BOLIVIA 2026
Would you like to join me, Steve Brookes, on a Parrot watching Ecotour to see some of the countries Parrot conservation in action visiting some of the endemic and near endemic Parrot species and sub-species.
We could see up 27 Parrot species including 8 Macaw species on this trip including
Red-fronted, Blue-throated and Military Macaws, Tucuman Amazons,
Cliff Parakeets and Yellow-faced Parrots.
On a similar trip in 2023 we saw 25 of the Parrot species we are targeting this time including all 8 Macaw species.
We could see up 27 Parrot species including 8 Macaw species on this trip including
Red-fronted, Blue-throated and Military Macaws, Tucuman Amazons,
Cliff Parakeets and Yellow-faced Parrots.
On a similar trip in 2023 we saw 25 of the Parrot species we are targeting this time including all 8 Macaw species.
PRICE of main Parrot Watching Ecotour.
$ per person sharing a double/twin room $ single supplement DEPOSIT $ Balance to be paid 60 days before the start of the trip. Includes all road transfers within Bolivia, accommodation, meals (from dinner on), water, transport including drivers, guide, and all entry fees to National Parks and private ranches. Also includes internal flights and boat trip. NOT included:- International flights, insurance, drinks, souvenirs, tips, any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary. 
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Maximum 8 people on this Parrot Watching Ecotour
A short early flight from Trinidad back to Santa Cruz is followed by travelling ITINERARY
Arrive Santa Cruz This Parrot watching Ecotour starts by arriving in Santa Cruz, Bolivia at any time today and we will be met at the airport for a transfer to our hotel in the city centre. We will meet up and go for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Santa Cruz Santa Cruz to Trinidad This morning we will be visiting the local Botanical Gardens in search of parrots in and around the park. Some of the parrots we are likely to see are Green-cheeked Conures, Yellow-chevroned, Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Scaly-headed and Blue-headed Parrots as well as Blue-fronted Amazon and Blue-winged Parrotlets. After lunch we will take a flight to Trinidad where we will have a transfer to our hotel. We will have the opportunity to sort through our luggage to leave anything that we may not need, in Barba Azul, at our hotel as we have a weight limit on our charter flights. Overnight Trinidad. Trinidad to Barba Azul Depending on our flight times to Barba Azul we should have enough time to take an early morning trip on the local river where we have the chance to see many water birds including herons, kingfishers and maybe some parrots but the main attraction here will be the Pink-river Dolphins although getting a good photo is a bit of a challenge but I am always up for a challenge – how about you??? Generally I only get a photo of a fin but I am waiting to get something better!!! After lunch we will take our chartered flights to Barba Azul and settle into our rooms with time to check out the area around our lodge before dinner. Overnight at the Barba Azul Reserve Barba Azul Nature Reserve Barba Azul is a savanna region of Bolivia which floods for 8 months of the year, fortunately we are arriving in the dry season although it is possible there will be wet areas. The bonus for this unusual landscape is that the Blue-throated Macaw loves this habitat and although there are only between 200 and 250 individuals left in the wild they are being protected by a number of conservation projects. We are going to visit and stay at one of these projects so Blue-throated Macaws will be the main parrot to see in this region. The Blue-throated Macaw is endemic to Bolivia and only found in a very small area. There are several Macaws in this area including Yellow-collared, Chestnut-fronted, Green-winged and Blue and yellow. The Blue and yellow Macaws are very close to the Blue-throated Macaws so we need to make sure we identify them correctly. Usually the Blue-throated will be in the palm trees whilst the Blue and yellow Macaws can be in any of the trees around. Overnight Barba Azul Reserve Barba Azul Nature Reserve is in northern Bolivia, where the Beni savanna meets the foot of the Amazon basin. Hoards of charismatic Blue-throated Macaws can be seen at the reserve; a Critically Endangered species that is found nowhere else on Earth. The reserve is a safe haven for a wealth of other threatened birds, being home to 329 species, with records of 179 birds seen in a day. It is also attracting more regular sightings of mammals – such as Pampa Deer, Giant Anteater and Maned Wolf Barba Azul Nature Reserve A full day to enjoy the Blue-throated Macaws but as well as these and the other Macaws listed there are Yellow-chevroned and Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Scaly-headed and Blue-headed Parrots, Blue-fronted and Orange-winged Amazons, Blue-winged Parrotlets and Peach-fronted and Dusky-headed Conures. All Parrots are great to watch but the Cobalt-winged Parakeet here is an endemic sub-species and only found in this region. It will be interesting to see if they can be distinguished from the nominate species. Overnight Barba Azul Reserve Barba Azul Nature Reserve Another full day with the Macaws and Parrots at this reserve although if anyone wants a change there is a boat to be able to check out some of the river birds and mammals as well as the odd Caiman or two!!! Groups of 30 and 70 Blue-throated Macaws can regularly be seen with up to 150 very occasionally also seen mixed with the more common and abundant Blue and yellow Macaws. Mixed flocks of hundreds of Macaws can be observed flying to their roosting sites in the late afternoon. Overnight Barba Azul Nature Reserve Barba Azul Nature Reserve to Trinidad A morning to enjoy the delights of this region again before taking an afternoon charter flight back to Trinidad. In Trinidad we will gather our luggage that we left whilst we were in Barba Azul Nature Reserve. Hopefully some time for laundry but generally a bit of chill time after the intense Parrot watching in Barba Azul Reserve. Overnight Trinidad Trinidad to Santa Cruz to Los Volcanes A short early flight from Trinidad back to Santa Cruz is followed by travelling for just 3 hours by road from Santa Cruz we will reach the valley known as Los Volcanes. This is not just a stopover there are still lots of opportunities to see parrots on the way here as well as at this lodge in the forest. The Bolivian sub-species of the Military Macaw can be found here and will be the main parrot that we want to look for. This Macaw is almost an endemic sub-species with its range slightly extending beyond Bolivia into the very north of Argentina. Other parrots that can be found here are Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Blue-headed, Red-billed and Scaly-headed Parrots, Mealy and Blue-fronted Amazons and Green-cheeked and Mitred Conures. Overnight Los Volcanes Los Volcanes We have a full day to get closer to the Military Macaws by going on some of the trail system around this site however there are lots of other birds as well as the Parrots here in this unique landscape. Overnight Los Volcanes Los Volcanes to Red-fronted Macaw Reserve After an early morning observing the Military Macaws and other Parrots again in the valley we travel by road to the Red-fronted Macaw Reserve arriving in time for lunch. Nestled in the Andean valleys of south-central Bolivia, the reserve’s spectacular sheer cliffs provide a backdrop to a dramatic wildlife watching experience. Hoards of charismatic Red-fronted Macaws nest in the cliffs every evening, giving you the rare opportunity for a close encounter with an Endangered species that can be found nowhere else on Earth. The reserve provides a safe haven for 184 bird species, making it the perfect holiday destination for keen bird watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts. Our lodge is in the valley (lodge is red tiled roof building in photo) directly opposite the breeding holes in the cliffs for the Red-fronted Macaws as well as the unique nests for the Cliff Parakeets who also come into the garden of the lodge. Red-fronted Macaw Reserve All day to check out the Red-fronted Macaws and try to photograph them from every angle as they are on the cliffs, in flight, going down to the river for drinking and bathing as well as feeding in the trees. Here we can climb onto the cliff to get good vantage points to photograph the Red-fronted Macaws in flight or see them at their nest and roosting areas. Let’s not forget all the other Parrot species that inhabit these dry valleys. Grey-hooded, Yellow-chevroned and Cliff Parakeets, Green-cheeked, Blue-crowned, Mitred and White-eyed Conures and Blue-fronted Amazons will be on our list for this area. Overnight Red-fronted Macaw Reserve Red-fronted Macaw Reserve As all days when we are watching any of the Parrots we have an early start to take advantage of the Parrot activities that happen at the relatively cooler time of the day before they disappear when the temperature rises before cooling down slightly in the mid to late afternoon. Both the Green-cheeked and Blue-crowned Conures are endemic sub-species and only in this area of Bolivia. The Cliff Parakeet, once a sub-species of the Monk Parakeet, has now been recognised as a separate species which is endemic to Bolivia and, in particular, to this region. Overnight Red-fronted Macaw Reserve Red-fronted Macaw Reserve Another full day trying to get as close as possible to the Macaws and Parrots. Maybe trying some different places and angles for those who are taking photos and video. There is an observation area on top of the cliffs so we could get some Red-fronted Macaws flying below us which make excellent photos or maybe they will go down to one of the small areas of water for a drink or bath. It is the dry season, so water is scarce. Overnight Red-fronted Macaw Reserve Red-fronted Macaw Reserve to Quirusillas After an early morning observing the Red-fronted Macaws and other Parrots again in the valley we travel by road to Quirusillas stopping in Samaipata for lunch. The main parrots in this area are Tucuman and Blue-fronted Amazons and Green-cheeked and Blue-crowned Conures. Here the Tucuman Amazon is the priority though as we will not see it anywhere else on the tour. This is also an area where the Andean Condor lives. We saw one on a nest in 2019 Overnight Samaipata. Quirusillas to Santa Cruz A very early start to search for the Tucuman Amazons again. We were more successful with this Amazon in the morning in 2019. Late morning, we will set off for our final journey back to Santa Cruz and the airport for our flights home. It will be possible to stay overnight in Santa Cruz if required however this is not included in the tour. Sorry our ADVENTURE has come to an end. I am sure we will have many photos and lots of memories. Until the next time Thank you. Alternatively:-
For those of you with a little bit more time I am working on an extra trip further north to Riberalta where there are some clay licks that no other person other than the local fishermen have been. These do have parrots on them but I am not sure which species yet so this will be a real adventure. Also a chance to go into the Madidi National Park for some time in the Jungle with all the wildlife. If this extension trip interests you please contact me. |
Parrots which are possible on this trip
Blue-and-yellow Macaw - Ara ararauna Blue-throated Macaw - Ara glaucogularis Red-and-green Macaw - Ara chloropterus Military Macaw - Ara militaris Red-fronted Macaw - Ara rubrogenys Chestnut-fronted Macaw - Ara severus Yellow-collared Macaw - Primolius auricollis Red-shouldered Macaw - Diopsittaca nobilis Blue-crowned Parakeet - Thectocercus acuticaudatus White-eyed Parakeet - Psittacara leucophthalmus Mitred Parakeet - Psittacara mitratus Dusky-headed Parakeet - Aratinga weddellii Peach-fronted Parakeet - Eupsittula aurea Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus Cliff Parakeet - Myiopsitta luchsi Green-cheeked Parakeet - Pyrrhura molinae Grey-hooded Parakeet - Psilopsiagon aymara Blue-winged Parrotlet - Forpus xanthopterygius Yellow-chevroned Parakeet - Brotogeris chiriri Yellow-faced Parrot - Alipiopsitta xanthops Blue-headed Parrot - Pionus menstruus Scaly-headed Parrot - Pionus maximiliani Yellow-crowned Amazon - Amazona ochrocephala Mealy Amazon - Amazona farinosa Orange-winged Amazon - Amazona amazonica Turquoise-fronted Amazon - Amazona aestiva Tucuman Amazon - Amazona tucumana Please note:- I cannot guarantee seeing all or any of these Parrots however we will have a great guide to help us in every way possible. We will see lots of other bird and animal species. 
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