Colombia | Birding in the Colombian Amazon and Llanos

Upon arrival in Bogotá, a driver will greet you and take you to your hotel. This is a travel day, so all meals are on own. Check-in starts at 3 pm.

Begin today with an early breakfast and program orientation, and then return to the Bogotá airport for your flight to Inírida in the Colombian Amazon. (Note: The flight does not operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.) Upon arrival, head to your hotel for check-in, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit Caño Culebra Trail. This area, which is composed primarily of white-sand scrub and traditional low forests, attracts a number of specialist species. The open spaces make it ideal for observing macaws and guans. Look also for cotingas and tanagers perched atop the few scattered tall trees. At sundown, the pastures of Caño Culebra are great for spotting nightjars and owls. Other targets here today include Black Manakin, Pale-bellied Mourner, Cinereous Tinamou, Least Nighthawk, Brown Jacamar, Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Black-eared Fairy, White-necked Puffbird, Golden-spangled Piculet, Ringed Woodpecker, Plain-throated and Spot-backed Antwrens, Black-crested Antshrike, Black-capped Becard, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Spix's Guan, Citron-bellied Attila, Plumbeous Euphonia, Spangled and Pompadour Cotingas, Amazonian Black-Tyrant, Plain-crested Elaenia, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Mealy Parrot, Blue-and-yellow and Red-and-green Macaws, Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Yellowish Pipit, White-chinned Sapphire, and Red-shouldered and Burnished-buff Tanagers. Elevation: 650 feet / Accessibility: easy country sandy roads, does not flood / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

After an early breakfast, visit Sabanitas, a nearby Indigenous community with an established touristic program. The birds and the community live in harmony, and during the early morning hours it is possible to see Bare-necked Fruitcrows on rooftops and in the trees around the community. Also look for Speckled Chachalaca, Black-bellied Cuckoo, Gray-fronted Dove, White-bearded Hermit, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Black-bellied Thorntail, Versicolored Emerald, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Sungrebe, and Double-toothed Kite. The community also manages the Caño Carbón trail, an approximately three-mile versea forest path that protects some of the region's important species. Even though it is relatively low in biodiversity due to its vegetation, so far it is the only known place locally where it's possible to easily spot the iconic Capuchinbird. Nevertheless, more than 225 species have been recorded here, especially antbirds and flycatchers. Be on the lookout for Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Variegated Tinamou, Crimson-crested and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Black-headed Parrot, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin, White-crowned Manakin, and Screaming Piha. It is important to understand that the versea forests may flood heavily during the rainy season (April to October) and it's necessary to travel by boat around the trails; sometimes the water levels around the trails may surpass 15 feet in depth. After a morning hike, return to the community for lunch and time to relax, and then continue birding along the trails on the way out of the community back to the hotel. Elevation: 650 feet / Accessibility: Indigenous country roads, flat and easy to hike during dry season / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

This morning, board a boat and travel 15 minutes upriver to the Matraca Trail. A 2.5-mile trail leads to the Matraca community of the Curripaco Indigenous people. This is quite possibly the best place for birding in the entire Inírida region. In Matraca, it is possible to spot the endemic Orinoco Softtail, as well as Rose-breasted Chat, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Crestless Curassow, Butterfly Coquette, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Slender-billed Kite, Green-tailed Jacamar, Golden-green Woodpecker, and Black Bushbird. Return to town for lunch at a local restaurant, and then spend some time at the hotel to relax. Later this afternoon, board a boat and travel about 45 minutes to Laguna Negra. This is a wonderful lake within the forest at the edge of the Guaviare River, home to wetland species like the Screaming Piha, Hoatzin, and Osprey, among others. With luck, you may also glimpse pink river dolphins and giant otters in the lagoon's tranquil waters. Make a stop at La Rompida Farmhouse, owned by Don Rafael, where it's possible to observe the White-eared Jacamar and the Inírida Antshrike, a new, as-yet-undescribed species that is truly wonderful to see and hear. Additional species you may see today are the Sungrebe, Black Skimmer, Sunbittern, Jabiru, Anhinga, and Capped Heron. Elevation: 650 feet / Accessibility: Black-water Amazonian lagoons and flat trails at La Rompida Farmhouse / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

Today explore El Paujíl Trail. Similarly to Matraca, this trail harbors incredible biodiversity on the shores of the Inírida River. The forests around the trail are dense with 160-foot trees and impenetrable low vegetation. Of particular note are the Royal Flycatcher and Wire-tailed Manakin leks that are present here. It's common to come across Indigenous residents along the path, and some are very curious about birding practices. Other key bird species include Rose-breasted Chat, Orinoco Softtail, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Crestless Curassow, Butterfly Coquette, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Slender-billed Kite, and Green-tailed Jacamar. Near mid-day, return to town for lunch and time to relax at the hotel. This afternoon, take a boat to Caño Cunubén, searching the shorelines from the boat for Osprey, Black-fronted Nunbird, White-eared Jacamar, Rusty-backed and Yellow-chinned Spinetails, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Amazonian Black-Tyrant, Drab Water Tyrant, Black-capped Donacobius, and Solitary Black Cacique. Elevation: 650-2,300 feet / Accessibility: Indigenous country roads, flat and easy to hike during the dry season / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

Today travel about an hour and a half to the Cerros de Mavecure. These three monolithic hills are located about 30 miles upstream from the city, following the Inírida River. The three hills that make up Mavecure are called Pajarito Hill (2,335 feet), Mono Hill (1,574 feet) and Mavecure Hill (560 feet) and are part of a much larger geological formation known as the Guiana Shield, which encompasses Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela and parts of Colombia and northern Brazil. The Cerros de Mavecure are one of the most sacred places for several different Amazonian Indigenous tribes, such as the Curripaco and the Puinave peoples. The Remanso community next to the hills offers grandiose opportunities for birding in forest with firm, fragmented land that connects evenly with monolithic stone blankets filled with scattered tall trees. This is an excellent place to view King Vulture, Black Skimmer, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Cliff Flycatcher, Orange-breasted Falcon, Black Caracara, Crested Oropendola, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Burnished-buff Tanager, Black-collared Swallow, Brown Jacamar, Bright-rumped Attila, Golden-headed Manakin, Opal-rumped Tanager, Grayish Saltator, Harpy Eagle, White-naped Seedeater, Spangled and Pompadour Cotingas, White-browed Purpletuft, and Spot-backed Antwren. Spend the morning birding on the Remanso community land surrounding the hills, and then board the boat for a five-minute ride to the community's restaurant. Here you will have an authentic Indigenous lunch, followed by time to relax on the beach. Depart mid-afternoon for the journey back to Inírida. This evening, have dinner and experience a special show by a local Indigenous community as we say farewell to the Colombian Amazon. Elevation: 650-2,300 feet / Accessibility: Boat ride, hiking over stone trails is optional / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

On your last morning in the Amazon, visit the Vitina community and Flor de Inírida Reserve - one of the most wonderful places in Inírida for birding. With a beautiful white-sand savanna, tall scattered trees and easy access to the main habitat, this is the location of two iconic bromeliad species from the region, both known as flor de Inírida. The two species are differentiated by the shape and size of their inflorescence and the time of year when they blossom. These savannas only exist on the eastern extremity of Colombia and the western extremity of Venezuela, at a point where the Amazon intersects with the Orinoquía and the Guiana Shield. The habitat is also conducive for some specialist avian species, among them the White-naped Seedeater and the Yellowish Pipit. Looking toward the tops of trees, you might see three gorgeous cotinga species: the Pompadour, Spangled, and Purple-breasted. The hiking is always done on trails from the community and the paved access road. Return to the hotel to check out and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Villavicencio. (Note: The flight only operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.) Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the hotel amenities. Elevation: 650 feet / Accessibility: Indigenous country roads, flat and easy to hike during the dry season, access road to the Vitina Indigenous community / Temperature: 80-95 °F.

Set out for a morning walk in the Bosque Bavaria, located on the outskirts of Villavicencio where the foothills of Colombia's Eastern Cordillera meet the western edge of the Orinoco River Basin. This patch of humid tropical rainforest is a jungle-like fragment at the transitional foothills between the Andes and the savannas of Colombia. The ProAves Foundation's Halcón Colorado Reserve sits on top of a mountain within Bavaria, and from here it is possible to enjoy breathtaking views across the immensity of the Colombian Llanos. This is truly a very special place and quite possibly the one with the most biodiversity of mountain birds in the department of Meta. Target species include Turquoise, Paradise, Speckled, and Magpie Tanagers, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Golden-headed and Striolated Manakins, Chestnut-eared and Lettered Aracaris, and Spectacled Thrush. Elevation: 1,970-4,265 feet / Accessibility: Rural, unpaved road, very inclined in some spots, but overall easy to hike / Temperature: 75-90 °F. This afternoon, hike part of the Camino Montfortiano, a 100-year-old ancestral path that passes through several municipalities and the Chingaza Páramo and rises in elevation from 2,300 feet above sea level all the way to the highest point at 13,500 feet, amid the tropical rainforest. The beginning of your journey starts on a 4x4 vehicle over an access road, offering the chance to see birds in a trajectory of about a mile. Look for Dusky Spinetail, Bright-rumped Attila, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-vented Plumeleteer, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Orange-breasted Falcon, White-browed Antbird, and Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher. Elevation: 985 feet / Accessibility: Ancestral horseshoe path, easy to hike, but slightly inclined / Temperature: 68-77 °F.

Located in Puerto López, Meta, Colombia, Menegua Lakes is a stunning 2.5 acre sanctuary, maintained by the Atallah family since 1963. This lush estate features shimmering lakes, gallery forests, savannas, and flooded wetlands, just 62 miles from Villavicencio. It is a wildlife paradise, home to some mammals like monkeys and diverse reptiles like anacondas and alligators. The reserve is a paradise for birdwatching, with over 330 bird species, including the endangered Crested Curassow, vibrant Sunbitterns, osprey and herons, It is also an ideal place to enjoy the Llanos sunset and the starry nights typical of this region. Lagos de Menegua is, without a doubt, a unique destination that captures the essence and natural richness of Colombia's Eastern Plains. Elevation: 985 feet / Track: flat trails near the lodge, hiking around lagoons / Temperature: 77 93° F.

The sector of Monterredondo is located about two hours from the city of Bogotá. The rural road that leads to the municipality of El Calvario in the department of Meta climbs through the eastern flank of the Eastern Cordillera until it starts descending to what is known as Pie de Monte Llanero (Foothill). The complex topography of the terrain has allowed this forest to remain almost intact in some locations, making it an excellent place for birding. In recent years, this area has become well known for bird observations, given that it is one of the few places to see the Cundinamarca Antpitta, a critically endangered species discovered only about a decade ago. Monterredondo also provides an extensive list of more than 400 bird species, including Ochre breasted Brush Finch, Brown breasted Parakeet, Slaty crowned Antpitta, Andean Pygmy Owl, Golden crowned Tanager, Andean Guan, Green and black Fruiteater, Slate throated Whitestar, and Rufous headed Pygmy Tyrant. Many of the birds here can be seen in mixed flocks, making it an attractive place for birding. Afterward, return to Bogotá and gather for a farewell dinner. Elevation: 5,250 9,200 feet / Accessibility: Easy, rural unpaved road, light inclination / Temperature: 57 75 °F.

Check out and head to the airport for your flight home. Hotel check-out is 12 pm.