For birds lovers, Colombia can be summarized as a South America Birding Paradise. Nowhere in South America does nature unfold with such raw elegance and diversity as in Colombia. Here, the mighty Andes split into three distinct branches—Western, Central, and Eastern—creating a biological mosaic of cloud forests, páramo grasslands, and verdant valleys. These layered elevations give rise to one of the most astonishing birding regions on the planet. With over 1,900 recorded bird species—more than any other country on Earth—Colombia is not just a hotspot; it’s the epicenter of global bird diversity.
Our journey into this feathered Eden takes you across the Andes’ most vibrant ecosystems, from the misty canopies of the western slopes to the coffee-clad ridges and cool páramos of the highlands. This is a land where birds color the air: tanagers sparkle like gemstones, antpittas whisper through the underbrush, and hummingbirds dart with electric grace. It’s also home to a staggering number of endemics—species that exist nowhere else on Earth—and many can be photographed up close at renowned feeding stations and carefully chosen hides.
This immersive experience is designed not only for passionate birders but also for photographers eager to build a world-class avian portfolio. You’ll have the chance to photograph dazzling icons like the Multicolored Tanager, the Sword-billed Hummingbird, and the flamboyant Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, all under the guidance of a seasoned wildlife photographer and a local biologist who bring deep field knowledge to every stop. We travel at a relaxed, focused pace that allows for patience, precision, and creative freedom in the field.
Expect vivid encounters every day. From the haunting call of a Chestnut Wood-Quail at dawn to the iridescent flash of a Green Thorntail in flight, each moment delivers visual poetry for the lens and wonder for the soul. Add to this the occasional appearance of elusive mammals—like the crab-eating fox or tiger cat—and you’ll find yourself immersed in a multi-layered experience of Colombia’s wild soul.
mid-July to mid-September (optimum) and mid-November to mid-March (high season)
10 Guests
Van
Hotels & Lodges
Level 2 - Easy Level
We, of course, would do whatever is necessary in case of medical emergency and evacuate to the closest hospital or clinic to make sure you receive medical care.
Welcome to Colombia! Upon arrival at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) in Cali, you’ll be met by our local team and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you’ll have some free time to rest and recharge from your journey.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner and orientation with your photography guide and fellow travelers. This is a great opportunity to review the trip ahead, ask questions, and get to know the group before we head into the Andes for our first birding adventures.
Hotel: Dann Norte or similar
Meals included: D
Just 45 minutes from Cali lies one of Colombia’s richest birding areas: Km 18, a ridge at the summit of the Western Andes and a designated Important Bird Area (IBA). Here, lush cloud forest provides ideal conditions for both endemic species and colorful mixed flocks.
Our main location is La Florida, a family-run forest lodge with exceptional access to feeders, hides, and flowering gardens—all tailored for bird photography. Optional guided walks through the surrounding forest reveal even more photographic opportunities, with high chances of encountering rare and endemic species in soft, filtered light.
Conditions: Feeders and trails at 2100 m (6800 ft)
Target Species: Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colombian Chachalaca, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Andean Motmot, Andean Emerald, Red-headed Barbet, White-booted Racket-tail, Central American Agouti, Red-tailed Squirrel
Hotel: Araucana Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we visit the legendary Doña Dora’s, about one hour from our lodge. Nestled on the western slope of the Andes along the historic road to the Pacific, her property is a magnet for birds and bird photographers alike.
Over time, Doña Dora has transformed her home into a natural sanctuary by planting native fruit trees and installing strategic feeding stations—especially beneath a mature fig tree. The result is an avian spectacle with tanagers, toucanets, and hummingbirds crowding the canopy and lower perches in soft morning light. Expect intimate, close-range photography and a relaxed atmosphere.
Conditions: Feeders at 1300 m (4200 ft)
Target Species: Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Silver-throated Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Black-headed Brush-Finch, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Hotel: Araucana Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we journey to San Felipe Farmhouse, perched along the biodiverse ridgeline of the Western Andes. Enveloped in pristine cloud forest, the property offers a mix of open garden settings and shaded hides—each carefully arranged for optimal bird photography. Feeders placed near native flowering plants attract a dazzling variety of species, many of which are range-restricted or endemic to the region.
Enjoy a peaceful morning with excellent coffee and even better birding. You’ll photograph a range of colorful species right from the lodge grounds and explore forest trails that offer deeper photographic rewards. In the afternoon, we transfer approximately 2.5 hours to the outskirts of Buga in preparation for our next habitat zone.
Conditions: Feeders and forest-edge blinds at 2100 m (6800 ft)
Target Species: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Little Tinamou, Scaled Antpitta, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sickle-winged Guan, Colombian Chachalaca, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Andean Motmot, White-booted Racket-tail, Red-tailed Squirrel, Central American Agouti
Hotel: Eco Hotel Hacienda El Diamante
Meals included: B, L, D
Today we explore the bird-rich habitats of the Cauca River Valley. Hacienda El Diamante lies amid a mosaic of shade-grown coffee, wetland ponds, and secondary forest—offering a contrasting ecosystem to the high Andes. This region supports a unique community of birds, including wetland specialists and open-field dwellers.
We’ll photograph at the hacienda’s private lagoon and nearby trails, where the blend of water birds, woodpeckers, and tropical tanagers provides a satisfying diversity of subjects. In the afternoon, we make the scenic 4-hour drive north to Manizales, a city nestled against the central Andean cordillera, with birding opportunities en route.
Conditions: Mixed habitat photography at ~1300 m (4300 ft)
Target Species: Turquoise Dacnis, Spectacled Parrotlet, Bare-faced Ibis, Crested Bobwhite, Blue-necked Tanager, Red-crowned Woodpecker, White-faced and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Pied-billed Grebe, Wattled Jacana, Cocoi Heron, Striated Heron, Buff-necked Ibis
Hotel: QUO Hotel
Meals included: B, L, D
Just 30 minutes above Manizales lies the Rio Blanco Reserve—renowned throughout Colombia for its pioneering antpitta feeding program. This high-Andean forest corridor connects directly with Los Nevados National Park and offers birders and photographers exceptional chances to capture elusive, ground-dwelling species up close.
We’ll spend the full day photographing from feeding stations set deep in the forest and from hummingbird feeders near the reserve headquarters. The patient birder will be rewarded with close encounters with multiple antpitta species, plus highland tanagers and forest fruiteaters in lush, mist-draped surroundings.
Conditions: Forest trails and feeders at 2400 m (7800 ft)
Target Species: Chestnut-crowned, Slate-crowned, and Brown-banded Antpittas; Bicolored Antpitta, Long-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, Speckled Hummingbird, Collared and Bronzy Inca, Green and Black Fruiteater, Masked and White-sided Flowerpiercers, Tayra, Red-tailed Squirrel
Hotel: QUO Hotel
Meals included: B, L, D
Just 20 kilometers from Manizales, Hacienda El Bosque is nestled within the upper reaches of the Central Andes at 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). This working farm has developed into one of Colombia’s premier sites for high-Andean bird photography, with dedicated feeders, forest blinds, and well-maintained trails.
The altitude and habitat here are perfect for photographing several iconic species, including the Crescent-faced and Equatorial Antpittas, as well as the striking Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan. You’ll spend the day rotating between strategically located photo stations and forest-edge trails, with excellent opportunities to capture rare, high-altitude specialists in soft morning light.
Conditions: Feeders and forest trails at 3000 m (9800 ft)
Target Species: Crescent-faced Antpitta, Equatorial Antpitta, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Barred Fruiteater, Sickle-winged and Andean Guans, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, White-throated Quail-Dove, Paramo Seedeater, Grey-browed Brush-Finch
Hotel: Termales del Ruiz
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we ascend to the high páramo ecosystem of Los Nevados National Natural Park, reaching elevations near 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). This surreal landscape of frailejones, volcanic peaks, and tundra-like vegetation hosts a unique suite of avian species found nowhere else.
We begin with an early photo session at the hummingbird feeders in the hotel gardens, where stunning species like the Buffy Helmetcrest and Great Sapphirewing often appear. From there, we explore higher altitudes in search of high-Andean tanagers and pufflegs that thrive in these windswept environments.
Expect breathtaking scenery and memorable encounters with birds exquisitely adapted to extreme conditions.
Conditions: Feeders at hotel and natural páramo habitat at 4000 m (13,100 ft)
Target Species: Buffy Helmetcrest, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Scarlet-bellied and Lacrimose Mountain Tanagers, Shining Sunbeam, Tawny Antpitta
Hotel: Tinamú Birding Reserve
Meals included: B, L, D
Located at 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), Tinamú Birding Reserve is a private ecolodge and bird sanctuary situated on a family-owned coffee farm just outside Manizales. The surrounding habitat includes shade-grown coffee plantations, second-growth forest, and remnants of primary forest—an ideal mix for a wide array of bird species.
We’ll spend a full day exploring the lodge’s gardens and forest trails, photographing colorful tanagers, manakins, motmots, and hummingbirds both at feeders and in the wild. Tinamú’s peaceful setting and excellent infrastructure make it a photographer’s favorite for both forest and edge-dwelling species.
Conditions: Feeders and forest trails at 1600 m (5200 ft), shaded coffee ecosystem
Target Species: Guira Tanager, Bay-headed and Blue-necked Tanagers, Golden-collared Manakin, Andean Motmot, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Western Emerald, Common Potoo
Hotel: Tinamú Birding Reserve
Meals included: B, L, D
Enjoy a final morning session at Tinamú Reserve, capturing any species you may have missed or simply savoring another opportunity with your favorite subjects. The early light is ideal for photographing at the feeders or taking a short forest walk to seek out elusive species like the Common Potoo or Golden-collared Manakin.
After an early lunch, we begin our transfer northwest through the Cauca River Valley. The journey takes approximately five hours, with scenic vistas and potential birding stops along the way. We arrive in the charming colonial town of Jardín, set against the steep, forested flanks of the Western Andes.
Conditions: Feeders and shaded coffee habitat at 1600 m (5200 ft)
Target Species: Guira Tanager, Blue-necked and Bay-headed Tanagers, Andean Motmot, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Western Emerald, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Common Potoo
Hotel: Casa Passiflora or similar
Meals included: B, L, D
Rising behind Jardín, the cloud forests of the Western Andes climb steeply to 2,800 meters (9,200 feet). Today we explore Mirador El Roble, a local conservation initiative managed by campesino families who’ve dedicated their land to wildlife and bird habitat restoration.
The morning begins with a moderate forest walk to several antpitta feeding stations—an exceptional opportunity to photograph range-restricted species like the Chami and Chestnut-naped Antpittas. The forest is also home to vibrant tanagers, mixed flocks, and with luck, the elusive Oncilla (Tiger Cat), occasionally seen in the early hours.
This is a rich day of discovery, blending meaningful conservation with high-impact photography in a spectacular Andean setting.
Conditions: Forest trails and feeders at 2800 m (9200 ft); moderate walk on uneven, potentially muddy terrain
Target Species: Chami Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Green Jay, Acorn Woodpecker, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Green and Black Fruiteater, Grey-browed Brush-Finch, Slaty Brush-Finch, Tiger Cat (Oncilla)
Hotel: Casa Passiflora or similar
Meals included: B, L, D
We begin the day at Jardín de Rocas, just a short walk from the town center. This small reserve protects a vital lekking site for the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Here, males gather to perform elaborate courtship displays—offering one of the best chances to photograph this stunning, flame-colored species at close range.
Next, we drive to nearby Bambusa Farmhouse, a family-run property surrounded by shade-grown coffee and secondary forest. Feeders attract a variety of tanagers and hummingbirds in a peaceful, open-air setting. After lunch, we begin our 4-hour drive to Medellín, arriving at our comfortable hotel near the international airport.
Conditions: Lek viewing and feeders at ~1600 m (5200 ft)
Target Species: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Red-bellied Grackle, Crested Ant-Tanager, Scrub and Blue-necked Tanagers, Green Hermit, Western Emerald, Green Jay, Streak Saltator
Hotel: Movich Las Lomas Hotel (or similar, near José María Córdova International Airport)
Meals included: B, L, D
After nearly two weeks immersed in Colombia’s most iconic birding landscapes, today we say our farewells. Based on your flight schedule, we’ll coordinate a timely transfer from the hotel to José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, just outside Medellín. The drive typically takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
For domestic departures, please plan to arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours before your flight. For international flights, we recommend arriving 2.5 to 3 hours in advance to allow ample time for check-in and security procedures.
Hotel: None
Meals included: B
End of our services.
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. More guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure. Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis. All prices are in U$ Dollars.
Contact us for guidance on a quote for your group or private trip.
| Lowest Price | 7-10 travelers | $ 5,120 / per person |
| Average Price | 4-6 travelers | $ 5,885 / per person |
| Optimum Price | 2-3 travelers | $ 6,425 / per person |
| Highest Price | 1 solo traveler (= private trip) | $ 10,565 / for 1 solo traveler |
| Single Supplement Fee | per person / per tour | $ 770 / per single room |
Deposit & Terms (universal — identical on every tour. Custom tours have special terms, please contact us. ): A 30% deposit (minimum $1,000 per person) reserves your space. Of that, $1,000 per person is a non-refundable administrative fee — but it’s never lost: it’s always credited toward your trip, even if you change trips or dates, and it’s part of the total price, not an extra charge. Balance due 90 days before departure. Trip insurance (with a “cancel for any reason” rider) is required. See our Terms & Conditions for full details, or contact us for a custom or private quote.
