Our team will collect you from the airport and facilitate the hotel transfer. Once you are settled in, we invite you to join us for a delicious dinner where you’ll have the chance to get to know your tour leader. They’ll give you a warm welcome to the country and share essential information about Colombia, as well as a detailed description of the Andean Birdwatching tour itinerary and the exciting experiences coming up. It’s the perfect time to familiarise yourself with the group and begin to immerse yourself in the cultural and natural riches this beautiful country offers. 

Chicaque is a breathtaking nature reserve featuring lush cloud forests and dramatic cliffs. The Park is located just 45 minutes from Bogotá and covers an area of 300 hectares. It is distinguished as one of the closest hotspots to Bogotá with around 450 bird species registered. 

The unique charm of the park lies in its diverse ecosystems and altitude range — from 2000 to 2710 metres above sea level — creating a refuge for a wide variety of plant and animal species. 

We’ll also visit Campo Tangara, a nearby area designed for observing hummingbirds. There are around eight different species including one of the rarest and most beautiful hummingbirds in Colombia: Coaligena bonapartei (Golden-bellied Starfrontlet). 

Target species: Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (NE), Black Inca (E), Emerald Toucanet, Black-capped Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Moustached Brushfinch, Longemares Sunangel, Grass-green Tanager

The road to Chingaza National Park is famous for its high Andean forests which are home to a wide variety of high mountain bird species like Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, and Golden-fronted redstart among others. 

Chingaza is a huge park high in the mountains to the east of Bogotá, and the roads around it are excellent for seeking out these high-Andean endemic birds. Not only are its 76,600 hectares a haven for wildlife, it also plays a crucial role in providing clean, fresh water to the capital city. 

We’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Guajira Forest Nature Reserve, the perfect place to observe and photograph hummingbird species including Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Mountain Velvetbreast. 

We’ll spend the day in one of the most important high mountain ecosystems in the country, the ‘Páramo’, in search of various endemic species which have evolved and adapted to the unique environment, like Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Boyacá Antpitta, and Apolinar’s Wren. 

Around 50% of the world’s páramos are in Colombia, and this ecosystem is fundamental to the country’s environmental equilibrium and wildlife conservation. Additionally, it plays a crucial role as a source of water, capturing and regulating rainwater and providing close to 80% of the water used by the population of Colombia.

The páramo is a harsh but beautiful environment with verdant grasses and striking frailejones which are perfectly adapted to the mix of low temperatures, thick clouds and strong sun. It’s a key ecosystem for  Andean birdwatching in Colombia.

On the fifth day of the Andean Birdwatching tour, we’ll leave the city of Bogotá to continue towards the valley of the Magdalena River. Our first stop is at Lake Tabacal at 1250 metres above sea level — the perfect altitude to observe species like Rosy Thrush Tanager, White-bearded Manakin, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Black-bellied Wren, and Olivaceous Piculet among others.

After stopping at Tabacal we’ll head towards the Enchanted Garden, where hummingbird species like Indigo-capped Hummingbird, White-bellied Woodstar, Black-throated Mango and Gorged Woodstar come to eat at feeders.

To end the day, we’ll travel to Honda, a historic town in Tolima situated on the bank of the Magdalena River, Colombia’s most important waterway.

The Bellavista Reserve is located on the outskirts of Victoria (Caldas) on the foothills of the central range of the Colombian Andes at around 1000 metres above sea level. The principal ecosystem is tropical rainforest which is the ideal habitat for target species like White-mantled Barbet, Beautiful Woodpecker, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Sooty Ant-Tanager, and Magdalena Antbird. Moreover, it’s a great place to observe species of Manakin like White-bearded Manakin, Stiatolated Manakin and Velveted Manakin. 

At the end of the morning birdwatching, we’ll set out for the city of Manizales.

Hacienda el Bosque is just 45 minutes outside of Manizales at approximately 3200 metres above sea level. It’s famous for its feeders where target species like Equatorial Antpitta, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Barred Fruiteater, Shining Sunbeam, and Buff-winged Coronet come to feed every morning. We’ll look out for these species while enjoying the spectacular views of Andean mountains.

In the afternoon we’ll visit Los Nevados National Park, in search of more high mountain species like Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Buffy Helmetcrest, Andean-tit Spinetail, and Andean Lapwing.

We’ll reach the highest altitude of the Andean Birdwatching Tour as we explore the breathtaking Los Nevados National Park. We’ll take the rural roads through the Park, exploring the high Andean forest and páramo ecosystems from 3200 to 4000 metres above sea level. We will stop at strategic points along the way to look for target species like Buffy Helmetcrest, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Noble Snipe, and Andean Lapwing. 

Next we’ll visit the Termales del Ruiz hotel, a hotspot close to Los Nevados Park, which is at a little lower altitude with a sub-paramo ecosystem. At Termales del Ruiz we’ll get the chance to observe target species like Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Lacrimose-Mountain Tanager, Equatorial Antpitta, and Ocellated Tapaculo among others.

The Río Blanco nature reserve is famous for its feeders where four different species of Antpitta can be spotted, including the endemic Bicoloured Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Brown-banded Antpitta and Slate-crowned Antpitta. Additionally, hummingbird feeders attract species like Tourmaline Sunangel, Buff-tailed Coronet, and Long-tailed Sylph. This nature reserve also covers an incredible difference in altitude which helps make this an Andean birdwatching hotspot with close to 450 registered species at only 30 minutes from the city of Manizales. 

In the afternoon we’ll travel to Salento, one of the most beautiful traditional towns in the coffee region.

The Carbonera is home to one of the largest wax palm forests in the world, providing the perfect habitat for the Yellow-eared Parrot. We’ll spend the day high in the mountains enjoying the breathtaking scenery and looking for high Andean species such as Golden-plumed Parakeet and Pale-naped Brushfinch. 

These incredible forests are filled with the tallest palm trees in the world – the Quindío wax palm. Although the wax palm is Colombia’s national tree it is also endangered, and the close relationship between the Yellow-eared parrot and the wax palms has contributed to their endangered status. The Carbonera survived the deforestation that affected other parts of Colombia because the armed conflict made it inaccessible to industry. Since Colombia’s peace agreement in 2016, the area has been preserved thanks to significant conservation and ecotourism efforts. 

We’ll also make the most of the opportunity to explore these unique forests in search of other species like White-capped Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Colombian Whitestart, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and others.

Santa Rita is a nature reserve on the outskirts of Salento filled with waterfalls, forests, and a wide variety of bird species. It used to be a traditional dairy farm but is currently undergoing sustainable transformation. Santa Rita is the ideal place to observe species of interest from the central Andean range, such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Cauca Guan, and Multicolored Tanager.

We begin at the banks of the Quindío River where the fast-flowing waters attract species like Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper. As we walk along the riverbank, we will reach open fields and farmland where we can observe Southern Emerald Toucanet, Bay-headed Tanager, and Blue-headed Parrot. We’ll stop for breakfast at the traditional farmhouse before exploring the cloud forests, waterfalls, tunnels and caves further inside the reserve. 

With a mix of ecosystems and landscapes, you’ll have the opportunity to see a range of bird species and enjoy the beauty of the reserve at the same time. 

In the afternoon we’ll travel to the Cauca Valley.

Laguna de Sonso is one of the few wetlands that survived the expansion of sugarcane cultivation in the Cauca Valley. It’s a strategic point for the survival of aquatic and migratory birds, making it an interesting attraction for bird lovers. We’ll be able to observe birds such as the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Snail Kite, and Greyish Piculet, among others.

In the afternoon, we will travel to km18 outside Cali.

San Cipriano is a small paradise in the lush Chocó Bioregion, it’s a fascinating place to discover. Just getting to the nature reserve is an experience in itself, we’ll travel part of the way on ‘Brujitas’ — wooden carts powered by motorcycles which run along the old train tracks. It’s an exciting journey with stunning views. The nature reserve is a protected area as it’s the main source of drinking water for the port city of Buenaventura. 

In the nature reserve, we can observe species such as the Chocó Toucan, Rose-faced Parrot, Five-coloured Barbet, Ocellated Antbird, Jet Antbird, Bicoloured Antbird, and Blue-headed Parrot. 

After lunch, we’ll head back to the hotel.

We’ll explore the old road leading to Buenaventura where we can find one of the most famous birdwatching spots in Colombia: Doña Dora. 

Around 457 bird species have been recorded at Doña Dora, and there is an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek about 700 metres from the house. We can walk down to the lek early in the morning along an intermediate-level trail, to observe the birds’ colourful display. 

We’ll return to the house for breakfast surrounded by hummingbirds (including Thorn-tailed Hummingbird, Velvet-purple Coronet, White-bibbed, Violet-tailed Sylph), finches (like the Black-headed Brushfinch, and Tricoloured Brushfinch) and toucan barbets, before exploring the nearby area in search of species like the Torrent Duck, Black Solitaire, Club-winged Manakin, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, and Bay Wren, among others. 

Though not the most attractively named place, Km 18 is recognised as one of Colombia’s top destinations for birdwatching. We can enjoy the presence of various species that frequent the feeders and drinking stations in the area. Chestnut Wood-Quail, Multicoloured Tanager, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Ruddy Quail-Dove and Booted Racket-tail are among the bird species often seen at Km 18. 

We’ll also explore a 2-kilometre stretch of country road where it’s possible to spot species such as Ash-coloured Tapaculo, Andean Solitaire, Black-capped Tanager, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, and Yellow-headed Caracara, among others.

At the end of the walk, we’ll visit Finca Alejandría, where more than ten species of hummingbirds frequent the feeders, including Long-tailed Sylph, Brown Violetear, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant, among others.

On the last day of the tour, we’ll adapt the itinerary according to the flight schedule including any of the following activities:

• San Felipe feeders (a great spot for photography)
• Km18 country roads
• A cultural tour in Cali
• A salsa class

At the end of the final experience, we’ll transfer to the airport to conclude the fascinating tour of Colombia.