The high area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta was possibly one of the most inaccessible places for bird watchers in the world and it was always in the TOP of destinations they wanted to visit; Currently and thanks to the opening of tourism in many isolated places in Colombia and the great opportunities that tourism has generated for different indigenous communities for their community economic development, it has been possible to open up this incredible place, thus benefiting local people, travel agencies and, in general, all those involved in the value chain of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

This place is undoubtedly a paradise for bird watching and nature in general, being one of the most important and least explored places in Colombia due to its high endemic diversity and very rare species that live there; Only a handful of people have managed to observe the Blue-bearded Helmetcrest or the Santa Marta Wren, in addition to the incredible landscapes of the Sierra Nevada and the glacial lagoons of this isolated and enigmatic place, now with this trip that we offer here you will be able to do it.

Although the trip offers few comfort conditions and requires a great physical effort, we have tried to make all the best logistical arrangements to have a great experience in the mountains, from an excellent camping equipment, to local guides and mules that will help with all the necessary charge to have a good experience.

A truly incredible trip that you can put as one of the great challenges reached by few bird watchers in the world and a species highly desired by the world's birders, on your personal list of birds.

Watch a full movie on YouTube about this Wonderfull trip here:
https://youtu.be/6VQp7sAjqXM

·All clients for this tour need to be vaccinated against COVID-19

.All equipment will be carried on mules.  You will need to carry only what is necessary for the hike.  We try to do this trip the most comfortable way possible.  

· We will use a team of indigenous and farmers local guides during all days, also a team of two professional birdwatching and tourism guides during all the tour.

·We are subject to the rules of the indigenous communities during the route, it is likely that we will have to enter some communities to request access permits as part of a spiritual ritual, for which we must have a lot of tolerance with these situations

·  Is especially important to be very healthy and in very good physical condition to walk during long ascents and descents

·  All equipment will be carrying on in mules, you need to carry just the necessary for the walk, we try to do this trip the most comfortable possible; the mule to move is available, however we do not recommend it because for the difficulties of the road and because we do not want to encourage animal abuse

·  The best months to do this trip will be in the dry season and flower blowing season, between December to April

·  In case of emergency, the fastest evacuation system is terrestrial, since an air evacuation, although possible, requires permits from the indigenous governments of the place (travel insurance included)

·  There are no reliable and permanent communications in place, if necessary, the only way to do it is through a satellite phone, or in specific places where it is possible to capture a cell phone signal.

·  The temperatures are exceptionally low at night (below 0° Celsius), so the equipment needs to be suitable for low temperatures

Price of Mule Extra $60 USD per day (need to be contracted per all days, during the trip)

What is included?

Hotels during first and last day of the tour, individual tent, sleeping bag and pad (if you prefer to have your own camping equipment is fine too), professional birding guide, local birding guides, indigenous guides, mule and horses’ drivers, all 4x4 vehicles, mules and horses to carry on all equipment, travel insurance with evacuation program, all meals and snacks and water available all the time to refuel the bottles, social lights, private transfer airport – hotel – airport, entrances to reserves and national parks and payments for permission at indigenous communities.

What is not included?

International flights and taxes, toiletries, laundry service, room service, tips or gratuity, medical expenses (not covered for evet insurance), alcoholic drinks, international or satellite phone calls, activities not included in the itinerary, extensions of a trip due to circumstances beyond our control.