ColombiaSantaMartaMain-1

Santa Marta Birding in Colombia

"Santa Marta is the most endemic rich area for Colombia birders."

Trip Description

Day 1 of Extension (last day of main trip): Early morning
birding in La Florida marshes near Bogota and catch
our mid-day flight to Santa Marta. Late afternoon birding
along the Santa Marta foothills to Minca.

Day 2 of Extension: Morning birding Minca area and
then birding while we transfer to El Dorado Reserve (for
birding up to lodge and around lodge that day).

Day 3 of Extension: Full day birding El Dorado
Reserve, including San Lorenzo Ridge road and
more.

Day 4 of Extension: Full day El Dorado Reserve and
evening birding at El Dorado Lodge with some later
evening opportunities for owls and nightjars.

Day 5 of Extension: Early morning birding near El
Dorado and birding on our way back to Santa Marta.

Day 6 of Extension: Full Day Santa Marta Area:
Parque Isla Salamanca (cacti dominated dry scrub), and
other sites (including Las Tinajas Road and
Mamancana Reserve). Late flights and evening in
Bogata.

Day 7 of Extension: Morning flights from Bogata to all
points home.

Brief Itinerary

There are several options for birding in Santa Marta.

(1) Most birder go to endemic rich Santa Marta

part of their endemic rich Cauca Valley trip.

(2) Some birders come back to Colombia for a

longer trip to Santa Marta. These trips range from

8 to 10 days.

Santa Marta Mountains are in a sense like the Sierra
Nevadas in the United States. Both of these mountainous
regions are close to the ocean and have a vast arid area
separating them from other geographic areas of their
country. Most birders with experience in the United States
understand the birds species unique to California and the
Sierra Nevadas. The Santa Marta area has been isolated
from the rest of Colombia and the rest of the Andes by a
dry forest area. This geographic separation and long
period of isolation has resulted in bird speciation and
numerous local endemics.

This green, humid and lush mountain range is isolated
from the rest of the Andes by a “sea” of dry forest
providing the Santa Marta with the highest bird endemism
area in Colombia. More than 25% (20 species) of the
Colombian endemics occur here, and there are at least
39 endemic subspecies (some of which might even
deserve the rank of a full species).

The drier areas surrounding the mountains are also home
to a handful number of bird species that are only shared
with remote areas of Venezuela, including, 3 more
Colombian endemics.

The wonder of this birding bonanza is matched by the
beauty of the sunset of the Caribbean ocean watched
from the comfortable balcony of “El Dorado” lodge.

Several keen notes on Santa Marta birding:

Besides these endemics, sub-endemics and
regional endemics, the area offers over 800
species. Most trips see 250 to 350 species.
Our six day prices here (for groups of 4 to 6)
range from $1,790 to $2,290. These trips are more
costly due to higher Santa Marta lodging costs and
the need for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Though
these trips cost over $300 per day, the birding is
excellent and productive. Prices does not include
flight Bogota to Santa Marta (usually $320 to $400).
We offer the six day extension with all of our Cauca
Valley trips. Any birder can join these extensions,
even as a solo trip (for just a little bit more in cost).
Longer trips are offered one or two times per year.
Please contact us if you are interested in a longer
Santa Marta endemics trip.

More Details on This Trip

Current Schedule
for this Trip

October 16 to 28, 2011 - Colombia Cauca Valley Birding
(13 Day Itinerary) with Lelis Navarrete. Santa Marta
extension as pre-trip, October 10 to 15.

January 29 to February 11, 2012 - Colombia Cauca
Valley Birding (14 Day Itinerary) with Lelis Navarrete.
Santa Marta extension to February 17. Private trip with
host (and likely to take clients).

February 18 to March 1, 2012 - Colombia Cauca Valley
Birding (13 Day Itinerary) with Lelis Navarrete. Santa
Marta extension to March 7.

March 8 to March 21, 2012 - Colombia Cauca Valley
Birding (14 Day Itinerary) with Alejandro Solano. Santa
Marta extension to March 27. Possibly join March 1 to 7
Santa Marta pre-trip from previous trip (as alternative).

May 6 to May 19, 2012 - Colombia Cauca Valley Birding
(14 Day Itinerary) with Alejandro Solano. Santa Marta
extension to May 25.

October 28 to November 10, 2012 - Colombia Cauca
Valley Birding (14 Day Itinerary) with Lelis Navarrete.
Santa Marta extension to November 16.

Also, please check with us to arrange a custom
group and/or to check on new dates for our
Colombia birding trips.

For More Information or to Register for this Trip, call Charles at 888-203-7464
or directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com.