Inirida: Jewel of the Colombian Orinoco Private Birding Tour
A private 7-day birding expedition to Inirida, combining Orinoco white-sand habitats, indigenous-community trails, river travel and the Mavicure Hills.
About this tour
Welcome to the birdiest country: Colombia! This tour has been carefully designed for creating a unique experience. Inírida is a place of constant discoveries whit new records added every year to the Colombian list. each day of this tour, it covers a different ecosystem with its subsequent group of special birds. Inírida is above all easy to navigate, each location is conveniently located near the city, which in turn is immersed in the middle of the jungle.
Inírida is just in the middle of the jungle or is the jungle itself, so it’s normal to expect warm temperatures, unpredictable rains, and shiny sun. Most birding locations are less than an hour from town, with exception of the Mavicure hills, 1.5 hours. The food is made with many local ingredients, and there is always fresh fish from the Inírida river just outside the town. Inírida is home to several indigenous groups and most of the locations are in indigenous territories, so expect close encounters with many different cultures and languages.
This is a private tour presented by The Andean Birder with Johnnier Arango. Dates are arranged around the guests’ availability and the final route is confirmed after inquiry.
Itinerary ▼
Upon arrival in Bogota, our guide will pick you up at the airport and will drive you to the hotel. We will have a welcome dinner and will go through the most relevant information on the trip. Night in Bogotá. 2600 m. 15°C
Overview: The Chicaque reserve is one of the most well-known reserves of the Bogotá area. It protects a good forest portion between the edge of the Bogotá Sabana and the foothills of the west slope in Eastern Andes. Here we will have our first birding along the trails of this reserve starting in the main entrance where hummingbird feeders attract some interesting species and doing the first and last section for the remaining specialties. Because of the limited time this day, we will go for the main targets and leave the place for our afternoon flight to Inírida. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species (Ne) Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (E) Black Inca (E) Moustached Brush-finch Geoffroy´s Wedgebill Andean Pygmy-owl Moustached Puffbird Ash-colored Tapaculo Tyrannine Woodcreeper Ash-browed Spinetail #foogallery-gallery-5504 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Moustached Brush-finchby Jorgen Hansson Prev 1of1 Next
This region located in the east corner of the country, is part of the Guianan shield region in northern Southamerica, the oldest geologic place on earth. The high diversity of ecosystems, make of Inirida a megadiverse hotspot of biodiversity. The impressive geologic formations of the Guianan shield, the Tepuyes, and huge monoliths, and the amazing landscape of the Inirida river running through pristine forest, make of this place, on of the most beautiful landscapes of Colombia. Caño Culebra trail: Our first official location in Inírida is the Caño Culebra trail located south of town. Here we will look for our first white-sand forest specialists. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species Spix´s guan Pompadour Cotinga Chestnut Woodpecker Black Caracara Common Scale-backed Antbird Cherrie´s Antwren Black manakin Rufous-crowned Elaenia Red-shouldered Tanager Pale-bellied Mourner Green-tailed Goldenthroat Amethyst Woodstar Spotted Puffbird Brown, Bronzy and Paradise Jacamars Ivory-billed Aracari Orinoco and Golden-Spangled Piculet Ringed Woodpecker Amazonian Streaked Antwren Imeri Warbling Antbird #foogallery-gallery-5571 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Red-necked Woodpecker (female) Prev 1of1 Next
These two locations are considered some of the best in the region. Here we will explore natural white-sand Savannah, White-sand forest, and Varzea forests. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species Capuchinbird Yapacana Antbird Orinoco Softtail Paradise Jacamar Amazonian Momot Scale-Breasted Woodpecker Spot-backed Antwren Cherrie’s Antwren Imeri Warbling Antbird Olivaceus Woodcreeper Brown-banded Puffbird White-bearded, Straight-billed, and Black-throated Hermits Black-bellied Thorntail Chestnut-capped, and Collared Puffbirds Orinoco Piculet Red-necked Woodpecker Dusky-billed Parrotlet Yellow-crowned Manakin Plum-throated Cotinga #foogallery-gallery-5577 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Collared PuffbirdOrinoco Piculet Prev 1of2 Next
These two localities are mostly Varzea forest, which means they experience seasonal flooding with water levels fluctuating more than 10 meters. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species Rose-Breasted Chat Blue-crowned Trogon Green-tailed Jacamar Orinoco Softtail Black-spotted Bare-eye Dot-winged Antshrike Varzea Schiffornis Long-billed Woodcreeper Bare-necked Fruitcrow Olive Oropendola Festive Coquette White-eared Jacamar Lettered and Ivory-billed Aracari Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet Rufous-capped Antthrush Curve-billed Scythebill Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin Pink-Throated Becard #foogallery-gallery-5584 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Ruffous-capped AntthrushFestive Coquetteby Juan C. Rivas Prev 1of2 Next
This is one of the top scenery places of the region, the Mavicure hills are a set of three monoliths mountains raising over the amazonian forest. Views from here are unforgettable. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species Golden-green Woodpecker Sand-colored Nighthawk Amazonian Umbrellabird Cliff Flycatcher Riverside Tyrant Plain-crested Elaenia Spangled Cotinga Orange-breasted Falcon Black Skimmer Orinoco Softtail Curve-billed Scythebill Pompadour Cotinga Short-tailed Pygmy-tyrant Black-collared Swallow Plumbeous Euphonia Yellow-green Grosbeak #foogallery-gallery-5587 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Orinoco Softtailby Johnnier ArangoMavicure hills Inirida Prev 1of2 Next
The Rincón Vitina indigenous community is another great spot very close to the town of Inírida and easily accessible by car. On the way to it, there are several stops with lots of specialties. The ecosystems this day will include some open and semi-open areas, White-sand forest, natural savannah, and Terra firme forest. Night in Inírida, 90 m. 25°C Target species White- naped Seedeater Yapacana Antbird Purple-breasted Cotinga Green-tailed Goldenthroat Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch White-chinned Sapphire Brown Jacamar Rufous-tailed Flatbill White-eyed Tody-Tyrant Pompadour Cotinga Green-backed Trogon Brown-banded and Spotted Puffbirds Black, Yellow-crowned, Striolated, and White-crowned Manakins Pompadour Cotinga Cinnamon Manakin-tyrant #foogallery-gallery-5590 .fg-image { width: 884px; } Yapacana AntbirdPurple-breasted cotingaby Johnnier ArangoGreen-tailed Golden-Throat Prev 1of3 Next
This morning will be used to clean species that we would have lost in the previous days or for visiting an extra/previous spot. In the afternoon we will have our flight to Bogotá for the end of the trip or to continue with another route. This trip links very well with the Los Llanos Orientales birding trip, the Mid-Magdalena Valley birding trip, and any of our Andean birding routes.
Locations & map
- Bogota - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Chicaque Reserve - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Puerto Inirida - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Cano Culebra Trail - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Cano Carbon - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Sabanitas - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Matraca Trail - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- El Paujil Trail - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Mavicure Hills - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Remanso Community - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
- Rincon Vitina Community - Colombia (Habitat, access and local conditions are confirmed for the private departure.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Late November - Mid March; private dates confirmed after inquiry
Price: Price on request
Included
- Expert birding bilingual tour guide and local guides. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Hotel accomodation from day 0 to day 7. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- 2 domestic flights: Bogotá-Puerto Inirida and flight back or to the next location. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Terrestrial transportation: Van/mini bus/4 WD vehicle for terrestrial transportation and motorized boat with cover for river transportation. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Entrance fees to parks, farms, reserves, and indigenous communities. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- 3 complete meals, water, snacks ,and other freebies. - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
Not included
- Tips - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Alcoholic beverages - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Mini bar expenses - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Laundry and/or room service - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
- Other items not mentioned above - Reconfirm with the current private proposal.
Transport & stays
- Private road transport and route-specific transfer The source describes vans/minibuses, 4WD vehicles and, on some routes, domestic flights or covered motorboats. Exact logistics are confirmed with the final proposal. | Meet: Bogota, El Dorado International Airport | Pickup: Airport or agreed hotel pickup according to the route
Accommodations
- Route accommodation Confirmed after inquiry
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are departure dates fixed?
No. This is a private tour and dates are arranged around the guests’ availability.
Can the route focus on target birds or photography?
Yes. Targets, pace and photography priorities are discussed before the final route is confirmed.
How is the current price confirmed?
The current price, currency, group basis, deposit and payment schedule are supplied with the private proposal after inquiry.