What is the best time to visit Bolivia for the Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition?

The Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition runs during two optimal seasons: late July through mid-September and late March through early April. These periods offer the best conditions for observing both the Red-fronted Macaw and Blue-throated Macaw in their natural habitats.

How many bird species can I expect to see on the Bolivia macaw expedition?

You can expect to see 250 to 300 bird species during the 10-day expedition. This includes all four Bolivian endemic bird species, with Barba Azul Reserve alone recording 357 bird species across its 12,200 hectares of Beni savanna.

What makes the Red-fronted Macaw photography opportunities unique at Paraba Frente Roja?

Paraba Frente Roja offers the world's only close-range photography access to Red-fronted Macaws through purpose-built hides at the base of their nesting cliffs. No other site provides this level of access to photograph this critically endangered Bolivian endemic without disturbing the birds.

How many Blue-throated Macaws remain in the wild and where can I see them?

Only about 600 Blue-throated Macaws remain worldwide, making them critically endangered. Armonía's Barba Azul Reserve holds up to 228 individuals, representing the global stronghold for the species, where you can observe groups of 20 to 50 arriving at sunset to roost in the motacú palms.

What other wildlife besides macaws can I see at Barba Azul Reserve?

Beyond the macaws, Barba Azul's camera traps have recorded jaguar, puma, maned wolf, giant anteater, ocelot, brocket deer, and black howler monkeys. You'll also have opportunities to see Greater Rhea, Jabiru, capybara, and various grassland specialist birds across the reserve's diverse habitats.

What cultural experiences are included in the Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition?

The expedition includes several authentic cultural experiences: an Aymara yatiri blessing ceremony in La Paz, an afternoon with charango makers in Aiquile where you can commission a bespoke instrument, camba cooking in Trinidad, and a farewell dinner at Gustu restaurant. You'll also visit Quechua communities that help protect the Red-fronted Macaw habitat.

What type of accommodation is provided during the macaw birding tour?

Accommodation varies by location: Hotel Anami, a restored 1920s residence in La Paz; the community-run Paraba Frente Roja Lodge with shared bathrooms; Hotel Boutique del Rey in Trinidad; and private double cabins with en-suite bathrooms at Barba Azul Nature Reserve. All accommodations reflect the local character while providing necessary comfort.

How does this expedition support macaw conservation efforts?

The trip includes a conservation surcharge that directly supports the Blue-throated Macaw recovery programme and the community-run Paraba Frente Roja reserve. The expedition runs in partnership with Asociación Armonía, Bolivia's leading bird conservation organization, and tourism revenue helps fund ongoing protection of both macaw species and their habitats.

What is the travel route and transportation for the Bolivia macaw expedition?

The expedition starts and ends in La Paz, with domestic flights to Cochabamba and Trinidad, plus a chartered flight to Barba Azul's grass airstrip. Ground transportation includes private 4x4 transfers through the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys to reach Omereque, ensuring access to both macaw locations while minimizing travel time.

What should I expect from the daily schedule during the macaw birding expedition?

Days typically start with pre-dawn or dawn birding sessions when macaws are most active, followed by rest periods during hot midday hours and afternoon activities. Evening sessions focus on observing macaw roost flights, with optional night walks for nocturnal species. The schedule balances intensive wildlife viewing with cultural activities and adequate rest time.

Bolivia

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Duration

11 Days

From

$6,300

Group Size

4–8 guests

Two critically endangered macaws and 300 other species across canyon and savanna Bolivia

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Ecovoyager Experiences

Tour Highlights

The moments that make this journey unforgettable.

Red-fronted Macaw at Paraba Frente Roja

Blue-throated Macaw at Barba Azul

Barba Azul Reserve Chartered Fly-In

Community-Run Reserve at Omereque

Aiquile Charango Workshop

Santa Cruz and the Bolivian Oriente

Eastern-Lowland Farewell Dinner

Barba Azul Savanna Wildlife

Bolivia Tour Overview

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Two critically endangered macaws and 300 other species across canyon and savanna Bolivia

Duration

11 Days

Price

$6,300

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Time

Late July – Mid September

Eleven days in Bolivia focused on the country’s two endemic macaws: Red-fronted Macaw in the sandstone canyons of the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, and Blue-throated Macaw in the motacú palm savannas of the Beni lowlands. The trip runs in partnership with Asociación Armonía, Bolivia’s leading bird conservation organisation, with multiple sessions at their purpose-built photographic hides at Paraba Frente Roja and Barba Azul. Total count across the trip is 250 to 300 species including all four Bolivian endemics, plus maned wolf, giant anteater, and jaguar on the Barba Azul camera traps. The expedition opens in Santa Cruz with a gentle day in the eastern lowlands, then runs an afternoon with a charango luthier in Aiquile, camba cooking in Trinidad, and a farewell dinner in Santa Cruz.

Route Overview 11 Days · Bolivia

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Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Your Bolivia Tour Itinerary

Route Overview 11 Days · Bolivia

Day 1

Arrival in Santa Cruz

Arrival at Viru Viru International Airport and private transfer into central Santa Cruz, the capital of Bolivia's eastern lowlands and the country's main international gateway. Most international flights connect through Panama, Lima, or Miami and reach the city in the evening, so the first night is kept deliberately light. After check-in at the boutique hotel, a relaxed welcome supper of regional camba dishes and a chilled achachairú cooler, then an early night to recover from travel before the expedition ahead.

Day 2

Santa Cruz and the Eastern Lowlands

A full day in Santa Cruz to recover from travel and ease into Bolivia before the expedition moves toward the macaw reserves. An optional gentle morning of birding at the Jardín Botánico, a remnant of Chiquitano dry forest a short drive from the city, where flat trails hold more than 230 recorded species along with titi monkeys, sloths, and caimans, a soft warm-up for the field days to come. The heat of the afternoon is kept as restful downtime at the hotel. In the early evening, an unhurried stroll around Plaza 24 de Septiembre and the floodlit cathedral, then a welcome dinner of traditional camba cooking in a restored colonial casona in the historic core, sopa de maní, majao, and river fish such as surubí.

Aerial view of Santa Cruz de la Sierra city center with colonial cathedral and central plaza at sunset

Wooden boardwalk over tranquil pond in Bolivian botanical garden with lush tropical forest

Plaza 24 de Septiembre in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia with colonial church towers and palm trees

Day 3

Santa Cruz to Cochabamba to Aiquile to Omereque

Early BoA flight Santa Cruz to Cochabamba (45 minutes). Private 4x4 transfer south through the Valle Alto, the high valleys that have supplied Cochabamba with grain and fruit since Inca times. Lunch in Aiquile of uchuku aiquileño, the town's festival dish of chuño, charque, eggs, and locoto pepper in a rich broth, paired with chicha de maní, a cold peanut-based drink. Afternoon at the Museo Nacional del Charango and a workshop visit to Nelson Claros Trujillo or the Torrico family in Común Pampa, where guests can commission a bespoke charango. Continue south to Omereque, arriving at the Frente Roja lodge in time for the evening cliff session as the Red-fronted Macaws return to roost.

Traditional Bolivian luthier crafting handmade guitars in artisan workshop with tourists observing cultural woodworking techniques

Traditional Bolivian feast with roasted meat, potatoes and clay pottery served during eco-tourism birding expedition

Red-fronted macaws perched on sandstone cliff in Bolivia endemic bird conservation reserve during eco-birding expedition

Day 4

Frente Roja Photography Day

A pre-dawn session in the purpose-built hides at the base of the Frente Roja nesting cliffs, where the Red-fronted Macaw can be photographed at close range without being detected. This is the only site in the world that offers this kind of access to the species. Late-morning return to the lodge for breakfast and a rest break through the hot midday hours when the canyon goes still. Afternoon choice between two cultural sites: Tunas Mok'o, the pre-Hispanic defensive structure above the Mizque valley with visible Omereque-culture pottery fragments, or Pucará, a ridge-top rock-art site with pre-Inca petroglyphs. Evening cliff session at the main viewpoint. Dinner at the community lodge.

Flock of Red-fronted Macaws flying in Bolivia's endemic parrot habitat during EcoVoyager birding expedition

Muddy river winding through Bolivia's dramatic mountain valley with agricultural fields and rugged peaks

Ancient Pucara petroglyphs rock art carved into sandstone cliffs in Bolivia archaeological site

Day 5

Frente Roja Community and Landscape Day

Dawn cliff observation at the main viewpoint for the Red-fronted Macaw flight pattern as pairs leave the roost and disperse to feeding grounds. Late morning visit to one of the three partner communities (San Carlos, Perereta, or Amaya) for a textile and dryland-farming walk with Quechua families who have managed the reserve with Armonía since 2006. Afternoon hide session for photography, or a guided dry-forest birding walk for the other 180-plus species of the area: Bolivian Blackbird, Cliff Parakeet, Andean Condor, and Peregrine Falcon at the viewpoints. Optional night walk for owls, nightjars, and the pampas cat recorded in recent camera-trap surveys. Dinner at the lodge.

Two red-fronted macaws perched on cliff rocks in Bolivia's natural habitat during endemic bird watching expedition

Indigenous Bolivian weavers in traditional dress creating textiles on handlooms during cultural eco-tour

Andean condor soaring over dramatic mountain peaks in Bolivia's Andes near Samaipata

Day 6

Omereque to Cochabamba to Trinidad

Early departure by road from Omereque back to Cochabamba, roughly five hours through the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys. Lunch in Cochabamba at a local restaurant known for its saltadito and sillpancho. Afternoon BoA flight north to Trinidad, capital of the Beni lowlands. Transfer to Hotel Boutique del Rey in the town centre. Late afternoon walk to Plaza Ballivián, where sloths live in the mango trees around the square and the evening bajón fills the plaza with families circling on motorbikes. Dinner at La Terraza del Club or Churrasqueria La Estancia for camba cooking: majadito with shredded jerky, sonso de yuca, and grilled surubí or pacú from the rivers.

Bolivian dry forest landscape with golden mountains at sunset, habitat of the endangered red-fronted macaw

Traditional Bolivian Silpancho dish with fried egg, beef, rice and plantains on white plate

Historic colonial church with bell tower and ornate facade in Bolivia surrounded by lush trees and statue

Day 7

Trinidad to Barba Azul Nature Reserve

Morning transfer from Hotel Boutique del Rey to Trinidad airport for the one-hour charter flight north to Barba Azul's grass airstrip. Transfer by 4x4 to the lodge and lunch at the open-sided dining hall overlooking the palm savanna. The four double cabins sit along the gallery forest above the Omi River, each with a private bathroom, hot shower, and a veranda facing the flooded grassland. Afternoon trail walk with the reserve ranger, orientation to the five habitat types of the 12,200-hectare reserve, and the first look at the Blue-throated Macaw flight line. Late afternoon at the monitoring point where 20 to 50 macaws arrive at sunset to roost. Family-style dinner at the dining hall.

Small aircraft landing at remote Barba Azul Nature Reserve airstrip in Bolivia for exclusive birding expedition

Aerial view of sustainable eco-lodge nestled in pristine Bolivian rainforest canopy for endemic macaw birding expeditions

Two Blue-throated Macaws flying against clear blue sky during Bolivia endemic bird watching expedition

Day 8

Barba Azul Full Savanna Day

Dawn walk into the savanna-forest mosaic with the specialist guide, listening for the pre-sunrise chorus and watching Orinoco Geese lift from the wetlands. The morning target list is the Beni grassland specialists: Cock-tailed Tyrant, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Black-masked Finch, Buff-breasted Sandpiper on its austral summer stopover, and Greater Rhea in the termite-mound country. Mid-morning breakfast and a rest through the midday hours in the hammocks along the main dining hall. Afternoon boat trip on the Omi River, the clear-water channel winding through gallery forest where Cocoi Heron, Horned Screamer, and capybara sit close to the banks. Second sunset at the monitoring point.

Cocoi Heron and caiman sharing muddy river waters in Bolivia's Barba Azul Nature Reserve wetlands

Long-tailed mockingbird perched on thorny bush during Bolivia birding expedition

Pristine wetland sanctuary with tropical birds and lush vegetation in Bolivia's endemic macaw habitat

Day 9

Barba Azul Varied Wildlife Day

Dawn ride across the open savanna on horseback through the termite-mound country, the traditional way the Beni's ranchers move through the grasslands. Late morning at the wetland hide for Jabiru stalking the shallows, Plumbeous Ibis along the water's edge, and Southern Screamer on the pond margins. Rest through the midday heat. Afternoon walk into a different forest island from the one worked on Day 7, targeting understorey mixed-species flocks. Final sunset roost at the monitoring point, typically with higher macaw counts than Day 7 as more pairs return. Optional post-dinner camera-trap check with the ranger where jaguar, maned wolf, giant anteater, and ocelot have all been recorded.

Horseback ranger surveying flooded grasslands at Barba Azul Nature Reserve Bolivia during macaw conservation expedition

Maned wolf photographed at night during Bolivia wildlife expedition in Barba Azul Nature Reserve grasslands

Jabiru stork standing in wetland grasslands during Bolivia endemic bird watching expedition

Day 10

Barba Azul to Santa Cruz and Farewell Dinner

Early morning charter from Barba Azul's grass airstrip back to Trinidad. Commercial flight from Trinidad direct to Santa Cruz, around fifty minutes. Arrive in the afternoon with time to rest at the hotel and shed the dust of the Beni savanna. Evening farewell dinner in the historic core, a relaxed table of regional eastern-lowland cooking paired with Bolivian wines and singani, the country's national grape brandy distilled from white Muscat of Alexandria grown in the Tarija and Cinti valleys. A final night in Santa Cruz before the international departure.

Day 11

Final Morning and International Departure

Morning transfer from the hotel to Viru Viru International Airport for the international departure. Hotel check-out is 12:00 and late checkouts can be arranged in advance on a space-available basis. For guests connecting through Panama City, Lima, or Bogotá, the airport transfer is timed to match each guest's individual onward schedule.

Ecovoyager Experiences

Possible Wildlife Encounters

Species you may spot along this route.

Blue-throated Macaw

Ara glaucogularis

Critically endangered Bolivian endemic macaw with turquoise throat and bright yellow underparts.

Sunset roost flight, late afternoon

Very Common

Red-crowned Amazon parrot with vibrant green yellow red plumage in Bolivian cloud forest habitat

Red-fronted Macaw

Ara rubrogenys

Critically endangered Bolivian endemic macaw of the Inter-Andean Dry Valleys, smaller than the other macaws.

First two hours after dawn and the final hour before sunset

Very Common

Common blackbird with orange beak holding worm on grassland during Bolivia birding expedition wildlife tour

Bolivian Blackbird

Oreopsar bolivianus

Sooty-brown Bolivian endemic blackbird of arid cliff country, often in small noisy flocks.

Morning hours along the cliff faces

Very Common

Green-headed parrot perched on saguaro cactus in Bolivia wildlife habitat during endemic bird watching expedition

Cliff Parakeet

Myiopsitta luchsi

Bolivian endemic parakeet, split from the Monk Parakeet, nesting in rocky cliff crevices.

Morning hours at cliff nesting colonies

Very Common

Andean Condor

Vultur gryphus

The largest flying bird in the Western Hemisphere, wings spanning up to three metres, soaring along Andean ridges.

Mid-morning to early afternoon on warm days

Common

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

The fastest animal on Earth, diving at over 300 km/h, slate-grey above with a black helmet.

Morning and late afternoon hunting sessions

Common

Cock-tailed Tyrant

Alectrurus tricolor

Small black-and-white savanna tyrant, the male carrying absurdly long tail feathers held vertical in display.

First two hours after dawn

Common

Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant perched on green leaf in Bolivian Amazon rainforest habitat

Sharp-tailed Tyrant

Culicivora caudacuta

Tiny cryptic savanna tyrant with a long spike-like tail, one of the most difficult Beni specialties.

Dawn, before the heat builds

Rare

Black-masked Finch

Coryphaspiza melanotis

Near-threatened grassland finch with a black mask, white throat, and warm buff underparts.

Early morning in open grassland

Common

Greater Rhea

Rhea americana

Large flightless ratite of South American grasslands, browsing the open savanna in small groups.

Early morning and late afternoon

Very Common

Two Orinoco geese walking on grassland in the Amazon Basin with distinctive orange and black plumage

Orinoco Goose

Oressochen jubatus

Striking upland goose with a white head, chestnut neck, and iridescent green-black wings.

Dawn as birds leave the wetlands

Very Common

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Calidris subruficollis

Near-threatened long-distance Nearctic migrant shorebird, wintering in South American grasslands.

Dawn and dusk during the Nov-Mar migration window

Rare

Jabiru

Jabiru mycteria

The tallest flying bird in South America, with a massive upturned black bill and an inflatable red neck ring.

Mid-morning to afternoon at wetland edges

Very Common

Cocoi Heron

Ardea cocoi

Large grey South American heron with a black crown, the Neotropical counterpart of the Grey Heron.

Early morning along water margins

Very Common

Horned Screamer

Anhima cornuta

Large primitive waterfowl with a long wiry forehead spike and unmistakable loud trumpeting calls.

Morning at water edges

Common

Southern Screamer

Chauna torquata

Large grey-and-white screamer of southern South American wetlands, with a black neck ring and loud raucous calls.

Dawn and late afternoon

Common

Plumbeous Ibis

Theristicus caerulescens

Large slate-grey ibis with a white forehead patch, crown tuft, and deep resonant call, working wet grasslands.

Morning along damp grassland margins

Common

Hoatzin

Opisthocomus hoazin

Strange prehistoric-looking bird with a shaggy crest and blue face, placed in its own avian order.

Mid-morning along slow-moving water

Common

Maguari Stork

Ciconia maguari

Large white-and-black stork of South American wetlands, with a red facial skin and distinctive broken-winged flight display.

Morning and late afternoon at wetland edges

Common

Maned Wolf

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Tall red-gold canid of South American savannas with disproportionately long black legs, standing almost 90cm at the shoulder.

Dawn and dusk, occasionally on night drives

Rare

Giant Anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Large shaggy anteater with a tubular snout and bushy tail, plodding across the savanna in search of termite mounds.

Early morning and late afternoon

Common

Jaguar

Panthera onca

The largest cat of the Americas, heavily built with a distinctive rosette coat pattern, apex predator of the Neotropical lowlands.

Night drives and camera-trap evidence

Very Rare

Ocelot

Leopardus pardalis

Medium-sized spotted cat of the Neotropics, nocturnal and solitary, regularly detected on Barba Azul camera traps.

Night drives and camera-trap evidence

Rare

Gray Brocket Deer

Mazama gouazoubira

Small reddish-brown forest deer with simple spike antlers, typically encountered singly along forest trails.

Dawn and dusk along forest edges

Common

Howler monkey feeding in rainforest canopy during Amazon Basin wildlife expedition

Black Howler Monkey

Alouatta caraya

Dimorphic howler monkey, the adult male glossy black, the female buff-coloured, producing deep resonant territorial calls at dawn.

Dawn chorus and mid-morning along river margins

Very Common

Bolivia Tour Details

What's Included

Everything included in the tour, and what to budget separately.

What's Included

All accommodation: 10 nights based on double occupancy
All meals from welcome dinner Day 1 through breakfast Day 11 as indicated in the itinerary
Airport arrival and departure transfers in Santa Cruz
Domestic flights Santa Cruz-Cochabamba, Cochabamba-Trinidad, Trinidad-Santa Cruz
Chartered flight round-trip Trinidad to Barba Azul Nature Reserve
Private 4x4 ground transportation throughout the Bolivian interior
Expert English-Spanish bilingual specialist bird guide for the entire 11-day expedition
Paraba Frente Roja Community Natural Reserve access, hides, and local community guides
Barba Azul Nature Reserve access, reserve ranger, and all reserve activities
Welcome dinner of traditional eastern-lowland cuisine and a guided morning at the Jardín Botánico de Santa Cruz
Private access to the Museo Nacional del Charango and charango luthier workshop in Aiquile
Boat trip on the Omi River at Barba Azul and horseback ride across the savanna
Observation hide access and photography sessions at both Armonía reserves
Farewell dinner of regional eastern-lowland cuisine in Santa Cruz
Bottled drinking water throughout the expedition
5% conservation surcharge donated to Asociación Armonía

Not Included

International airfare to and from Santa Cruz (Viru Viru International, VVI)
Travel insurance (required: must cover medical evacuation from remote interior locations)
Yellow fever vaccination recommended for travel into the Beni lowlands
Malaria prophylaxis recommended for the Beni lowland portion of the itinerary
Bolivia visa or reciprocity fee if required for your nationality
Personal expenses, laundry, and incidentals
Gratuities for specialist guide, local guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Alcoholic beverages beyond welcome and farewell drinks included in the programme
Optional premium wine and singani pairings at the farewell dinner
Single supplement if traveling solo or requesting single occupancy on a shared departure
Any additional excursions or extensions not listed in the confirmed itinerary
Weather-related rerouting costs, particularly Barba Azul charter cancellations

Bolivia Tour Details

Tour Pricing

Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.

Per Person

$6,300

Based on 4-6 travelers, double occupancy

Single Supplement$700

Deposit$1,575

CurrencyUSD

Group Rates

Group Size	Per Person	Notes
Solo traveler	$10,200	Per personSingle occupancy
2 travelers	$9,650	Per personDouble occupancy
3 travelers	$7,650	Per personGroup rate
4-6 travelers	$6,300	Per personRecommended
7 travelers	$5,900	Per personGroup rate
8 travelers	$5,650	Per personMaximum group

Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior. ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.

Cancellation: 90+ days: full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60-89 days: 50% refund. Under 60 days: no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.

Ready to secure your place on this expedition? Spaces are strictly limited to ensure an intimate experience and to protect the conservation partners and community reserves we work with. Contact our team to reserve your place or to discuss custom dates for a private departure.

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Duration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your journey. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch and we'll help.

Booking, Dates & Group Size

How departures, pricing, and group size work on this expedition.

We run two windows each year. Late July to mid September is the main dry-season window, when the Beni savanna is firm underfoot and the macaw roost counts are at their highest. Late March to early April is a shorter green-season window with lush landscapes and active birdlife. Exact dates are set with you when you book.

It runs as a private departure for your own party. Pricing scales with group size from solo up to a maximum of eight guests, with four to six the recommended range. We can also arrange custom dates outside the two standard windows for a private group.

A deposit of $1,575 per person secures your place, with the balance due before departure. We confirm the full payment schedule when you book, and you can pay by whichever method suits you, whether card, bank transfer, or wire.

The photographic hides at both reserves and the four cabins at Barba Azul have limited capacity, and small numbers keep disturbance low at sensitive nesting and roosting sites. The cap protects both the experience and the conservation partners we work with.

Birds, Wildlife & Photography

What you can expect to see, and how the hide and roost sessions work.

Sightings are never absolutely guaranteed in the wild, but both target species are recorded on the great majority of departures. Red-fronted Macaw is worked from purpose-built hides at its principal nesting cliffs over three days at Frente Roja, and Blue-throated Macaw is observed at the Barba Azul roost across three evenings, where groups of twenty to fifty birds arrive over the palms. The repeated sessions at each site are built in precisely to maximise your chances.

A typical count is 250 to 300 species, including all four Bolivian endemics. The exact total depends on the season, the weather, and how much time the group wants to give to general birding alongside the headline targets.

Yes. The hides at both reserves are designed for close-range photography, and the itinerary builds in repeated sessions timed for the best light. Bring a telephoto lens and ample storage, and the pace at each location gives photographers time to work the scene.

Both are present at Barba Azul and recorded regularly on the reserve camera traps, but a direct daytime sighting is a matter of luck rather than expectation. An optional post-dinner camera-trap review with the ranger shows what has moved through the reserve. Giant Anteater is the large mammal you have the best chance of seeing in daylight.

No. The trip is led by a specialist bilingual guide and works as well for keen photographers and general wildlife travellers as it does for dedicated listers. Both endemic macaws reward any level of experience.

Health, Altitude & Fitness

Preparing for the altitude, the climate, and the physical side of the trip.

It rates as moderate. Days involve early starts, walks of a few hours on savanna and dry-forest trails, boat trips, and one optional horseback ride. Nothing is technical, but you should be comfortable on your feet in heat and on uneven ground, and hide sessions involve long, still periods of sitting.

No. The expedition runs entirely at low to moderate elevation. Santa Cruz sits at around 400 metres, the Beni lowlands at Barba Azul are close to sea level, and the inter-Andean dry valleys around Omereque reach roughly 1,300 to 2,000 metres, mild enough that altitude is not a concern for most travellers. This is one advantage of beginning and ending in Santa Cruz rather than the high Andes. If you have a heart or respiratory condition, it is always worth discussing your travel plans with your doctor before booking.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel into the Beni lowlands, and malaria prophylaxis is recommended for that portion of the trip. Confirm current requirements with a travel clinic well before departure, as guidance changes. Neither is included in the trip price.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover medical evacuation from remote interior locations, given the chartered access to Barba Azul. We ask for your policy details before departure.

On the Ground: Lodges & Conditions

What the accommodation, connectivity, and daily rhythm are like.

It ranges from a restored boutique hotel in Santa Cruz to a community-run lodge at Frente Roja with shared bathrooms, a family-run hotel in Trinidad, and private cabins with hot showers at the Barba Azul biological station. All are locally owned and chosen for character and for their place in the conservation programme, not for chain-hotel uniformity.

Santa Cruz and Trinidad have reliable connectivity. Both reserves are off-grid by design: there is no Wi-Fi at Frente Roja or Barba Azul, and mobile signal is minimal to none. Treat the reserve days as a genuine disconnection, and let family know in advance.

The July to September window is dry season, with warm days, cool nights, and little rain. The March to April window is greener and more humid, with the chance of afternoon showers. The Beni lowlands and Santa Cruz are hot and humid year round, while the inter-Andean dry valleys bring warm days and noticeably cooler nights, so pack layers for both.

Barba Azul is reached only by a chartered light aircraft from Trinidad onto a grass airstrip, with no road access. Flights are weather-dependent and we build flexibility into the schedule. Any costs arising from weather-related rerouting are not included in the trip price, which is why comprehensive insurance is essential.

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Tour Highlights

Red-fronted Macaw at Paraba Frente Roja

Blue-throated Macaw at Barba Azul

Barba Azul Reserve Chartered Fly-In

Community-Run Reserve at Omereque

Aiquile Charango Workshop

Santa Cruz and the Bolivian Oriente

Eastern-Lowland Farewell Dinner

Barba Azul Savanna Wildlife

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

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Arrival in Santa Cruz

Cosmopolitano Hotel Boutique, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz and the Eastern Lowlands

Cosmopolitano Hotel Boutique, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz to Cochabamba to Aiquile to Omereque

Paraba Frente Roja Community Lodge

Frente Roja Photography Day

Paraba Frente Roja Community Lodge

Frente Roja Community and Landscape Day

Paraba Frente Roja Community Lodge

Omereque to Cochabamba to Trinidad

Hotel Boutique del Rey, Trinidad

Trinidad to Barba Azul Nature Reserve

Barba Azul Biological Station

Barba Azul Full Savanna Day

Barba Azul Biological Station

Barba Azul Varied Wildlife Day

Barba Azul Biological Station

Barba Azul to Santa Cruz and Farewell Dinner

Cosmopolitano Hotel Boutique, Santa Cruz

Final Morning and International Departure

Possible Wildlife Encounters

Blue-throated Macaw

Red-fronted Macaw

Bolivian Blackbird

Cliff Parakeet

Andean Condor

Peregrine Falcon

Cock-tailed Tyrant

Sharp-tailed Tyrant

Black-masked Finch

Greater Rhea

Orinoco Goose

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Jabiru

Cocoi Heron

Horned Screamer

Southern Screamer

Plumbeous Ibis

Hoatzin

Maguari Stork

Maned Wolf

Giant Anteater

Jaguar

Ocelot

Gray Brocket Deer

Black Howler Monkey

What's Included

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Pricing

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Explore the Places You'll Visit

Bolivia

La Paz

Barba Azul Nature Reserve

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Birds, Wildlife & Photography