Amazon's Guiana Frontier

Mitu - Vaupes

A Journey Through Ancestral Territory and Untouched Rainforest

The tour begins in Mitu

Location: Mitu - Vaupes.

In the far southeast of Colombia, where the Vaupés River carries the jungle's rhythm past small rock outcrops known as tepuyes, lies Mitú — capital of the Vaupés department and gateway to one of the most singular birding regions in South America. This is Amazonian territory unlike any other: home to more than 23 indigenous ethnic groups who still practice traditional Chagra agriculture, a method that has preserved the surrounding forest for generations.


What sets Mitú apart is geography. The presence of the Guiana Shield, expressed here through low tepuy formations, allows Guiana-affinity birds to extend their range into Amazonian forest — producing an avifauna found almost nowhere else in Colombia. Terra firme forest, white sand forest, varzea, and tepuy habitats sarewithin reach of eone another giving this region an unmatched concentration of sspecializedspecies across a genuinely manageable trail network.


This itinerary moves through six of the area's defining routes — Mitú Cachivera, Línea Bocatoma, Mituseño Urania, Cruce Bocatoma, Puente Lata/Tayazu, and a dedicated river route along the Vaupés — each opening a different ecosystem and a different set of target bird

Day 1 — Bogotá to Mitú · 


We depart Bogotá before midday on a 1.5-hour flight to Mitú. On arrival, we check into our hotel and head straight into the field, taking a road near town bordering the Urania Community route to begin building our species list. Expect Scarlet Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Speckled Chachalaca, Many-banded Aracari, White-throated Toucan, Blackish-gray Antshrike, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Cherrie's Antwren, Gray-crowned Flatbill, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Large-billed Seed-Finch, Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch, Sulphury Flycatcher, and Yellow-browed Sparrow, among others. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 2 — Mituseño Urania Route · Varzea and Terra Firme Forest


A full day dedicated to the Urania route, working varzea and terra firme habitat around the community. This is prime ground for Red-fan Parrot, Sunbittern, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Yellow-browed Antbird, Striolated Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Azure-naped Jay, Green Oropendola, Swallow-winged Puffbird, Green-backed Trogon, Amazonian Antshrike, Turquoise Tanager, Masked Tanager, Coraya Wren, and Pectoral Sparrow. We return to the hotel for lunch and a midday rest before a second session on a different stretch of the route in the afternoon. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 3 — River Route · Vaupés and Cajure Rivers


Once the day clears, we board a boat for the day's river route: ten minutes down the Vaupés and a further five up the Cajure to reach the Santa Marta and Golondrinas communities. Targets along this stretch include Kawall's Amazon, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Paradise Jacamar, Gilded Barbet, Chestnut Woodpecker, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Mouse-colored Antshrike, Black-chinned Antbird, Black-headed Antbird, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Fulvous-crested Tanager, and Amazonian-streaked Antwren. After lunch back at the hotel, we take a short afternoon trail near town. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 4 — Mitú Cachivera Route · Terra Firme Forest and Small Tepuyes


Before sunrise, we head for the Ceima Cachivera area, part of the broader Mitú Cachivera route, to reach an active lek of the spectacular Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. Supporting species here include Black-throated Antbird, Black-faced Antbird, Yellow-billed Jacamar, Paradise Tanager, Channel-billed Toucan, White-crowned Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Blue-crowned Manakin, and Amazonian Tyrannulet. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 5 — Puente Lata/Tayazu Route · Terra Firme Forest Toward the Brazil Border


An early departure takes us toward the Brazil border along the Santa Cruz road, roughly two hours to our starting point near Puente Lata/Tayazu. This is trusted ground for the outstanding Fiery-Topaz — one of the hummingbirds worth traveling for on its own — alongside Blue-crowned Trogon, Tawny-tufted Toucanet, Lettered Aracari, Red-necked Woodpecker, Dusky-billed Parrotlet, Dusky-throated and Cinereous Antshrike, White-fronted Nunbird, Brown-winged Schiffornis, Musician Wren, Flame-crested Tanager, and Opal-crowned Tanager. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 6 — Línea Bocatoma Route · White Sand Forest


We shift into one of the region's most distinctive habitats: white sand forest along the Línea Bocatoma route. This ecosystem holds a suite of specialties found nowhere else on this itinerary — Orinoco Piculet, Imeri Warbling-Antbird, Pearly Antshrike, Spot-backed Antwren, Yellow-throated Antwren, Spot-backed Antbird, Dot-backed Antbird, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Spotted Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Xenops, White-eyed Tody-Tyrant, and Plum-throated, Purple-breasted, and Pompadour Cotingas. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 7 — Cruce Bocatoma Route · White Sand Forest and Cerrito Verde


We continue through the white sand forest network via the Cruce Bocatoma crossing, extending our coverage of the ecosystem's specialty birds — Screaming Piha, Amethyst Woodstar, Yellow-crowned Manakin, Saffron-crested Tyrant-Manakin, Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin, Black Manakin, Brown-headed Greenlet, and Plumbeous Euphonia, along with Grey-breasted Sabrewing, Bronzy Jacamar, Olive Oropendola, Pink-throated Becard, Green-and-gold Tanager, and Slate Grosbeak. A visit to the nearby Cerrito Verde spot rounds out the day with terra firme species including Great-billed Hermit, Black-eared Fairy, Pied Puffbird, Dusky Antbird, Ruddy Spinetail, Magpie Tanager, and Opal-rumped Tanager. Overnight in Mitú.


Day 8— Final Morning and Departure


A last morning in the field before we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Bogotá, closing out eight days centered on one of Colombia's most distinctive Amazon-Guiana birding regions.

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Small bird with dark head and orange-brown body perched on a thin branch in a green forest background

Additional information

  • Ground transportation on the stipulated routes.
  • A birdwatching guide or Photographer guide.
  • Local guides where necessary.
  • Meals are defined for each day: b- Breakfast, l- Lunch, and d- Dinner.
  • Entrance fees to the reserves.
  • 8 days, seven nights of bird photography tour.
  • Double accommodation. 
  • Pick-up at Mitu Airport.
  • Drop-off at Mitu Airport
  • Accompany to take every picture as needed
  • Insurance

  • International flights.
  • Domestic flights.
  • Nights before or nights after the tour.
  • Meals not stipulated.
  • Wire Transfer extra costs are 0,5% per transaction.
  • Laundry.
  • Alcohol Beverages.
  • Insurance.
  • Other expenses are not specified.
  • Tips.

  • Bring Binoculars
  • Photography equipment
  • External memory for downloading pictures at night.
  • Computer to process at night.
  • Be prepared for rain and sun: waterproof rain jacket and quick-drying clothing.
  • Bring a camera protector.
  • Bring silica gel to store the equipment at night and avoid humidity.
  • Sunscreen, hat, or cap.
  • Waterproof trekking boots or rubber boots.
  • VERY IMPORTANT: insect repellent

LOGISTICS COULD CHANGE FOR MANY REASONS AS FOLLOWS:


b. For the decision of the travellers.


c. Security issued. Healthy issue. Road Issue.


e. Other no specify.


The travellers have to accept any of these changes. If the shift carries extra costs, they assume them. The price is budgeted before the change.


Retorno does not provide equipment rental or loan service; each person must bring their cameras, lenses, batteries, memories and computer to carry out the activity in the best conditions. Retorno is not responsible for the loss, deterioration, or theft of photographic equipment or accessories.


RETORNO does not guarantee any species of birds or photography of them; nature is unpredictable.


RETORNO works hard to have the best logistics and protocols for safety during your visit to COLOMBIA BIRD PARADISE.