Photo Gallery
Our tour begins with a short internal flight (down in elevation from these high peaks of the Andes) to the city of Cochabamba, said to have the most agreeable climate in the whole country.
Photo: Rich Hoyer
But our first birding will not be in Cochabamba’s dry valley but rather in a lush cloud forest where birds such as this Ocellated (Tschudi’s) Woodcreeper…
Photo: Anthony Collerton
…and this Crested Quetzal can be found…
Photo: Anthony Collerton
…and although it’s frequently foggy or misty here, a sunny morning can bring out some unusual and little-known butterflies, such as this skipper.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
We’ll then work our way up a higher elevation valley where birds distract us from our picnic breakfasts…
Photo: Rich Hoyer
…and keeping an eye on the flowers, such as this Multisia, might yield some exciting hummingbirds…
Photo: Rich Hoyer
…like this Wedge-tailed Hillstar, one of Bolivia’s finest endemics.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
After a few days of acclimatizing to the higher elevations we’ll drive up to the vast expanses of Cerro Tunari in search of…
Photo: Rich Hoyer
…White-winged Diuca-Finch, among many other possibilities.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
Once on the Altiplano we’ll encounter species such as these Andean Flamingos inhabiting an environment more reminiscent of Utah’s Great Salt Lake than the cloud forests that are only a very short distance away.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
The Vicuña still roams wild on the Altiplano…
Photo: Anthony Collerton
…which is also home to the Golden-spotted Ground-Dove.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
We’ll return to some lovely cloud forest known as the Serranía de Siberia where many species await us.
Photo: Rich Hoyer
Just below this cloud forest we may find the handsome Olive-crowned Crescent-chest; despite being common and easy to hear, it’s one of the hardest birds to see as they skulk in dense brush and grass, attesting to the rarity of this photo.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
We’ll work our way into drier forest where a whole new suite of Bolivian specialties await us, such as this Ocellated Piculet.
Photo: Rich Hoyer
A handsome Red-fronted Macaw, one of Bolivia’s rarest and most beautiful endemics, will be the focus of our attention near Comarapa.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
Spot-backed Puffbird, a stolid but showy bird almost always found in pairs.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
A Rufous-capped Antshrike soaks up the morning sun.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
White-fronted Woodpecker, an obligate of giant cactus forest, common in Bolivia’s Valle Zone.
Photo: Anthony Collerton
The lodge at Refugio Los Volcanes is in a marvelous location, dwarfed by sandstone domes that surround the small valley…
Photo: Kim Risen
…and it’s comfortable too; here we consume one of the excellent home cooked meals and fresh fruit dessert.
Photo: Rich Hoyer
We often stop to enjoy other forms of life, such as these mating butterflies…
Photo: Rich Hoyer
…and these lovely orchids.
Photo: Rich Hoyer