CHOCÓ LOWLANDS- BAHIA SOLANO/EL VALLE/ UTRIA NATIONAL PARK (6 DAYS)

Bahía Solano is considered one of the most unspoiled destinations of the Pacific Lowlands of Colombia. This destination is isolated from other communities and getting there can be done only by boat or by a short plane flight from major cities. Attractions to this isolated place include unspoiled beaches, birdwatching, snorkeling, visiting Utria National Park, whale watching opportunities and turtle release programs.

Day 1 : Arrival El Almejal

We will take a local flight to Bahía Solano where we will be picked up by jeeps or a local "Chiva" towards our lodgings at el Almejal. The trip to our lodgings (15 km) usually takes about 40 minutes along a partially paved road, but we will bird along the way to get a glimpse at several Chocó specialties including the White and Blue Cotingas and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. Once we arrive at El Almejal we will get settled into our lodgings where we can enjoy the beaches and check out common bird species around the lodge

Day 2: El Valle-Bahía Solano Road

We will walk or drive along the road towards Bahía Solano. There are patches of second-growth forest along the road interspersed with pastures and farms. Possibilities here include Scarlet-rumped Caciques, Thick-billed Seed-finch, Blue-headed and Mealy Parrots, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Linneated Woodpecker, Pied Puffbird, Chestnut -headed Oropendola, Chestnut-backed Antbird and Purple-throated Fruitcrow.

Day 3: El Almejal Reserve

We will hit trails above our Lodge where we are likely to hear or see in excess of 140 species. The Lodge has 50 hectares with an extensive trail network. Here we will look for active mixed foraging groups that may include Russet Antshrike, Checker-throated, and Dot-winged Antwrens, Tawny-crested Tanager and Black-breasted Puffbird. We will be able to access canopy platforms where we will be able to get spectacular views of Tanagers including blue-whiskered, Golden-hooded, Crimson-backed and Lemon-spectacled Tanagers. In the afternoon, we can relax at the lodge and enjoy a swim.

Day 4 and 5: Utria National Park and Utria-El Valle road

Parque Nacional Natural Ensenada de Utria is a 54,000-ha Park created in 1987 to preserve several unique aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Steep, heavily forested mountains come down to the ocean to create dramatic scenery. We will rise early and depart from the town of El Valle by boat towards the park's headquarters. From there we will walk along various short trails. Specialties include Chocó Toucan, Chocó Tinamou, White-tipped Cotinga, Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Plumbeous Hawk. On our second Day we will bird along the Utria-El Valle road to get a look at the Baudo Oropendola colony and hope for great displays. In more open areas possibilities include Laughing Falcon, Chocó Toucan, Stripe Billed Aracari. We will also look for antswarms which may be accompanied by Spotted, Bicolored and Chestnut Backed Antbirds.

Day 6: Road to Airport

We will rise early and bird along the way to the airport. There are several good birding spots including a small marsh with White-throated Crake, Purple Galilulle, King Vulture, Swallow-tailed Kite and with a little luck Great-green Macaws flying overhead. We will fly out to Bogota to make our international connections or towards other birding destinations.