Northern & Central Colombia Birding Tour
A 16-day Central & Northern Colombia Birding Tour is a moderately-paced trip available as a set departure (or on request) in the Magdalena River Basin, Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta, and La Guajira Area. During this Northern & Central Colombia Birdwatching Tour, you can expect to see over 350 species of bird, including 32 endemics and other wildlife species (monkeys, foxes, tayra).
The Magdalena River is the main fluvial artery in Colombia, it flows along an ample valley between the Central and Eastern Andes and flowing into the Caribbean sea. It is an important area of endemism and home to the more southern populations of some central American species. This Central Colombia Birding part of the tour combines visits to the premontane and karstic humid forest, dry forest, and wetlands on its lowlands plus coastal ecosystems, the unique Santa Marta endemic mountains; La Guajira area: the thorny forest and a salty lagoon.
On other hand, as we head to the Northern Colombia Birdwatching Trail, we will visit 3 exceptional national natural parks, beginning by Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca NP, this is an important bird area for conservation (IBA), stated by UNESCO as a Reserve of the Biosphere and a second home for migrant species; the birding is carried out on the coastal ecosystems along the way to Santa Marta city while the Brisa “breeze” of the Caribbean rubs your cheeks.
Visiting the Tayrona National Park is a nice opportunity to find its always attractive dry forest bird species; this site is very loved by Colombian and foreign people. Flora and Fauna Sanctuary Los Flamencos NP is one the richest natural parks in the country of aquatic species, once here we will focus on the regional endemics of the thorny and semiarid ecosystem of La Guajira region; a territory inhabited by the Wayúu ethnic group.
Minca, this warming village calls itself the Eco-capital of Colombia, surrounded by premontane forest, clean rivers, many farm hotels, some coffee plantations; an ample array of birds, and a deep sense of respect for nature by its inhabitants.
El Dorado reserve: Located on a mountain in the famous Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the protected forests preserve the three most endangered species of birds in these mountains: the Santa Marta Parakeet, the Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant and the Santa Marta Sabrewing; it gives the seal as an area zero extinction (AZE) also cataloged as an endemic bird area (EBA) and (IBA). The site offers excellent accommodation, vivid sunrises, and sunsets. Its name is based on the legend of El Dorado, where Spanish conquerors thought and sought for a city of gold; not far from this idea are these mountains: Gold is expressed in its rich birdlife.
Central & Northern Colombia Birdwatching Tour Highlights:
- Meet the bird specialities from the Magdalena river basin and Blue-billed Curassow, a bird species endemic to the country and endanger to extinction.
- Visit a cave where the singular Oilbirds dwell.
- The possibility to see more than 22 endemic bird species found only in the Santa Marta Mountains.
- Opportunity to experience birding with a local guide from the Wayúu ethnic group based in the La Guajira region.
- Staying at the famous El Dorado birding lodge with breathtaking views of the Santa Marta mountains and also the Caribbean sea.
Please note: this set-departure tour is also available as a private or custom tour on request from December to April and from July to November of every year. Please submit an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size.
If you have a little more time to spend on your holiday and are keen to fill it with more wonderful birding experiences, why not have a look at the Birding Colombia Amazon Region Tour.
Alternative Tour Name: Magdalena River Santa Marta and La Guajira Birding Tour
Join Our Fixed Tour Starting Date
Tour Dates | Tour Availability | From Price | Spaces Left | |
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15/08/2022 - 30/08/2022 | available | USD 4,900 |
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20/01/2023 - 04/02/2023 | available | USD 4,900 |
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10/04/2023 - 25/04/2023 | available | USD 4,900 |
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15/08/2023 - 30/08/2023 | available | USD 4,900 |
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20/01/2024 - 04/02/2024 | available | USD 4,900 |
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