Red-fronted Macaws by Chris Townend

Tour Dates: Thursday 15th – Friday 30th July 2027 (Santa Cruz to La Paz)
Tour Dates: Monday 4th – Tuesday 19th September 2028 (Santa Cruz to La Paz)
Tour Price: £5,499pp plus flight
Estimated International Flight Price: London – Santa Cruz – La Paz – London  approx. £1,100 return
Deposit: £6oo per per person
Conservation Donation from Wise Birding: £150 – £200 
Minimum Number: 6 people
Maximum Group Size: 7 people

Target Birds:
Darwin’s Nothura, Ornate Tinamou. Huayco Tinamou, Titicaca Grebe, Silvery Grebe, Chilean Flamingo, James’s Flamingo, Giant Coot, Andean Condor, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Violet-fronted Starfrontlet, Red-tailed Comet, Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Blue-capped Puffleg, Black-streaked Puffbird, Andean Flicker, Versicolored Barbet, Hooded Mountain Toucan, Military Macaw, Red-fronted Macaw, Cliff Parakeet, Scaly-naped Parrot, Black-winged Parrot, Yungas Manakin, Yungas Tody-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant, Taczanowski’s Ground-Tyrant, Puna Ground-Tyrant, Cinereous Ground-Tyrant, Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Slaty Gnateater, Yungas Antwren, Bolivian Antpitta, Rufous-faced Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, Bolivian Tapaculo, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Bolivian Recurvebill, Rock Earthcreeper, Creamy-breasted Canastero, Black-throated Thistletail, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Bolivian Blackbird, Dusky-green Oropendola, Mountain Cacique, Blue-backed Conebill, Giant Conebill, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer, Bolivian Warbling Finch, Rusty-browed Warbling Finch, Ringed Warbling Finch, Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finch, Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Fulvous-headed Brushfinch, Bolivian Brushfinch, Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Glacier Finch, Boulder Finch, Blue-browed Tanager, Slaty Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager and many more!

Tour Summary
Bolivia, despite being landlocked, is a remarkable land of striking contrasts and extraordinary natural beauty. From lush rainforests and mystical cloud forests to vast deserts and snow-capped peaks, its landscapes are as diverse as they are breathtaking. Traveling through Bolivia feels like moving through a living mosaic of ecosystems, each shifting and transforming with every step, offering something unique and awe-inspiring. The country’s twelve distinct ecoregions shelter nearly 1,500 bird species, making it a true paradise for birdwatchers. Situated in the heart of South America, Bolivia acts as a natural bridge between the ecosystems of its five neighboring countries, blending a rich mix of biodiversity while preserving its own unique environmental identity. This fusion creates an unparalleled natural wealth, with landscapes and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Yet Bolivia is more than just a natural paradise—it is also a vibrant multicultural nation with the highest Indigenous population in Latin America. Visitors can engage with Quechua and Aymara communities, whose rich pre Columbian heritage remains deeply woven into daily life. From colorful markets and traditional crafts to ancient rituals and Andean spiritual traditions, Bolivia offers a cultural immersion like no other. Whether witnessing a festival or sharing stories with locals, travelers quickly discover that its cultural richness rivals its natural wonders. The “From Tropical Basins to Andean Heights” route is specially designed for passionate birders eager to build an extensive species checklist while enjoying a comfortable, well organised journey through some of South America’s most diverse landscapes. Our adventure begins in the vast lowland plains of Santa Cruz, home to Bolivia’s main international airport and a gateway to exceptional birding. From here, we gradually ascend into the Andes, allowing ample time for acclimatisation as we transition from 400 meters above sea level to nearly 5,000 meters at some of our prime birding sites. This dramatic change in altitude unveils an incredible range of habitats—from tropical lowland forests and Andean foothills to lush cloud forests, high-altitude wetlands, and windswept puna grasslands. Along the way, we explore eight of Bolivia’s twelve eco-regions, immersing ourselves in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth; the Tropical Andes.
This route offers the chance to record between 450 and 550 bird species.

Rufous-faced Antpitta by Hugo Santa Cruz

ACCOMMODATION: 15 nights in Bolivia
2 nights Santa Cruz, 2 nights Refugio Los Volcanes, 1 night Red-fronted Macaw Lodge, 2 nights Comarapa, 1 night Coranipampa, 2 nights Cochabamba, 2 nights La Paz, 2 nights Jucumari Lodge and 1 night La Paz
Inclusive Meals: Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16 

Day 1: Arrival Santa Cruz
Today is primarily an arrival day with no organised birding. Most flights tend to arrive into Santa Cruz at around midday, so once checked into our hotel the rest of the day can be spent at leisure or for those keen to get out birding, we can organise a short taxi ride to do some birding in a nearby park to at least get familiar with some of the commoner species around the city. Overnight Santa Cruz

Day 2 – Santa Cruz – Lomas de Arena Park – Botanical Gardens
We begin our day very early, departing our hotel to enjoy some of the best birding hotspots around the city of Santa Cruz. The city is located in the lowlands of Bolivia, at around just 400 meters above sea level. We begin our birding in the Lomas de Arena Park, a protected area situated in the northernmost part of the Chaco, where savanna 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. We will then spend the afternoon exploring the Botanical Gardens, a vast expanse of forest within the city of Santa Cruz, located in the Chiquitanía Ecoregion. If weather  and time permits, we will end the day at Laguna Guapilo, a body of water that shelters hundreds of birds in the heart of the city. The main targets today 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 Antshrike and Chotoy Spinetail. We also have good chances to find Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth and White-eared Titi Monkeys. Overnight Santa Cruz

Refugio Los Volcanes by Chris Townend

Days 3 & 4: Amboró National Park Refugio Los Volcanes
Before dawn, 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  or the elbow of the Andes, where multiple eco-regions converge, making this park one of Bolivia’s most biodiverse. Our destination is the stunning Refugio Los Volcanes, a spectacular setting for a lodge as it sits below towering sandstone formations, with forest-covered mountains rising around the valley. It also has many exciting birding trails which we will explore over the next two days. From the moment we arrive, all exploration will be on foot and the trails vary in difficulty, but we will try and vary the trails as much as we can to maximise our chances for different birds. This part of Amboró National Park lies at the transition between the Northern and Southern Yungas eco-regions, resulting in a rich and diverse birdlife. Some of the key species we hope to find here include the endemic Bolivian Recurvebill, Short-tailed- Antthrush, Yungas Manakin, Grey and Brown Tinamous, Blue-browed Tanager, Planalto Hermit, Sparkling Violetear, Tawny-bellied Screech Owl, Slaty Gnateater, Military Macaw, Green-cheecked Parakeet, Channel-billed Toucan, Red-necked Woodpecker, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Black-streaked Puffbird and Dusky-green Opropendola. Overnight Refugio Los Volcanes.

Black-streaked Puffbird by Chris Townend

Day 5: Birding en route to Red-fronted Macaw Lodge
Today, we have a long journey ahead as we make our way to the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, passing through the Chaco Serrano along the way until the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve. Most of our birding will take place near the road, with targeted stops for key birds. The eco-region in this area undergoes dramatic changes over just a few kilometres. 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 metres 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. Target species we will be trying for en route include Huayco Tinamou, Andean Condor, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, Giant Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Bolivian, Rusty-browed, and Black-and-chestnut Warbling Finches, Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Olive-crowned Crescentchest and  Sooty-fronted Spinetail. Overnight Red-fronted Macaw Lodge

Cliff Parakeets with Monk Parakeet by Chris Townend

The “Macaw Cliffs” at Red-fromted Macaw Reserve

Day 6: Red-fronted Macaw Reserve – Laguna Pailones
The Red-fronted Macaw Reserve is a community-managed protected area set at 1,500 metres above sea level, along the banks of the Mizque River. Directly opposite the ecolodge, across the river, rises an impressive cliff that serves as a nesting site for the endemic Red-fronted Macaws. This species, along with many other birds, can be comfortably observed from the lodge gardens. We will have the entire morning to explore this outstanding birding hotspot and to search in particular for the endemic species. In the afternoon, we travel toward the Comarapa area, where we will spend the night. En route, again we will make several birding stops, including Laguna Pailones, another birding hotspot sitting between the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys and the Chaco Serrano. Landscapes here are distinguished by their remarkable diversity of Cacti. Some of the targets we should see today include the endemic Red-fronted Macaw and Cliff Parakeet, Spot-backed and White-eared Puffbird, Striped Woodpecker, White-tipped Plantcutter, White-crested Tyrannulet, Ringed Warbling Finch, Grey-crested Finch, and the endemic Bolivian Blackbird. Overnight Comarapa

Day 7: Serranía de la Siberia – Astilleros
Early in the morning, we will head into the cloud forests of the Serranía de la Siberia located on the southwestern edge of Amboró National Park. This section of the Southern Yungas is quite unique as the high mountains trap what little moisture is available in the atmosphere, creating wet conditions that allow lush, high-elevation forests to flourish on its steep slopes. This site lies at a significantly higher elevation and is considerably wetter than areas previously visited. Birding here can be challenging, but with perseverance, we have opportunities to find some quality endemic and near-endemic species. Then, we will explore the Astilleros area, in search of new species. Some of the key species we hope to find today include Bolivian and Rufous-faced Antpittas, Blue-capped Puffleg, Scaly-naped Parrot, Black-winged Parrot, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Buff-banded and Tawny-rumped Tyrannulets, Superciliaried Hemisphingus, Blue-backed Conebill, Bolivian Brushfinch, Fulvous-headed Brushfinch, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer and Rusty-browed Warbling Finch. Overnight Comarapa

Andean Condor by Chris Townend

Bolivian Brushfinch by Chris Townend

Day 8: Mostly a travel day
Today, we have a long journey to the town of Coranipampa, but we still have a little bit more time in the cloud forest before we continue our route west toward the department of Cochabamba. We will ascend until 3,500 metres above sea level, passing through the Humid Puna, the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, and the Northern Yungas. Then we descend to Coranipampa, situated at around 2,200 metres above sea level. This is a small, developing village that nevertheless offers simple accommodation, where we will spend the night. Some of the key birds we hope to find today include Violet-fronted Starfrontlet, Creamy-breasted Canastero, Light-crowned Spinetail, Pale-footed Swallow, White-tipped Swift, Common Chlorospingus, Fawn-breasted Tanager, andGolden-winged Cacique. Overnight Coranipampa

Day 9: Yungas of Cochabamba
Today, we wake up in the heart of the Yungas of Cochabamba and 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 metres above sea level. The landscape is dominated by Cecropia trees, a species that attracts birds of every colour, from tanagers to toucans. In the afternoon, we visit the cloud forest, located between 2,500 and 3,500 metres. 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 metres, and moments later, the sky may clear completely! Targets species we hope to find in the  rainforest include Versicolored Barbet, Bolivian Tapaculo, Slaty Tanager, Yungas Tody-Tyrant, Rust-and-yellow Tanager and Green-throated Tanager, Upland Antshrike, Yungas Antwren, Bolivian, Sclater’s and Buff-banded Tyrannulets, McConnel’s Flycatcher and Flammulated Pygmy-Tyrant. Species in the Cloud Forest could produce Hooded Mountain Toucan, Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager and the endemic Black-throated Thistletail and Black-hooded Sunbeam. Overnight Cochabamba

Black-hooded Sunbeam by Hugo Santa Cruz

Day 10: Polylepis Forest
Cochabamba is located in the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys at 2,570 metres. From any point in the city, the mountains of Tunari National Park can be seen and this will be today’s birding destination. 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 zone, we continue our ascent toward the Puna, reaching 4,600 metres today. As we climb, we pass through wetlands, lagoons, slopes, and other high-altitude habitats. Key targets today are many and include Red-tailed Comet, Wedge-tailed Hillstar, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Giant Conebill, the endemic Cochabamba Mountain Finch, Bolivian Warbling Finch, Streak-fronted Thornbird, Maquis Canastero, Brown-capped Tawny-tit Spinetails and D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant. At the Humid Puna zone we may find  Ornate Tinamou, Darwin’s Nothura, Rufous-naped, Taczanowski’s, Puna, Cinereous and Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, Rock Earthcreeper, Slender-billed Miner, Glacier Finch, and Boulder Finch. Overnight Cochabamba

Day 11: Domestic flight to EL Alto near La Paz – Bosquecillo de Auquisamaña
This morning, we take a flight to El Alto, a city located next to La Paz. The airport sits at an altitude of 4,100 meters above sea level. El Alto lies on the high plains, but as we descend into the valley of La Paz, the landscape gradually begins to change. Towering in the distance is the majestic Illimani, whose snow-capped peak rises to nearly 6,500 metres and an unforgettable sight. Although La Paz is not Bolivia’s capital, it serves as the seat of government. It’s a truly unique city, where millions of Aymaras and Mestizos contribute to a vibrant, energetic culture full of life, yet often chaotic. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local protected area: the Bosquecillo de Auquisamaña. This small patch of forest, located in the heart of the city, features a mix of native and introduced plant species. Some of the targets today include Andean Swift, Red-tailed Comet, Giant Hummingbird, Rock Earthcreeper, Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail, Streak-fronted Thornbird, White-browed Chat-Tyrant, Brown-backedMockingbird, and Greenish Yellow-Finch. Overnight La Paz

Titicaca Grebe family by Hugo Santa Cruz

Day 12: Sorata Valley – Lake Titicaca
On this day, we will continue our journey across the Altiplano, crossing the mountains of the Cordillera Real in the Andes as we head toward the Sorata Valley, where we will search for two endemic bird species, Black-hooded Sunbeam and  Berlepch’s Canastero. Then we head to Lake Titicaca, world-renowned for both its size and its altitude, at 3,800 metres. The Aymara community of Humamarka will meet us and then guide us on a boat trip in traditional small rowing boats, to find the grebe that bears the lake’s name, the Titicaca Grebe.  We will slowly navigate through the reeds until we reach a viewpoint in the middle of the water. It’s an excellent opportunity for photographers, and some species will allow us to get very close.Other species we will look for include Silvery Grebe, Giant Coot, Chilean Flamingo, James Flamingo, Cinereous Harrier, Andean Flicker, Puna Pipit, and Yellow-winged Blackbird. Overnight La Paz

Day 13: Cotapata National Park
Today we will start very early and begin our birding at 4,700 metres above sea level, in a frigid climate. During the first part of the morning, we will explore wetlands, lagoons, and native shrub vegetation, home to several bird species adapted to the heights of the magical Andes. Later, we will descend into a completely different landscape. In less than 20 km, we will reach the stunning “Death Road”, a narrow route that drops abruptly to 1,000 metres in just 30 km. Before the construction of the new road to Coroico, this route had the highest annual death toll from car accidents worldwide!
In just a few kilometres, we will go from the thick fog of the cloud forest to the warmth of the rainforests in Cotapata National Park, part of the Yungas of La Paz. Overnight Jucumari Lodge

Red-necked Woodpecker by Chris Townend

Day 14: Jucumari Lodge
Today we spend the whole day exploring  Jucumari Lodge, one of the most important birding hotspots in Bolivia’s Yungas region. More than just a lodge, this is a 180-hectare private nature reserve protecting well-preserved cloud forest, complete with waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers. It also serves as a refuge for the endangered Spectacled Bear. Jucumari Lodge is one of the few places in the region with bird feeders, making it an excellent spot to observe a variety of hummingbirds, tanagers, and more. One of the most sought-after species that visits the feeders is the Rufous-faced Antpitta and a species that will be high on our list of priorities. Within the reserve, we have the opportunity to explore mature forest along a network of trails and similarly, we can also enjoy more relaxed birding right in front of the feeders. During our time at Jucumari Lodge we will be looking for many species such as Striped-faced Wood Quail, Andean Parakeet, Great Sapphirewing, Black-hooded Sunbeam, Scaled Metaltail, Gould’s Inca, Violet-throated Starfrontlet (Bolivian), Hooded Mountain Toucan, Crimson Mantled Woodpecker, Black Throated Thistletail, Light Crowned Spinetail, Bolivian, Undulated and Rufous-faced Antpittas, Mountain Cacique, Chestnut Bellied, Scarlet and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, and Bolivian Brush Finch. Overnight Jucumari Lodge

Day 15: Jucumari Lodge
Today is our  final day of birding, and there is no better way to end the journey than with one last session in the beautiful cloud forest of Jucumari Lodge’s private reserve. Surrounded by misty forests and dramatic scenery, we will take our time exploring the trails and enjoying the rich birdlife of this special place, with the chance to add a few final species to our list. Later in the day, we will return to La Paz, where we will gather for a farewell dinner to reflect on the highlights of the trip. Overnight in La Paz

Day 16
We will transfer to the airport to connect with flights back home.

Please note this is a flexible itinerary which may need to be adjusted slightly dependent on arrival / departure times, weather conditions and the most recent information from our local guides

Leaders: Wise Birding leader and local guides
Included in cost: Accommodation twin rooms, all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16, all ground transport, all drinks other than alcohol, entrance fees to national parks and reserves and services of leaders.
Not included in cost: International airfare, travel insurance, drinks other than water and any airport/visa fees
Single Supplement: To be confirmed
Transport: A/C minibus throughout tour
Difficulty: Moderate This tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Walking will be on good trails or tracks, but undulating in areas and we will reach altitudes of up to 4,800 metres. It is therefore important to take this into consideration when booking.
Climate: Generally very hot and dry with temperature in the mid 30s degrees Celsius.
Tour Start Point: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Tour End Point: La Paz, Bolivia
Suggested Airlines: British Airways/Latam 

Military Macaws by Chris Townend