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2024 Trip
Colombia: Birds, Wildlife, and Culture
April 6 - 16, 2024
James will be returning to Colombia after leading two groups there in 2023. This region is particularly known for the magnificent Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain in the world that is separated from the Andes which runs through most of the country. An astounding 28 bird species are endemic to this mountain, meaning they occur nowhere else in the world. The tour will search out many of these species and also take in the stark deserts of Guajira, the moist lowland forest along the coast at Tayrona National Park and the extensive wetlands of Isla de Salamanca. An optional pretour to the western range of the Andes, or an extension to the Llanos grasslands could also be added.
Photos of Key Tour Locations
Hover or tap on photos to read slideshow labels
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The tour will take you to the El Dorado Nature Reserve with its pristine cloud forests and spectacular montane scenery. We will search for many of the endemic birds that are confined to narrow elevation ranges, some which can be seen easily around the lodge.
Tayrona
Tall tropical lowland forest and beaches along the Caribbean coast characterize Tayrona National Park. Both wet and dry forests are inhabited by monkeys, parrots, and guans, in addition to a host of other organisms.
Guajira
The land gets progressively drier further east on the Guajira Peninsula changing from forest to mesquite shrubland to cactus desert. Coastal lagoons support flamingos and shorebirds while the scraggly vegetation is home to a variety of arid adapted wildlife that is restricted to this portion of Colombia and adjacent Venezuela.
Guajira
The land gets progressively drier further east on the Guajira Peninsula changing from forest to mesquite shrubland to cactus desert. Coastal lagoons support flamingos and shorebirds while the scraggly vegetation is home to a variety of arid adapted wildlife that is restricted to this portion of Colombia and adjacent Venezuela.
Photos of Key Tour Locations
Click on slideshow for full view
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The tour will take you to the El Dorado Nature Reserve with its pristine cloud forests and spectacular montane scenery. We will search for many of the endemic birds that are confined to narrow elevation ranges, some which can be seen easily around the lodge.
Tayrona
Tall tropical lowland forest and beaches along the Caribbean coast characterize Tayrona National Park. Both wet and dry forests are inhabited by monkeys, parrots, and guans, in addition to a host of other organisms.
Guajira
The land gets progressively drier further east on the Guajira Peninsula changing from forest to mesquite shrubland to cactus desert. Coastal lagoons support flamingos and shorebirds while the scraggly vegetation is home to a variety of arid adapted wildlife that is restricted to this portion of Colombia and adjacent Venezuela.
Isla de Salamanca National Park
This is part of the vast wetland at the mouth of the Magdalena River that consists of marshes, mangroves, and mudflats. An important wintering area for huge numbers of migratory birds and a breeding area for many residents.
Western Andes Pre-tour
Araucana Lodge in the mid elevations of the western Andes west of Cali is a central location with good access to sites that sustain a suite of different bird species including those of the wet Chocó biome.
