With more than 1,900 bird species, Colombia is the most bird-diverse country in the world and a premier destination for birders. This tour explores the Caribbean and northern Andean regions, focusing on endemic and near-endemic species in the Serranía del Perijá and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Our birding adventure starts in Colombia’s Caribbean region, where we explore the Magdalena River area (Km 4) and Salamanca National Park. This unique park, where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea, features tropical dry forest, riparian forest, and coastal mangroves. Here we look for species such as Chestnut Piculet, White-whiskered Spinetail, Orinoco Saltator, and the endemic Sierra Nevada Brushfinch.

Following the Caribbean coastline northwards, we visit the Los Flamencos Sanctuary, an important coastal wetland and dry forest reserve created to protect a large population of American Flamingos. Its marshes, lagoons, and dry forest host more than 180 bird species, many of them migrants. Here we may see Roseate Spoonbill, Laughing Gull, Tocuyo Sparrow, Vermilion Cardinal, Russet-throated Puffbird, and Buffy Hummingbird.

We leave the coast behind and ascend the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated mountain range separate from the Andes. Rising to 5,700 meters / 18,700 feet, it is the highest coastal mountain range in the tropics and one of the highest in the world. Its range of habitats—from dry forest and tropical rainforest to cloud forest and páramo—supports exceptional biodiversity.

During our ascent, we visit the cloud forest of Minca and the El Dorado Reserve, an important refuge for endangered and endemic species such as Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Warbler, Santa Marta Antpitta, and Santa Marta Screech-Owl. The reserve is also a key stopover for migratory birds from North America, including Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 

Next, we visit the Serranía del Perijá, a remote mountain range forming part of the northern Andes on the Colombia–Venezuela border. This biodiverse area is known for its humid montane forests and high level of endemism.

We explore the Chamicero de Perijá Reserve, a cloud forest site established in 2014 that protects several range-restricted species such as Perijá Thistletail, Perijá Metaltail, Perijá Brush-Finch, and the recently described Perijá Tapaculo. The area also offers excellent chances to see species like Crested Quetzal, Golden-headed Quetzal, Barred Fruiteater, Plushcap, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, and Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, as well as raptors including Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Hook-billed Kite, and White-rumped Hawk.

During this tour, it is possible to observe around 300 bird species in just a few days, offering an exceptional birding experience.