| Day 1: Flights into Santa Cruz, including Viru-Viru Airport, Lomas de Arena, Jardin Botanico. After everyone arrives early at the Santa Cruz airport, we will begin by birding at the Viru-Viru (Santa Cruz) airport. At some point in time, we will check into the hotel and take a short nap and then continue with afternoon birding at Lomas de Arena Regional Park. Some of the many interesting birds we may see include Whistling Heron, Rufous-rumped Seedeater, White-bellied Nothura, Golden-collared Macaw, Guira Cuckoo, White- eared Puffbird, White-rumped Monjita, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, Campo Flicker, Chotoy Spinetail, Fawn-breasted Wren, and Red-legged Seriema. We may have time for birding at the Jardin Botanica; however, we will likely retire early so that we can have a good early start in the morning. Day 2: Jardin Botanico In the morning, we will bird Jardin Botanico. Jardin Botanica hosts a number of interesting hummingbirds, including Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Glittering-bellied Emerald, and Gilded Hummingbird. Other birds in the area include Scaly-headed Parrot, Black-banded Woodcreeper, and Stripe-backed Antbird. We will continue birding in several different habitats (including semi-humid forest, a riparian area on the lower mountain slopes, then perhaps a dryer forest) in transit to Los Volcanes and Ambroro National Park. Given the habitat mix and Lelis’ sound judgement, we will likely add a number of other species to our trip list. We may arrive in time to hike down the entrance road looking for birds and other wildlife. Days 3 & 4: Refugio Los Volcanes and Ambororo National Park The lodge at the Refugio Los Volcanes is conveniently located in the subtropical and temperate forests of Amboró National Park, and will provide us with a base from which we will explore the nearby forests and other nearby areas with a great diversity of habitat and bird life. The valley where the lodge is located is excellent for parrots, including Mitred Parakeets, Blue-crowned Parakeets, Green-cheeked Parakeets, and Yellow- chevroned Parakeets. Some birds found by Lelis in the past at this location include Military Macaws, Two-banded Warblers, Huayco Tinamou, King Vulture, Sunbittern, Spectacled Owl, Channel-billed Toucan, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Black-capped Antwren, White-backed Fire-Eye, Slaty Gnateater, White- crowned Tapaculo, Marbled-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Yungas Manakin, Rufous-bellied Thrush, and Plush-crested Jay. The area also features some very good mixed species flocks that feature a diverse group of tanagers including the Black-goggled Tanager, Blue-naped Euphonia, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Common Bush-Tanager, Guira Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, White-winged Tanager, and Blue-necked Tanagers. Amboró National Park is a large wilderness area of 1.5 million acres that straddles the eastern foothills of the Andean Mountains. With two full days of birding, we will be able to explore four very different habitats from this single location, including the southern rim of the Amazon Basin (humid tropical rainforests), the western edge of the Brazilian shield (subtropical deciduous forests), the northern limit of the Chaco (temperate woodlands), and the very diverse subtropical and temperate forests of the Andes mountains. This mosaic of ecosystems shelters a correspondingly rich diversity of plants and animals, including no less than 830 bird species! Over these two days, we will be waking up very early to have breakfast before dawn, then will bird until late in the morning when the sun becomes too hot and the bird activity dies down. This is a perfect time to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the streams found near the lodge and we will even have the opportunity to swim in a natural pool that has formed at the base of a small waterfall. We will continue birding in the afternoon and into the early evening when we try for some nocturnal birds, such as the Spectacled Owl. Days 5 to 7: Samaipata, Tambo and Comarapa Area and La Siberia We will start early on the start of the fifth day of the trip. Based upon whatever will maximize better birding, we will either bird at the lodge or we will drive on to another location to enjoy early morning birding in a new location with a different habitat. On our way to Tambo, we will stop at Samaipata. Though difficult to find elsewhere in Bolivia, several key species which we are more likely to find here include Huayco Tinamous, Tataupa Tinamous, Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Ocellated Piculet, Ochre- cheeked Spinetail, Streaked Xenops Giant Antshrike, Slaty Gnateater, Gray-crested Finch, Ringed Warbling- Finch, Black-capped Warbling Finch, and Dull-colored Seedeater. With Lelis as our guide we may see the elusive and very local Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper and the White-tipped Plantcutter. Also, some of the terrific hummingbirds we may see include Planalto Hermit, Buff- bellied Hermit, and Slender-tailed Woodstar. Following lunch, we will continue towards Tambo with several birding stops along the way. We will pass through dry deciduous forests before eventually entering into a zone of arid interandean valleys lying within a rain shadow formed by the surrounding mountains. On the sixth day, we will start early for a full day of birding the Tambo and Comarapa area. This remote area has a much warmer and dryer habitat than we have birded so far on the trip. Early morning birding will be rewarded with a cooler start and the potential to see some terrific bird species, including Ocellated Piculet, White-fronted Woodpecker, Striped Woodpecker, Golden-breasted Woodpecker, Cream-backed Woodpecker, and Ochre- cheeked Spinetail. We will hope to see the endemic Bolivian Earthcreeper, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Cliff Flycatcher, Saffron-billed Sparrow, and the striking Ultramarine Grosbeak. Other interesting birds include King Vulture and Large-tailed Dove. In the Andean foothills and the semi-deciduous woodlands and shrub-desert near Tambo, we may be rewarded with a view of Andean Condor. Sometimes a number of Condors are seen at one time. As if this was not enough of a reason to bird in this remote area of Bolivia, we will also seek out the endemic Red-fronted Macaw. This species is not only one of the most spectacular of all macaws, it also ranks as one of the rarest birds in South America. We will take lunch, and a break and perhaps a nap, before continuing birding in the later afternoon after the whether cools off and the birding picks back up. On the seventh day, we will bird the La Siberia area. With such a comforting name, we know the birding will be good. This cloud forest habitat represents the southernmost limit of humid-temperate cloud forest in South America. It also marks the southern end of the range for numerous species of high-elevation forest birds, including the endemic Rufous-faced Antpitta and the Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer. With Lelis as the bird guide, we may have the opportunity to see these species. A few incredible hummingbirds in the area include the Violet-throated Starfrontlet, the Blue-capped Puffleg, along with the endemic Black-hooded Sunbeam. Other local specialties include several difficult to find birds, including the Black-winged Parrot, the Chestnut- crested Cotinga, and the Band-tailed Fruiteater. We will also look for White-throated Hawk, Mountain Caracara, Light-crowned Spinetail, Rusty-vented Canastero, Spot-breasted Thornbird, Andean Tyrant, Brown-capped Redstart, Pale-legged Warbler, Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, White-browed Conebill, Chestnut- bellied Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch, Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch, and Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch. We will bird along level roads and on trails (with some climbing near Siberia) in both the arid zone and in the cloud forest. Day 8: Cochabamba On the eighth day, we will leave the hotel early so we can have another early morning bird watching trek at the nearby La Siberia. Hopefully, we will find a few of the cloud forest species which we may have missed the day before. After leaving La Siberia, we will then bird in transit at a few spots on the way to Cochabamba. Some of the species we may find include Wedge-tailed Hillstar hummingbird, Rock Earthcreeper, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Stripe- crowned Spinetail and the nearly endemic Citron-headed Yellow-Finch. We will then have an opportunity for some late afternoon birding in Cochabamba. Day 9 to 11: Cochabamba, including the Cochabamba-Upper Chapare Road, Tablas Monte, Cerro Tunari, and Subestacia Miguelito On the ninth day, we will get up and drive a short distance to begin birding several spots along the Cochabamba- Upper Chapare Road as we drive towards Tablas Monte. The road goes through superb elfin, temperate, and subtropical yungas forests on the northeastern Andean slopes. This stretch of road is considered by many to be one of the best birding sites in South America. Four endemics, Black-hooded Sunbeam hummingbird, Black- throated Thistletail, Rufous-faced Antpitta, and Grey- bellied Flowerpiercer can be found here. Several other near endemics, which we would be fortunate to find, include Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, Black-winged Parrot, Hazel-fronted Pygmy-Tyrant, and Slaty Tanager. This is also one of the best sites in Bolivia to find Hooded Tinamou, Hooded Mountain Toucan, White-throated Antpitta, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, and Band-tailed Fruiteater. With one of our great South American guides, you are bound to see several real gems. Other birds we will hope to see include Brown Tinamou, Sickle-winged Guan, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Red-necked Woodpecker, Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner, Light-crowned Spinetail, Barred Fruiteater, Yungas Manakin, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Ochraceous- breasted Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, White- eared Solitaire, Andean Solitaire, Three-striped Hemispingus, Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Moustached Flower-piercer, Deep-blue Florwerpiercer, and Dusky-green Oropendola. On the tenth day, we will enjoy a bird watching trek at Cerro Tunari, enjoying different avifauna as we explore some very different habitats. The first part of the morning will be spent traveling up the lower slopes of Cerro Tunari where we hope to get good looks at Andean Tinamou, Torrent Duck, and Red-backed Hawk. We will also have a chance at some great hummingbirds, including Red-tailed Coronet, Andean Hillstar, Great Sapphirewing, and Giant Hummingbird. Other birds in this mountain area include Grey-hooded Parakeet, Olive-crowned Crescent-Chest, White-capped Dipper, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, Plain- breasted Earthcreeper, Rock Earthcreeper, and the endemic Bolivian Blackbird. By mid-day, mountain-top birding in puna grassland will likely be reward with some views of Maquis Canastero, Grey-breasted Seedsnipe, White-winged Diuca Finch, Short-tailed Finch, several Ground Tyrants species, and Yellow-Finches. As we become weary of the high altitude, we will move back down the slope to bird an excellent patch of Polylepis woodland . At our last stop we will make a great effort to see rare Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant, the endemic Cochabamba Mountain Finch, and the endemic Bolivian Warbling Finch. We may also see Rufous-bellied Saltator, and Giant Conebill. On the eleventh day, we will bird the lower elevations of the Cochabamba- Upper Chapare Road along the Subestacion Miguelito. The forest along this route is a better location to find Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Stripe- faced Wood-Quail, White-throated Quail-Dove, Crested Quetzal, Black-winged Parrot, Buff-browed Foliage- Gleaner, Yellow-rumped Antwren, Leimebamba Antpitta, Yungas Pygmy Tyrant, Unadorned Flycatcher, Yellow and Slaty Tanager, Blue-banded Toucanet, Upland Antshrike, White-throated Antpitta, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Bolivian Tyrannulet, and the rare Straw-backed Tanager. Days 12 and 13: High Altitude Birding: Includes Laguna Alalay, Oruro, Lake Uru, and More Birding as We Ascend to La Paz (including Inquisivi) On the twelvth day, we will start with a short drive to Laguna Alalay. We will hope to see White-tufted Grebe, Silvery Grebe, Yellow-billed Pintail, Rosy-billed Pochard, Puna Teal, Red Shoveler, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Gull, and Puna Ibis. Nearby we will also look for Cinereous Harrier, Wren-like Rushbird, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Grey-bellied Shrike-Tyrant, Cinereous Ground-Tyrant, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Short-billed Pipit, Blue-and- yellow Tanager, and Greenish Yellow-Finch. As we begin our travels to Oruro, we will make several birding stops along the way. Road conditions will require a slow but study ascent of the mountain, as we enjoy the Bolivian altiplano. Throughout the day we will be looking for a number of species of tinamous, raptors, ground tyrants, miners, canasteros, and earthcreepers. We should arrive at our hotel in Oruro around sundown. On the thiteenth day, we will begin early and bird the lakes near Oruru. If the water levels are suitable, we’ll spend the morning birding Lake Uru-Uru in search of Flamingos (3 different species), Andean Avocet, White- tufted Grebe, Andean Goose, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gull, Andean Negrito, Bare-faced Dove, Andean Flicker, Slender-billed Miner, and Wren-like Rushbird. Once activity dies down around Uru-Uru, we will stop to bird in puna scrub and at a few small lakes as we continue our ascent to La Paz at 12,500 feet. Having slowly worked our way up in elevation, we should be ready for the high altitude of La Paz. Day 14: Transition Day: Fly Home (or better, extend trip for another 4 or 5 days) Proposed Extension Itinerary: Chulamani and Lake Titicaca, including Upper Coroico Road, Apaapa Reserve, and Sorata (Please contact us to discuss the logistics, pricing and interest level in the extension) Day 14: Coroico Road and Chulamani After dropping those finishing with 14 days of birding in Bolivia, the fortunate few will continue birding. We will spend a day going up to Chulamani via the very birdy Upper Coroico Road. Likely species include Black- throated Thistletail, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Violet- throated Starfrontlet, Scaled Metaltail, Pearled Trerunner, Plain-breasted Earthcreeper, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Light- crowned Spinetail, Streak-throated Canastero, Line- fronted Canastero, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Stripe- headed Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater, Bolivian Diademed Tapaculo, White-crowned Tapaculo, Black-billed Shrike- Tyrant, Bolivian Tyrannulet, White-collared Jay, White- eared Solitaire, Three-striped Hemispingus, Golden- collared Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Short-tailed Finch, Moustached Flowerpiercer, and Rusty Flowerpiercer. Day 15 (and likely 16): Apaapa Reserve We will then spend a few days (or a day and a morning) at the Apaapa Reserve. Likely species include Hooded Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Sickle-winged Guan, Stripe- faced Wood-Quail, White-rumped Hawk, Barred Parakeet, Black-winged Parrot (Black-eared), Plum-crowned Parrot, Montane Foliage-Gleaner, Trilling Tapaculo, Sclater’s Tyrannulet, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, Band-tailed Fruiteater, the extremely rare and local Scimitar-winged Piha, Pale-footed Swallow, White-eared Solitaire, and Slaty Tanager among many others. Day 17: Back to La Paz but Good Birding Whole Way After a morning birding at Apaapa Reserve, we will try for a number of species we may have missed on both the upper part and lower parts of the Coroico Road. The altitude change and habitat choice and key bird stops will be the basis for a productive day of birding. Day 18: Lake Titicaca and Sorata Then next day we will enjoy birding Lake Titicaca and Sorata. With a few key endemic species like the flightless Short-winged Grebe and Berlepch’s Canastero, this will be a very good day. We will also hope to find Ornate Tinamou, Short-billed Pipit, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Yellow-winged Blackbird, and Giant Coot. Day 18: Flights Home |
| Detailed Itinerary |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| For More Information or to Register for this Trip, call Charles or Alison at 888-203-7464 or Charles directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com. |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by Collin Cambell |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by John Drummond |
| Photo by Collin Campbell |
| Photo by Collin Campbelll |
| Bolivia Lowlands to Highlands |
| Jardin Botanico, Refugio Los Volcanes, Ambororo National Park, Samaipata, Tambo, Comarapa, La Siberia, Cochabamba, Tablas Monte, Cerro Tunari, Subestacia Miguelito, Oruro, La Paz and Inquisivi Extension: Chulamani, Lake Titicaca, Upper Coroico Road, Apaapa Reserve and Sorata |
| Lowlands to Highlands Itinerary for Extension Trip |
Bolivia Lowlands to Highlands