Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest - Expedition
5 days / 4 nights
Off the Beaten Track: Adventure in Search of the Blue-bearded Helmetcrest.
The tour begins from: Santa Marta.
Location: SIerra Nevada de Santa Marta (Magdalena).
n 1946, the blue-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon cyanolaemus), a stunning hummingbird with a brilliant blue beard, was collected on the high páramo of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta by explorer Melbourne Armstrong Carriker, Jr. For nearly seven decades, this bird disappeared and was presumed extinct. However, in 2015, Carlos Julio Rojas captured remarkable photos of a living specimen, marking its rediscovery after 69 years. The Sierra Nevada's isolated páramo landscapes, with their harsh climate and sparse vegetation, became the final refuge of this rare species.
Endemic to Colombia, the blue-bearded helmetcrest thrives among frailejones and glacial lakes, where few dare to venture. Despite its remarkable comeback, the bird faces dire threats from habitat loss and climate change. With an estimated population of fewer than 50 individuals, it remains critically endangered. Nonetheless, sightings of young birds provide hope for its continued survival amid conservation efforts.
The Helmetcrest hummingbirds, with their striking crests and unique beards, represent nature's resilience in high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Colombia is home to three of the four species: the Green-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii) thrives in Sumapaz and Chingaza National Parks. At the same time, the Buffy Helmetcrest (Oxypogon stuebelii) inhabits the rugged landscapes of Los Nevados del Ruiz National Park. Each species is perfectly adapted to the cold, oxygen-scarce environments they inhabit. The fourth, the White-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon lindenii), is found in Mérida, Venezuela. These birds symbolize both beauty and fragility, highlighting the need for ongoing conservation efforts in these vital páramo regions.
We will photograph this extraordinary species from San Pedro de la Sierra, a resilient mountain community on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. From this base, we combine cultural immersion with focused fieldwork: access to cloudforest trails, páramo edges and scenic ridgelines, guided stakeouts at established helmetcrest patches, and low‑impact hide sessions timed for optimal light and behaviour. Led by local hosts and expert guides, the program offers ethical photography opportunities, community engagement and direct support for conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the Blue‑bearded Helmetcrest and its páramo home.
Day 1 — Santa Marta → San Pedro de la Sierra
Morning: Meet in Santa Marta and drive to San Pedro de la Sierra. Arrive at the lodge, settle in and brief on safety and field protocols.
Afternoon: Orientation walk through the village to meet local hosts and learn the area’s history and conservation efforts. Short sunset birding session near the village for acclimatization and scouting photo locations.
Evening: Welcome dinner, equipment check and final camera‑setting review. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 2 — Cloudforest Trails & Early Páramo Reconnaissance
Pre‑dawn: Early field departure to mid‑elevation trails; portrait and behavior sessions with understory species to warm up lenses and practice settings.
Late morning: Short transfer and ascent toward páramo transition zones to locate helmetcrest stakeouts, scouting perches and light.
Afternoon: Controlled hide sessions and stakeouts at known helmetcrest patches—practice hummingbird techniques (shutter, burst, AF zones) with guide support.
Evening: Image review and workshop on hummingbird lighting and composition. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 3 — Full Day: Targeting Blue‑bearded Helmetcrest
Pre‑dawn to dusk: Dedicated full day in the high‑elevation páramo targeting Blue‑bearded Helmetcrest. We use established stakeouts, hides and fieldcraft to maximize close, ethical encounters. Guides time sessions to lighting and bird movement. Between stakeouts we photograph other high‑altitude specialties and landscapes.
Evening: Portfolio review, feedback and discussion of conservation work with community stewards. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 4 — Follow‑up Sessions & Community Conservation
Morning: Follow‑up helmetcrest sessions for any missed angles, or to capture behavior and flight sequences.
Midday: Community visit and participation in a short conservation activity (seedling planting or trail maintenance) — a chance to photograph people‑landscape interactions and support local projects.
Afternoon: Optional additional stakeouts for secondary targets (páramo hummingbirds, highland passerines) and final image cleanup time. Evening: Farewell dinner. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 5 — Final Dawn Session & Return to Santa Marta
Early morning: Final dawn shoot for last light portraits or action frames.
Late morning: Wrap‑up meeting — image sharing, technical notes and next steps for continued cooperation and conservation support.
Afternoon: Return transfer to Santa Marta, arriving late afternoon.
One Photographer $ 3.790
Two Photographers $ 2,350
Three Photographers $ 1,950
Four Photographers $ 1,690
Five Photographers $1.560
Six Photographers $1.450
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.
- Six days, 5 nights of bird photography tour.
- Double accommodation.
- Pick up at Santa Marta International Airport.
- Drop off at Santa Marta International Airport
- Accompany to take every picture as needed
- 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:
a. Bird activity.
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.