Birding Tour Colombia: Andean Endemics and Spectacled Bear

Colombia: Andean Endemics and Spectacled Bear
January 2027/2028

During the first part of this exciting Andean endemics birding tour, we will arrive in the city of Medellín to explore the recently created Margaritas Private Reserve to look for a feast of colorful and endemic species such as White-mantled Barbet, Red-bellied Grackle, White-bearded Manakin, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, and the recently split Striolated Manakin.

The endemic White-mantled Barbet should be seen at feeding stations on this Colombian birding tour.

Using Medellín as a base, we will travel to the Yarumal area to look for the newly described and poorly known Antioquia Brushfinch. This rare Colombian endemic was only described in 2007, based on museum specimens, with its natural habitat only discovered in 2018. We will devote the whole day to finding the Antioquia Brushfinch (‘Gorrión Paisa’ in Spanish).

From Medellín, we head towards the picturesque town of Jardín in the southwest region of Antioquia, which will be our base from which to explore the ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve to look for our main target, the Endangered (BirdLife International) Yellow-eared Parrot. Other target species in the area include Tanager Finch, Chami Antpitta (recently split from the Rufous Antpitta complex), Purplish-mantled Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and with luck Ocellated Tapaculo and Chestnut-crested Cotinga.

Tanager Finch will be searched for in the ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve.

The dry area of Bolombolo in the Cauca Valley is where we hope to find the newly described endemic Antioquia Wren along with two other Colombian endemics Apical Flycatcher and Greyish Piculet.

We will also explore the Rio Claro Nature Reserve, where we will look for endemic species such as White-mantled Barbet, Sooty Ant Tanager, Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, and with luck, Beautiful Woodpecker. Other birds in the area include the highly sought-after Northern Screamer as well as Magdalena Antbird, Bare-crowned Antbird, Moustached Puffbird, Saffron-headed Parrot, Russet-winged Schiffornis, and Citron-throated Toucan.

The second part of the tour will allow participants to explore the eastern Andes, near Bogotá, to visit unique bird reserves and exciting feeding stations in search of an incredible array of country endemics and regional specials such as Bogota Rail, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Apolinar’s Wren, Black Inca, Noble Snipe, Golden-bellied Starfrontlet, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Grey-throated Warbler, Moustached Brushfinch, Rufous-browed Conebill, Cundinamarca Antpitta, and Spot-flanked Gallinule.

During our time around Bogotá, we will make a special trip to Chingaza National Natural Park to look for Spectacled Bear. This area has become one of the most reliable places to see South America’s only bear species and we look forward to the chance of finding this highly sought-after mammal. If you would like to create your own custom (and shorter) trip focusing only on Spectacled Bear, please get in touch as we can happily arrange this for you.

The stunning Blue-throated Starfrontlet is one of our targets at Observatorio de Colibries.

Itinerary (15 days/14 nights)

Day 1. Arrival in Medellín and transfer to our hotel

You will arrive at the José María Córdova International Airport, located in Rionegro, on the outskirts of Medellín. Here we stay in a comfortable hotel five minutes from the airport.

Overnight: Hotel Movich, Rionegro, or similar

Day 2. El Toche Natural Reserve

The tour will have an exciting start as we make an early visit to El Toche Natural Reserve looking for the endemic White-mantled Barbet at the fruit feeders in this reserve. Other attractions of the reserve include Colombian Chachalaca, Rufous Motmot, Red-headed Barbet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Spectacled Parrotlet, Great Antshrike, Bar-crested Antshrike, Slaty Spinetail, Cinnamon Becard, Chestnut-capped Warbler, Scrub Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager and Green Honeycreeper among many others. We will spend the full morning birding in the reserve and then head back to Medellín.

Overnight: Hotel Dann Carlton, Medellín, or similar

White-bearded Manakin can be seen near Medellín.

Day 3. Transfer to Jardín de Antioquia

Today we travel to the picturesque town of Jardín, located at 5,700 feet (~1,750 meters). In the afternoon we visit what is perhaps the greatest Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek in the whole of South America. Other birds to find in this reserve include Flame-rumped Tanager, White-naped Brushfinch, Colombian Chachalaca, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Bronze-winged Parrot, Palm, Bay-headed, and Scrub Tanagers, Red-headed Barbet, Inca Jay, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, and Andean Motmot. Here we will have a second chance for Red-bellied Grackle, however, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock is the star of the reserve with individuals active throughout the day and highly photogenic!

Overnight: Casa Passiflora Boutique Hotel, Jardín, or similar

Day 4. ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve

We will have a predawn start to explore the ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve in search of the highly localized and rare Yellow-eared Parrot. We will arrive at dawn, and with a spotting scope, we will scan all nearby wax palms and known nest cavities to hopefully obtain views of this special parrot. Other birds in these cloud forest mountains include Chami Antpitta, Tanager Finch, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Plushcap, Ocellated Tapaculo, Barred Fruiteater, Black-capped Tyrannulet, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, Black-collared Jay, Golden-headed Quetzal, Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren, and Flammulated Treehunter. If we are very lucky, we could find the elusive and seldom-seen Tawny-breasted Tinamou or even Highland Tinamou; both occur in the area, but the chances for sightings are slim. In the lower-lying areas we will check for Chestnut-crested Cotinga.

Overnight: Casa Passiflora Boutique Hotel, Jardín, or similar

We will visit ProAves Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve for its namesake species.

Day 5. Bolombolo birding and transfer to Medellín

Today we will have another early start as we leave Jardín and head to Medellín. En route we will look for the recently described endemic Antioquia Wren in the dry area of Bolombolo in the Cauca Valley. Other birds here include the two Colombian endemics, Apical Flycatcher and Greyish Piculet.

Overnight: Hotel Dann Carlton, Medellín, or similar

Day 6. Finding Antioquia Brushfinch

We will dedicate the day to looking for the endemic and rare Antioquia Brushfinch in the Yarumal area which is one of the main targets of the trip. We will of course look for other special birds in the area. Later we will return to Medellín for another night.

Overnight: Hotel Dann Carlton, Medellín, or similar

Day 7. Transfer to Rio Claro Reserve and Secreto del Bosque Feeders

We will then drive east of Medellín to spend the morning looking for Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Pacific Antwren, Plain-colored Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Black-headed Brushfinch, Bar-crested Antshrike, Spectacled Parrotlet, Band-backed Wren, and with luck, the endemic Beautiful Woodpecker. Other birds possible here include the endemic White-mantled Barbet as well as Moustached Puffbird, the endemic Magdalena Antbird, Bay Wren, Buff-rumped Warbler, the endemic Antioquia Bristle Tyrant, Black-bellied Wren, Dusky-faced Tanager, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant, Plain Xenops, Russet-winged Schiffornis, Striolated Manakin, and White-bearded Manakin. We will visit the new Secreto del Bosque Natural Reserve where we may see the sought-after Bare-crowned Antbird plus other species such as Cinnamon Woodpecker, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Band-backed Wren, Cinnamon Becard, Bicolored Wren, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, and localized White-eared Conebill

Overnight: Los Colores Ecoparque Hotel, Rio Claro, or similar

Beautiful Woodpecker, one of the many endemics we will be searching for on this Colombian tour (photo Daniel Orozco).

Day 8. Birding the Magdalena Valley and Laguna de Guarinocito

Today we will focus our efforts on any targets we might have missed on the previous day. We will also look for the endemic Sooty Ant Tanager. Later, we will drive to Laguna de Guarinocito, en route to Honda, where we are based for the next two nights. At Laguna de Guarinocito, we will take a relaxing boat ride to explore the lagoon and look for aquatic species such as White-faced and Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Limpkin, Striated Heron, Large-billed Tern, Bare-faced Ibis, Boat-billed Heron, Ringed Kingfisher and Green Kingfisher, however, our main target will be the highly sought-after Northern Screamer. Other species that can be seen in the area include Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Pied Water Tyrant, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Greater Ani, Dwarf Cuckoo, and Black-collared Hawk.

Overnight: Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas, Honda, or similar

Day 9. Full day birding Bellavista Reserve

Today we will visit the Bellavista Reserve located one and a half hours from Honda. Here we will have great chances to see several endemic and range-restricted species such as Velvet-fronted Euphonia, White-mantled Barbet, Colombian Chachalaca, Golden-hooded Tanager, Black-faced Dacnis, Collared Aracari, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Orange-billed Sparrow, Scrub Greenlet, Black-chested Jay, Black-bellied Wren, Rufous-capped Warbler and Spectacled Parrotlet. We will also have more chances to connect with species such as Beautiful Woodpecker, Black-crowned Antshrike, Black-faced Antthrush, and Antioquia Bristle Tyrant. After a great day of birding, we will return to our comfortable hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas, Honda, or similar

The most-wanted Northern Screamer should be seen in the Magdalena Valley.

Day 10. Birding Laguna El Tabacal and El Jardín Encantado

Today will be another early start as we leave Honda to visit the Laguna El Tabacal en route to Bogotá. Here we will look for the endemic Grey-throated Warbler, as well as other species such as Rosy Thrush-tanager, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, the endemic Velvet-fronted Euphonia, White-bellied Antbird, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Slaty Spinetail, Sooty-headed Wren, Striolated Manakin, and the elusive Ruddy Quail-Dove among many others. Later we will move to El Jardín Encantado, a private house, where we will likely be overwhelmed by the number of hummingbird species including the endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird and Ruby-topaz Hummingbird. After another exciting birding day, we will arrive in Bogotá.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Bogotá, or similar

Day 11. Chingaza National Natural Park for Spectacled Bear and high-elevation bird species

Today we will explore the Chingaza National Natural Park and adjacent areas to enjoy high-elevation species and search for the elusive Spectacled Bear. The mountains of this national park have become a reliable place to look for this most-wanted animal, which is the only bear species native to South America. We hope to encounter several Andean bird species restricted to the páramo and treeline including the endemic Green-bearded Helmetcrest.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Bogotá, or similar

We hope to find the sought-after Spectacled Bear in the mountainous areas above Bogotá.

Day 12. Chingaza and Bogotá surroundings

We will have another morning to explore the surroundings of the Chingaza National Park in search of Spectacled Bear. Interesting bird species we may see today include the endemic Golden-bellied Starfrontlet, as well as Apolinar’s Wren, Noble Snipe and Silvery-throated Spinetail.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Bogotá, or similar

Day 13. Birding Reserva Bosque Guajira and Guasca Wetlands

We will have a full day to explore the Andes above Bogotá looking for targets such as Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Pale-bellied Tapaculo, Golden-crowned Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Tawny Antpitta, Agile Tit-Tyrant, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Ochre-breasted Brushfinch, and Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant. There is also a small chance of Tawny-breasted Tinamou. We will also check the area adjacent to Nuevo Mundo for the endemic Flame-winged Parakeet and we will have a chance for the Muisca Antpitta, and with luck, Andean Potoo at a daytime roost. The hummingbird feeders should provide birds such as Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Glowing Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Longuemare’s Sunangel, Great Sapphirewing, Buff-tailed Coronet, and White-bellied Woodstar.

Later we will visit the Guasca wetland where we will look for the endemic Bogota Rail, as well as Silvery-throated Spinetail, Noble Snipe, Eastern Meadowlark, Grey-browed Brushfinch, and Yellow-hooded Blackbird.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Bogotá, or similar

Sword-billed Hummingbird — a neotropical dream bird!

Day 14. Finding Cundinamarca Antpitta

Today is dedicated to finding the secretive and endemic Cundinamarca Antpitta which has been attending worm-feeder stations nearby to the classic Monterredondo sector of the huge Chingaza National Natural Park in recent years. We will spend patient hours at the feeders, listening for its soft whistles and watching it emerge from the undergrowth. Although we will focus our efforts on this elusive and most-wanted species, the area also offers many other highly prized bird species including Flavescent Flycatcher, Black-crested Warbler, Slaty Brushfinch, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Grey-hooded Bush Tanager, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Andean Siskin, Moustached Brushfinch, and Andean Pygmy Owl, to name just a few.

In the evening, we return to Bogotá for our final dinner and checklist session, celebrating the extraordinary diversity of Colombia’s Andes and hopefully the unforgettable sighting of one of its most elusive endemics.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott, Bogotá, or similar

We hope to find the beautiful Green-bearded Helmetcrest near to Bogotá (photo Daniel Orozco).

Day 15. Departure

Today your international flights will depart from Bogotá International Airport where our fantastic fifteen days of Colombian birding will conclude.

We will search for the endemic Cundinamarca Antpitta near Chingaza National Natural Park.

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides, and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling or other factors.

COLOMBIA: ANDEAN ENDEMICS AND SPECATCLED BEAR

               TOUR-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO OUR COLOMBIA TOURS IN GENERAL

This itinerary has been designed to provide you with a thirteen-day tour across the central and eastern Andes of Colombia on an exciting route looking for a whole bunch of endemic species, mostly restricted to the Magdalena Valley and the Bogotá area. You will have the chance to explore some of the highlights surrounding Medellín including the picturesque town of Jardín where we can visit what is perhaps the most impressive Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek in the whole of the Andes. Other regionally restricted endemics that we hope to encounter include the Endangered Yellow-eared Parrot, Red-bellied Grackle and other endemics of the Magdalena Valley such as Beautiful Woodpecker, White-mantled Barbet, Antioquia Bristle Tyrant and Sooty Ant Tanager. Later we will focus on the eastern Andes exploring the páramo of Bogotá looking for the endemic Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Apolinar’s Wren, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Noble Snipe and Bogota Rail. We will visit an incredible set of hummingbird feeders which should provide stunning views of species such as Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Indigo-capped Hummingbird and Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Our tour will start in Medellín’s Jose María Cordova International Airport (MDE) which can be reached by flights from all over Colombia and directly from some US international airports as well as from Panama City (Panama). If traveling from Europe, you will need to fly via the Colombian city of Bogotá. Please consult your travel agent to book your most convenient flight.

Your Birding Ecotours leader will be waiting for you at Medellín airport and will then transfer you to your hotel. Please remember to keep your luggage tags, as they are required to exit the terminal at the airport. Please be aware that most international flights arrive in Medellín in the afternoon, so we don’t have any birding activities planned for Day 1. In case you arrive on an early flight, you will be transferred to the hotel but will have to wait until check-in is available. If you would like an early check-in, this may incur an extra cost from the hotel; this cost is not included in the Birding Ecotours tour price.

When filling out the customs declaration form, please use the below address for the hotel:

Hotel Extremadura, Cra. 32 N. 71sur 220, Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia
Phone: +57 4378 0218

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Our tour will end in Bogotá after a wonderful thirteen days in Colombia. After a final morning of birding, our tour representatives will transfer you to the Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG), from where you can take international connections and flights back home.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND PACE

We grade this trip as easy to moderate. Most of the birding involves walking along roads, although some of them may lead slightly up and down hills. We will do very few trails (only if necessary). Keep in mind that as is usual on birding tours, we need to be awake very early in the morning, and predawn starts are in order each day. We normally spend the entire morning birding in the field, return to the lodge for lunch, and then rest a little, before continuing our birding in the afternoon. Your guide will sometimes invite you to search for owls at night, but this is an optional activity that you can skip if you feel tired. Some people may prefer to rest and rather skip birding in the afternoon; this can be done at those lodges when we are staying more than one night. When we do birding stops while traveling from location to location, people who feel tired do not have to follow the group and can certainly remain in the vehicle.

This tour has been customized to ensure we spend two or three nights at a few places, which allows us more time to enjoy these destinations and reduces the stress of having to pack and re-pack every day. However, Colombia is a big country and the tour includes some unavoidable, lengthy drives which will allow you to enjoy the interesting countryside and maximize chances for unexpected birds along the way.

We will stay at the best accommodations available, but not all lodges provide facilities such as air conditioning or heating systems (although the latter is almost non-existent in Colombia). Other accommodations provide fans instead.

We think this trip might be difficult for people with back, walking, and balance problems or for those who are not used to a birding trip with regular early starts involved.

ATM MACHINES

ATM machines will only be available in the cities of Medellín and Bogotá.

ALTITUDE

We will reach some high elevations on this trip with a maximum of 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) at the Sumapaz Lake. Bogotá city is located at 8,500 feet (2,600 meters) above sea level.

WEATHER

We ask you to be ready for all kinds of weather during this trip.

The Magdalena Valley including Rio Claro, Laguna Guarinoncito and Bolombolo are hot, with temperatures reaching between 86 – 90°F (30 – 32°C). Please wear clothes in which you feel most comfortable for this kind of weather. We highly recommend using sunscreen and bringing a light-colored hat or cap.

Even when it is sunny in the mornings, the temperatures can be cool at night in Medellín and Jardín de Antioquia.

In the eastern Andes while birding in the páramo near Bogotá the coldest temperatures can drop to 44°F (7°C) at both Chinganza and Sumapaz.

LAUNDRY

Laundry services are only available at Hacienda Balandú, Los Colores Eco-Parque and Hotel Habitel in Bogotá. Laundry fees are not included in the tour price.

ACCOMMODATION

Note on showers: Hotel Eco-Parque Los Colores (Magdalena Valley; x 2 nights) does not provide hot showers, however the weather is generally humid and hot here.

TRANSPORT

We will have a private van for the whole tour with plenty of room for everybody. However, we might have to divide the group in two for the transfer from Jardín de Antioquia to the Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve and for the short drive downhill to the bottom of the Chicaque. We will use 4×4 jeeps for both of these trips.

Colombia General Information

Download Andean Endemics and Spectacled Bear Tour Information