COLOMBIA our new Colombia itinerary to the Amazon and Santa Marta Mountains

Colombia boasts the world’s most diverse avifauna with a bird list topping

Capuchinbird

1950 species and more than 80 of these are only found in this country. This new tour starts with birding adventures in the relatively unexplored Orinoco Basin, in the extensive Colombian Amazon. A highlight here in the ‘Land of many waters’ is a visit to the Cerros de Mavecure. It was the explorer Alexander von Humboldt who put this special place on the map when he vividly described the lush tropical vegetation and powerful rivers of the region. The white sand and varzea forests here hold a diverse assemblage of Guianan and Amazonian birds. The second part of the tour features a visit to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the world’s highest coastal mountain ranges. It is an isolated mountain range overlooking the Caribbean, and is amongst the most endemic rich areas of the world. On a high ridge sits the famous El Dorado Lodge, situated within a private reserve. El Dorado is set against a breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks on one side and wonderful views of the Caribbean below. The wealth of the Sierra Nevada lies not only in its wildlife, but also as a World Heritage Site. Indigenous communities still live in the higher reaches of the park. The ancient Tairona archeological site of Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City, is located in the jungle here. The site predates the Peruvian site of Machu Picchu by six centuries. The adjacent Caribbean coast harbours yet more endemics and near endemic birds amongst luxuriant rainforests and dry coastal habitats. The tour concludes on the Caribbean coast adjacent to one of South Americas prettiest national parks. The Tayrona National Park is truly a place of sheer rugged beauty. In all, we can expect to see as many as 500 different species, some just newly described and a good number being found nowhere else. ITINERARY

THE COLOMBIAN AMAZON Arriving in Bogota after an overnight flight, we take a short internal flight to Inirida where we will spend the first six days of the tour. The majority of the time spent birdwatching here will be alongside the two rivers, the Inirida and the Guaviare. The town of Inirida lies at the confluence of these rivers. From our jungle lodge base we will visit both white sand and varzea forest habitats. In addition, a two hour boat ride upstream takes us to the Cerros de Mavecure. Known locally as the ‘Crying Rocks of Mavecure’, these high peaked monoliths are reminiscent of the ‘Lost World’. On our boat journeys there is the chance of encountering the Boto or Amazonian River Dolphin. Birdlife includes the unique Capuchinbird and localised species such as Orinoco Piculet and Orinoco

Softtail. The bird list is long, since over 450 species have been recorded here. Birds of the varzea forest are many and varied such as Long-billed Woodcreeper, Curve-billed Scythebill, Cream-coloured and Ringed Woodpeckers, Varzea Schiffornis, Blackish-grey Antshrike, Citron-bellied Atilla, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, Dot-backed Antbird, Yapacana Antbird, Imeri Warbling Antbird, Amazonian Antshrike, Spotted Puffbird and Azure-naped Jay. Other species we may encounter include the Blue-throated Piping-guan, Red-fan Parrot, White-browed Purpletuft, Brown-headed Greenlet, Orinoco Piculet, Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, White-chinned Sapphire and Purple-breasted and Spangled Cotingas. Pied Plovers and Large-billed Terns can be found along the riverbanks and islands.

On day eight we will fly back to Bogota and then take a flight to the city of Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast SANTA MARTA AND EL DORADO LODGE We have a three night stay at the El Dorado Pro Aves Lodge, high up on the slopes of the San Lorenzo ridge. This is the site where the newly described endemic Santa Marta Screech Owl resides. At night it can be regularly heard calling from the surrounding forest. The journey up the mountain takes two to three hours and we will stop to look for other endemic birds on the way. These include Santa Marta Antbird, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner and Santa Marta Tapaculo. A garden full of flowering shrubs attracts both the Santa Marta Blossomcrown and diminutive Santa Marta Woodstar. On arrival at the lodge we shall be on the lookout for White-tailed Starfrontlet at the feeders. Black-fronted Wood-quails forage at the compost heap alongside Band-tailed Guans, whilst vividly coloured gangs of Blue-naped Chlorophonias come to feed on bananas. On our second day on the mountain we will make an early start for a ridge which lies at 7500 feet. This is the place to see Santa Marta Parakeets as they leave their overnight roosts. Also here we can expect to find the Santa Marta Bush-tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain-tanager, Santa Marta Warbler, Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Brown-rumped Tapaculo and the Santa Marta Rufous Antpitta, all endemic species or subspecies. Back at the lodge we can catch up many other species such as the White-tipped Quetzal, Golden-breasted Fruiteater and Santa Marta Brush-finch. There is a chance of seeing the Santa Marta Antpitta which is sometimes attracted to a feeding station. On the final morning we will make our way slowly down the mountain, stopping at Minca for some different birds. There are some very productive hummingbird feeders at a small hotel here. The surrounding forest holds a different suite of species such as the striking Golden-winged Sparrow. Black-and-white Owl, Military Macaw, Black-chested Jay, Rosy Thrush-tanager and the distinctive Rufous-and-white Wren all occur. After lunch, we will head to the coast to our seafront base near the Tayrona National Park, for a three night stay. TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK AND GUAJIRA Tayrona National Park still holds a small population of Blue-billed Curassow and we shall make an early morning visit to look for them. Another attraction is an endemic monkey, the Cotton-top Tamarin, which can be found along the entrance road. This is also a good spot to find lekking Lance-tailed Manakins. A day excursion will be taken along the coast to visit the unique Guajira Peninsular. On the journey we shall keep an eye out for the endemic Rufous-vented Chachalaca. This area holds many endemic and near endemic birds which inhabit the dry thorn-scrub habitat. The Wayuu community here has a close connection with the area’s birdlife. Birds such as the vivid Vermillion Cardinal are established in local folklore, its colours reflected in their tribal dress. In addition to the cardinal, special birds include Russet-throated Puffbird, White-whiskered Spinetail, Chestnut Piculet, Buffy Hummingbird, Tocoyu Sparrow, Orinocan Saltator, Black-crested Antshrike, Glaucous Tanager and Trinidad Euphonia.

Coastal lagoons host American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret and both White and Scarlet Ibis. After a final morning’s birding on the coast, we will take a short internal flight back to the capital, Bogota, followed by an overnight flight back to the UK. CLIMATE AND PACE It will be hot and humid in the Amazon region and Caribbean coast. We can expect hot and dry weather at Guajira. At El Dorado Lodge, Santa Marta it is cooler, with a chance of mist and rain. The highest elevation we will birdwatch at is around 7,500 feet at Santa Marta. The rest of the time will be spent at much lower elevations. On most days breakfast will be taken around 6am, giving us plenty of time in the productive morning period. On a couple of days we will take breakfast in the field. There will normally be a break after lunch, giving you time to siesta. Walking will be at a sensible pace but you should expect some steeper trails in the mountains. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full board accommodation is provided, with six nights at La Fuente del Guainia, Inirida, one night in a city hotel in Santa Marta, three nights at El Dorado Lodge, Santa Marta and three nights at the Merecumbe Hotel, Tayrona. All accommodations are of a good standard and all rooms have an en suite bathroom. PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with Bird Holidays leader and expert local guide, full-board accommodation (starting with breakfast on 24th, ending with lunch on 6th), soft drinks at meal times, bottled water throughout, transport by coach and 4x4’s, boat trips, reserve entrance fees, domestic flights and international flights. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from London Heathrow to Bogota using the scheduled services of Avianca Airlines. Outbound flight departs late evening, return flight arrives back mid-afternoon. Domestic flights from Manchester and other UK airports are available on this tour. See booking form for details.

15 nights including two overnight flights: Principal leader: Local guide: Maximum group size: Cost with discount (if you book before 8th December 2019): Full Cost: Deposit:

23rd March to 7th April 2020 John McLoughlin Pablo Flores 8 clients with one leader and a local guide £4990 per person sharing (£390 single supplement) £5140 per person sharing £1000 per person