breasted Cotingas, Black Caracara, White-throated Toucan, Green Oropendola, Dusky-chested Flycatcher, Versicolored Emerald, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Yellow-billed Jacamar, Ringed Antpipit, Blackish-grey Antshrike, Cherrie´s Antwren, Pectoral sparrow, Collared Gnatwren, Slaty Grosbeak, Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Chestnut and Scale-breasted Woodpeckers, Scarlet Macaw and many, many more.
Potencial mammals:
Silky Anteater, Mottle-face Tamarin, Neotropical River Otter
What is included?
- Complete logistics.
- Full-time professional birding guidance, one local indigenous guide for each day (it is mandatory in every community in Mitú).
- Ground and water transportation in Mitú.
- Two domestic flights (Bogotá-Mitú-Bogotá).
- Entrance fees to the indigenous communities.
- Hotel in Bogotá (2 nights) hotel in Mitú (7 nights) (double occupancy in all of them)
- Food: From breakfast first day of the tour to dinner last day of the tour (3 meals, drinks/day and water, snacks)
- Pickup at airport and drop off at airport.
What is not included?
- Travel insurance, medical cost or hospitalization.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Laundry.
- Calls, tips or anything of personal nature.
- Anything else not mentioned in “What is included”
We are birders offering birding experiences to birders, we put on birders' shoes in order to leave an unforgettable birding experience in your life; thinking about you comfort, your expectations and desires, every tour is carefully thought and designed in detail to visiting the best birdwatching/birding places in Colombia, giving you big chances to meet and delight with our native birds: the endemic, near endemic, very restricted, beauty and rare in the land of the birds.
There are some options in order to make the first deposit: 30% of total price and then rest of payment: 70%, one month before the tour. By wire Bank or Money transfer agencies.
Mitú is a lowland territory 656 ft (200 meters above sea level), it is surrounded by small Tepuyes (mountain-shaped rocks), some of them are easy to reach; in this visit we’re planning to visit some, no special physical requirements are needed to get it on. We will be walking through flat ground most of the time also this trip is carried out during dry season with temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 32 °C / 77 °F to 89,6 °F, and our birding is under shade and on sunny trails. So it is a very comfortable tour. Birding days begin around 5:30 am; but a couple of mornings we’ll have to be up earlier. Coffee or a hot beverage will be taken before leaving the hotel and most of the breakfasts will be taken in the field, while lunch will be taken in the hotel and others at the field. Water is provided. The group will typically return to the hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m., with dinner generally starting between 7:00 and 7:30 pm. We will check the bird list before or after dinner.
Most of the Colombian food is based on grains (beans, lentils, rice, etc.) potatoes, yucca along with meat (Beef, pork, chicken and fish), steak and salads. In Mitú there is a variety of dishes from those found in the main cities of the country to traditional ones in Amazonia region. For those vegetarians, we can make arrangements to provide you with tasty dishes of that kind.
Coffee and tea are offered before leaving for birding in the mornings; natural juice, soft drink and coffee or tea are provided at dinner. Bottled water is provided in the field. *Given the case that you have any food Allergies/Requirements please let us know.
If you are a smoker we demand respect for those who do not, especially in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a nonsmoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so while being away and downwind from the group.
US citizens must present a passport valid at the time of entry and with at least one blank page for an entry stamp. No visa is required for US citizens visiting Colombia for 90 days or less. Visitors from other countries may need a visa; please contact your nearest Colombian embassy or consulate for further information. *More info will be sent once you decide to take this great tour *if you have any question or doubt, do not hesitate to ask to nativebirdingcolombia@gmail.com
Accommodation: In Bogotá we will stay at the modern and comfortable hotel Vilar América (HW, Wi-fi and AC Available) the night of arrival at the capital and the last night in Colombia; in Mitú the lodging will be at the hotel Brasilia (HW, Wi-fi and AC Available). Single accommodation depends on the availability. Do not hesitate to ask if interested.
Transportation: going to Mitú must be by airplane, there are no roads from cities or towns to get there, once there, we move mainly by 4x4 or moto-taxi and by boat through the Vaupés River.
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