A comprehensive exploration of the Sierra Nevada’s premier birding hotspots

Sierra Nevada Special Endemic Tour

Explore this extraordinary set of ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta — from the foothills around Minca at 600+ meters to the cloud forests rising above 2,800 meters.

This compact mountain range holds 640+ recorded bird species — nearly 35% of Colombia’s avifauna — including 24+ endemic species (over 30% of Colombia’s endemics), 7 near-endemics, and 40+ range-restricted specialties.

Covering the region best birding hospots this tour is designed to maximize every opportunity in the field–an unforgettable must-do expedition for dedicated birders and photographers alike.

Private, Custom & Scheduled Expeditions — Start Your Journey

key hotspots on the route

itinerary

2 days tour

day 01

day 1

Day 1 begins with birding vibrant lowland trails in the Sierra Nevada from 350 to 650 meters an area of high diversity. After breakfast in Minca, ascend to 1400 meters on the El Campano route to spot your first endemics. Following lunch, a first exploration on San Lorenzo Ridge and Cerro Kennedy at 2900 meters, tracking endemics & rare species The day ends with stunning sunset views. After dinner, an optional night trip to find the elusive Santa Marta Screech Owl.

day 02

day 2

Day 2 starts with a 5:00 am departure to enjoy an exceptional sunrise and a scenic trek to the sacred lagoon. After breakfast, deep birding during the best hours focusing on the San Lorenzo Ridge hotspot , la Y y El Dorado surroundings. Return to Minca at midday.

what´s included

Includes all 4x4 transportation, professional bilingual guide, insurance, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, accommodation 1 night .

FAQ

Why is a 4x4 vehicle necessary?

Access to Cerro Kennedy and El Campano requires off-road driving and skilled drivers due to the unpaved mountain roads.

Do the tours include the El Dorado Reserve trails?

We don’t include trails inside the El Dorado Reserve; instead, we explore the surrounding areas and other very much highly productive trails at different altitudes outside the reserve.

What is the difficulty level of the birding walks?

They are a series of easy-level hikes, mostly along trails and rural paths. We reach each key point by 4x4 vehicle, covering the entire area throughout the experience.

What Our Clients Say

"My wife and I went on a two-day/one-night trip with Minca Birding up to Cerro Kennedy. We had not one, but two expert guides in Fidel and Juan David for the two of us. The trip was outstanding. We probably saw about 100 bird species and I was able to obtain fair to excellent photographs of about 73 of them, including about 12 endemics, toucans, trogons, parrots, etc (you can see my photos on INATURALIST under username ROCKNSKY from Feb. 13-14, 2024). Anyone can walk/drive the roads that we covered, but Fidel and Juan David’s knowledge of the area, the hotspots, and the birds’ habits allowed us to see far more than what we would have found on our own. They are extremely skilled at searching out each species, especially the highly sought after Santa Marta endemics. Our meals at local restaurants and the hostel were nicely made local dishes. My wife and I weren’t able to eat a whole lot since we were both suffering from having drunk some bad water in Cartegena, but Fidel and Juan made sure that the menu was modified to suit us. They even got us some great medicine that sped up our recovery. Lodging at the mountain hostel was simple but fun and adequate. A highlight of the trip was looking for the Santa Marta Screech Owl at night at the hostel. I was able to get great photos at ISO 25000 at point-blank range. Fidel and Juan-David were perfect guides, very good command of English, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic beyond belief….highly recommended !"

David Suszcynsky review on google opinions

This is the real deal. I cannot recommend this outfit enough if you are serious about bird photography. All 3 guides are excellent, they know their birds and how to find them. What is more they know what you need as a photographer and are patient while you fumble the shot. I did all but one of my tours alone and on the motorbike even Cerro Kennedy. Each guide has their own style but all make you feel totally relaxed and let you immerse yourself in the birds. Stay in Minca and use this outfit, best use of your holiday money by far.

Mark Hidden review on google opinions

Thanks to Fidel and his partner for their availability and kindness. We were able to take a two-day road trip discovering the birds and landscapes of the Sierra... Fidel has extensive knowledge of the birds of his region, and we were able to make wonderful observations together in a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. The 4x4 trips, the night at the top of Cerro Kennedy, the meals… everything was perfectly organized! A great advantage for traveling with a three-and-a-half-year-old child! Who even had her own binoculars for those two days! In short, I am an experienced birdwatcher, and I do not hesitate to recommend this agency! 🦜📷🔭🤩

blanquet Elodie -original in french- review on google opinions

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Don’t miss this comprehensive experience on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta