BOLIVIA!
with Diego Calderon
October 29 - November 13, 2024

PLUS: Pre-tour, Barba Azul Nature Reserve for Blue-throated Macaw
October 25 - 30, 2024

PLUS: Post-tour, Apolo for the new Inti Tanager
November 13 - 19, 2024

Contact [email protected] to reserve your space!

Trip Cost & Travel Planning>    Registration Form (pdf)> 
Tour Registration, Terms, Cancellation Policies

BOLIVIA! Welcome to the birdiest landlocked country in the world! Approximately the size of France and Spain combined, this stunning country is remarkably diverse and ranks 6th in the world with more than 1430 species of birds. Depending on the taxonomy you use, Bolivia has 20 endemic bird species that are found nowhere else on earth. Add to that more than 100 range restricted species and near endemics and you’ve just scratched the surface of Bolivia’s avian riches.

Long known to avid birders as a MUST VISIT destination, we will be exploring this diverse,
bird-filled country with South America’s top guide, Diego Calderon.

We have designed this tour to offer the full Bolivia birding experience in three parts, a pre-tour extension for the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw in north-central Bolivia, the main 16 day tour visiting all of the top birding sites including the Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge, and a special post tour extension to Apolo for the newly discovered "Inti" Tanager.

Just imagine adding species like Black-hooded Sunbeam, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Black-throated Thistletail, Berlepsch’s Canastero, Bolivian Recurvebill, Cliff Parakeet, Yungas Tody Tyrant, Bolivian Brushfinch, Bolivian Blackbird, Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Black-throated Thistletail, Unicolored Thrush, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, and more to your life list. Endemics, near-endemics and specialties, such as Short-winged (Titicaca) Grebe, Red-tailed Comet and Hooded Mountain Toucan will be targeted among many others.

      
Photos: Red-fronted Macaw (DC), Cream-backed Woodpeckers (GN), Cochabamba Mountain Finch (DC), Red-tailed Comet (GN)

Join us for an unforgettable birding adventure in Bolivia!

Contact [email protected] to reserve your space!

Trip Cost & Travel Planning>     Registration Form (pdf)>     Tour Registration, Terms, Cancellation Policies>

---

Pre-tour Extension, October 25 - 30, 2024
Barba Azul Reserve/Blue-throated Macaw

ITINERARY
Day 1:
Plan on Arriving at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (airport code: VVI) today for an overnight in the modern Camino Real Hotel in the city's elegant, secure and thriving business district. Night Santa Cruz. No meals are included today.

Days 2 & 3:
Today we take a charter flight to Trinidad, a bustling town in the Llanos de los Moxos in the department of Bení, sometimes referred to as “bountiful Bení” for its diverse woodlands, riparian forests, sprawling grasslands and palm savannahs. Continuing on to Barba Azul Nature Reserve, we will focus our efforts on finding the star of the Moxos, the rare and critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw (DC) . Thought to be extinct in the wild and known only from museum specimens and captive birds until the mid-1990s, conservation efforts have increased the wild population of these superb birds to 450.

We’ll search for the Blue-throated Macaw, also called Barba Azul and designated in 2014 as a natural patrimony of Bolivia, in the islands of palm trees that dot the expansive seasonally flooded savannah grasslands from our base at the Barba Azul Nature Reserve. This important Reserve protects 27,180 acres of important grassland, wetland, and “palm island” habitat and houses more than 250 species of birds and nearly 30 large mammal species including Giant Anteater, Pampas Cat, Puma, Maned Wolf, and Jaguar. The variety of habitats here are what make Bení bountiful with wetland habitats attracting hordes of water birds making for a spectacle reminiscent of Brazil’s Pantanal.

In our search for Blue-throated Macaw, we will also keep watch for myriad birds and specialties here including Streamer-tailed Tyrant (SB), Crowned Eagle, Orinoco Goose, Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Sulphur-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Hudson’s Black-Tyrant, and Dark-throated Seedeater to name a few. Two nights BTM Reserve.

 

Day 4
Today we will return to Trinidad and spend some time birding the area noted by some as the “best birding city in the world”. Our time here will be spent well, especially looking for three Bení endemics. While we may be distracted by Chestnut-fronted Macaws roosting in the church steeple or Blue-and-yellow Macaws flying around the outskirts of the city, our objective near Trinidad is to try and see the endemic Unicolored Thrush, Bení Softtail (still recorded as Plain Softtail) and the Bení Grackle (still recorded as the Velvet-fronted Grackle). With luck, these birds can be found in the riparian forest of San Ramon. Night Trinidad.

Day 5
Today we return to Santa Cruz to meet the group arriving for the main tour.

Pre-tour Extension to the Barba Azul Nature Reserve/Blue-throated Macaw, October 25 - 30, 2024
Tour Price:  $3095 pp/dbl $295 sgl from Santa Cruz, Bolivia based on 8 passengers.
Included: Group airport transfers, accommodations, domestic flight to Trinidad, Bolivia, Charter flight to BTM, ground transport in local vehicles.  Not included: International flight, luggage charges, passport/visa fees, insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature. Also, any and all costs arising from pandemic or Covid-19 related issues are not included in the tour cost and are the sole responsibility of the traveler. These include, among others, the costs of Covid treatment, hospitalization, medical fees, transport, meals and accommodation in case of illness or quarantine, and the costs of any Covid tests needed before, during and after the tour.

---

BOLIVIA MAIN TOUR, October 29 - November 13, 2024

Day 1
Plan on arriving this morning at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (airport code: VVI). Many flights arrive in the morning and if everyone arrives by mid-day, we will do some afternoon birding and have an introduction to Bolivia’s avian treasures. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a lowland city surrounded by native woodlands of acacia-like trees and other xerophytic vegetation (the Chiquitania region) and vast grassland plains and savannas reminiscent of the Brazilian cerrado. This diverse area offers several bird species endemic to and typical of this ecosystem such as Toco Toucan (GN), White-wedged Piculet, Chotoy Spinetail, Chopi Blackbird, White Woodpecker, White-bellied Nothura, Red-winged Tinamou, Red-legged Seriema, Green-cheeked Parakeet, the near-endemic Bolivian Slaty Antshrike, and others. The botanical garden at Santa Cruz is a key sight for the Bolivian Slaty-Antshrike. Night Santa Cruz.

Day 2
This morning we will bird around Santa Cruz and Lomas de Arena Municipal Park. The Park was created to protect a small lake between sand dunes and several types of habitats are preserved in the area including savannah, dry forest, marshes and large water bodies. We will hope the park is accessible as high water levels sometimes impact access. More than 240 species of bird have been recorded in the park and the area has many easily seen and desired birds such as Comb Duck, Brazilian Duck, Burrowing Owl, White-eared Puffbird, White Woodpecker, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, and Chotoy Spinetail. It also offers some less common species like Toco Toucan and Red-legged Seriema. Other species in the habitats around Santa Cruz include Small-billed Tinamou, Long-winged Harrier, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Thrush-like Wren, Masked Yellowthroat, Stripe-backed Antbird, Straneck’s (grey-crowned or monte) Tyrannulet, Blue-crowned Trogon, Amazonian Motmot, Buff-bellied Hermit, Red-billed Scythebill, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Stripe-backed and Mato Grosso Antbirds, Plush-crested Jay, Ringed Teal (GN), and Whistling Heron.

From Santa Cruz, we start our drive towards the inter-Andean valleys, on the way passing through the lush tropical forest of the Bermejo canyon. We will seek out the species of the forest and canyon such as Bolivian White-crowned Tapaculo, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Military Macaw, Rufescent Screech Owl, Two-banded Warbler, Dusky-green Oropendola, and more.

Our accommodation is Refugio Los Volcanes, a wonderful lodge located in a mystical place on the edge of Amboro National Park. Situated at the intersection of three major South American biogeographic regions, its bird community presents a unique mixture of elements from southern Amazonia, the central Andes, and the Chaco. This results in a high diversity of species, largely a result of the variability of the forest, which ranges from completely deciduous on the driest slopes to nearly evergreen in a humid, south-facing canyon.

Species possible at the southern edge of Amboro National Park include Andean Condor, King Vulture, Bolivian Recurvebill (rare), Slaty Gnateater, Bolivian Tapaculo, and Yungas Manakin. More common and widespread species include Blue-headed and Red-billed Parrots, Grey-rumped, Chestnut-collared Swifts, Sparkling Violetear, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, White-eared Puffbird, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Red-necked Woodpecker, Black-banded and Tschudi’s Woodcreepers, Plain Antvireo, White-backed Fire-eye, Sepia-capped and Slaty-capped Flycatchers, and White-necked Thrush. Mixed flocks may well produce Tropical Parula, Slate-throated Whitestart, Guira, Black-goggled, White-winged, and Saffron-crowned Tanagers, Blue-naped Chlorophonia (SB), and Thick-billed and Golden-rumped Euphonias. Higher elevation forests may produce the Short-tailed Antthrush. A beautiful crater lake, surrounded by dense reed beds, usually holds one or two family parties of Masked Duck. Night Refugio Los Volcanes.

 

Los Volcanes (Photo: Diego Calderon)

Day 3
Today we have the full day to explore the area around Los Volcanes and Amboro National Park. Volcanes is a misnomer as there are no volcanoes here, just scenic valleys, sandstone mesas, and semi-humid forest of the Amazonian foothills. Once again the assortment of habitats offer a variety of species and we will be looking for everything from Two-banded Warbler, to Black-goggled Tanager, Dusky-green Oropendola, Plush-crested Jay (GN), Purplish Jay, Masked Duck, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, and many others. With more than 270 species logged in the surrounding area, we will have plenty to look for in and around the park.

Some species possible at the southern edge of Amboro National Park include Giant Antshrike, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Blue-and-white Swallow and Blue-and-yellow Tanager as well as Blue-crowned Parakeet, White-fronted and Striped Woodpeckers, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, White-bellied Tyrannulet, Greater Wagtail-tyrant, Pearly-vented Tody-tyrant, White-tipped Plantcutter, Ringed and Black-capped Warbling-finches, Grey-crested Finch, Red Pileated Finch and Golden-billed Saltator. Night Refugio Los Volcanes.

 

Day 4
Today we will explore all the dry valleys of Amboro between Samaipata and Saipina in search of some very special birds. Several Bolivian endemics can be found here and we hope to find Bolivian Earthcreeper, Bolivian Blackbird, and Cliff Parakeet. Other species include Dusky-legged Guan, Giant Antshrike, Grey-crested Finch, and both Chaco and White-eared Puffbirds, among others.

Star species here include a number of endemics such as Bolivian Warbling Finch, Light-crowned Spinetail, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, Trilling Tapaculo, hummingbirds such as Red-tailed Comet, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Scaled and Tyrian Metaltails, plus Bar-bellied and Montane Woodcreepers, Pearled Treerunner, Spot-breasted Thornbird, Montane Woodcreeper, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, White-throated Tyrannulet, Andean Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant, Scarlet-bellied and Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanagers, Blue-backed Conebill, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Buff-banded Tyrannulet, Bolivian Brushfinch, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, and Band-tailed Fruiteater (DC). At the end of the day, we will have arrived at our accommodation in Psada del Sol. Night Psada del Sol.

 

Days 5 & 6:
This morning we drive to Quirusillas to bird the Tucuman Forest. There should be plenty of Andean Condors to see (Bolivia's national bird), and when we arrive in this unique, moist mountain forest surrounded by dry Andean Valley Habitat, we will look for the Tucuman Parrot (DC). This area is the furthest northern point for the Tucuman Parrot and the area is quite remarkable. This humid mountain peak in the dry landscape holds the northern most remnants of Tucuman forest. It is famous for its “alder”, Podocarpus pine trees and hence the local name of this parrot - Loro Pinero (Alder Parrot).  Other species to see here include White-throated Antpitta, Golden-winged Cacique, Straw-backed Tanager, Short-tailed Antthrush, Raquet-tailed Puffleg, and White-throated Quail-dove.

In the afternoon, we will continue to the Red-fronted Macaw Preserve where we will spend some time looking for the endemic, critically endangered Red-fronted Macaw. Less than two feet long, what this bird lacks in size is made up for by its colorful plumage. Its bright red forehead and underwings are set off by a brilliant green body, orange epaulets, and blue wings and tail. Less than 3000 of these birds survive in the arid canyons of the central Bolivian Andes. While most macaws nest in tree holes, few trees exist here so this bird nests in cliff faces. We’ll be watching for birds flying overhead as well as scanning the cliff faces for perched birds. With luck, we hope to get good views of this unique bird.

 

We will stay on the reserve in the Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge which helps protected the Macaw, with all proceeds go to the local communities and the protection of the Reserve. The general opinion of the Ecolodge is "fantastic". The lodge is situated across the river from a massive hard rock breeding cliff which serves as the most important breeding area for the Red-fronted Macaw (DC). Bolivian Cliff Parakeet (a different form of the Monk Parakeet), Mitred Parakeet, and Bolivia Blackbirds (endemic) are also found here and you'll soon see that this desert habitat holds a regional specific bird community, with such distinctive species as the White-eared Puffbird, Greater Wagtail Tyrant, White-tailed Plantcutter, Grey-crested Finch, Spot-fronted Woodpecker, Aplomado Falcon, Ultramarine Grosbeak, and Cliff Flycatcher. During the Red-fronted Macaw breeding season (November- to early May) the macaws are constantly present, seen flying in pairs, families, and groups so we will be here at the perfect time! Two nights Red-fronted Macaw Ecolodge.

Watching Red-fronted Macaws! (DC)

Days 7 - 11
Today we travel from Comarapa to passing through the famed Siberia cloud forest on our way to Cochabamba. As we rise in altitude, we’ll look for Black-throated Thistletail and Black-hooded Sunbeam in elfin forest patches as well as a variety of warbling finches on the high Andean plateau. Other species to look for here include Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Rufous-bellied Saltator, Citron-headed Yellow-Finch, White-tipped Plantcutter, Great Pampa-Finch, Cinereous Harrier, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Tawny-throated Dotterel (SB), Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Giant Hummingbird, Slender-billed Miner, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Creamy-breasted Canastero, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-webbed Bush-Tyrant, Brown-bellied Swallow, Rusty-browed Warbling Finch and Greenish Yellow-Finch.

The city of Cochabamba, in the center of the country at 2550 meters (8366 feet) above sea level, will be our base for the next few days to explore the slopes of Cerro Tunari, where several endemics occur, such as Cochabamba Mountain Finch and Bolivian Warbling Finch. There is so much to explore in the varied habitats around Cochabamba and over the next several days we will bird the forests of the Amazonia slope as well as the arid temperate scrub, Polylepis woodlands, and puna grasslands.

The Polylepis woodland habitat is unique and offers the gorgeous Red-tailed Comet and several Polylepis specialists including Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, and Giant Conebill. Star species here include Black-hooded Sunbeam, Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Maquis (or Iquico) Canastero, Rufous-bellied Saltator, Cochabamba Mountain-Finch, Citron-headed Yellow-Finch, Bolivian Blackbird. Other species we may find include Rufous-sided Warbling Finch (relatively common), Maquis Canastero, Rock Earthcreeper, and Black-hooded Sierra-Finch.

Puna grasslands may yield Short-tailed Finch on the rockiest slopes, Puna Canastero and a variety of Ground Tyrant species in grassier areas. The beautiful mountain scenery is a picture in itself with images of Andean Gull (JA), Andean Goose, and Andean Lapwing.

The cloud forest and upper tropical foothills around Cochabamba hold several range-restricted species that are otherwise found only in the extreme southeast of Peru and are hard to get there, such as Hooded Mountain Toucan (DC), Orange-browed Hemispingus, and Yungas Tody-Tyrant. We will also look for the endemic Yellow-rumped Antwren, White-eared Solitaire, Straw-backed Tanager, Blue-banded Toucanet, Crested Quetzal, and more.

 

 

We’ll spend time exploring the Chapare area, home of several exciting birds, including Rufous-faced Antpitta, Black-throated Thistletail, Trilling Tapaculo, White-eared Solitaire, the localized Hooded Mountain Toucan, Masked Trogon, Superciliaried and Orange-browed Hemispingus, Band-tailed Pigeon, Barred Antthrush, and Streaked Xenops among many others.

Chapare Road and the Yungas of Carrasco National Park offer areas reminiscent of La Siberia on the other side of the Reserve. We’ll be looking for Black-winged Parrot, Golden-headed Quetzal, Blue-banded Toucanet, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and Hooded Mountain Tanager at higher elevation. As time allows, we have the lower elevations to look for Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Versicolored Barbet, Saffron-crowned, Straw-backed and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, White-eared Solitaire, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and Green Jay. Other specialties we may see here include Black-throated Thistletail, Bolivian Tyrannulet, Band-tailed Fruiteater (near-endemic), Chestnut-crested Cotinga, White-eared Solitaire, the uncommon Straw-backed Tanager and Pale-footed Swallow as well as White-throated Antpitta. If we are lucky we may will find the remarkable Torrent Duck and the extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird. Nights Cochabamba.

 

   

Photos: Crimson-mantled Tanager (GN), Sword-billed Hummingbird (SB), Chestnut-crested Cotinga (SB), Yungas habitat (DC)

Day 12
This morning we’ll bird Lake Alalay, southeast of Cochabamba and another key birding site of the area. This large lake sits at 12,000 feet and plays host to a variety of waterfowl including White-tufted and Silvery Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-billed Teal, Puna Teal, Speckled Teal, Red Shoveler, White-cheeked Pintail, Puna Ibis, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gull, Plumbeous Rail, Andean Duck, Andean Avocet, and Slate-colored Coot.

Reedbeds around the lake harbor Many-colored Rush-Tyrant (SB) and Wren-like Rushbird. Great Pampa-Finch and Grassland Yellow-Finch are good finds here and Bare-faced Ground-Dove, Rufous Hornero, Bay-winged Cowbird, Creamy-breasted Thrush, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Andean Negrito, and Yellow-winged Blackbird are all possible. Later in the day we board our flight to La Paz. Night La Paz.

Day 13
From La Paz we will explore two more sights: Lake Titicaca to the north and the Yungas valleys to the east across the Andes. This morning we will head northeast toward the lush cloud forest and foothills above Coroico town. We will drive through a spectacular Andean mountain road that has become a paradise for birders and look for species such as Rufous-bellied and Grey-breasted Seedsnipe (SB), Scribble-tailed Canastero, and Giant Coot, which are mostly restricted to the high passes of the mountains. We’ll also descend to the forest, where many species are possible, including mega mixed flocks of various more wide-spread tanagers, Barred and Band-tailed Fruiteater, Versicolored Barbet, Upland Antshrike, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Hooded Mountain Toucan, Citrine Warbler, Glossy-black Thrush, Scarlet-bellied, Chestnut-bellied and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, and many more.

We will also explore the Andean bogs and stony slopes near La Cumbre pass (4,700 m), elfin forest and paramo habitat bordering Cotapata National Park. There is so much to see here including Scimitar-winged Piha, Diademed Tapaculo, Orange-browed Hemispingus along with an excellent variety of tanagers and flycatchers. Other birds in the mid and higher elevation side valleys include Scribble-tailed Canastero, Puna Tapaculo, Black-billed Shrike Tyrant, Puna, Ochre-naped and White-fronted Ground Tyrants, Short-tailed Finch (rare) and Black Siskin, Moustached Flowerpiercer, White-browed Conebill, Mountain Cacique and numerous hummingbirds. Other birds of these unique habitats include Golden-collared Tanager and Black-throated Thistletail, Pale-footed Swallow, Plum-crowned Parrot, Versicolored Barbet, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Upland Antshrike, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Stripe-chested Antwren, tanagers and flycatchers galore. Night Coroico.

Day 14
We will depart early this morning to reach the best upper Yungas and high-elevation birding areas en-route back to La Paz. The scenery is again of the spectacular kind. The Yungas, near Unduavi, gives us our best chance at seeing Yungas (large-tailed) Doves, while Andean Guan, Yungas Pygmy Owl, Citrine Warbler, White-banded Tyrannulet and Blue-backed Conebill, Hooded Mountain and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager (SB) should all turn up. Further gems may consist of White-collared Jay, flocks of Southern Mountain Cacique, Scaled and Tyrian Metaltails, White-crested and Sierran Elaenias, the rare Three-striped Hemispingus, Barred Fruiteater or even Stripe-faced Wood Quail. There is also the chance to see Hooded Mountain Toucan. This mythical creature, which has led plenty a fine birder on a merry chase through the Andes is certainly not guaranteed, but this is one of the best places to find it. We expect to arrive in La Paz in the mid-afternoon, where a comfortable hotel and a good meal will get us ready for the last exciting days of the main tour. Night La Paz.

Day 15
Today we head to Sorata to look for the endemic and localized Berlepsch’s Canastero, Giant Coot and other high-Andes species including Huayco Tinamou, Ornate Tinamou, Black-winged Ground Dove, Golden-spotted Ground Dove, Scribble-tailed Canastero, White-winged Black Tyrant, Golden-billed Saltator, Yellow-bellied Siskin and Black-hooded Sunbeam. This day will also see us taking in the area around Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, located at 3800 meters (12,468 feet) with a depth of 281 meters (922 feet). Lake Titicaca is the home of the endangered, near-endemic, flightless Titicaca (Short-winged) Grebe. Ranging in size from 11-17 inches, this little grebe is unique in that is has lost its ability to fly. It spends its time in the shallower lake margins where we hope to get good views. We will also have a chance to see Andean Avocet, Chilean Flamingo, Puna Teal, Crested Duck, Yellow-billed Teal, and Many-colored Rush Tyrant here. Night La Paz.

 

  

Black-hooded Sunbeam, Titicaca Grebe, Lake Titicaca (all DC)

Day 16
Today we will say our goodbyes and transfer to La Paz/El Alto International Airport (Code: LPB) to connect with our international flights home or continue to Apolo for the Inti Tanager extension.

BOLIVIA Main 16 day Tour, October 29 - November 13, 2024
Tour Price: $7095 pp/dbl, $695 sgl
Note this tour begins in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and ends in La Paz, Bolivia. Price is based on 8 passengers.
Included: Group airport transfers, accommodations, meals, transportation in passenger bus
Not Included: International flight, luggage charges, passport/visa fees, insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature.  Also, any and all costs arising from pandemic or Covid-19 related issues are not included in the tour cost and are the sole responsibility of the traveler. These include, among others, the costs of Covid treatment, hospitalization, medical fees, transport, meals and accommodation in case of illness or quarantine, and the costs of any Covid tests needed before, during and after the tour.

 

 
Slaty Gnateater, Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-banded Toucanet (all DC)

---

Post-tour Extension Inti Tanager, November 13 - 19, 2024

For those who want more adventure we have organized a very special extension to the Apolo-Atén area to look for the newly described Inti Tanager (DC). First found in the San Pedro area on the Manu road in Peru in 2000, this new species was known as San Pedro Tanager, and has recently been described and named. Our tour stages from the town of Apolo, Bolivia in the piedmont region of the high Andean plateau. Once an area of cerrado, Apolo sits on mostly scrub and cattle pasture but offers access to important habitats in Madidi National Park. The Machariapo Valley has isolated Inter-Andean dry montane forest (800 to 1300 m) within Madidi National Park where the Inti Tanager is found in Bolivia.

 

There are many other bird species here including Yungas Antwren, the threatened Military Macaw, and Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. The large rain shadow dry forest is a fairly unique ecosystem and offers many bird species more common to Chaco and dry forests south of Santa Cruz city like Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, Rufous Casiornis, Black-capped Antwren, Black-bellied Antwren, and Saffron-billed Sparrow. But also because of its highland location the area shares species of Andean river valleys and middle montane forests like Yungas Manakin, Plain Antvireo, Pale-edged Flycatcher, White-winged Tanager, Two-banded and Golden-crowned Warbler.

Our multi-day tour allows time to track down the tanager.  We'll also look for Palkachupa (Apolo) Cotinga (DC) and Green-capped Tanager in the Bolivian Andean Cerrado and other birds in the Apolo Yungas such as Yellow-crested Tanager, Round-tailed Manakin, Red-stained Woodpecker, Mottle-backed Elaenia, Black-capped Antwren, Yungas Tyrannulet, Yungas Antwren, Bolivian Recurvebill, Inambari Woodcreeper, Ocellated Piculet, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, and perhaps even Scimitar-winged Piha are all possible in the area.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Today we will set off for Charazani birding along the way and breaking up the long journey to Apolo. 
Day 2 – 5: This morning we will continue on to Apolo, Bolivia where we will spend 4 nights.
Our days will be spent searching for the Inti Tanager and other specialties.
Day 6: Return to La Paz.
Day 7: Transfer to La Paz/El Alto International Airport (Code: LPB) to connect with international flights out.

 

Post-tour Extension to Apolo for the Inti Tanager, November 13 - 19, 2024
Tour Price: $1995 pp/dbl, $295 sgl from La Paz, Bolivia
Price based on a minimum of 8 passengers. 
Included: Group airport transfers, accommodations, meals, transport in local vehicles
Not Included: International flight, luggage charges, passport/visa fees, insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature.  Also, any and all costs arising from pandemic or Covid-19 related issues are not included in the tour cost and are the sole responsibility of the traveler. These include, among others, the costs of Covid treatment, hospitalization, medical fees, transport, meals and accommodation in case of illness or quarantine, and the costs of any Covid tests needed before, during and after the tour.

 

---

Leader: Diego Calderon, plus Steve Bird and Gina Nichol (with 8 or more clients).