Classic Bolivia Birding: Endemics & Regional Specialities
A 19-day small-group birding tour across Bolivia's major biogeographical zones, from the Pantanal-like Llanos de los Moxos to the high Andes, built around the Blue-throated Macaw and a rich suite of endemics.
A 19-day small-group birding tour across Bolivia’s major biogeographical zones, from the Pantanal-like Llanos de los Moxos to the high Andes. The route begins with the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw, climbs into the Andean foothill cloudforests of Amboro, crosses the dry inter-montane valleys to the Cochabamba basin for the Quillacolla and Chapare Roads, and finishes at altitude with the Sorata dry valley, a Giant Coot lake and Lake Titicaca.
Why This Tour: Bolivia from Lowlands to High Andes
This 19-day route is built around Bolivia’s changeable bird habitats rather than one single reserve. It begins around Santa Cruz and the Llanos de los Moxos, where palm savanna, wetlands and gallery woodland support species such as Blue-throated Macaw and Orinoco Goose.
From there, the itinerary crosses Amboró and the dry inter-Andean valleys before reaching the Cochabamba basin, the Chapare gradient and the Yungas. It finishes around Sorata and Lake Titicaca, with high-Andean lakes and puna landscapes adding a very different group of birds.
The appeal is the continuity of the journey: one country, several regional specialities, and enough time to see how bird communities change with elevation, vegetation and climate.
Expedition Highlights
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Seasonality
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 6 chapters.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Detailed itinerary
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Arrive in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and take the included airport transfer to your hotel, the starting point for the tour. Settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening, with a generic dinner available at an additional cost of 35 USD. Your hotel in Santa Cruz serves as the base for the night before the journey continues. This easy introduction lets you adjust to the pace and setting, with the transfer and accommodation arranged so you can focus on the experiences ahead.
Key activities
Trinidad
Begin with breakfast before morning birding in Cerrado-like savanna near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where grassy plains, sand dunes, bushy scrub, trees and pools offer chances to search weedy areas for the restricted-range White-bellied Nothura and near-endemic Bolivian Slaty Antshrike. After a local market lunch, take an afternoon flight from Santa Cruz de la Sierra to Trinidad in Beni province, the gateway to the Llanos de los Moxos. Dinner and a hotel in Trinidad close the day.
Key activities
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Cerrado-like Savanna Birding near Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Trinidad
Breakfast is included before a focused Blue-throated Macaw search along Loreto Road, where palm savanna and gallery woodland may also reveal Blue-and-yellow, Red-and-green, Golden-collared and Chestnut-fronted Macaws. A local market lunch is available before birding the Trinidad wetlands, with marshes, oxbow lakes, meadows and gallery woodland offering Orinoco Goose, Hudson’s Black Tyrant, Plain Softtail and Fawn-breasted Wren, plus possible Capybaras. Dinner and a hotel in Trinidad complete the day.
Key activities
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Loreto Road Blue-throated Macaw Search
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Trinidad Wetlands Birding
Trinidad – Santa Cruz de la Sierra
After breakfast, explore the Trinidad Wetlands, where marshes, oxbow lakes, open meadows and gallery woodland around Trinidad offer classic Llanos de los Moxos birding. Look for Orinoco Goose, Hudson’s Black Tyrant, Plain Softtail and Fawn-breasted Wren, with Capybaras and other conspicuous mammals possible. Enjoy a generic lunch in a local market before a flight from Trinidad to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, closing the Llanos de los Moxos leg of the route. Dinner and a hotel in Santa Cruz follow.
Key activities
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Trinidad Wetlands Birding
Samaipata
Transfer from Santa Cruz de la Sierra into the southeastern sector of Amboró National Park, where the Andes form the Codo de los Andes and multiple ecoregions converge. Birding stops begin within an hour of departure, then a picnic breakfast beside a rushing river precedes a forest hike and a 4-wheel-drive transfer to Refugio Los Volcanes, an eco-lodge near Samaipata beneath red sandstone pinnacles. Trails around the lodge and the entrance road offer dawn chorus birding, tanager and spinetail flocks, a waterfall site, and deeper walks into Amboró’s forested slopes.
Key activities
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Refugio Los Volcanes Birding Trails
Samaipata
Start with breakfast before exploring the Refugio Los Volcanes Birding Trails, where dawn chorus brings Gray-throated Leaftosser, Rufescent Screech-Owl, Yungas Manakin and possible Bolivian Recurvebill. The entrance road offers easy birding, while deeper trails in Amboró National Park reveal waterfalls, monkeys and rich biodiversity. After a local market lunch, return for Night Birding in the Forests around Los Volcanes, listening for Band-bellied Owl, Rufous Nightjar and Ocellated Poorwill. Dinner at the eco-lodge near Samaipata ends the day.
Key activities
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Refugio Los Volcanes Birding Trails
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Night Birding in the Forests around Los Volcanes
Samaipata
A morning climb into higher-elevation forest targets the Short-tailed Antthrush, followed by a crater lake that usually holds Masked Duck family parties. After lunch in a local market, birding continues through an Andean farming valley of cultivated and fallow fields, scrub and deciduous woodland, where rare Mitred Parakeets move through cornfield country. Leaving Refugio Los Volcanes by 4-wheel drive, the route descends to an air-conditioned bus and on to Samaipata, stopping at the ancient Inca site of El Fuerte de Samaipata. As the Andes rise, the landscape grows drier, with cacti and acacias, and birding stops seek Red-faced Guan, Rothschild’s Swift, Tataupa Tinamou, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Sooty-fronted Spinetail and Black-and-Chestnut Warbling Finch.
Key activities
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Higher-elevation Forest and Crater Lake Birding
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Andean Farming Valley Birding to Samaipata
Saipina
Birding begins in a remnant Podocarpus forest, a habitat for the Tucuman Amazon and Red-faced Guan found only here and in northwest Argentina. After an included breakfast and a lunch stop at a local market, the route continues from Samaipata to Saipina, driving into the Rio Mizque floodplain with birding among open scrubby hills along the way. The day ends in Saipina, a base for the Red-fronted Macaw reserve and the Rio Mizque floodplain, with dinner and an overnight hotel stay.
Key activities
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Podocarpus Forest Remnant Birding
Saipina – Comarapa – Omereque
Visit the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve in the Rio Mizque valley, a tranquil home of the rare Red-fronted Macaw and endemic Cliff Parakeet, seen crossing between feeding and roosting areas. After breakfast, transfer from the Red-fronted Macaw Lodge toward Comarapa, travelling through the Cochabamba Valley, Inter-Andean Dry Valleys and Serrano Chaco, with roadside stops for species you may have missed. Pause at the Jardín de Cactáceas Reserve, a Key Biodiversity Area, to observe birds and cacti before continuing through Bolivia’s rich agricultural region to simple, comfortable lodging in Comarapa or Omereque.
Key activities
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Red-fronted Macaw Reserve (Rio Mizque)
Comarapa – Samaipata – Omereque
Birding around Comarapa and the Tambo Canyons takes in deep red and orange canyons in cactus-covered hills, where the endemic Bolivian Earthcreeper is sought, followed by an evening search for Scissor-tailed Nightjar and Tropical Screech Owl. The route continues into Siberia Cloudforest along the Amboro boundary, with tall epiphyte-laden forest on the high ridge targeting the endemic Rufous-faced Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, Violet-throated Starfrontlet and Bolivian Brushfinch. Breakfast is included, with lunch at a local market and dinner, before an overnight stay in Comarapa or Omereque.
Key activities
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Comarapa and Tambo Canyons Birding
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Siberia Cloudforest Birding (Amboro boundary)
Cochabamba
After an included breakfast, travel from Comarapa toward Cochabamba via the Siberia watershed, crossing into dry valleys with birding stops along the way. Search Polylepis gullies for the endemic Black-hooded Sunbeam, Wedge-tailed Hillstar and Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager. Pause for a lunch in a local market, then continue the long drive to Cochabamba, arriving for dinner and an overnight hotel stay in the city.
Key activities
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Siberia Watershed and Dry-valley Birding to Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Breakfast starts the day before heading onto the Quillacolla Road above the Cochabamba valley, climbing past Cerro Tunari toward a 4000m pass. Targets include the endemic Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Giant Conebill, Wedge-tailed Hillstar and high-Andean boulder-field birds. After a market lunch, late afternoon brings birding at a high-altitude lake rich in waterfowl such as White-tufted and Silvery Grebes, Red Shoveler, Puna and Cinnamon Teals, Rosy-billed Pochard, Andean Duck, Andean Lapwing and Wren-like Rushbird. Dinner and a Cochabamba hotel follow.
Key activities
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Quillacolla Road Birding above the Cochabamba valley
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High-altitude Lake Birding near the Quillacolla Road
Cochabamba – Villa Tunari
Climb the Chapare Road out of the Cochabamba valley, moving from puna through elfin, temperate and subtropical forests toward Villa Tunari. This full day of birding suits specialists seeking species such as Hooded Mountain Toucan, Upland Antshrike and Yungas Tody-Tyrant. Breakfast is included, with a lunch stop at a local market and dinner later. The day ends with a hotel stay in Cochabamba.
Key activities
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Chapare Road Birding from puna to subtropical forest
Cochabamba – Villa Tunari
Bird along the Chapare Road as it climbs out of the Cochabamba valley through puna and descends through elfin, temperate and subtropical forests toward Villa Tunari. This varied route offers chances to look for specialists such as Hooded Mountain Toucan, Upland Antshrike and Yungas Tody-Tyrant. Breakfast is included, with a lunch stop in a local market and dinner later, returning to a hotel in Cochabamba.
Key activities
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Chapare Road Birding from puna to subtropical forest
La Paz – Copacabana
Birding near Cochabamba targets the endemic Bolivian Blackbird and range-restricted Brown-backed Mockingbird, followed by a puna drive toward La Paz. Stops along the way offer chances for Ornate Tinamou, White-winged Cinclodes and Puna Yellow Finch. The long drive from Cochabamba to La Paz crosses puna habitat, arriving in the highest capital city on earth. Breakfast is included, with a local market lunch and dinner available, and an overnight hotel in La Paz or Copacabana.
Key activities
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Cochabamba Blackbird Search and Puna Drive to La Paz
Coroico – La Paz
After breakfast, drive from La Paz to Coroico via the Coroico Road, dropping from the high puna pass through cloudforest with birding stops along the way. Begin with high-Andean birding at La Cumbre, then continue to middle-elevation Yungas forest around Coroico, searching for the restricted-range Diademed Tapaculo and near-endemic Scimitar-winged Piha alongside Long-tailed Sylph, Andean Solitaire and Plushcap. Pause for lunch at a local market and end the day with dinner and a hotel stay in Coroico.
Key activities
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La Cumbre High-Andean Birding
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Middle-elevation Yungas Forest Birding (Coroico)
Coroico
Breakfast is included before heading into the middle-elevation Yungas forest at Coroico, a key stop for restricted-range birds such as Diademed Tapaculo and the uncommon near-endemic Scimitar-winged Piha. Birders can also look for Long-tailed Sylph, Andean Solitaire and Plushcap among the forest trails. A lunch stop at a local market and dinner round out the day, with an overnight stay at a hotel in Coroico. It is a focused day of cloud-forest birding and easy village time.
Key activities
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Middle-elevation Yungas Forest Birding (Coroico)
Coroico – Sorata
Birding along the Coroico Road takes you from a high puna pass through cloudforest into verdant subtropical forest, revisiting Yungas specialities along the way. A market lunch in a local setting is followed by a drive that returns to La Paz and continues to Sorata, a town at the base of the Illampa mountains. Dinner and a good-to-medium standard hotel in Sorata round out the day, setting up the final day’s dry-valley and high-altitude lake birding.
Key activities
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Coroico Road Birding (Yungas gradient)
Sorata – Copacabana – La Paz
Start with an included breakfast before searching the dry valley below the Illampa mountains for the localised Berlepsch’s Canastero, known for its large stick nests in taller eucalyptus. A high-altitude lake adds Giant Coot and Silvery Grebe. After a local market lunch, scan Lake Titicaca’s reed edges for Titicaca Grebe, Andean Goose, Crested Duck, Plumbeous Rail and other high-Andean waterbirds, with Puna Snipe a fortunate possibility. The route then continues to La Paz airport for a late afternoon departure.
Key activities
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Sorata Berlepsch’s Canastero Search
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Lake Titicaca Grebe Scan
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Gallery
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 11.395 USD (600 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 9.795 USD (516 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 7.895 USD (416 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 6.895 USD (363 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Hotel in Santa Cruz (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Trinidad (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Refugio Los Volcanes — 2 nights · Ecolodge
- Hotel in Samaipata (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Saipina (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Comarapa or Omereque (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Cochabamba (TBD) — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in La Paz or Copacabana (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Coroico (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Sorata (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van)
- Meals indicated in the program: 18 breakfasts, 18 lunchs, 18 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (2.369 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
Services to Expect
Accommodation and Travel Rhythm
This is a broad regional route, so accommodation changes as the itinerary moves from Santa Cruz and Trinidad through Amboró, the dry valleys, Cochabamba, the Yungas and the highlands. Most nights are based in local hotels, with the named Refugio Los Volcanes providing a different lodge setting during the Amboró section.
The days combine birding with the practical work of crossing Bolivia: flights between Santa Cruz and Trinidad, long road sections, early departures and stops chosen for habitat as well as for rest. The route is not designed around one permanent base or a single style of accommodation.
Some hotels remain to be confirmed in the current itinerary. Treat the final accommodation list and room arrangements supplied before departure as the reference for the specific journey.
Practical Information
Altitude and Acclimatization in Bolivia
The route rises gradually from the lowlands around Santa Cruz and Trinidad into the Andes, then reaches high roads and lakes around Cochabamba, Sorata and Lake Titicaca. Several days include birding at or near 4,000 metres, where a short walk can feel very different from the same walk at lower elevation.
Arrive rested, walk at the guide’s pace and drink regularly. The itinerary allows the body to adjust as the landscape changes, but altitude affects people differently and cannot be removed from the journey. Discuss any relevant medical concerns with a qualified professional before travelling.
Early starts, cold mornings, strong sun and long drives are part of the rhythm. The best approach is to stay flexible, conserve energy between sightings and tell the guide promptly if you feel unwell.
What Kind of Birding Is Included?
Expect a varied birding rhythm: roadside stops, short walks, longer habitat sessions and days when the route itself is part of the experience. Early starts are important for bird activity, while some afternoons combine another outing with a flight or a long transfer.
The itinerary includes wetlands and palm savanna around Trinidad, forest trails at Refugio Los Volcanes, dry valleys and macaw country near the Río Mizque, high-elevation roads above Cochabamba, the Chapare descent and Yungas forest around Coroico. Targets are drawn from the habitats visited, but sightings remain dependent on weather, access and bird behaviour.
This is a birding tour with photography welcome throughout, not a dedicated hide-based photography workshop. The guide will help the group balance patient observation, movement along the route and time to work with the light.
Respectful Birding and Local Communities
The route passes through landscapes used and cared for by local communities. Ask before photographing people or private activities, follow local guidance, and allow the guide to explain when access or a particular stop needs to be handled with care.
Keep voices low around birds, avoid playback unless the guide specifically recommends it, and do not press closer when a bird is unsettled. Good field behaviour protects the quality of the encounter and leaves the same places workable for the people and guides who return after us.
Conditions and local arrangements can change. The guide’s briefing on the day is the reference for where to walk, when to wait and how to move through each site.
What to Bring for Bolivia Birding
Pack for a long route that moves from warm lowland landscapes to cold, exposed Andean passes. Lightweight layers, a waterproof and windproof outer layer, sun protection, a warm hat and comfortable walking shoes will be more useful than a large collection of specialist clothing.
For birding, bring binoculars, a field guide or offline reference, spare batteries, memory cards and a small daypack for water, personal medication and an extra layer. A camera with a versatile telephoto lens is helpful, but keep the whole setup light: there are long road sections, uneven ground and high-altitude walks.
Protect equipment from dust, rain and condensation, and keep essential items with you rather than in checked luggage. The final packing list should follow the confirmed departure arrangements and current accommodation details.
Detailed Trip Notes, including practical tips, cultural insights, and a complete packing list will be sent to you 60 days before departure.
Booking this tour means you agree to our full Terms and Conditions. Below is a summary of the key points. As life is unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.
- Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable for 7 days (less transaction fees), after which it becomes a non-refundable credit, transferable to a future tour offered by Remote Expeditions within 4 years of the cancellation date, less any non-recoverable costs already paid on your behalf.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour begins.
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: You will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the 30% deposit. Your deposit will be converted into a travel credit valid for 4 years on a future tour Remote Expeditions.
- Cancellation within 90 days of departure: 100% of the tour price is forfeited. There are no refunds or credits.
* This is a summary only. Please read our complete
Terms and Conditions
for full details before booking.
** We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Your Tour Guide
Tristan Quevilly
Tristan has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked all Guatemala, trekked alone across the Triglav in Slovenia, travelled through all the Amazon by boat. He also has worked and leaded tours in Senegal, Morroco, Croatia, Greece, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and many more. Remote Expeditions is the fruit of his love for people and travel.
- Nationality: French
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
- Guiding since: 2003
- Specialties: Photography, Trekking, Indigenous Communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
