13-Day Northern Colombia Birding Trail

A comprehensive thirteen-day birding circuit through northern Colombia, joining Caribbean dry forest, Sierra Nevada endemics, Guajira desert, wetlands and the Serranía del Perijá páramo.

  • Colombia Show on map
  • 13 days
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Price on request
  • Private tour
  • Pace: Birding-focused with early starts
  • Language: Spanish
  • City: Santa Marta
13-Day Northern Colombia Birding Trail
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About this tour

A comprehensive thirteen-day birding circuit through northern Colombia, joining Caribbean dry forest, Sierra Nevada endemics, Guajira desert, wetlands and the Serranía del Perijá páramo.

Led by Francisco Troncoso, an experienced Colombian ornithologist and birding guide, this route explores the exceptional bird diversity of northern Colombia.

The itinerary is based on the operator's archived route. Current dates, price, group size, exact accommodations and package details are confirmed after an inquiry through BirdWatch.info.

Guides

Francisco Troncoso
Spanish, English
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Varied birding habitats
Meals: L D

Arrival, welcome and overview of birding on the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Day 2
Taganga and Bahía Concha
Taganga and Bahía Concha
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Coastal dry forest and aquatic birding near Santa Marta.

Day 3
Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca
Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Mangroves, lagoons and dry forest for regional endemics and waterbirds.

Day 4
San Lorenzo ridge
San Lorenzo and Cerro Kennedy
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Ascend into endemic-rich montane forest.

Day 5
Cerro Kennedy
San Lorenzo and Cerro Kennedy
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

High-elevation birding around Cerro Kennedy and the Sierra Nevada ridges.

Day 6
Sierra Nevada endemic birding
San Lorenzo and Cerro Kennedy
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Continue the search for endemic and range-restricted birds.

Day 7
Birding descent through Minca
Minca
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Birding descent through foothill forest and coffee country.

Day 8
Taironaka and Don Diego River
Taironaka and Don Diego River
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Tropical forest and river birding before continuing to Riohacha.

Day 9
Guajira Peninsula
Los Flamencos and Riohacha
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Desert scrub, lagoons and coastal waterbirds around Los Flamencos.

Day 10
Sabana Rubia and Perijá
Serranía del Perijá
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Montane and páramo birding for Perijá specialties.

Day 11
San José de Oriente and Perijá páramo
Serranía del Perijá
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

High-elevation birding and a possible search for Andean Condor before descending to Valledupar.

Day 12
Los Besotes Reserve
Los Besotes Reserve
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B L D

Tropical dry-forest birding before returning to Santa Marta.

Day 13
Departure
Santa Marta
Varied birding habitats
Meals: B

Airport transfer and end of services.

Locations & map

  • Santa Marta - Colombia (Caribbean gateway and usual start/end point.)
  • Taganga and Bahía Concha - Colombia (Coastal dry forest and aquatic birding near Santa Marta.)
  • Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca - Colombia (Mangroves, lagoons, dry forest and migratory flyway habitat.)
  • San Lorenzo and Cerro Kennedy - Colombia (Montane and high-montane endemic-bird habitat.)
  • Minca - Colombia (Foothill forest and coffee country in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.)
  • Taironaka and Don Diego River - Colombia (Tropical forest, river and coastal birding corridor.)
  • Los Flamencos and Riohacha - Colombia (Guajira desert scrub, lagoons and coastal waterbirds.)
  • Serranía del Perijá - Colombia (Montane forest and páramo birding in northeastern Colombia.)
  • Los Besotes Reserve - Colombia (Protected tropical dry forest near Valledupar.)

Availability & pricing

Availability: Available on request · Season: By request; current availability and best seasonal window will be confirmed after enquiry.

Price: Price on request

Included

  • Professional birding guide - Guiding by Francisco Troncoso or his confirmed team.
  • Meals - Vegetarian option was available in the archived program; confirm current meal plan.
  • Local transport - Archived program specified four-wheel-drive transport with air conditioning; confirm current vehicle and transfers.

Not included

  • Airline tickets - Not included in the archived program.
  • Tips and alcoholic beverages - Not included in the archived program.

Transport & stays

  • Private vehicle Four-wheel-drive transport was specified in the archived program; boat sections apply on relevant routes. Confirm current arrangements. | Meet: Santa Marta area | Pickup: Hotel pickup by arrangement.

Policies & FAQ

Are the price and departure dates current?

Current availability and a quotation are confirmed after an inquiry through BirdWatch.info.

Can the route be customized?

Send your dates, target birds, group size and preferred pace through BirdWatch.info so Francisco can confirm suitable options.

Send inquiry

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