Colombia – Llanos Wildlife Journey

Arrive in Bogotá, Colombia, an exciting gateway for first-time visitors and a welcome return for seasoned travelers. You will be met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable hotel. Enjoy time at leisure to relax and settle in before a briefing on your upcoming Llanos adventure. (No meals included). Overnight at  Movich Buró 26 Hotel.

Enjoy a full day of birding in the Andean highlands surrounding Bogotá, exploring the scenic eastern slopes where several range-restricted species can be found. The primary habitat we will visit is the vast páramo, high-altitude grasslands home to a remarkable array of unique species. Highlights may include the endemic Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Muisca Antpitta, as well as other specialties such as Matorral Tapaculo, Golden-faced Whitestart, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, and Black-billed Mountain-Toucan.

In the afternoon, we will visit a renowned hummingbird garden, offering excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of species. Possible sightings include Longuemare’s Sunangel, Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Purple-backed Thornbill, Shining Sunbeam, and Great Sapphirewing.

Additional species throughout the day may include Andean Siskin, Black-headed Hemispingus, Rufous Antpitta, Noble Snipe, Black-backed Grosbeak, Rufous-browed Conebill, Eastern Meadowlark, White-chinned Thistletail, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Plumbeous Sierra Finch, and many more. Overnight at Movich Buró 26 Hotel. (B, L, D)

As is customary, we will take advantage of our hotel’s proximity to the legendary wetlands of La Florida, a renowned city park in Bogotá. Key species to look for here include Bogotá Rail, Spot-flanked Gallinule, Noble Snipe, Andean Duck, Andean Teal, and Andean Ruddy Duck (ssp. andina). With some luck, we may even encounter a pair of Rufous-browed Conebills.

After this rewarding birding stop, we will take a short flight to Yopal, the capital of Casanare and our gateway to the famous Llanos. Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to the nearby Cumbres homestead. Ideally located in the foothills, the lodge offers a perfect setting to relax in the afternoon and begin exploring the surrounding birdlife at a leisurely pace.

Overnight at Casa Cumbres Ecolodge. (B, L, D)

We begin the day at sunrise, when parrots and nightjars call during the magical transition between night and morning. We will explore the lodge grounds in search of the uncommon Band-tailed Guan and the range-restricted Rufous-vented Chachalaca. Along the way, we may also encounter Amazonian Motmot, Crested Oropendola, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Orange-winged Parrot, and many more.

After lunch, we will make our first visit to the nearby Primavera Road, a renowned birding hotspot with an impressive list of over 350 species. Highlights may include Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Spangled Coquette, Moustached Puffbird, Rusty-winged Antwren, and Violaceous Jay.

After a rewarding day of birding, we return to the family-owned Casa Cumbres Ecolodge, for a relaxing evening. (B, L, D)

Today is dedicated to a full day of birding along the renowned Primavera Road, one of the region’s top birding hotspots. We will explore all the way to the end of the road, searching for specialties such as Striated Manakin, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Yellow-legged Thrush, Capped Heron, Pectoral Sparrow, Golden-crowned Warbler, Swallow Tanager, and Blue-necked Tanager—a distinctive green-bellied form of the Bay-headed Tanager. Honeycreepers, Dacnis, and many other species further enrich this impressive bird list.

This area is also known for its raptors, including the Black Hawk-Eagle and Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, which we will be actively scanning for throughout the day, along with the rarer Orange-breasted Falcon. Overnight atCasa Cumbres Ecolodge. (B, L, D)

Early in the morning, we will make one final stop along the lower section of Primavera Road, offering additional opportunities to spot new or previously missed target species. We then continue our journey into the vast Llanos plains, birding along the way as we head toward our lodge at Hato (Ranch) El Encanto.

Wildlife becomes increasingly abundant and easy to observe in this region. During our journey, we can expect to encounter a variety of wetland species, including Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Brazilian Teal, Pied Lapwing, Glossy Ibis, Wattled Jacana, and -with some luck- our first Orinoco Goose. (B, L, D)

Birding in the Llanos is both exciting and highly rewarding, and we will use safari-style vehicles to make the most of our time in the field. At sunrise, the prime time for wildlife activity, we will scan the vast plains in search of the iconic Giant Anteater. Today’s birding highlights may include the distinctive Sharp-tailed Ibis, White-bearded Flycatcher, Sunbittern, Scarlet Ibis, the fast-moving White-fringed Antbird, Limpkin, and King Vulture. The llanos are also home to large populations of Capybaras, offering excellent opportunities to observe them alongside associated birdlife such as Cattle Tyrant, Whistling Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, and the impressive Jabiru Stork. Wetland edges are often teeming with birdlife, including flocks of White-faced Whistling-Duck, Orinoco Goose, Yellow-billed Tern, Large-billed Tern, and Black Skimmer. Additional species in the area may include Dwarf Cuckoo, Venezuelan Troupial, Black-crested Antshrike, Scaled Piculet, Oriole Blackbird, Burnish-buff Tanager, Orange-fronted Yellow Finch, and many more. Overnight at Hato (Ranch) El Encanto. (B, BL, D)

This morning, we set out early in search of one of the region’s most sought-after species—the elusive Crestless Curassow, typically seen alone or in pairs foraging on the forest floor. We will use our final hours in the Llanos to look for any additional or previously missed species.

Another exciting highlight is the chance to encounter the impressive Anaconda, the largest snake in South America, which can occasionally be observed in this region. Other commonly seen species include groups of Crested Bobwhite, Masked Cardinal, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, and the tiny Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant.

After lunch, we will transfer to Cumbres Hotel or to the airport in Yopal for onward arrangements. (B, L)

(Hotel accommodation and flights not included.)