Optics
- Binoculars: 8x42 or 10x42, with close focus under 2 meters. Swarovski EL, Zeiss Conquest HD, Vortex Viper HD all work well.
- Scope (optional): for Llanos, páramo, and Amazon canopy work.
- Camera: any modern mirrorless body with a 100-400mm or 150-600mm lens. Teleconverters useful for hummingbirds.
Clothing
- Quick-dry long-sleeve shirts (3-4)
- Quick-dry convertible pants (2)
- Fleece midlayer (for cloud forest mornings)
- Real rain shell (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
- Buff or neck gaiter
- Wide-brim hat
- Thermals if going above 3,000m
Color: muted greens, browns, greys. Avoid bright white, red, or blue.
Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots (broken in)
- Lightweight camp shoes
- Wellies / rubber boots for Chocó and wetland work (we can provide these)
Health and safety
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (required for Amazon, Llanos, some Caribbean areas)
- Personal medications in original packaging
- Sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, oral rehydration salts
- Small first aid kit
Documents
- Passport valid 6+ months past travel date
- Travel insurance policy (mandatory with vul.tours)
- Printed copy of your itinerary
- Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- Small amount of Colombian pesos for tips
Electronics
- Power bank for long field days
- Universal plug adapter (Colombia uses Type A/B, 110V)
- Headlamp with red-light mode
- Extra camera batteries (cold cloud forest drains them)
What to leave at home
- Heavy hiking gear for technical mountaineering
- Drones (prohibited in most reserves; permits required)
- Expensive jewelry
- Full-frame camera with a prime supertele unless you are committed to a specific photography goal
vul.tours provides
- All ground transport
- Daily bottled water
- Trip checklist printed
- eBird checklist submission at end of each day
- Rubber boots loan (Chocó tours)
- Spotting scope use (on group tours)