Hoatzin and chicks, Hato El Cedral, Venezuela— Photo: David Ascanio

Combines two highly contrasting ecosystems of the Neotropics: the low Andes and the Llanos (plains). Great opportunity to learn about bird richness and habitats while birding at a slow pace. Excellent photo opportunities. Amazing concentrations of waterbirds, perhaps among the best in the world.

The Andes of Venezuela, one of the premier birding destinations in the Americas, rise from the plains to almost 15,000 feet and host a rich number of habitats.

The first part of our tour will focus on some of the Andean ecosystems and especially those found below 3,000 feet, covering coffee plantations, edges of tropical humid and moist forest, and secondary growth. The combination of these ecosystems will assure an amazing number of tanagers, tyrannulets, and wrens, while manakins, becards, and orioles are less common, but equally beautiful.

The second part of our tour will be spent at the famed Hato El Cedral. Here, all seven species of ibis, birds of prey, tyrant-flycatchers, and Orinoco Goose share their territories with more than 300 species of birds, many that can be seen at a very slow pace. In fact, this ranch is renowned for its enormous concentrations of waterbirds—regarded by many as the greatest spectacle of waders and waterfowl on the continent—as well as large numbers of easy-to-see birds of all descriptions, including rarities such as Yellow-knobbed Curassow and Agami Heron. There also are plenty of "must see" species like Hoatzin, Great Potoo, Scarlet Macaw, Red-billed Scythebill, and Russet-throated Puffbird, as well as enormous Orinoco crocodiles, thousands of capybara, and the occasional giant anteater—so much diversity, in fact, that most visitors come away in awe of the wildlife here.

Birding is easy in this part of the country, usually from paved roads, from a boat, or from safari trucks. In fact, visitors to Venezuela always remark on how easy it is to see the birds, from tiny bejeweled hummingbirds to showy tanagers and bizarre-looking hoatzins. And, as we will be birding below 6,000 feet, high altitude sickness is not a concern.

This tour can be combined with our Venezuela: Casa Maria & Hato Piñero Relaxed & Easy tour.

Good accommodations; all nights at two locations; morning, afternoon, and evening outings in safari trucks or in the vicinity of the lodge; great boat trips; easy non-strenuous terrain; no high elevations visited; midday breaks; warm climate.