Colombia is the birdiest country on earth, and this is not in dispute! There are more species of birds in this country than on any other. It is easy to see why. Colombia is tropical, yet it also has ample elevation changes due to the Andes, furthermore it has both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The Andes become complex in Colombia, splitting into three ranges, which increases habitat diversity, as well as rain shadow valleys between the mountains. Colombia also comprises a vast portion of the amazon and the Orinoquia region. Lots of different habitats ensure an abundance of bird species. Where else can you go and have a chance to see three species of quetzal? Well here you do.
The Caribbean coast hosts the tallest coastal mountain range on earth – the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Nevada, because the tops of the mountains are high enough to be snowy (Nevada means snowy in Spanish). The northernmost spur of the Andes, the Sierra de Perijá , slides up and nearly nudges up alongside the Sierra Nevada. Yet the two mountains are far enough away from each other that they have very different and endemic rich avifaunas. The threatened dry forests of the region are found between these mountains and in the foothills. These are deciduous forests, not the lush green tropical lowland forests that people associate with tropical areas. But it is these dry forests which are much more scarce and endangered, and host some gorgeous regional specialties. The dry forests become shorter and drier towards the northeast, into the Guajira Peninsula. Here, proper desert habitats are found, a rarity at this latitude.
All our tours include three days of field trips in the vicinity of Cali and a unique opportunity to mingle with Colombian and visiting birders and ornithologists at the Colombia Birdfair 2016. Each evening will come alive with cultural shows, authentic cuisine, and programs by internationally renowned speakers. A birders Bazaar will proved opportunities for shopping and learning about what is happening with conservation in Colombia.
Our pre festival tour visits the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Sierra de Perijá, on the Northern Colombia Birding Trail. One thing makes this itinerary different from all other birding trips to Colombia. This itinerary goes to project sites for the USAID funded venture being executed by National Audubon along with in country partner Calidris. As part of this program we have trained birding guides in the areas we are visiting, both in birding and guiding, but also in English language skills. As these young people become part of the birding economy, they are becoming ambassadors for their local environments, and key people who will convince their communities to conserve habitat rather than degrade it. This is conservation of birds and habitats, through bird focused tourism.
This year we are offering two post-fair tours to choose from. One will take you to eastern Colombia on a 10-day adventure to explore the Colombian Amazon and Orinoquia regions, to some of our most remote birding destinations. The other tour we are offering is the holy grail of birding tours. It includes the Northern Colombia Birding Trail, with Colombia’s newest birding destination in the Sierra de Perija and what are considered our most sought after birding lodges: El Dorado in the Santa Marta Mountains and Montezuma in the Choco region.
Please continue reading to discover more about the tours we offer.