EASTERN PLAINS HATO LA AURORA (4 days)

The Eastern plains (Llanos) of Colombia are vast tropical grasslands plain found east of the eastern Andes. These plains are dissected by large east flowing rivers originating from the eastern Andes. During the rainy season, the low lying areas are inundated and as they dry, they become dotted with shallow wetlands where an amazing array of wildlife congregates.

At the Hato La Aurora (Hato is the local name for Ranch), located north of Yopal we will experience Colombia's Llanos in its entire splendor. The ranch encompasses 16,000 hectares of grasslands, gallery forests, wetlands and rivers where wildlife coexists with traditional livestock ranching.

The Hato is teeming with birdlife and as we explore our surroundings on foot, jeep, horseback, or boat. posibilities include the endangered Orinoco Goose, Scarlet and Green Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Jabiru, Horned Screamer, Maguari Stork, and Sunbittern. Along the gallery forests, we will look for Spectacled Parrotlet, Hoatzin, Fasciated Antshrike, Pale-headed Jacamar, Yellow-knobbed Curassow, Scarlet Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Blue-crowned Parakeet, Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl, Nacunda Nighthhawk, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Puffbird, Collarded Puffbird, Yellow-bellied Nunbird, Chestnut-eared Araçari, Little Woodpecker, Rufous-fronted Thornbird, Violeaceus Jay, Bare-eyed Thrush, Hooded Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager and more.

We will certainly see the fantastic wildlife of the plains, including howler monkeys, giant anteaters, capibaras, white-tailed deer, caimans, iguanas and turtles.

During our visit, we will be staying at a very comfortable hacienda-style house, where we will savor traditional meals, while listening to the sounds of the music of the region played by our gifted hosts and watch colorful birds feasting on plantain bananas.

While at the reserve we can also participate in traditional llanero (plains' cowboy) activities, fishing, swimming and relaxing on the hammocks as we watch the magical sunsets of the plains.