Nature & Wildlife | Photography

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Bird Photography Tour | Colombia Endemics

Discover Colombia's avian treasures: photograph unique endemics in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on an expert-led tour.

Colombia Country
12 days Duration
Moderate Walking grade
Relax Schedule

Why Birdwatching in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Colombia is home to more bird species than any other country on Earth, with more than 1,900 recorded species—over a quarter of all bird species found worldwide. Yet among Colombia’s countless birding destinations, few rival the extraordinary diversity concentrated around the Caribbean coast.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the world’s highest coastal mountain range and one of the greatest centers of bird endemism on the planet. Rising directly from the Caribbean Sea to snow-capped peaks above 5,700 meters, this isolated mountain range has evolved independently from the Andes for millions of years, creating a remarkable collection of birds found nowhere else on Earth. More than 25 endemic species, including the Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Sabrewing and Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, make it a true pilgrimage site for birdwatchers.

But the true strength of this journey lies in exploring several complementary ecosystems, each with its own unique avifauna. Beyond the cloud forests of the Sierra Nevada, we’ll venture into the remote Serranía del Perijá, home to recently described endemics such as the Perijá Brushfinch and Perijá Tapaculo. Along the Caribbean coast, the wetlands of Los Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary offer exceptional opportunities to photograph flamingos, herons, shorebirds and migratory species, while the tropical forests and beaches of Tayrona National Park provide a spectacular transition between rainforest and coastline, attracting toucans, trogons, hummingbirds and countless Caribbean specialties.

Rather than focusing on a single reserve, this expedition has been carefully designed to showcase the remarkable ecological diversity of northern Colombia. From humid cloud forests and high-elevation páramo to dry tropical forests, coastal lagoons and Caribbean beaches, each habitat reveals a different community of birds. The result is an unforgettable birdwatching experience, combining world-class endemic species with an exceptional diversity of landscapes and photographic opportunities.

Expedition Highlights

Suitability & conditions

A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.

The journey at a glance

Following the route

The journey moves gradually through 5 chapters.

Route shown schematically for orientation.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1

Santa Marta – Minca

  • Arrival
  • Reception at the airport and meeting with your guide
  • Transfer Barranquilla –> Santa Marta
  • Transfer Santa Marta –> Minca
  • Transfer from Minca to Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Tour Orientation
  • Sunset at Mundo Nuevo Mirador (Photo Activity)
Overnight · Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge Meals · D
Day 2

Minca – Cerro Kennedy

  • Birdwatching in Mundo Nuevo
  • Hotel Check Out
  • Transfer Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge –> El Dorado Nature Reserve
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Hummingbird Feeders & Sunset at Cerro Kennedy
Overnight · El Dorado Nature Reserve Meals · B · L · D
Day 3

Cerro Kennedy – Minca

  • Sunrise at the top of the San Lorenzo Ridge (from Proaves)
  • Birding at La Laguna Sagrada
  • El Dorado Cloud Forest Descent Birding
  • Free Time
  • Hummingbird Feeders & Sunset at Cerro Kennedy
  • Night Walk Around El Dorado Lodge
Overnight · El Dorado Nature Reserve Meals · B · L · D
Day 4

Cerro Kennedy – Minca

  • Birding to La Cumbre Station
  • Free Time
  • Hummingbird Feeders & Sunset at Cerro Kennedy
  • Nocturnal Owl Search
Overnight · El Dorado Nature Reserve Meals · B · L · D
Day 5

Cerro Kennedy – Los Naranjos

  • Morning at the Lodge Feeders
  • White-tipped Quetzal Nesting Site
  • Transfer El Dorado Reserve –> Maloka Barlovento
  • Sunset photo Activity in Barlovento
Overnight · Maloka Barlovento Meals · B · L · D
Day 6

Zona Camping Parque El Tayrona – Tayrona Park – Los Naranjos

  • Transfer from Maloka Barlovento to Parqueadero Cañaveral Tayrona
  • Morning Birding in Tayrona National Park
  • Transfer from Parqueadero Cañaveral Tayrona to Maloka Barlovento
  • Free Time
Overnight · Maloka Barlovento Meals · L · D
Day 7

Don Diego, Mingueo-Santa Marta – Boca de Camarones

  • Hotel Check Out
  • Transfer from Maloka Barlovento to Don Diego
  • Boat tour on Rio Don Diego
  • Birdwatching walk at Taironaka
  • Transfer from Don Diego to Boca de Camarones
  • Wayuu Ceremonial Yona Dances
Overnight · Mar Azul Meals · B · L
Day 8

Boca de Camarones – Serranía del Perijá

  • Flamingo Boat Tour at Los Flamencos Sanctuary
  • Birdwatching (Cardinal) in Boca de Camarones
  • Hotel Check Out
  • Transfer Boca de Camarones –> Reserva ProAves Chamicero del Perijá
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Feeders & Forest Edge Birding
Overnight · Reserva ProAves Chamicero del Perijá Meals · B · D
Day 9

Serranía del Perijá

  • Birding the Perijá Highlands
  • Cloud Forest Exploration
Overnight · Reserva ProAves Chamicero del Perijá Meals · B · L · D
Day 10

Serranía del Perijá – Santa Marta – Taganga

  • Final Birding in Serranía del Perijá
  • Hotel Check Out
  • Transfer Serranía del Perijá –> Santa Marta
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Transfer from Santa Marta to Taganga
  • Sunset in Taganga
  • Transfer from Taganga to Santa Marta
Overnight · Camali Hotel Meals · B · L · D
Day 11

Muelle Nautico Pueblo Viejo – Nueva Venecia – Barranquilla

  • Transfer from Santa Marta to Muelle Nautico Pueblo Viejo
  • Transfer from Muelle Nautico Pueblo Viejo to Nueva Venecia
  • Nueva Venecia Boat Tour
  • Transfer from Nueva Venecia to Muelle Nautico Pueblo Viejo
  • Transfer Muelle Nautico Pueblo Viejo –> Barranquilla
  • Evening backup and image review
Overnight · GHL Hotel Barranquilla Meals · D
Day 12

Cienaga – Barranquilla Airport

  • Transfer Barranquilla –> Parque Isla de Salamanca
  • Birdwatching in Isla Salamanca
  • Transfer Parque Isla de Salamanca –> Barranquilla Airport
  • End of the Adventure
Meals · B

Target Species

A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.

Colombian Night Monkey - Cerro Kennedy, Magdalena, Colombia

Brumback’s night monkeys (Douroucouli)

Endemic
  • Minca, Cerro Kennedy
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Cerro Kennedy Magdalena Colombia

Yellow-crowned Whitestart

Endemic
  • Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge
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Santa Marta Antpitta

Endemic
  • El Dorado Reserve
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brazil trekking, culture and wildlife tour

Jaguar

  • Minca
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Black-and-white Owl

  • Minca
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Tropical Royal Flycatcher

  • Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge
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Collared Aracari - Minca, Magdalena, Colombia

Collared Aracari

  • Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge, Playa Arrecifes
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Red-legged Honeycreeper

  • Taironaka
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Swallow Tanager - Minca, Magdalena, Colombia

Swallow Tanager

  • Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge
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Whooping Motmot - Finca La Florida Birding, Cali, Valle Del Cauca, Colombia

Whooping Motmot

  • Taironaka
Discover
Keel-billed Toucan - Mundo Nuevo, Minca, Magdalena, Colombia

Keel-billed Toucan

  • El Dorado Reserve, Taironaka
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Lilac-tailed Parrotlet

  • Minca
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Long-billed Starthroat

  • Parque Isla de Salamanca
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Military Macaw

  • Taironaka
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Blue-naped Chlorophonia - Finca La Candelaria, Minca, Magdalena, Colombia

Blue-naped Chlorophonia

  • El Dorado Reserve, Chamicero del Perijá (Lodge)
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Accommodation

Where you’ll stay

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: 7.095 EUR (591 EUR/day)
  • Price for 3 to 4 people: 6.095 EUR (508 EUR/day)
  • Price for 5 to 6 people: 4.995 EUR (416 EUR/day)
  • Price for 7 to 8 people: 4.495 EUR (375 EUR/day)
* Price is indicated per person
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.

Single Supplement

  • 732 EUR
* Single supplement available upon request (subject to availability)

Included

  • Hotels mentioned in the program
    i
    Hotels mentioned in the program
    • Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge (Room) — 1 night · Ecolodge
    • El Dorado Nature Reserve — 3 nights · Ecolodge
    • Maloka Barlovento — 2 nights · Ecolodge
    • Mar Azul Playa y Turismo — 1 night · Bungalow
    • Reserva ProAves Chamicero del Perijá — 2 nights · Ecolodge
    • Camali Hotel — 1 night · Charming Hotel with Character
    • GHL Hotel Barranquilla — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
  • Local guides for selected activities
    i
    Local guides are included for
    • Minca
      • Birdwatching in Mundo Nuevo
    • Don Diego, Mingueo-Santa Marta
      • Boat tour on Rio Don Diego
    • Boca de Camarones
      • Wayuu Ceremonial Yona Dances
      • Flamingo Boat Tour at Los Flamencos Sanctuary
      • Birdwatching (Cardinal) in Boca de Camarones
    • Serranía del Perijá
      • Birding the Perijá Highlands
    • Nueva Venecia
      • Nueva Venecia Boat Tour
  • Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van, 4x4), as well as Local Taxi, Boat / Ferry
  • Meals indicated in the program: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunchs, 10 dinners
  • Entrance fees to: Tayrona Park
  • 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, day 8 and Departure day, Dinner on day 7
  • Tips
  • International flights
  • Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
  • Additional drinks and meals
  • Expenses not specified in the program
  • Camera Equipment

Deposit

  • 30% (1.559 EUR 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 ↗
Travel at a human pace

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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