Andes to Amazon Birding tour
Journey through the incredible transition from the Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforest.
Embark on an epic 8-day altitudinal transect across southwestern Colombia, descending from the rugged peaks of the Eastern Andes down to the pristine tropical rainforests of the western Amazon basin. This masterfully designed route links three distinct ecological strongholds—Pitalito, Mocoa, and Puerto Asís—capturing an unparalleled evolutionary cross-section of South American birdlife. By moving seamlessly from misty montane cloud forests down through rich foothill gradients and into deep lowland terra firme and varzea ecosystems, this tour optimizes your field time to target rare localized endemics, spectacular foothill specialties, and hyper-diverse Amazonian multi-species flocks. Led by local field biologists, it is the ultimate southern expedition for passionate birders and high-end wildlife photographers alike.
Duration: 8 days 7 night
Group Size: 2PAX to 8 PAX + 1 Pajarero Guide.
Destinations: Colombian Massif and Amazonian Piedmont (Pitalito, Mocoa, Puerto Asis)
Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Chesnut Woodpecker, Lemonthroated Barbet, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, White-lored Antpitta, Black-banded Crake, Plum-throated Cotinga, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Golden-eared Tanager,Tolima Blossomcrown, Hooded Antpitta, Flamefaced Tanager, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, Rufous-crested Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Ecuadorian Cacique, Dark- breasted Spinetail, Western Fire-eye, East Andean Antbird, Peruvian Warblering-Antbird, Silvered Antbird, White-shouldered Antbird, Riparian Antbird, Plumbeous Antbird, Blackspotted Bare-eye.
Includes
Double Accomodation (7 Nights)
All meals from lunch day 1 to breakfast day 8
Entrances to all nature reserves
Professional and bilingual birding guide
Local guides
All ground private transportation
Colombian event insurance
Snacks and water
Vegetarian meals
Not Includes
Alcohol drinks
Activities not included in the itinerary
International flights and taxes
Toiletries
Laundry services
Extensions of a trip due to circunstances out of our control
International phone calls
Room service
Medical expenses (not cover for event insurance)
Tips or gratuity
Day 0: Arrival in Pitalito & Transfer to El Encanto Nature Reserve
Welcome to southern Colombia! Upon arrival at the Pitalito airport, we will transfer directly to El Encanto Nature Reserve. After settling into our rooms, we will waste no time and begin our journey at the reserve’s famous feeders. This is a fantastic introduction to the region, offering incredible, close-up photography opportunities of dazzling hummingbirds and tanagers right from the comfort of the lodge.
Day 1: Birding La Drymophylla Nature Reserve
Today we dedicate a full day to exploring La Drymophila Nature Reserve. Nestled in well-preserved Andean cloud forests, this reserve is celebrated for its remarkable biodiversity. We will quietly hike the trails searching for secretive antpittas, colorful toucanets, and a wealth of high-altitude specialties hidden within the lush, moss-covered canopy.
Day 2: Birding El Encanto Nature Reserve + Transfer to Mocoa
We will spend a productive morning birding the varied trails and forest edges of El Encanto to catch any species we missed on arrival day. Mid-day, we pack up and begin our journey toward Mocoa. This drive is a spectacular geographical transition as we descend the eastern slope of the Andes, offering roadside birding opportunities where the species mix changes by the mile.
Day 3: Birding Trampolín de las Aves
Prepare for an unforgettable day on the legendary Trampolín de las Aves (The Birds’ Trampoline). This famous mountain road cuts through pristine, dramatic subtropical forests where the cloud forest meets the lowlands. We will bird at strategic altitudinal stops along the route, searching for mixed-species flocks where rare Andean and Amazonian foothills specialties overlap.
Day 4: Exploring the Amazonian Foothills
Today we focus entirely on the rich, humid forests of the Amazonian foothills, including the nature reserve El Escondite. These lush lowlands host an immense diversity of colorful, fast-moving flocks. We will spend the day searching for localized foothill specialties, unique lekking manakins, and brilliant tanagers that thrive in this unique ecological transition zone.
Day 5: Birding in Puerto Asís
We move deeper into the Amazon basin as we head to Puerto Asís. Our birding today will focus on the rich riverside forests, secondary growth, and tropical habitats bordering the waters. We will look for true Amazonian lowland specialties, including canopy-dwellers, specialized river island birds, and various raptors patrolling the waterways.
Day 7: Birding in Playa Rica
Today we make a special excursion to Playa Rica to bird some of the most pristine terra firme and varzea (flooded) rainforest areas in the region. Known for its incredible structural diversity and breathtaking scenic surroundings, this area gives us our best chance at deep-forest Amazonian families, including antbirds, trogons, jacamars, and spectacular macaws.
Day 7: Final Breakfast & Departure
Enjoy a final tropical breakfast at the lodge, taking a last look at the local birdlife. We will then handle your transfer to the airport in Puerto Asís for your domestic flight connections home, concluding an incredible journey from the high Andes to the Amazonian lowlands.
TOUR INVESTMENT & POLICIES
Private Tour Pricing Tiers
Our private tours guarantee exclusive guiding by a professional field biologist, a dedicated 4×4 vehicle, premium reserve access, and high-end conservation lodging completely tailored to your party.
Group of 2 PAX: $3,100 USD per person
Group of 3 PAX: $2,800 USD per person
Group of 4 PAX: $2,500 USD per person
Group of 5-8 PAX: $2,100 USD per person
Single Room Supplement: $390 USD
Booking and Confirmation Steps
For inquiries and custom private bookings, please contact our team via email info@pajarerosbirdingtours.com or WhatsApp (+57 3160834407).
Securing Your Dates: To lock in your exclusive guide services, dedicated 4×4 vehicles, and secure immediate reservations at high-demand conservation lodges, a 30% deposit of the total tour cost is required to officially confirm your booking.
Cancellation & Deposit Refunds: We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel your tour more than 60 days before departure, your 30% deposit is fully refundable, minus a flat $200 USD per person administrative and lodge-handling fee.
Flight Booking: Once your deposit is received, your dates are locked in, and you can confidently book your international flights.
Final Payment Schedule
The remaining 70% balance of your total tour cost must be paid on or before 60 days prior to your tour’s start date. Payments can be made securely via direct bank transfer or through a personalized online payment link provided by Pajareros Birding Tours.
Private Cancellation Policy
We carefully plan and secure private logistics, specialized drivers, mountain permits, and high-demand conservation lodges months in advance. Because these arrangements are fully committed to your private party, cancellations incur the following terms based on how close they are to departure:
Cancellations made more than 60 days before departure: Your 30% deposit is fully refundable, minus a flat $200 USD per person administrative and lodge-handling fee to cover planning and reserved logistics.
Cancellations made between 59 and 30 days before departure: A cancellation fee equal to 30% of the total tour cost will be incurred (the full amount of your deposit).
Cancellations made between 29 and 15 days before departure: A cancellation fee equal to 70% of the total tour cost will be incurred, plus any applicable banking or transfer fees.
Cancellations within 14 days of departure: A 100% cancellation fee applies. At this stage, all private regional logistics, dedicated vehicles, accommodations, and biological guide fees are legally locked in, paid out, and completely non-refundable.
Travel Insurance: We strongly advise that all participants purchase comprehensive international travel insurance. Your policy should cover unexpected personal trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and flight disruptions.
Itinerary Flexibility: Due to the nature of birding in remote or high-altitude ecosystems, unexpected weather patterns, road conditions, or habitat changes may require minor modifications. As professional field biologists, we always strive to maintain the core target species and premium experience while ensuring absolute safety and comfort.
Tour Information Request
Disclaimer
The information submitted through this form will be used solely to respond to your inquiry and provide information about our birdwatching tours. We do not share your personal data with third parties. Submitting this form does not constitute a reservation or a service contract.
Get To Know More!
Have questions or ready to book your birding tour? Contact us today and let’s start planning your next adventure!
+57 316 083 4407
BOOK NOW