BIRDING FOR PEACE
THE ANCHICAYA VALLEY, THE COLOMBIAN MASSIF AND PUTUMAYO
Colombia has been undergoing a very positive transformation in the past decade, and with the recent signing of a historic peace treaty we now have relatively unexplored areas opening up to bird tourism. We have chosen to highlight some of these areas, known as peace destinations, to offer a chance at some of the most sought-after birds in Colombia. The Anchicaya Valley on the Pacific Slope, the paramo ecosystems of the Colombian Massif, and the Amazonian piedmont of the Putumayo region.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bird the trampoline of diversity road for 2 days, enjoying an elevation gradient of 1,800 m (6,000 ft).
- Explore the San Agustin Archeological park, where the added bonus is 2 endemics: Dusky-headed Brush-finch and Colombian Chachalaca.
- See Andean Condors up close in the paramo of Purace National Park.
- Bird the Anchicaya Watershed, an area that inspired the first Bird ID guide for South America.
- Enjoy the feeders at KM 18, where more than 22 species of hummingbirds have been recorded.
- Visit an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek that is only a 20 minute hike.
- Take an exhilarating rail ride in the Pacific Lowlands where you will bird close to sea level in search of lowland species.
- Visit the surreal Paramo Ecosystem where you will bird above 3,500 meters in search of the rae Chestnut-bellied Cotinga and Masked Mountain-tanager
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Cali
Day 2: Cali – Pance River - Popayan
Day 3: Purace National Park
Day 4: Patia Valley and Besuaco Road
Day 5: Bordoncillo Paramo
Day 6: La Cocha Lagoon
Day 7 - 8: Trampoline of Diversity
Day 9: Mocoa Area
Day 10: Mocoa – San Agustin
Day 11: San Agustin
Day 12: San Agustin and Pitalito-Cali flight
Day 13: Km 18
Day 14: Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek and San Antonio Forest
Day 15: Anchicaya Watershed
Day 16: San Cipriano
Day 17: Depart Cali