Loading search...
A wonderful bird trip to Santa Marta, Colombia. Full of wonderful birds that our very competent bird guide, Angel, showed us. Food was excellent throughout. An amazing experience.
P.T., Kent, Nov '25
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Colombia - Santa Marta Endemics
Tour Code: COL01A 10-day birdwatching holiday in search of the endemic and other special birds of the Guajira Peninsula and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
10 days
from
£4,495
£4,495
Land only price
from
£3,795
£3,795
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
This 10-day birding tour, which can be easily combined with our Multicoloured Tanager Tour, focuses on the special birds of the Guajira Peninsula, including Tocuyo Sparrow, Orinoco Saltator, Chestnut Piculet, Vermillion Cardinal, Buffy Hummingbird and the stunning White-whiskered Spinetail. We also include a stay on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta at Minca, and 3 nights higher up at the excellent Mountain House, during which we’ll be making a concerted effort to see all Santa Marta’s endemics and regional specialities. Birding the San Lorenzo ridge, with the sun rising over Colombia’s highest peaks and with Santa Marta Brushfinch taking crumbs from our breakfast table, is sure to live long in the memory!
- Guajira Peninsula birding with superb local guide (one day clean-up)
- 6 nights in the mountains, including 3 at Mountain House
- Target all endemics, including the screech-owl, mountain-tanager and others
- Fantastic flocks, views and hospitality
- Combine tour with Multicoloured Tanager Tour
- Direct flight to Colombia. Hassle-free internal flights
Colombia, with almost 1,900 recorded species at the last count, including around 80 endemics, is the undisputed number one country on the planet for bird diversity. Unfortunately, for most of the 90’s and ‘noughties’, civil unrest had made visiting remote areas within the country distinctly unadvisable. Whilst ecotourism flourished in neighbouring Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil and Peru, Colombia remained in the doldrums, waiting patiently for the chance to reveal its wonderful landscapes, birds and people to the world once more. Happily, Colombia has changed dramatically in the past few years and birders worldwide are now flocking to this beautiful country in search of its many avian jewels. Colombia’s topography is both diverse and breath-taking, with snow-capped mountains, cloud-filled valleys, savannas and rainforests augmented with a magnificent birdlife. This tour concentrates on the Santa Marta and Guajira Peninsula endemics. Birding around the El Dorado Lodge is a mouth-watering prospect; Santa Marta Brush-finches are common in the garden, whilst hummingbirds include Blossomcrown and Santa Marta Woodstar. We will also look for the endangered Santa Marta Parakeet, the newly discovered Santa Marta Screech Owl, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain Tanager and Santa Marta Warbler. The occasional Andean Condor, Black-and-chestnut Eagle or Semi-collared Hawk should also keep raptor enthusiasts happy! Of great contrast is the arid Guajira Peninsula, where we’ll look for a selection of range-restricted species such as Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Vermilion Cardinal and Glaucous Tanager.
DETAILED INFORMATION
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Bogota
Day 2/3
Caribbean coast/Guajira peninsula
Day 4
Minca
Day 5/7
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Day 8
Santa Marta
Day 9
Isla Salamanca, fly Bogota, depart
Day 10
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A mixture of small hotels and El Dorado Lodge
- Food: All meals are included.
Reviews
-
-
I was very pleased with our two Colombian leaders who almost universally kept tight control of the timing of our quite complicated itinerary. They looked after us well, provided excellent leadership on our birding stops and helped those (like me) who struggled to find birds in challenging conditions on jungle stops. They were also interesting to talk to about their country I was also very impressed by the quality of the local guides we used at some locations. The first morning and the trip to the Cali Country Club was a wonderful start to the trip after the overnight flight and brought home to me just what a very civilised South American country this was despite their awful troubles with the 50+ year Civil War. It was a very diverse itinerary and the birding environment was very impressive. I particularly liked the hummingbird gardens at Finca Alejandria, Cali, and Hotel Termales Del Ruiz, Manizales. The time in Manizlaes was the highlight of the tour and especially the day spent at the stunning Rio Blanco Reserve.
J.F. West Yorkshire -
Gabriel (guide) grew up on Santa Marta mountain, his skills at identifying bird calls were second to none. Both El Dorado and Minca were fabulous places to stay with magnificent views and walks from the door.
J. & J.C. Nottinghamshire -
Naturetrek's British guide Andy Smith was excellent, great birder, constantly trying to keep everyone interested even during some dull periods. Gabbo our Colombian guide was also excellent at finding the birds when they showed themselves. Scenery was fantastic up in the mountains, views I will take to my grave. The food and accommodation at el Dorado lodge could not be faulted and the scenery breathtaking.
P.J. Nottinghamshire -
The walks within the Camarones dry forest went very well. All the spots from Minca up to the highest part of El Dorado were excellent and all the hummingbirds at both lodges fantastic.
J.W. Aberdeenshire -
The environments visited were varied, allowing for a wide range of avain possibilities to be encountered. The vehicles chosen for the more mountainous areas were excellent, as were the drivers. The food throughout the tour was excellent, especially the fish. The restaurant in Finca used on the first two nights in the town was superb!
P.S. Suffolk -
A very interesting itinerary: we saw quite a lot of the country and visited some excellent birding spots. I particularly liked the stay around Manizales and the places we visited from there. I was very pleased with our two Colombian leaders who almost universally kept tight control of the timing of our quite complicated itinerary. They looked after us well, provided excellent leadership on our birding stops and helped those (like me) who struggled to find birds in challenging conditions on jungle stops. The time in Manizales was the highlight of the tour and especially the day spent at the stunning Rio Blanco Reserve.
J.F. West Yorkshire
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 29th Jan – Sat 7th Feb
FULL
£4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Angel Ortiz
Tour Leader: Angel Ortiz
Angel is based near Tayrona National Park, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. He graduated as a professional tourism guide back in 2008 and started guiding cultural and ‘eco’ tours. As he progressed, he became fascinated by the region’s rich avifauna, including the fabled endemics of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In 2017 Angel was invited to join an Audubon Society program to further extend his knowledge of the region’s birds and during the course he stood out amongst his peers as one of the most promising bird guides. Since then, he has been leading private groups and tailormade birding tours throughout the region, further honing his already excellent knowledge of bird vocalisations. During his free time Angel enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as activities including cycling and football.
Sat 21st Feb – Mon 2nd Mar
FULL
£4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Angel Ortiz
Tour Leader: Angel Ortiz
Angel is based near Tayrona National Park, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. He graduated as a professional tourism guide back in 2008 and started guiding cultural and ‘eco’ tours. As he progressed, he became fascinated by the region’s rich avifauna, including the fabled endemics of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In 2017 Angel was invited to join an Audubon Society program to further extend his knowledge of the region’s birds and during the course he stood out amongst his peers as one of the most promising bird guides. Since then, he has been leading private groups and tailormade birding tours throughout the region, further honing his already excellent knowledge of bird vocalisations. During his free time Angel enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as activities including cycling and football.
Fri 6th Nov – Sun 15th Nov
6
£4,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Tue 1st Dec – Thu 10th Dec
SPACES
£4,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 1st Feb – Wed 10th Feb
SPACES
£4,695
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Fri 19th Feb – Sun 28th Feb
SPACES
£4,695
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Fri 12th Mar – Sun 21st Mar
SPACES
£4,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
Video
