sea level, this green paradise in the Savanna of Bogota is the home of more than 70 bird species, including ... this nat
Eastern Andes Tour: Surroundings of Bogota 6 days Aiming to see a great number of bird species found in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, this birding tour has been carefully designed to cover a diverse variety of ecosystems surrounding the capital city of Bogota, including: wetlands, páramo and mountain forest with average altitudes between 2,700 meters and 3,900mts above sea level. We will spend time birding at the stunning National Natural Park Chingaza, La Florida and Encenillo Biological Reserve as well as other nature reserves located on the eastern cordillera of the Andes, where you will have the opportunity to see an important concentration of endemic and threatened specialities.
Highlights Natural Parks and Reserves:
From: 845 GBP pp* * Prices based on two people sharing accommodation
Pionono Ecological Park: This place is a valuable forest reserve with approximately 1,860 acres protected areas of páramo and High Andean Forest. With a maximum height of 3,250 meters above sea level, this green paradise in the Savanna of Bogota is the home of more than 70 bird species, including endemic and migratory species that come here every year from October to March.
Encenillo Biological Reserve: This reserve is located between 2,799 meters and 3,200 meters above sea level, with a total area of 482 acres, where at least 3333 acres are covered by high Andean forest. This reserve is an ideal place to see over 70 bird species, including some endemic and threatened specialties.
La Florida wetland: La Florida is a green heaven 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 páramo and Andean forests. Most of the park is covered by the páramo ecosystem where you will find a great variety of birds including our national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).
Cultural Activities and Places of Interest:
Zipaquira Salt Cathedral: The small town of Zipaquira is famous for its salt mines and for the Salt Cathedral. The Salt Cathedral was 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 threepart cavernous subterranean cathedral.
Details Included: Airports pick up and drop off, 5 nights' accommodation, 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. Not included: International flights, meals not listed in the itinerary, tips and other discretionary expenses
www.uncovercolombia.com
Itinerary Day 1: Transfer to Sopó or Guasca At the time requested, we will pick you up at the airport or at your hotel in Bogotá to transfer you to Sopó or Guasca. Included meals: Dinner Overnight: Sopó or Guasca. Day 2: AM: Birding at Pionono Ecological Park and Quimza Nature Reserve PM: Birding at Tomine Wetland After an early breakfast, we will visit Pionono Ecological Park and Quimza Nature Reserve. These nature reserves are refuge for more than 70 bird species, including endemic and migratory birds from October to March. During your visit to these spectacular natural places, you will have the opportunity to see some of the birds registered in there such as: Spinetail Silvery-throated (Synallaxis subpudica), Rufousbrowed Conebill (Conirostrum rufum), Sword Billed Hummingbird forests (Ensifera ensifera). Also, when walking across the forest, we may be able to admire Chestnut -crowned antpitta (Grallaria blakei), some mountain tanagers and several hummingbirds at the feeders strategically placed along the way. After our visit to Pionono Ecological Park and Quimza Nature Reserve, we will drive to Tomine wetland, where you may spot Bogotá rail (Rallus semiplumbeus) and spot -flanked gallinule (Porphyriops melanops). Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Sopo or Guasca Day 3: AM: Birding at Encenillo Nature Reserve PM: Visit to Visit to Patano de Martos in Guatavita Very early in the morning will visit the Encenillo Nature Reserve, where we will have the chance to see some of the 73 bird species registered in this area. In the afternoon, we will also visit the Pantano de Martos, a large subalpine peatland situated some kilometres east of the famous town of Guatavita. In these area, we will be able to see various species of Trochilidae, Thraupidae and Tyrannidae.
On our way back to the hotel, we will stop at La Grata Mira, where we will admire some beautiful wild turkeys. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Sopo or Guasca Day 4: AM: Day trip to Chingaza National Park We will spend the day at Chingaza National Natural Park, located 2 hours north of Bogota. At this natural park adorned with cloud-covered landscapes and their emblematic "frailejones", we will have the chance to see a great variety of birds including: Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii), Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Oroetus isidori) and our national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Sopo or Guasca Day 5: AM: Visit to La Florida Regional Natural Park PM: Visit to Zipaquirá Salt Catedral and welfare dinner at Sopó Early in the morning, we will visit La Florida Regional Park in Bogota to see some of the special endemic bird species found in this area, 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 go for lunch before starting our tour 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 go back to our hotel for a farewell dinner. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Overnight: Sopo or Guasca Day 6: Return to Bogotá After breakfast we will return to Bogotá and will we take you to your hotel or to the airport for your flight to the next destination. Included meals: 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 Contact: Nidia Penagos Email:
[email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7884355226
www.uncovercolombia.com
Bogota: Calle 59 # 56 - 63 Int 3 Of. 711, Bogota - Colombia. Contact: Daniel Rodriguez Email:
[email protected] Tel: +57 310 865 0695
