Birding in the Bolivian Andes

Bolivia stretches across the widest part of the Andean range and is home to steppe deserts, giant salt flats and myriad saline lakes. The eastern side of Bolivia is formed by the Amazonian rainforest. In the transition from the high Andes to the Amazonian lowland we find a hardly visited Cloud forest of Yungas which is home to the majority of Bolivia’s endemic wildlife. In Bolivia 1360 species of birds are found or about 14% of the planet’s total numbers of living species. 33% of all the species in Bolivia live in the Andean region that includes the sub tropical cloud forest of Yungas. This birding trip is a full exploration of the most remote Andean regions starting in temperate ravines below the impressive glaciated Illimani mountain, followed by steppe deserts at the west of Bolivia, going to high plateaus around Lake Titikaka, through glacial valleys in Cordillera Real and finally drop down to the Cloud forest of Yungas, in a birding route from 3825 m/ 12550 ft high to 1200 m/ 3937 ft high. Our expedition includes trekking, camping, hostelling and car journeys to access the diverse approach points and for the transfers from one route to another.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN LA PAZ. Reception and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR. Half day to discover the town of La Paz.

DAY 3: TO TAWAPALCA. Full day birding in temperate valleys to watch: Parakeets, Sunbeams, Chat-Tyrants, Finches, Hummingbirds, Tapaculos, Canasteros, Spinetails, Flowerpiercers, and many others.

DAY 4: TO TOMARAPI. Drive and visit of Pre-Inca remains and lava flow canyons. Lodge.

DAY 5: KEÑUANI FOREST & WAÑAKOTA LAKE. Green oases and lakes to watch: Flamingos, Grebes, Teals, Ducks, Coots, Plovers, Dotterels, Avocets, Seedsnipes, Hillstars, Canasteros, Tyrants, Finches, Pipits, and many others. Lodge in Sajama Village.

DAY 6: GEYSERS OF JUNTUMA & RETURN TO LA PAZ. Geysers and hot spring bathing. Watch birds like: Tinamous, Condors, Hawks, Falcons, Rheas and many others. Drive to La Paz.

DAY 7: DRIVE TO COPACABANA & URUS ISLANDS IN LAKE TITIKAKA. Superb view of Cordillera Real whilst birding at the banks of Lake Titikaka to tick off on the list: Coots, Lapwings, Sandpipers, endemic Grebes, Rails, Herons, Egrets, Gulls, Teals, Ibises and many others. In replics of Pre-historical Urus islands we search for the Titikaka Flightless Grebe. Hotel.

DAY 8: TO SUN ISLAND IN LAKE TITIKAKA. Move to an island for a birding hike. We recognize species of: Earthcreepers, Flickers, Doves, Spinetails, Hummingbirds, Cinclodes, Finches, Tyrants, and many others. Return to Copacabana.

DAY 9: TRANSFER TO AJWANI. Car transfer and camp. High Andean glacial lagoons and moorlands to find out: Coots, Yellowlegs, Phalaropes, Grebes, Ducks, Teals, Geese, Finches, Negritos, Siskins, Caracaras, and others.

DAY 10: TO WAÑAKOTA LAGOON. Car transfer and refuge. A break in a beautiful spot surrounded by snowy peaks.

DAY 11: BIRDING HIKE IN CONDORIRI. A series of bright blue lakes and moraines to reconfirm the high Andean birdlife. Return to La Paz.

DAY 12: TO CHUCURA. Short car transfer. Move down through the Inca trail to Yungas forests and find: Canasteros, Tapaculos, Finches, Tit-Tyrants, Ibises, Vultures, Eagles and others. Trek and camp.

DAY 13: TO CHALLAPAMPA. Move down to cloud forest, land of tanagers and incas. A very rich birdlife and endemism. Tick off in our long list birds like: Incas, Pipits, Seedeaters, Spinetails, Tinamous, Thrushes, Conebills, Grosbeaks, Tanagers, Wrens, Hummingbirds, Antpittas, Tyrants, Hemispingus, Tuftedcheecks, Spinetails, Thistletails, Torrent Ducks, and many others. Trek and camp.

DAY 14: TO BELLA VISTA. Lush forest sheltering birds like: Guans, Sunbeams, Parrots, Cotingas, Warblers, Mountain-Tanagers, Woodpeckers, Caciques, Solitaires, Flycatchers, Racket-Tails, Cuckoos, Manakins, Toucanets, Quetzals, Antshrikes, Tyrannulets, Eagles, and others. Trek and camp.

DAY 15: TO SANDILLANI. Move down to Humid Yungas Forest, land of the Cock of the Rock and Oropendolas. Confirmation of cloud forest birds. Trek and lodge.

DAY 16: TO EL JIRI. Still ticking off missed birds. A series of plantations to view. Trek and lodge. Relax.

DAY 17: BIRDING IN TUNI & RETURN TO LA PAZ. Hike to find: Gleaners, Gnateaters, Incas, Oropendolas, Parrots, Barbtails, Tanager, Quetzals, Tyrants, and many others. Return to La Paz.

DAY 18: FREE DAY IN LA PAZ.

DAY 19: DEPART LA PAZ. Transfer to the airport. End of our package service.

BRING: anorak, sleeping bag, warm gloves, polar jacket, sun hat, thermal underwear, sun glasses, head torch, sun block, sun hat, bathing suit, binoculars, mosquito repellent.