Colombia - Birds & History

Colombia, with almost 1,900 recorded species at the last count — including just over 80 endemics — boasts more birds than any other country on Earth! This bewildering biodiversity stems from the sheer range of habitats present within Colombia's borders, including the awe-inspiring Andean Cordillera which divides into three huge ranges in the south: the western, central and eastern Andes, each creating a wealth of ecosystems and microclimates. Between these dramatic ridges, peaks and dormant snow-capped volcanoes weave the Cauca and Magdalena Valleys, which forge northwards and eventually emerge at the Caribbean coast.

After years of civil unrest and political turmoil, tourism is flourishing once again as Colombia enjoys a new period of stability and peace, with its rich natural history, a veritable treasure-trove of wonderful museums with collections of pre-Columbian artefacts, spell-binding scenery and a vibrant art and adventure scene, drawing visitors from far and wide.

This holiday will not only concentrate on the more readily accessible of Colombia's most alluring birding sites, but will also focus on the impressive history and culture to be found in the ancient cities of Bogotá and Cartagena. We are confident that this exciting 2-week tour — based in comfortable accommodation throughout — will appeal to those who enjoy combining the natural world with forays into the fascinating culture and history of their chosen destination.

We begin in the capital city of Bogotá, taking our time to soak up the atmosphere in La Candelaria, the city’s historic and vibrant heart, the Plaza de Bolívar and the famous Gold Museum. Both within the city and in the scenic mountains around Bogotá, we will look for our first endemics of the tour in the form of Bogotá Rail, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Apolinar's Wren and Muisca Antpitta. A visit to Chingaza — a stunningly-beautiful high-altitude region east of the city consisting of páramo, sub-páramo and elfin forest habitats — will be a particular highlight as we search the stunted forest for Rufous-browed Conebill and Golden-fronted Whitestart. The stunning, but elusive, Green-bearded Helmetcrest can also be found here.

After a short flight to Pereira, we spend our next two nights in a centuries-old hacienda in the central Andes, birding the scenic Valle de Cocora and nearby montane forests for such species as Greyish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher and Colombian Chachalaca. We then drive north to Otun Quimbaya for Torrent Duck, Cuaca Guan, Multicoloured Tanager and Red-ruffed Fruitcrow — the latter a member of the cotinga family and one of the largest passerines in South America.

Further north, in the pristine cloudforest reserve of Rio Blanco overlooking the city of Manizales, we could encounter up to five species of antpittas in a single morning, owing to the dedicated work of an ex-ranger and his absorbing antpitta feeding stations. Rio Blanco is also well known for its exciting mixed species feeding flocks and such sought-after birds as White-capped Tanager, Stygian Owl and Masked Saltator.

Moss-laden elfin forests and stunning high Andean páramo habitat await us on the slopes of 5,300-metre-high Nevado del Ruiz. Here, we should come across several species not found anywhere else on the tour including Buffy Helmetcrest, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Golden-crowned Tanager and Black-billed Mountain Toucan. Our hotel for the night, high up on the slopes of the mountain, boasts soothing outdoor hot spring baths and an enchanting hummingbird garden that attracts species such as Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, the striking Sword-billed Hummingbird (the bird with the longest bill in relation to its body of any species on Earth) and Shining Sunbeam.

The last our our birding destinations is the charming little colonial town of Jardín. Relatively unknown outside of birding circles, Jardín is noted for its active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek. Watching these impressive, crimson-coloured jackdaw-sized birds cavort and shriek around at dawn is one of South America's quintessential birding experiences and one not to be missed! Endangered Yellow-eared Parrots breed close by in a scenic Andean cloudforest reserve, while the town’s beautiful colonial square might see us stop by to sample some of the world’s finest coffee.

Two nights in a luxurious boutique hotel located in the fascinating coastal city of Cartagena completes the tour. We will visit La Popa hill for 360-degree views of the city, stop at the San Felipe Castle and enjoy an insightful walking tour around the colourful old town where architecture, art, music, food and culture combine to wonderful effect. To round off your holiday, why not join us on a short excursion to the north of Colombia? Here the snow-topped Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, within which lie Colombia's highest peaks, rises abruptly out of the ocean, creating an isolated, high altitude, paradise of far-reaching views and endemic birds.