Bolivia: Lowlands & Highlands

Day 0

Welcome to Bolivia! Arrive today at your leisure. Flights arrive during the day to Viru Viru Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. We plan to offer some casual afternoon birding for those who can do it. The group officially assembles for a welcome dinner tonight. Night in Santa Cruz.

Day 1

We begin our day at 5:00 AM, departing from the hotel towards the best hotspots around the city of Santa Cruz. We are located in the lowlands of Bolivia, at 1300 FASL.

In the morning, we visit the Lomas de Arena Park, a protected area situated in the northernmost part of the Chaco, where savannas and some forested areas dominate. Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes possible to find lagoons among the sand dunes, which are the emblem and the reason for the park’s name.

In the afternoon, we head to the Botanical Garden, a vast expanse of forest within the city of Santa Cruz, located in the Chiquitanía Ecoregion. The wildlife is so concentrated in this area that it is home to five species of monkeys.

If the weather permits, we end the day at Laguna Guapilo, a body of water that shelters hundreds of birds in the heart of the city. Night in Santa Cruz.

Targets: The main targets will be range-restricted birds, such as the Greater Rea, Red-winged Tinamou, White-bellied Nothura, Red-legged Seriema, Spot-backed Puffbird, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, White-wedged Piculet, Bolivian-slaty Antshryke, Chotoy Spinetail, and Chopi Blackbird.

Days 2 and 3

Before dawn on our second day, we head toward the southeastern sector of Amboró National Park. Here, the Andes Mountains curve from northwest to southwest, forming the “Codo de los Andes” (Elbow of the Andes), where multiple ecoregions converge, making this park one of Bolivia’s most biodiverse.

Our destination is Refugio Los Volcanes, the top birding hotspot in the Santa Cruz department, according to eBird. This ecolodge hides incredible feathered treasures, which we will seek out along the fascinating trails of the rainforest.

From the moment we arrive, all exploration will be on foot. The trails vary in difficulty, and our walks will be adjusted to the group’s pace.

This part of Amboró National Park lies at the transition between the Northern and Southern Yungas ecoregions, resulting in a rich and diverse birdlife. For two full days, we will immerse ourselves in this vibrant forest teeming with life. 2 nights at Refugio Los Volcanes.

Targets: Bolivian Recurvebill (endemic), Short-tailed- Antthrush, Yungas Manakin, Buff-throated Foliage Gleaner, Gray Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, White-whinged Tanager, Blue-browed Tanager, Guira Tanager, Black-googled Tanager, Planalto Hermit, Sparkling Violetear, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Rufescent Screech-Owl, Tawny-bellied Screech Owl, Sunbittern, Slaty Gnateater, Military Macaw, Green-cheecked Parakeet, Channel-billed Toucan, Ochre-cheecked Spinetail, Red-necked Woodpecker, Gray-throated Leaftosser, Western Fire-eye, Black-streaked Puffbird and Dusky-green Opropendola.

Day 4

Today, we have a long journey ahead as we make our way to the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, passing through the Serrano Chaco along the way until the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve. Most of our birdwatching will take place near the road, with multiple strategic stops at key ornithological sites.

The ecoregion in this area undergoes dramatic changes over just a few kilometers. As we ascend the Andes Mountains, the landscape becomes drier, with less vegetation, giving way to cacti and acacias typical of semi-xerophytic environments. Our route spans mid-elevation ranges, between 1,000 and 2,500 meters (5,250–8,200 ft) above sea level, in a drier climate where the vegetation is noticeably more open and adapted to arid conditions.

Among the highlights of our journey are Km 305 Vicinity, a stunning canyon nestled along the route, with some specialties of the area, and the Jardín de las Cactáceas protected area. We will end the day at the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve. Overnight at Red-fronted Macaw Lodge.

Targets: Huayco Tinamou, Andean Condor, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Bolivian, Rusty-browed, and Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch, Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Green-barred Woodpecker, Ultramarine Grossbeak, and Moss-backed Sparrow.

Day 5

Today is a more relaxed day. We wake up in the heart of one of the country’s most renowned birding hotspots, with no need for long vehicle journeys. The Red-fronted Macaw Reserve is a community-managed protected area located at 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) above sea level, on the banks of the Mizque River in the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys.

Right in front of the ecolodge, across the river, stands an impressive cliff where Red-fronted Macaws nest. These, along with many other bird species, can be comfortably observed from the garden. Throughout the day, we will explore the surroundings of the lodge, focusing on endemic species and other rarities. Overnight at Red-fronted Macaw Lodge (Perereta).

Targets: Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Red-fronted Macaw (endemic), Cliff Parakeet (endemic), Spot-backed and White-eared Puffbird, Striped Woodpecker, White-tipped Plantcutter, White-crested Tyrannulet, Ringed Warbling Finch,  Grey-crested Finch and Bolivian Blackbird (endemic). 

Day 6

Early in the morning, we leave the lodge and head toward the town of Comarapa. Along the way, we will make several stops near the main road, focusing on species we may have missed in previous days. Our route once again passes through the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys and the Chaco Serrano, landscapes distinguished by their remarkable diversity of cacti.

In the afternoon, we will explore the cloud forest in the Astilleros area. This site is located on the southwestern edge of Amboró National Park, in a higher and more humid zone than the one we visited a few days earlier in the same park. This part of the Yungas differs greatly from the others we will see, as the high mountain range captures what little moisture is in the atmosphere, allowing lush, high-elevation Southern Yungas forests to thrive on its steep slopes. Overnight in Comarapa.

Targets: Violet-fronted Starfrontled, Creamy-breasted Canastero, Light-crowned Spinetail, Pale-footed Swallow, White-tipped Swift, Common Chlorospingus, Fawn-breasted Tanager, and Golden-winged Cacique.

Day 7

Today, we ascend to 3,000 meters (9,840 ft) above sea level and head into the cloud forest of Serranía de la Siberia in search of new species. The Yungas always hold surprises—one never knows what the day might bring, and with luck, we may spot rare birds that have been recorded only a handful of times.

Despite the striking colors of the birds in this ecoregion, spotting them is no easy task amid the dense fog. Birding in these conditions is certainly a challenge, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. In these forests, we will have the chance to encounter more endemic and near-endemic species.

In the afternoon, we have a long journey ahead to the town of Coranipampa. In the morning, we will explore the cloud forest in the Siberia area, continuing our route west toward the department of Cochabamba. We will pass through the Humid Puna, the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, and finally arrive at the Northern Yungas.

Coranipampa is a small, developing village, but it offers comfortable accommodations where we will spend the night. Overnight in Coranipampa.

Targets: Bolivian and Rufous-face Antpittas, Blue-capped Puffleg, Scaly-naped Parrot, Black-winged Parrot, Bar-bellied Woodpecker,  Pearled Treerunner, Highland Elaenia,   Buff-banded and Tawny-rumped Tyrannulets, Pale-legged Warbler, Brown-capped and Spectacled Redstars, Superciliaried Hemisphingus, the shy and elusive Slaty Gnateater, Blue-backed Conebill, several Bolivian Brushfinch, Fulvous-headed Brushfinch, Trilling Tapaculo,  Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Blue-necked Tanager,    Plumbeus Black-Tyrant and Rusty-browed Warbling Finch.

Day 8

Today, we wake up in the heart of the Yungas of Cochabamba. Throughout the day, we will explore a range of mid- to high-elevation forests, varying from subtropical to temperate. This area is home to some of the best birding hotspots in the country.

Early in the morning, we head to the rainforests, situated between 1,300 and 1,800 meters (4,265–5,905 ft) above sea level. The landscape is dominated by cecropia trees, a species that attracts birds of every color, from tanagers to toucans.

In the afternoon, we visit the cloud forest, located between 2,500 and 3,500 meters (8,200–11,500 ft). This ecosystem has a mysterious feel, where you can never be sure what you’ll encounter. At times, the mist reduces visibility to just ten meters, and moments later, the sky may clear up. The brightest feathered jewels can easily go unnoticed in this dense fog, even by the most experienced birdwatchers.

After a long day of exploration, we head to the city of Cochabamba, where we’ll spend the night.

Targets at the rainforest: Versicolored Barbet, Bolivian Tapaculo, Slaty Tanager, Yungas Tody-Tyrant, Rust-and-yellow and Green-throated Tanagers, Upland Antshrike, Yungas Antwren, White-throated Quail-Dove, Bolivian, Sclater’s and Buff-banded Trannulets, McConnel’s Flycatcher and Flammulated Pygmy-Tyrant. 

At the Cloud Forest: Hooded Mountain Toucan, Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Rufous-faced Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, Black-throated Thistletail (endemic), Rufous-bellied Bush-Tyrant, Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher, Black-hooded Sunbeam (endemic), and Bolivian Brushfinch (endemic).

Day 9

Cochabamba is located in the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys at 2,570 meters (8,430 ft) above sea level. From any point in the city, the mountains of Tunari National Park can be seen, our destination for today. In this protected area, our first goal is to explore the Polylepis forest, home to tall tree species that shelter a variety of interesting species.

After passing through the treeline, where the last Polylepis trees mark the transition, we continue our ascent toward the Puna, reaching 4,600 meters (15,091 ft) today. As we climb, we pass through wetlands, lagoons, slopes, and other high-altitude habitats, which, surprisingly, are teeming with life. Overnight in Cochabamba.

Targets at the Polylepis Forest: Red-tailed Comet, Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Bolivian Blackbird (endemic), Giant Conebill, Cochabamba Mountain Finch (endemic), Bolivian Warbling Finch, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Maquis Canastero, Brown-capped and Tawny-tit Spinetails, D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant, 

At the Humid Puna: Ornate Tinamou, Darwin’s Nothura, Rufous-naped, Taczanowski’s, Puna, Cinereus and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, Rock Earthcreeper, Slender-billed Miner, Glacier Finch, and Boulder Finch.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

The target species listed on all days are merely examples of the specialties that may be encountered. Not all possible species are included, and naturally, none are guaranteed to be observed.

While the species mentioned earlier are our primary focus, we also place significant emphasis on all the birds and wildlife we come across during the day, adjusting our approach to the group’s pace and preferences.

We follow the eBird/Clements taxonomy but can adapt our guiding to the IOC taxonomy if preferred.

Note:

Weather conditions may vary significantly throughout the tour. Some areas—such as the Chaco and Chiquitanía—can be very hot, dry, and windy, while others—like the Yungas—may be cold and rainy. Please bring clothing suitable for a wide range of weather conditions, as well as protection against mosquitoes and other insects.

We highly recommend wearing clothing in natural, non-contrasting colors to avoid startling the wildlife we aim to observe.

Expect early morning starts, which will help us make the most of the cooler hours and avoid birding during the hotter parts of the day.

This tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. We won’t undertake long hikes, but we will reach elevations of up to 4.500 meters (15.000 feet). Please take this into consideration, especially if you have any heart-related conditions.

Included in the Tour Fee:

• All meals from breakfast on Day 1 to dinner on Day 8, on day 0 includes just dinner, on day 9 includes only breakfast and lunch. Throughout some of the tour, meals such as breakfast and lunch will be enjoyed in the field, allowing us to maximize our time outdoors
• Drinking water and other non-alcoholic beverages available at all times
• All accommodations during the tour until night 9th 
• Entrance fees to national parks and other natural reserves
• Guiding and transportation services from Day 0 to Day 9 

Not Included:

• Any tax fee or invoice
• Any flight
• Visa fees
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel insurance
• Telephone calls, laundry, and other personal expenses
• Tips (gratuities for guides, drivers, lodge staff, or any personnel you feel deserve it are welcome)