Orinoco Birding Trip

Orinoco

Birding

Orinoco Birding

TRIP

Welcome to the hidden world for birdwatching in the eastern region of Colombia!

Stretching along 250 kilometers of the majestic Orinoco River, the Vichada department offers an unparalleled sanctuary for bird lovers.

Ecosystem to Visit:

Fakery forest, Amazon forest, red sand beaches, natural savanna.

Maximum group:

8 people + 1 expert guide.

Ease of Birding:

Mostly easy through hikes in the jungle with heat and high humidity.

Expected Weather

Warm and Humid, the dry season is from December to March .

Tour Difficulty:

Easy to moderate.

Birdwatching in the deep east of Colombia

From the mouth of the Guaviare River to the Meta River, this landscape boasts navigable waters, with the exception of the areas around the Atures and Maipures streams, which Humboldt considered the eighth wonder of the world.

With an astounding variety of approximately 650 bird species, the Orinoquia region has richness and diversity.

This bird paradise owes its allure to the abundance of plants and insects that thrive within its ecosystem, creating a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers!

Cejal Island - Orinoco Lodge, Vichada -Colombia

Itinerary

Day 1: Flight from Bogotá to Puerto Carreño and transfer to Orinoco Lodge

Day 2: Birding around the Tomo River

Day 3: Visit to Pedro Camejo Island and the Maipure rapids

Day 4: Birding around the Tuparro River

Day 5: Safari through savannahs and visit Rancho Barú

Day 6: Free morning & Flight from Puerto Carreño - Bogotá

SEE DETAILED ITINERARY

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival Day Flight from Bogota to Puerto Carreño and transfer to Terecai camp

You will take the flight from Bogotá to Puerto Carreño that takes about 1.5 hours.

One of our guides will be waiting for you at Puerto Carreño's airport and we will have lunch in a local restaurant.

It’s possible that we can see Crested Caracara and Tropical Mockingbird. (Depending on the flight arrival it’s possible that we should stay that night on Puerto Carreño)

We will have a 5 hour trip on our 4x4 landcruiser where we will cross over the Bita River and 100 km of natural Savannah During this trip we might see beautiful species such as Large-billed Tern, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Eared Dove and Southern Lapwing.

Our staff will be waiting to welcome you with an appetizer, the safety briefing and the whole instructions for this unique experience.v

Day 2: Birding around the Terecai river

After breakfast, we will explore the Terecai river with amazon jungle and natural savannah, to see species like: Crestless curassow, Southern lapwing, White-throated toucan, Golden-headed Manakin and Cinnamon woodpecker.

We can also record mammals of these ecosystems. Lunch and night at the caño Terecai Camp

Day 3 Safari in the Natural Savannah and switch to Orinoco lodge

Starting the day very early in the morning we are going to switch from Terecai Camp to Orinoco Lodge.

During the trip we will explore the Natural Savannah on our 4X4 Landcruiser until to arrive to Rancho Baru.

We will see waters springs and at the same time species such as Ferruginous Pygmy-owl, Sulphury Flycatcher, Gray Elaenia, South-america Snape, Red-and-green Macaw and Rufous-browed Peppershike

Once we get to Rancho Baru we will explore Caño Mesetas, and we will see more unique and wonderful species: Ringed kingfisher, Snowy egret, Ruddy pigeon, Southern lapwing and others.

Lunch at the Rancho Baru. At the end of the day, we will arrive at Garcita’s Village, here we will take the skiff to navigate for 25 minutes to get to The Orinoco Lodge where we will spend the rest of the trip.

Day 4: Birding along the Tomo River

We will leave the lodge at 6:00 and we will have our trip on our skiff during 1 hour.

We will be visiting the Tomo River which is located at the edge of The National Park El Tuparro, and also the Caño Peinillas.

This place will offer us a delicious and refreshing bath in the watercourse with crystal clear waters. This day we will be able to see Violaceus Jay, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Green-tailed Jacamar, Black-collared Hawk, Yellow-crowned Manakin and Gray-fronted dove

Day 5 Exploring the Maipures’ rapids

We will leave the lodge at 6:00 am and we will head towards the Maipures streams.

During our trip over the rocks jutting out of the river we might see Large-billed Tern, Black Skimmer, Snowy Egret and Little-blue Heron.

Upon reaching the rapids of the Maipures, we will walk a few meters to an island where we can find interesting species such as Brown-crested flycatcher, Neotropic cormorant, Glittering-throated Hummingbird and Squirrel cuckoo.

We will have a special lunch time where our chef will surprise us with one of his best preparation at the edge of the river Here we will have a camping lunch and after to enjoy this magic place with a relaxing time, we will continue with an exciting hike to the rock formations of the Guiana shield

Day 6: Birding around the Tuparro River

We will take the skiff at 6:00am to go to Tuparro River where we can find beautiful species and we will have the opportunity to cross near the indigenous community.

During our trip we can see Black-and-white Hawk-eagle, Black-collared Hawk, Muscovy Duck, Pied Lapwing, Amazonian-black Tyrant, Ruddy Pigeon, White-throated Toucan, Cobalt-winged Parakeet and Yellow-crowned Manakin We will return to the lodge at the end of the day

Day 7 Trekking around the Tambora Lagoons

Very early in the morning we will be boarding the Orinoco River until to arrive at Tambora.

During the trekking we will find species like Squirrel cuckoo, Fasciated tiger-heron, Yellow-crowned Manakin, yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Turquoise Tanager and Olivaceous Saltator.

We will drive our skiff to explore the savannah and some lagoons that we will find on the way

Day 8: Returning day to Puerto Carreño and Bogotá

Very early in the morning we will making the check out and we will go from Garcitas to Puerto Carreño to take the flight to Bogotá

Close Detailed Itinerary

Next Dates

Nov 10 | Night at Marriott Courtyard Bogota

Nov 11 | Flight Bogotá - Puerto Carreño and transfer to Orinoco Lodge.

Nov 12 - Nov 15 | Bird Expedition

Nov 16 | Free morning and Flight back to Bogotá

Dec 1 | Night at Marriott Courtyard Bogota

Dec 2 | Flight Bogotá - Puerto Carreño and transfer to Orinoco Lodge.

Dec 3 - Dec 6 | Bird Expedition

Dec 7 | Free morning and Flight back to Bogotá

Prices

The price per person includes:

2 nights at Marriott Courtyard in Bogotá - Double occupancy (one night before the trip & one at the end)
Transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport
4 Nights in Orinoco Lodge
1 Night at Puerto Carreño
Domestic flight round trip ( Bogotá - Puerto Carreño)
Transfers to the lodge and activities
Full meals, Snacks, and Soft Drinks
Professional and bilingual guide all the time
Basic Travel Insurance

Price does not include:

Meals for the first and last night in Bogotá
Tips (recommended 10% of the total amount of the trip)
International Flights
Additional baggage fees are not included and must be paid in cash in local currency.

Trip Gallery

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Important Trip Info

Commercial establishments in Colombia cannot receive USD/EUR due to exchange restrictions for locals, please make sure to have Colombian pesos when buying locally.

No cell connection on the river but sometimes guests will have access to a satellite phone if an emergency arises.

Currency: Colombian Peso. Please make sure you bring enough to settle extra expenses in town and tips. Tips can be done in Dollars, but pesos are more convenient for the staff.

Wilderness camping: While we try to make the lodge as comfortable as possible, guests are advised that this trip is aimed at the adventurous with a bare minimum level of ﬁtness required.

A 50% deposit is required to book and the balance to be paid 45 days before the trip.

It is important that clients have adequate travel and medical insurance that includes Medical Evacuation from point of Injury. Global Rescue offers the most comprehensive and inclusive insurance.

Cancelation Procedure

Cancellation by client: Cancellation notification must be in writing and is effective from the date it is received by Colombian Safaris.

If Colombian Safaris has more than 180 days notice, deposit is returned except for a 10% admin fee will apply.

If Colombian Safaris has between 179 and 91 days notice, 70% of tour costs are forfeited, unless the client can ﬁnd a replacement. In which case a 10% admin fee will apply.

If Colombian Safaris has less than 90 days notice, 100% of our costs are forfeited, unless the client can ﬁnd a replacement in which case a 10% admin fee will apply.

If you fail to join a tour, or join after departure, or leave prior to its completion, no reimbursement whatsoever will be made.

In the event of force majeure, fortuitous event or incapacity of the holder of the reservation or a relative in the ﬁrst degree of consanguinity. The request for exoneration must be accompanied by the corresponding support (s) and submitted within 15 current days from the initial date of the trip, otherwise the established policies apply.

Ready FOR an extraordinary wildlife adventure?