NEW! This short and sweet Bogota-based Colombia birding tour is designed for a quick, birdy, and fun getaway. With more bird species than any other country in the world, a wide variety of stunning landscapes, and friendly hospitality, Colombia is a country that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The mild weather in winter and easy flight from Miami and other gateway cities just add to the appeal! Many Colombia itineraries are long, as there are many regions of the country to explore. After one visit we know you will want to return, so we’re pleased to offer a great short trip from Bogota for those of you on the go, or just wanting a quick getaway. Join Naturalist Journeys’ founder Peg Abbott for this year’s short trip, a seven-day exploration of two of the top Colombian sites sampling montane forests, páramo and lowland forests for a delightful week of birding. The number of hummingbirds alone is amazing!

Visit two national parks and explore birding hotspots near Bogota to give you a sample of what an amazing country Colombia is. Chingaza National Park, located in the Eastern Andes, lets you experience beautiful scenery and nearly 400 bird species leave you in awe. It is also one of the best places to see Spectacled Bear, a much sought-after South American mammal. Discover the birding hotspots of Tabacal Lake and Florida Park before turning south to Sumapaz National Park, which boasts the largest páramo ecosystem in the world along with an array of bird species, including endemics like Bogota Rail and Green-bearded Helmetcrest. This fascinating tundra-like environment hosts amazing flora as well, including lush cushion plants adapted to windswept open terrain.

Our final stop is Villavicencio, where we spend two days exploring the lowland foothills of Bosque Bavaria and Aitabu Forest, home to over 400 bird species. All of this in just seven days while enjoying a Naturalist Journeys pace and style: staying in wonderful accommodations, enjoying delicious meals, and of course, waking up every morning to a cup of world-renown Colombian coffee.

Tour Highlights

  • Bird in a variety of habitats, from lowland tropical rainforests and wetlands to páramo and high Andean forests
  • Visit Chingaza National Park for a variety of birds and mammals, including the chance to see Spectacled Bear!
  • Search the subtropical forests of Tabacal Lake for White-bearded Manakin, the endemic Velvet-fronted Euphonia, and many colorful tanagers
  • Explore the beautiful and unique páramo in Sumapaz National Park
  • Spend two days exploring sites around Villavicencio for lowland species such as the distinctive Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, the brilliantly colored Blue Dacnis, and the beautiful Purple Honeycreeper
  • Enjoy great photography opportunities with several feeder visits throughout the tour where a host of hummingbirds and tanagers await!
  • Extend your stay on your own to explore Colombia’s capital city of Bogota

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Fri., Dec. 6        Arrivals in Bogota | Zipaquirá

Welcome to Colombia! Once everyone has arrived, we head north out of the busy city to Zipaquirá where we visit one of the most popular sites in all of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral. Situated approximately 600 feet underground, the cathedral was constructed out of a salt mine and is an architectural masterpiece that combines elements of religious art with the natural beauty of salt crystals and rock formations. This awesome blend of nature and culture is a great start to our journey. 

After exploring the fascinating underground cathedral, we head to our accommodations. We gather for a welcome dinner this evening to get to know our guides and fellow travelers.
Accommodations at the Hotel Boutique MR (D) 

Sat., Dec. 7       Chingaza National Park | Hummingbird Observatory

After breakfast, we head to Chingaza National Park, established in 1977 to protect the unique páramo ecosystem that occurs in high elevation areas of the tropics. It is dominated by tussock grasses, low-growth vegetation, and shrubs. The park is not only ecologically important, but it also provides 80% of the drinking water to Bogota. Elevations in the park range up to 12,000 feet, but we have easy walks along lightly traveled unpaved roads, moving at a birder’s pace. This habitat is reminiscent of the Arctic tundra but lusher and much more vibrant. 

As we walk along the dirt roads in Chingaza, gazing at the beautiful scenery, we may see a Copper-bellied Puffleg or Purple-backed Thornbill whizzing by. Other birds we hope to see in this area include Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Masked Trogon, Rufous-browed Conebill, the aptly named Grass-green Tanager, and perhaps the rare Paramo Seedeater. In addition to a great variety of birds, Chingaza is one of the best places to spot Spectacled Bear, along with other mammals such as Tapir and Western Mountain Coati.

In the afternoon, we head to the Hummingbird Observatory, which is a great location for the photographers in the group! Located on a farmhouse near the buffer zone of Chingaza National Park, the feeders and gardens here are frequently visited by a variety of species. Birds we may see here include the dazzling Blue-throated Starfrontlet, the large Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, and the very long-tailed Black-tail Trainbearer. This is also a great location for Sword-billed Hummingbird, which has the longest bill compared to its body size of any bird in the world. 

After a great day in the field, we head back to our delightful hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Accommodations at the Hotel Boutique MR (B,L,D) 

Sun., Dec. 8   Tabacal Lake | Jardín Encantado | La Florida

Today we make our way back to Bogota with some superb birding stops along the way. First, we head to Tabacal Lake, a small lagoon surrounded by montane forest that has great bird diversity and interesting plant life. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded here and we walk along the forested trails looking for the beautifully colored Bay-headed Tanager, the secretive Rosy Thrush-Tanager, the adorable Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Ringed Kingfisher, and Spectacled Parrotlet. 

Our next stop is Jardín Encantado, The Enchanted Garden, a small house in a rural part of San Francisco. Hummingbird feeders were installed here over 25 years ago and at least 23 species have been recorded here. Species we are likely to see are Indigo-capped Hummingbird, the tiny Gorgeted Woodstar, Red-bellied Emerald, Andean Emerald, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird.

Finally, we head to La Florida in Bogota. An area once covered in wetlands, now only a few remain as part of a conservation and reforestation project. Despite being in a bustling city of 10 million people, La Florida is a great birding spot, and we have a chance to see a fascinating host of species. We walk easy paths along the water to look for Bogota Rail, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Andean Ruddy Duck, and Black Flowerpiercer. 

We then continue on to get settled at the hotel and after a full day, enjoy dinner at the hotel. Each evening we do a review and tally of our species seen. 
Accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn (B,L,D) 

Mon., Dec. 9       Sumapaz National Park | Villavicencio

After breakfast, we head about two hours south of Bogota to Sumapaz National Park. Famous for having the largest páramo in the world, Sumapaz is also incredibly scenic. It was designated a national park in 1977 not only because of its incredible biodiversity, but also because of its importance as a water source for Bogota. The dominant plant in the park, common in the páramo ecosystem, is the Espeletia, commonly known as frailejónes. There are several species of frailejónes in the park and these sometimes whimsical looking plants are highly adapted to the harsh conditions of the high altitude. 

We spend our time here walking slowly on easy dirt roads at an elevation of around 12,000 feet, looking for the many species that call this somewhat harsh environment home. We look for the endemics in this area that include the endangered Apolinar’s Wren, Silvery-throated Spinetail, and Pale-billed Tapaculo. Other species here include Noble Snipe, Many-striped Canastero, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, and we keep a watchful eye out for Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle soaring above.  

In the afternoon we drop down in elevation as we head east to Villavicencio, located on the Llanos plains to the east of the Andes. The climate here is typically hot and wet, with an average rainfall of 180 inches a year. This new environment, different from the higher elevation areas we explored the past few days, means many new birds! Upon arrival, we check into our accommodations at a lovely hotel, set just outside the city with spectacular views. 
Accommodations at the Hotel Aitabu (B,L,D) 

Tues., Dec. 10       Villavicencio | Bavaria Forests

After breakfast and some delicious Colombian coffee, we head to the Bavaria Forests, located on the outskirts of the city. The forest is a patch of humid, tropical rainforest at the transitional foothills between the Andes and the savannah. This blend of ecosystems creates a high bird diversity and over 400 species have been recorded here. The Halcón Colorado Natural Reserve is located on top of the Bavaria mountain and we enjoy breathtaking views across the Colombian Llanos. 

We spend the morning here, immersed in this tropical rainforest looking for colorful species such as Paradise Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, and Speckled Tanager along with Golden-headed and Striolated Manakin, the often loud Speckled Chachalaca, Gilded Barbet, Crested Oropendola, and beautiful small members of the toucan tribe such as Lettered and Chestnut-eared Aracaris.

In the afternoon, we have time to relax and enjoy the refreshing pool at the hotel. Later in the day, we spend some time birding nearby.
Accommodations at the Hotel Aitabu (B,L,D) 

Wed., Dec. 11         La Herreria | Monterredondo | Bogota

We say goodbye to Villavicencio today and make our way north, back to Bogota. Just outside of town we stop at La Herreria in Cundinamarca, renowned for its biodiversity and beautiful scenery. We walk a trail that goes through a variety of habitats including primary and secondary forests, open areas, and scrublands. Conservation efforts here are focused on the endemic and endangered Cundinamarca Antpitta, only discovered about a decade ago. Today, to the delight of birdwatchers, it is a frequent visitor to a set of well-maintained feeders. This species is tightly range restricted and this is one of the only locations the bird is known to exist. Other species we hope to see at La Herreria include Andean Potoo, Longuemare's Sunangel, Schwartz’s Antthrush, South American Leaftosser, the rare Greater Scythebill, and the brightly colored Golden-crowned Tanager.

Located just north of La Herreria, Monterrerdondo is another great birding area consisting of a mixed habitat of crop fields, patches of Andean forest, and high elevation forest. The complex topography of the terrain and slopes have allowed most of the forested areas to remain almost intact and nearly 500 species have been observed here. Species we may see include Andean Pygmy-Owl, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Slaty-crowned Antpitta, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, and Andean Solitaire. 

After lunch, we continue our journey back to Bogota and back to the hotel where we enjoy our farewell dinner and a chance to recount the highlights of our quick, but wonderful week in Colombia.
Accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn (B,L,D)

Thurs., Dec. 12       Departures

After breakfast, we facilitate departures to the airport to match up to your flights. (B)

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Chestnut-eared Aracari

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Speckled Chachalaca

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Spectacled Parrotlet

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Golden-crowned Tanager

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Group birding by Dave Mehlman

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Ruby Topaz Hummingbird

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Great Sapphirewing

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Chingaza National Park

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    White-bellied Woodstar

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Tawny Antpitta

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Hotel Boutique MR

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Hotel Boutique MR

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Hotel Boutique MR

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    White-necked Jacobin

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Aitabu Hotel Pool

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Aitabu Hotel

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Plumbeous Sierra Finch

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager

  • Birding Colombia, Bird watching South America, Nature Tour, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Birding Hotspot, Endemic Birds

    Sparkling Violetear

Cost of the Journey

$3990 DBL / $4290 SGL from Bogota, and includes: airport transfers, accommodations for 6 nights, meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, local guides, local park and reserve entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. Tour cost does not include roundtrip airfare to or from Bogota, or items of a personal nature like laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, or gratuities for porterage or personal services.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota

Arrival Details: Please plan flights to arrive December 6, 2024, no later than 10:00 AM 

Departure Details: Please plant flights to depart December 12, 2024, at your leisure

Travel Tip: If you arrive early to avoid weather delays or rest up from your travels, we recommend booking a room at the Hilton Garden Inn Bogota Airport. It's conveniently located a few minutes away from the airport and has a restaurant and bar on site. 

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Colombia

  • Peg Abbott

    Peg Abbott is the owner and lead guide of Naturalist Journeys, LLC. She has been designing, guiding, and organizing natural history tours for more than 25 years, working for the National Audubon Society and other organizations before launching Naturalist Journeys, LLC in 1998. Her work has taken her from Alaska to Africa and Argentina, as well as many other locations around the world. She has conducted research on several bird and mammal species and keeps a close interest in Yellowstone and Mexican wolf reintroduction projects. Her interests include all aspects of natural history and geology. After 20 years in and around the Yellowstone area, Peg relocated in 2003 to the birding mecca of Portal, AZ.

    Photo credit: Carol Simon

    Other trips with Peg Abbott

Map for Birding from Bogota

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Make sure your passport will be valid on the date of your arrival through the date of your return home. We highly suggest at least 6 months validity beyond end of tour in case of unexpected delay in return. See "Passport, Visa & Documentation" section below for more details.
  • A visa is NOT required for U.S. citizens visiting Colombia. If you are traveling with a passport from another country, please contact the Embassy of Colombia website for guidelines.
  • You must fill out your Colombia immigration form before arrival. Visit Migración Colombia’s online Check-Mig form within 72 hours of boarding an inbound or outbound flight from Colombia.
  • Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Colombia and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Plan your flight reservations to arrive into and depart from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are preferred as luggage, for ease in loading vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival into El Dorado International Airport (BOG) 

Please note: If you are delayed in travel, please refer to your emergency contact list, and contact your ground operator, with a back-up call to our office. You may also WhatsApp message, phone or text your Naturalist Journeys guide.

Upon arrival into the Bogota Airport, you will pass through immigration and customs and meet an assigned driver who will wait with a sign with your name on it once you exit to the main terminal area. Your emergency contact sheet will be useful at Immigration should they ask where you are going. ATMs are in the main airport area.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departure from El Dorado International Airport (BOG)

Please plan to depart from Bogota (BOG) at your leisure. Because international travel requires arriving at the airport at least three hours ahead of your scheduled flight, we do not advise booking early morning flights - late-morning is fine, though we can work with whatever schedule works best for you. Transfers to the airport will be provided.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html. If you are from another country, please contact the Colombian Embassy’s website for guidelines. 

Passport: At the time of writing, U.S. citizens must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the date of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. However, we highly suggest at least 3 months validity beyond the end of the tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel. Please check that expiration date! You should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visas: At the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required of US citizens for stays the length of this tour.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Colombia or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share a copy of the health information that you provided with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency.

Vaccinations: Bring copies of your current vaccination records with you. At the time of writing there were no required vaccinations to enter Colombia (see exception below for yellow fever). However, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Check with your physician at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure.

Note: Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Colombia only for travelers coming from certain countries in Africa or South America, or visiting certain national parks. Check the CDC's Yellow Book for more information.

There are occasional reports of Dengue Fever in lower elevation areas, for which there is no vaccine. Dengue fever, Zika, and other diseases are contacted by mosquito bites so be sure to use mosquito repellant containing DEET or Picaridin. Travelers can reduce their risk of disease by protecting themselves from mosquito bites in lower elevation areas by using protective clothing. Speak with your doctor about whether antimalarial prophylactics are recommended.

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for common ailments (such as upset stomach, headache, motion sickness, diahhrea, minor scrapes, bug bites, etc.).  Altitude sickness can affect some and, if there is a concern, be prepared.

Weather & Climate

Colombia is a vast country of northern South America, crossed by the Equator in the south and the Andes Mountain range in the west. The country has many different climate zones, and while the plains may be hot year-round, the biggest differences are due to the elevation, which affects temperature and rainfall, often dramatically.

In general weather in Colombia is variable where we will travel. At the mid-elevations of the Central Andes where we’ll spend most of our time, temperatures tend to be mild, with highs in the mid-70s°F and lows in the mid-60s°F. A lightweight fleece is a good idea for some evenings. At higher elevations such as Chingaza and Sumapaz National Parks, highs may only reach 40°F, with mist and fog, and even snow is possible! Good quality rain gear, a heavy fleece, and even gloves and a hat may seem crazy, but the weather at higher elevations can be extreme. Good shoes that provide ankle support and traction are essential.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur in the forests, therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET is essential. In grassland or farm locations you may encounter chiggers; if so, spray your shoes with repellent, and tuck your pants into your socks, which can help a lot. That evening, be sure to shower and air your field clothing. Do listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide. And remember, the sun is strong so dress accordingly and apply protection from sunburn.

Food & Drinks

There will be a variety of foods available, with choices to accommodate most dietary requirements. At all restaurants you will find a good variety of foods reflecting the contributions of American, European, Spanish and local cuisines.

Although major cities have excellent running water services, we recommend that you avoid tap water, and instead drink bottled water. Plan to purchase this at your hotels, and there will be water on the bus as needed for day trips. If convenient, to reduce the extra use of plastics, we would appreciate it if you can bring a reusable water bottle – one option is a LifeStraw filtered water bottle. And you might consider bringing a SteriPEN or other product to purify drinking water.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Dress is very informal and laundry services are available for a fee at our hotels. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day. All the restaurants we will visit are fine with casual clothing at meals. Sandals are acceptable footwear for the vehicles on travel days but in the field you will need sturdy shoes to protect your feet and provide secure footing.

Please, pack light. We are serious about this – we’ll be moving around a lot, and you just do not need much to cope with tropical life! Please do not bring anything more than you must. Lay out the items you hope to take and then do a serious paring down please, with the goal of bringing one soft-sided duffel bag and one carry-on bag.

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. On your flight, wear your most important shoes for the field, have one day’s change of clothing, and a change of underwear! And please, do not pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

The official currency in Colombia is the Peso COP. We advise that you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card and a credit card. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. Shopping for smaller handicrafts necessitates using local currency. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

When using the ATM to withdrawal cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards, and there are often transaction fees for withdrawals. Check with your bank before departure and be sure that you know your PIN number ahead of the journey. Also, ATM limits in Colombia are very low and average around $125. It may be easier to use exchange larger sums of money at the airport.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at hotels and restaurants to pay any bar or gift tabs. Not every location accepts every card, and smaller shops, restaurants or taxis often require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. We recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes or charges. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted, and we do not advice that you use them.

Gratuities

Tipping throughout the tour is at your discretion. Some guidelines follow. At larger (mostly city) hotels, tip maids and bar service as you would at home. At smaller hotels, there is typically a staff tip box in a public area; the going rate per person is $6-$10 a day, which is shared among staff for maid service, and general staff service at the hotels. Gratuities for group meals are already included. Your Naturalist Journeys host will take care of smaller tips such field trip services by boat drivers, night drive outings, single activities. Your additional tip is encouraged for birding tour guides and drivers who are with you for several days or the full trip; $10-$15 per day per guest is standard for guide service, and half that for a driver. If you have more than one local guide at a location, they will share the daily amount. We encourage tipping for the local teams hosting you; anything extra for your Naturalist Journeys host is at your discretion.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

You can make International calls from most of our hotels. The country code for the USA is 1, and for Colombia, it is 57. From Colombia:

International calls: Dial 00 + (9) or (7) + country code + area code + number.

National calls: Dial 0 + (9) (5) or (7) + city code + number.

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

The standard in Colombia is the same as in the United States and Canada: 110 volts AC (60 cycles). Plugs are set up in the same style; however, three-pronged outlets can be scarce, and existing three-prong outlets may feature even-sized flat blade plugs, so it's helpful to bring along adapters for both two- and three-prong outlets. More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

Colombia is on the same time as Eastern Standard Time (EST), the country does not observe Daylight Savings. Check www.timeanddate.com before leaving home for your conversion.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

 

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of Read more

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global RescueWorld Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please pack light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage.  Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle.  It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds.  Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Check your favorite weather website for the cities of Bogota, Zipaquirá, and Villavicencio closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure. At the mid-elevations of the Central Andes where we’ll spend most of our time, temperatures tend to be mild, with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-60s.  That said, please remember that we spend two days at Chingaza and Sumapaz National Parks where highs may only reach 40°F, even with the possibility of snow!  

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. For the milder weather, lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation.  But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. For some evenings, a lightweight fleece is a good idea. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy. For higher elevations, you'll be glad you bring good quality rain gear, a heavy fleece, and even gloves and a hat to layer with. This may seem crazy, but the weather at the higher elevations can be extreme and cold. Good shoes that provide ankle support and traction are essential.

Note on clothing colors and insect repellent: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended, and in some countries, not legal to wear. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Clothing & Gear

  • Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
  • Shorts (optional, not generally recommended)
  • Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 (Loose fitting keeps you cool. Quick-dry fabrics are ideal, and you may wish to spray with repellent or try those made of bug repellant fabric)
  • T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or equivalent (2-3)
  • Casual clothing for travel days and evenings, skirts for women may come in handy in the city
  • Personal underclothing and pajamas
  • Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry (Long enough to tuck your pants into, for protection from chiggers)
  • Wool socks
  • Comfortable walking/hiking shoes such as tennis shoes, and lightweight hiking boots – 2 pairs.  Please note that forest trails will be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – good tread and support are essential!
  • Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days
  • Good quality rain gear
  • Heavy fleece jacket / sweater for highlands
  • Gloves
  • Knit cap and scarf
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when you are hot and sweaty)
  • Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
  • Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
  • A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
  • As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
  • Small daypack to carry your field gear while hiking
  • Walking stick – (optional, but recommended if you have one, or we’ll try to cut you one on the trail)
  • Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries (important as cabins may be up the hill from our dining areas). Make sure this is in good working order.
  • Alarm clock (if you use your phone, be sure to turn off data roaming)
  • Sunscreen/Chapstick or equivalent
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Insect repellent (something containing DEET, and sulphur powder or other for chiggers)
  • Toiletry articles
  • Binoculars (a shower cap is great to cover these when raining)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional, your guide will have one)
  • Camera and extra batteries, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual
  • Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing
  • Earplugs – in urban and even rural areas barking dogs and traffic noise can be annoying
  • Gallon-size zip-lock bags to keep things dry
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)
  • Steri-Pen or other UV water treatment device to help cut down on the use of plastic bottles (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses – or have at easy reference to call or fax from home)
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments and stomach ailments
  • Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
  • Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Antibacterial hand soap, small vial
  • Heath insurance and vaccination information (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
  • Altitude sickness medication (optional)

 

Suggested Reading List +

There are many titles of interest for Colombia; the following are a few that we Read more

There are many titles of interest for Colombia; the following are a few that we have enjoyed as an introduction to the natural and cultural history of the country.

Top Picks

Birds of Colombia

Colombia: A paradise for birders: Stunning birds of the Andes: Hummingbirds, hawks, owls, tanagers, ducks, guans, woodpeckers, manakins, euphonias, quetzals and more

Birds of Colombia (Helm Wildlife Guides)

Merlin App – Colombia Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from the app, download a "pack" for either "Colombia: All" or "Colombia: Andes".

The New Neotropical Companion

Field Guides

Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia

A Guide to the Birds of Colombia

Birds of Northern South America: An Identification Guide, Volume 2: Plates and Maps

Birdwatching in Colombia

Checklist of the Birds of Colombia

Wildlife & Nature

Birds of Tropical America. A Watcher’s Introduction to Behavior, Breeding, and Diversity

Tropical Nature

Colombia Natural Parks

History & Culture

The Making of Modern Colombia: A Nation in Spite of Itself

Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History

More Terrible Than Death: Drugs, Violence, and America's War in Colombia

Colombia - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Moon Colombia

The Rough Guide to Colombia

Michelin Green Guide Colombia

National Geographic Traveler: Colombia

Colombian Spanish: Phrases, Expressions and Tips to Help You Speak Like a Local

Quick Guide to Colombian Spanish

Memoir/Non-Fiction

Colombia: A Rosen-Cooney Travel Story-No Passports Required: Bogota, the Coffee Zone, Cartagena, and Tayrona National Park

Your guide will have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

 

Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Bogota

Villavicencio

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birding Colombia – Locations and Checklists

Avibase Bird Checklist of Colombia

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Chingaza National Park

Geology & Geography

Geology of Colombia – Encyclopedic Overview

Geography of Colombia – Encyclopedic Overview

History & Culture

History of Colombia

Culture of Colombia

Pre-Colombian Civilizations

Food of Colombia

Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (by UNESCO)

Helpful Travel Websites

Arrival and Departure: El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Bogota

National Passport Information Center

Homeland Security Real ID Act

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Foreign Exchange Rates

ATM Locator

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information – Colombia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Colombia

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories – Colombia

Travel Health Pro (UK) – Colombia

Electricity and Plugs – Colombia

Date, Time, and Holidays – Colombia


Photo credits: Banners: Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Bay-headed Tanager,Sword-billed Hummingbird Thumbnails: Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Brown-throated Parakeet, Great Sapphirewing, Ringed Kingfisher, Bay-headed tanager, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Indigo-capped Hummingbird

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