Tailormade Holidays in Colombia

From Colombia’s southern border, the Andes fan out creating a unique topography and an incredible diversity of habitats, including high altitude páramo (Andean bogs), sub-páramo, subtropical montane forests, and both dry and humid tropical lowland forests. The wide Eastern Andean range supports its own suite of special birds including Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Turquoise Dacnis, Black Inca and Recurve-billed Bushbirds. In Chingaza National Park, a stunningly beautiful high-altitude region of wildlife habitat awaits. Recently, the reserve has become one of the world’s most reliable locations for sightings of wild Spectacled Bear. While the bear is undoubtedly a highlight, other mammals include White-tailed Deer, the endemic Bogota Tapeti, and such elusive Andean rarities as Little Red Brocket Deer and Mountain Coati. Sought-after birds, such as Rufous-browed Conebill and Silvery-throated Spinetail, often make an appearance, while the beautiful Golden-fronted Whitestart, here in its white-faced form, regularly betrays its location with repeated contact calls. Tawny Antpitta can be surprisingly conspicuous, unlike Rufous Antpitta, which is far more furtive and 'antpitta like'. The transitional zone of the east Andean foothills offers encounters with further specialties, including the recently discovered Cundinamarca Antpitta, the beautiful Brown-bellied (Flame-winged) Parakeet, and the endemic Ornate Titi and Brumback’s Night Monkey. Wildlife exploration in such stunning Andean scenery is a real treat – especially when the weather behaves itself.

The undulating hills surrounding Manizales and Pereira offer some of the world’s finest submontane wildlife habitat. Finca’s like Hacienda el Bosque cater to photographers, providing the opportunity to capture stunning images of more than 140 species of bird, including such sought-after species as Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Crescent-faced Antpitta and Andean Motmot. Further up the Andean slope, dazzling birds such as Buffy Helmetcrest and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill vie for your attention. The cloudforests of Otun Quimbaya hold some of the most elusive mammals on the continent, including the spectacular Mountain Tapir. This attractive animal, known for its thick black woolly coat and bright white lips, is the smallest of the tapir species. It is confined to a narrow band of Andean cloudforest and was rarely seen until recently. Other mammalian targets here include Lemurine Night Monkey, Andean White-eared Opossum, Mountain Coati, Mountain Paca, Northern Oncilla and the near-endemic and recently described Olinguito, whilst further birding highlights include Crested Ant-Tanager, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Torrent Duck and the endemic Cauca Guan.

Accommodation in The Central Andes

One of the largest and busiest cities in South America, and indeed the world, Bogota is Colombia’s legislative, judicial and economic capital. It is also one of the highest capital cities on the planet, resting on an expansive plateau that averages out at over 2,600 metres above sea level. The city experiences a maritime climate that mirrors something of an English late-spring, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 9-20°C. As well as blossoming into a rapidly growing financial hub, Bogota is home to several important landmarks and cultural attractions that are well worth visiting. These include La Candelaria (the historic neighbourhood), Monserrate Peak and a host of interesting museums, such as the Gold Museum which houses the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts in the world. A morning can be spent birding the nearby La Florida wetlands for the endemic Bogota Rail, or perhaps at a nearby hummingbird garden, where such Andean specialities as White-bellied Woodstar, Sparkling Violetear and Amethyst-throated Sunangel can be easily photographed. Bogota’s central location also makes it the country’s key transportation hub, with good connections by road and air to the rest of the country.

Accommodation in Bogotá

Nestled between the Central and Eastern Andes lies the spectacular Magdalena Valley. This region offers many star birds including White-mantled Barbet and Beautiful Woodpecker, as well as a host of impressive endemic mammals. In Rio Blanco reserve, no fewer than five species of antpitta can be seen in a single morning’s birding! Here too, it’s possible to enjoy a few days in a traditional coffee ‘finca’, enjoying gentle birding, coffee-tasting tours and perhaps a little relaxation by the pool. Reserves such as Bellavista and Rio Claro are home to a wide array of avifauna, and they also harbour strong populations of the mega-endemic Silvery Bare-faced Tamarin. For more adventurous wildlife watchers, a visit to El Paujil Nature Reserve is particularly recommended. This private reserve was set up to conserve the critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow, which is easily seen around the lodge, and now contains some of the last unspoilt lowland forest left in the Magdalena region.

Accommodation in The Magdalena Valley

Cartagena’s geographical position on the Caribbean coast historically facilitated its development as one of the most important commercial ports on the continent. The city offered a key trade link between South America, the West Indies and Europe, and Cartagena ultimately became a crucial player in the Spanish export of Peruvian silver during colonial times. Cartagena is steeped in history and the supremely well-preserved Old Town, with its vibrant restaurants and bars, makes for an unmissable stopover. The city experiences warm weather and sunshine year-round. A blend of its pleasant climate, pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, historical legacy and fascinating culture, make Cartagena a real Colombian gem.