Colombia: Amazonia & White Sand Specials


December 8 - 15, 2025

With Phil Chaon

Detailed Itinerary

Clinging to the shores of the Inírida River is a town by the same name. Once a small port serving fisherman after peacock bass, or ranchland workers of the Llanos moving goods, it is now increasingly visited by birders.

Inírida is a place where a variety of influences play and mingle. Home to a large number of  indigenous people with 24 ethnic groups (most famously the Puinave), it is the capital city of the Department of Guainía. Located at the extreme eastern edge of Colombia, it rests at the western edge of the Guianan Shield, the northern edge of Amazonia, and the southern edge of Orinoquía. It is unique enough from a biogeographical standpoint that it was designated a Ramsar site, and the Fluvial Star of Inírida is now recognized as a wetland of international importance. Most of it is forested. Flooding from April through November, water levels recede in December. Using motorized canoes and walking trails, birders visiting here can access the Orinoco River, várzea forests of Amazonia, and unique white sand forests as well. The latter host seldom-seen or range-restricted specials like Orinoco Softtail, Orinoco Piculet, White-naped Seedeater, Yapacana Antbird, Black Manakin, Bronzy Jacamar, and others. Add to these other intriguing possibilities such as the odd Capuchinbird, Pale-bellied Mourner, a handful of jacamars, several species of raucous macaws, and even rosy Amazon River Dolphins or Giant River Otters, and one gets a sense for the remoteness of this wilderness. And this is to say nothing of breath-takingly beautiful Cerros de Mavecure, vestiges of old worn tepuis, rising dramatically from the flats of the forest floor to heights of over 2000 feet.

A short flight from Bogota lies a rich and still little explored wilderness. Join us for an adventure to the white sands at the edge of the Amazon.

Daily Overview

  • Day 1: Arrival into Bogotá

    After arriving into Bogotá, you will be met by a Hillstar Nature representative and transferred to our nearby hotel. We will enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel meeting in the restaurant at 630pm, and as we eat we’ll prepare for the flight tomorrow to Inírida. Night in Bogota.

  • Day 2: Flight to Inírida

    After about a 2-hour flight, we’ll land in Inírida. We then check in and get settled at our hotel, our home for the next 6 nights. After some lunch we head out into the field. Nearby hotspots could hold Black Manakin or Spotted Puffbird, while roadside can offer Swallow-winged Puffbirds and Brown Jacamars. Night in Inírida.

  • Day 3: Caño Culebra Trail

    Working the white sand forests here, amongst the common birds such as Scaled Pigeons and Orange-winged Parrots, we’ll seek out birds such as Russet-browed Crake, Green-backed Trogon, Black Manakin, and Yellow-crowned Manakin.

  • Day 4: Sabanitas

    An indigenous community nestled into another patch of white sand forest, here we have a chance to really put together a robust list of birds. A full morning with some time in the afternoon can easily result in a 100+ species list. For birders there are a number of high quality targets including Capuchinbird, Pale-bellied Mourner, Yellow-green Grosbeak, and Yapacana Antbird, among more common species such as White-throated Toucan, Paradise Tanager, and Swallow-winged Puffbirds.

  • Day 5: The Orinoco River

    The Inírida River is the largest tributary of the Guaviare River. The two intersect north of town, and then another 12 miles to the north, the Guaviare empties into the massive 1300+ mile long Orinoco River. The third largest river in the world (by volume of water discharged), the drainage spans nearly all of eastern Colombia. The skimmer-like Large-billed Tern moves up and down the river in some numbers here. We’ll have at least one day by boat exploring the rivers, seeking species like River Tyrannulet, Sand-colored Nighthawks, or even the mythical Rio Orinoco Spinetail.  Of course as we travel we’ll keep eyes peeled for the dolphins and otters.

  • Day 6: Matraca

    Working a combo of várzea forest with some white sand patches, today we seek some forest birds as our targets including the sneaky but smart Rose-breasted Chat, and specials such as Blackish-gray Antshrike, Black Bushbird, Varzea Schiffornis, and Orinoco Softtail. More common but still pleasing species here can include Gilded Barbet, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Pygmy Antwren and others.

  • Day 7: Cerros de Mavecure

    Heading south by boat, we’ll have a longer travel day all by boat, to the magnificent Cerros de Mavecure. In 2016 these weathered old tepuis (flat-topped mountains) were featured in the Oscar-nominated film, “El Abrazo de la Serpiente” (‘The Embrace of the Serpent’).  Still revered as sacred by the Amerindians living in the area, they are startlingly beautiful. While this is not as robust a birding day, we should see a few new species, and also enjoy spectacular scenery at the Cerros, which lie about about 30 miles south of Inírida.

  • Day 8: Flight back to Bogota

    We’ll bid Inírida a fond farewell, and fly back to Bogota. The tour ends upon arrival back in the Bogota airport.

Detailed Itinerary

PRICE & BOOKING INFO

Tour Price/person*: $4800
Deposit: $1000
Single supplement: $270
Final Payment Due: 7 August 2025

 *Based on double occupancy at lodgings, with a group size of 6 to 8 registrants. Maximum groups size is 8 registrants, plus guide(s) and driver(s). If there are fewer than 6 registrants, this tour may be canceled or re-negotiated. Note that if you want a roommate we can try to find you one, but we cannot guarantee all guests a roommate. If none is available, you will be charged the single supplement. Deposit is made via WeTravel. Final tour payment is by check or ACH transfer (Zelle). Final tour price is subject to change should flights, fuel, or other required goods/services increase in cost significantly between now and departure.

The tour price (fee) includes services from upon arrival on Day 1 into Bogota (El Dorado Airport, BOG) until our return to BOG Airport on Day 8, including:

·   All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 8.

·      All accommodations from Day 1 through until Day 8.

·     All transport from arrival into BOG on Day 1 through to Day 8 until guests are transported back to BOG mid-day.

·      Roundtrip flight to Inírida.

·  All guiding services, access permits and entrance fees to birding areas.

·  Tips for drivers and staff at hotels and restaurants.

Excluded from your tour fee are:

·      International flights in/out of BOG.

·     Cocktails, laundry services, charges for phone calls, and any other items of a personal nature.

·    Visa fees, airport taxes, airline baggage fees, etc.

·      Tips for local Colombia guide.

Cancellation Policy

We strongly recommend all guests purchase travel insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation services and trip curtailment, in advance of this tour. It is important to protect against financial losses in the event that registrant becomes unable to participate in the tour. Note that such coverage is often non-refundable so please check with the Hillstar Nature team before purchasing it, to confirm the tour is to proceed as planned.

If cancellation is received:

·      120 days or more prior to the start of the tour, a full refund minus a $500/person processing fee is issued to registrant(s).

·      Between 119 and 90 days prior to the start of the tour, half of the tour fee will be returned to registrant.

·      89 days or less prior to departure, no refund of payments or deposits are issued.

The team at Hillstar Nature reserves the right to refuse service to any registrant/participant who acts disruptive or in a manner inconsistent with the goals of the tour. All guests are expected to comply with the rules and agenda set forth by the guide(s) of the tour, and to behave in a way that is considerate and conducive to a quality group experience.

Please contact us if you have any questions about if a tour is a good fit for your goals and/or level of fitness.

Pace, Rigor, Climate & Pests

·       This is a fairly rigorous trip. Often warm or hot and humid conditions. Most field time is on foot or by boat. Early mornings to be in position for best birding. Some biting insects. Must be nimble enough to climb in/out of motorized canoes at landings.

·       Comfortable accommodations. 4-star in Bogota. 2.5-star in Inírida. Food is good, accommodating variety of diets.

·       That this is a single-site stay once we arrive in Inírida allows some flexibility. There is the option to take an outing off to rest.

·      Some extended time on foot (perhaps 3+ hours). We plan to visit the Cerros de Mavecure, and plan only to hike up the lower reaches for a view and a bit of birding.

 

Packing

Limit yourself to one mid-size suitcase/duffel and another smaller bag for daily use on outings. Bring raingear. It is possible to be out on the trail away from shelter and to encounter rain. Laundry services are available at the hotel. Having lightweight clothes than can be hand-cleaned and dry quickly is an advantage. We could encounter some mud along trails and roadsides, so good trail shoes, hiking shoes or hiking boots are recommended for field outings, while a pair of slip-ons, flip flops, or comfortable walking shoes for around the hotels are good to have as well. We definitely recommend a thermal layer and a fleece/sweatshirt that can be layered under a raincoat to keep warm and dry.

Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses are good for if we encounter bright, clear conditions, especially at elevation. A daypack (small backpack or the like) for your belongings for daily field outings is useful, and some folks find that having a walking stick for balance is nice or having a foldable stool/chair is nice for times when we sit and wait in an area for a bird(s) to show. Power outlets in Colombia are similar to those in the US/Canada (110v/60Hz). Wi-Fi is offered at all hotels but subject to disruption at times. A supply of insect repellant is advisable.

ALL GUESTS/REGISTRANTS MUST:

·      Review Travel Documents. For international travel, guests must have a current passport valid for six months beyond the end date of this tour, with at least 1 blank page for stamps.

·      Review COVID-19 and other health requirements required to travel into or around the destination.

·      Review Hillstar Nature’s Code of Conduct.

·      Consider obtaining travel and medical insurance to cover incidents over the duration of this tour.

·      Sign the Hillstar Nature Terms & Conditions, which includes the assumption of risk/liability waiver.

View Hillstar Nature’s Terms & Conditions of Booking