an area of 7,949 acres where cloud forests and paramo are being protected. ... between 5,741 and 7,382 feet above sea le
East and Central Andes Birding Tour 10 days An exciting 10-day trip across the East and Central Andes of Colombia to discover the diversity of birdlife and culture of this spectacular region adorned by its astonishing mountains, coffee plantations, valleys and rivers. During this tour to Colombia, we will visit La Florida Regional Park, Chingaza Natural Park, Rio Blanco Reserve and Otun Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary Reserve, where we will have the opportunity to see some of the native and migratory bird species found in Colombia. We will also visit to the historic area of Bogota, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira and a traditional coffee plantation in the Coffee Region of Colombia to learn everything about the coffee-making process.
Highlights Natural Parks and Reserves:
From: 2,205 GBP pp* * Prices based on two people sharing accommodation
La Florida wetland: La Florida is a green haven of 198 acres inside the urban matrix of Bogota. At this park you will have the opportunity to see over 40 species, including endemic and threatened specialities.
Chingaza National Natural Park: Chingaza National Natural Park protects 190 000 acres of paramo, Andean
forests, and East Andean foothill forests. Most of the park is covered by the paramo ecosystem where you will find a great variety of birds including our national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). Rio Blanco Nature Reserve: Rio Blanco is an important conservation and IBA that is already recognised as one of the best birding sites in Colombia. The reserve has an altitudinal range of between 7,349 and 12,139 feet, covering an area of 7,949 acres where cloud forests and paramo are being protected. More than 335 species have been recorded here, including several endemics and endangered species. Otun Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary: This national protected area was created in 1996 and belongs to the "Bosques del Oriente de Risaralda" IBA (Important Bird Area). It is located on the west slope of the central Andes in an area well recognized for its biological richness and of course its birds. The sanctuary covers 1208 acres between 5,741 and 7,382 feet above sea level, where clouds drench the mountains with misty rains.
Cultural Activities and Places of Interest: Historic centre of Bogota: Bogota is the capital city of Colombia. Bogota's famous colonial neighbourhood of La
Candelaria contains most of the historic sites, museums and ancient churches. Practically every street corner in La Candelaria marks some important event in Colombian history. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral: The small town of Zipaquira is famous for its salt mines and for the Salt Cathedral now built inside the network of monumental chambers and tunnels that were left behind when commercial mining operations ceased. The walk-through Stations of the Cross in the mine are a poignant representation of Jesus' last steps, and they culminate in a three-part cavernous subterranean cathedral. Visit to a coffee plantation: During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a real functioning coffee farm to learn about the planting, picking, drying and roasting processes that culminate in your morning cup of coffee.
Details Included: Airports pick up and drop off, 9 nights' accommodation including: 4 nights in Bogota, 3 nights in Rio Blanco and 2 nights in Otun Quimbaya, domestic flights (Bogota - Manizales/ Armenia - Bogota), private ground transport, meals as defined in the itinerary, experienced local birding guides fluent in English, entry tickets to all natural parks and reserves mentioned in the itinerary, entry tickets to museums and touristic places mentioned in the itinerary
Not included: International flights, meals not listed in the itinerary, tips and other discretionary expenses
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Itinerary Day 1: Arrive to Bogota
Days 5 and 6: Birding at Rio Blanco
We will meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel in Bogota. Meals plan: Welcome dinner Overnight: Bogota
We will have two full days at the natural reserve of Rio Blanco, where we will to have the opportunity to see 5 species of Antpitta, hummingbirds such as Tourmaline Sunangel (Heliangelus exortis) and many others Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Lodge in Rio Blanco
Day 2: AM: Birding at La Florida wetland - PM: City Tour Bogota Today, we will visit La Florida Regional Park in Bogota to see some of the special endemic bird species found in this wetland, such as: Bogota Rail (Rallus semiplumbeus), Apolinar's Wren (Cistothorus apolinari apolinari) and Noble Snipe(Gallinago Nobilis). After we finish our visit to La Florida, we will visit the historic area of the city to admire the world's largest collection of preHispanic gold at the Gold Museum, check the artistic work of Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous painter and sculptor at the Museo Botero and capture the spectacular panoramic views of the city from the top of Cerro de Monserrate. Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Bogota
Day 3: Full day at Chingaza National Natural Park
Day 7: AM: Rio Blanco Nature Reserve. PM: Visit coffee plantation and then onto Otun Quimbaya. We will have the morning to do a bit more birding before starting our journey to Otun Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. On our way, we will stop at Hacienda Venecia to learn all the details of the coffee-making process, from planting the coffee beans all the way through the picking and roasting process. We will learn how to select and pick only the ripe coffee cherries and also how to taste and evaluate the coffee's quality, just like an expert coffee taster. Meals Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Lodge Otun Quimbaya
Day 8: Full day at Otun Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary reserve
We will spend the day at Chingaza National Natural Park located 2 hours north of Bogota. The park is adorned with cloud-covered landscapes and their emblematic "frailejones" that make up a lovely and unique site. We should see a great variety of birds hopefully including: Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii),Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Oroetus isidori) and our national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Bogota
We will spend the day at this beautiful flora and fauna sanctuary where clouds drench the mountains with misty rains and where there are more than 300 bird species tobe seen including: Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata), Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax), Sicklewinged Guan (Chamaepetes goudotii) and, many Tanagers and parrots. Meals Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Lodge Otun Quimbaya
Day 4: AM: Visit to Zipaquira Salt Cathedral PM: Rio Blanco reserve
We will have the morning at Otun Quimbaya before travelling to Bogota in the afternoon. If you wish to extent your tour to visit the Caribbean Coast of Colombia and do more birding there, instead of travelling to back to Bogota, please get in touch. Meals Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Bogota
After breakfast, we will start our trip to visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira. The Salt Cathedral is located 50km north of Bogota and was built within the tunnels of a old salt mine. The Cathedral is situated 180 meters underground and has three sections representing the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. Once we finish our visit to the cathedral, we will start our journey back to Bogota for an afternoon flight to Manizales. Upon arrival to Manizales, we will transfer to Rio Blanco Reserve. Meals plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Lodge in Rio Blanco
Day 9: AM: Otun Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary PM: Flight to Bogota
Day 10: End of the tour - Travel back home At the time requested, you will be taken to the airport for your international flight back home. Meals Plan: Breakfast
If you have any questions or just want to get in touch, please do not hesitate to contact us: London: Suite No.1425, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London, EC1 2NX
Bogota: Calle 59 # 56 - 63 Int 3 Of. 711, Bogota - Colombia.
Contact: Nidia Penagos Email:
[email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7884355226
Contact: Daniel Rodriguez Email:
[email protected] Tel: +57 310 865 0695
www.uncovercolombia.com
