Upper Magdalena Birdwatching Tour

Birding
Upper Magdalena Birdwatching Tour

The southern area of Huila is located in the upper basin of the Magdalena River and surrounded by the central and eastern Andean mountain ranges. It has the first natural national park founded in Colombia: “Cueva de los Guacharos”, which is the best preserved. This entire area belongs to the Andean Belt Biosphere Reserve and to the most important fluvial star in the country, where the Magdalena and Cauca rivers are born.

The municipalities to visit are Palestina, Pitalito and San Agustín. All have mobile coverage service, second and first level hospital care service, urban police, firefighters and army.

The municipality of Pitalito has an airport operated by the company Satena S.A.S, with flights from the city of Cali (Valle del Cauca) and Bogotá D.C. It also possess a land terminal and multiple special transport services.

Route

Information

  • Tour Dates:
    Open
  • Tour Type:
    Birding and photography
  • Tour Price:
    Starting at US$1000
  • Local Guide:
    Michael Molina


Species checklist
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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

  • Arrival to Pitalito- Huila (Recommendation flight by Satena).
  • Transfer to El Encanto Ecotourism Reserve (22 km, 45 min approximately).
  • Welcome and check in at El Encanto Reserve Ecotourism.
  • Dinner and special activity called “herbal evening”
  • Habitats Covered:
    Andean tropical forest

Day 2

El Encanto Ecotourism Reserve  

  • 05:00  Morning Coffee.
  • 05:30  Birdwatching.
  • 08:00 Breakfast.
  • 09:00  Birdwatching.
  • 12:30  Lunch.
  • 14:30  Coffee tour.
  • 16:00 Birdwatching and Orchids tour.
  • 19:30 Dinner.
  • Habitats Covered:
    Andean Forest.
  • Highlights:
    Colombian Chachalaca, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Dusky-headed Brushfinch, White-crowned Tapaculo… ~264
Dusky-headed Brushfinch - Atlapetes fuscoolivaceus

Day 3

Alto del Oso 

  • 05:00 Morning Coffee.
  • 05:15 Transfer to Alto del Oso (8 km, 40 min approximately).
  • 06:00 Bird watching, “Alto del Oso” point.
  • 08:00 Breakfast.
  • 09:00 Birdwatching at NNP Cueva de los Guacharos trail (approximately 2km).
  • 12:30 Lunch.
  • 14:00 Birdwatching “Robledal Trail” (approximately 2km).
  • 17:30 Return trip, El Encanto Reserve Ecotourism (8 km, 40 min approximately).
  • 19:30 Dinner.
  • Habitats Covered:
    Interandean Subtropical forest.
  • Highlights:
    East Andean Antbird, Moustached antpitta, Crested quetzal… ~200

Day 4

La Coneca Wetland and NNP San Agustín

  • 05:00 Morning Coffee.
  • 05:15 Birdwatching.
  • 07:00 Breakfast.
  • 08:00 Check-out from El Encanto.
  • 09:00 La Coneca Wetland displacement (26 km, approximately 1 h).
  • 10:00 Birdwatching at the wetland and surroundings.
  • 12:00 Displacement to Hotel. Check-in. Lunch.
  • 14:00 Displacement Archaeological Park of San Agustín (10 km, 30 min approximately).
  • 15:00 Birdwatching and Archeology tour (approximately 4 km).
  • 19:00 Dinner at San Agustín.
  • 20:00 Return to the Hotel (10 km, 30 min approximately).
  • Habitats Covered:
    Wetlands and Andean Forest.
  • Highlights:
    Cinnamon teal, Masked dusk, Large-headed Flatbill, Common potoo, Uniform Antshrike… ~146 sp.

Day 5

Puerto Quinchana 

  • 05:00 Morning Coffee.
  • 05:15 Displacement to Puerto Quinchana (20 km, 120 min approximately).
  • 08:00 Breakfast.
  • 08:45 Birdwatching at trail of the torrent duck (~2 km).
  • 12:00 Lunch.
  • 14:00 Birdwatching, “trail of the Eagle” (~2 km).
  • 17:00 Return to the Hotel (~20 km, 120 min approximately).
  • 19:30 Dinner.
  • Habitats Covered:
    Andean Forest.
  • Highlights:
    Torrent duck, Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, AndeanCock-of-he-rock, Colombian Screech-owl… ~150 sp.
Lineated Woodpecker - Dryocopus lineatus

Day 6

Final day 

  • 08:00 Breakfast.
  • Travel to the airport (15 km, 30 min approximately).
  • Farewell.

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