BOLIVIA EXTENDED TOUR
Tour Overview
BOLIVIA
BIRDING TOUR
ANY TIME*
| Duration: | 20 days, 19 nights |
| Group Size: | 2-6 |
| Anytime Price: | $7800 |
| Group Price: | $7200 |
| Single Suppl: | $500 |
| Est #Species: | 550-600 |
| Pace: | Moderate |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
| * This tour is available for any dates of your choosing provided guide services and accommodations are available. | |
Bolivia is a less traveled and to a considerable extent unheralded birding destination. However, it offers some truly superb birding. Habitats range from the rarely visited extremely arid Chaco in the southeast to altitundinal zones of the middle elevation and high Andes, semi-arid plateaus, lakes, lagoons, and rivers. middle elevation plateau savanna, subtropical forests, and Amazonian rainforest. Over 1500 species have been recorded in Bolivia despite its lack of a coastal region, including 21 endemics and 130 near endemics. Our extended Bolivia tour covers the main regions from Santa Cruz to La Paz plus the Apolo region north of La Paz but does not include the more remote regions in the Beni region of the north around Rurrenbaque, Trinidad, and Riberalta. This tour is offered at a very competitive price. As many as 600 species are possible during this tour. Best time for birding Bolivia is dry season from May to September. The tour can also be conducted during early rainy season in October or November when birds are more active with breeding. The weather is good in September, but this month is a bit unpleasant in places because of prevalent smoke in the interior from burning agricultural fields.
Our tour begins with some birding near the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Central Bolivia at the edge of the Chaco. From there the tour proceeds to Bermejo and on to Refugio Los Volcanes for much of two days birding the canyonlands there. A stop at Samaipata to seek out Tucuman Parrot and Dot-winged Woodpecker near Quirusillas follows. Then the tour proceeds to Pereralta, best place to find the critically endangered Red-fronted Macaw along with Cliff Parakeet. A full day transfer to Comarapa with birding enroute is followed by a full day birding nearby Siberia Cloud Forest above the city to seek out the difficult Rufous-faced Antpitta as well as Diamed Tapaculo and others. The transfer to Cochabamba, a heavily agricultural area surrounded by great birding sites, follows. Three full days will be devoted to birding the upper and lower sections of Charpare Road, Cerro Tunari, and Laguna Alalay before flying to La Paz. From La Paz we'll devote much of a day birding the Sorata Road seeking out the very range restricted endemic Berlepsch's Canastero followed by an afternoon stop at Lake Titicaca to view the endemic flightless Titicaca Grebe. Next is a two day birding excursion to Coroico, birding the upper and lower sections of the famed Old Coroico Road. A late afternoon transfer takes back to La Paz by evening. From there we take the long drive north to Apolo for most of 4 days birding that bird rich region looking especially for the recently described Initi Tanager in addition to other specialties. The tour ends with a long drive back to La Paz for an overnight flight or overnight stay. The tour ends at the airport in the evening or the following morning.
From La Paz we'll devote much of a day birding the Sorata Road seeking out the very range restricted endemic Berlepsch's Canastero followed by an afternoon stop at Lake Titicaca to view then endemic flightless Titicaca Grebe. Next is a two day birding excursion to Coroico, birding the upper and lower sections of the famed Coroico Road. This site is worth two full days of birding, one day to the south near Aten for the recently split endangered Palkachupa Cotinga and many other species of open scrub and cloud forest. The second day will be devoted to the dry forest of the Machariapo Valley, home to the recently described and enigmatic Inti Tanager. We typically depart early for the long drive back back to La Paz, stopping for some morning birding in the Apolo Yungas en route before arriving at the airport in the evening. The tour ends at the airport as international flights depart at night.
TOUR NOTES
Group price applies for 3-6 persons.