🕒 Duration: 14 effective birding days
📅 Dates: March 2026
Bird photography trip in Colombia: Overview
Welcome to the birdiest country: Colombia!
This bird photography trip in Colombia is the best way to explore the megadiversity of Colombian Andes region, including its landscapes, people, and essence. This trip also includes a specific selection of locations which offer the best photographic conditions. With a mix of feeders, roads and trails, this trip will leave you with wonderful memories and photographs. Colombia’s Andes mountains are a haven for high bird endemism. The geographic isolation of each range, as well as the altitudinal variation of each mountain, has resulted in the diversification of multiple species specialized in various habitats.
This tour is intended to showcase the best of the Andes, the Pacific region, and the Cauca Valley, which is located between the Western and Central Cordilleras.
What to expect from this bird photography trip in Colombia?
Colombia is a megadiverse country, not only because of its biodiversity but also because of its landscapes and culture. On this trip, you will find yourself exploring a cloud forest in the morning and a tropical rainforest in the afternoon, watching colorful tanagers in one of the many Andean reserves or spotting aquatic birds in the marshes along the Cauca river valley. This tour includes a little bit of the most important places in the Western and Central Andes of Colombia as well as the Pacific region.
- 400 species.
- Several ecosystems: tropical dry, very dry, semi-desert, and humid forest, rain forest, cloud forest, Andean forests (sub-Andean, high-Andean), and aquatic ecosystems.
- A calm pace and easy-to-walk trails and/or roads.
- Comfortable and calm lodges near or within the areas of interest.
- Physical demand: low to intermediate.
- Nature and culture interpretation by our expert guides.
Multicolored Tanager (Endemic)
Departure and return location
▶️ Cali – Alfonso Bonilla Aragon international airport
⏹️ Medellin – Jose Maria Cordova international airport
Itinerary of bird photography trip in Colombia
Keywords: (E) = endemic, (NE) = near endemic
Day 0: (Arrival to Bogota).
Night in Bogota Afternoon or evening arrival to Bogota. Night in Bogota
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 1. Early flight to Cali – Km 18 all day.
Night in Km 18 area
The KM 18 stands out as a classic birding hotspot and ranks among the finest places for bird photography in the region. Approximately five farms in the area host hummingbird and tanager feeders, providing an opportunity to witness the captivating Multicolored Tanager, an endemic and splendid species. These feeders also attract a variety of other bird species, including the Colombian Chachalaca and Chestnut Wood-quail (both endemic), as well as the Flame-rumped, Scrub, Golden, Saffron-crowned, and Golden-naped Tanagers. Notably, the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager is a frequent visitor to the feeders. Other remarkable sightings include the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Black-winged Saltator, and Red-headed Barbet, among other beauties.
The hummingbird feeders are a bustling hub for several hummingbird species, such as the Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Lesser Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Purple-throated Woodstar (near-endemic), and Greenish Puffleg. Additionally, two species of hermits, namely the Tawny-bellied and Green Hermit, make appearances. Exploring the surrounding forest reveals a treasure trove of specialties, including the Nariño Tapaculo (near-endemic), Scaled and Green-and-black Fruiteaters, Chestnut-capped, White-naped, and Yellow-breasted Brush-finches, Southern-emerald Toucanet, and intriguing understory birds like Spotted and Rusty-winged Barbtails, Streak-capped and Striped Treehunters. The woodpecker enthusiasts will delight in sightings of Yellow-vented, Acorn, and Golden-olive woodpeckers.
🏨Night in KM 18 area
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 2: High Anchicaya – El Descanso feeders.
Night in Km 18 area
This area is undoubtedly one of the top Colombian birding hotspots, offering easy access via a paved road, stunning canopy-level views, and the added attraction of hummingbird and tanager feeders. It serves as an excellent introduction to the avifauna of the Chocó region, renowned as one of the most biodiverse ecoregions globally. Our day begins with a walk along the well-maintained paved road, historically leading to the Pacific coast city of Buenaventura. The elevated Anchicayá region is home to numerous specialties, including the Tatamá Tapaculo, Grayish Piculet, Crested Ant-tanager, Parker’s Antbird (all endemic), as well as the Toucan Barbet, Rufous-throated Tanager, Chocó Tapaculo, Uniform Treehunter, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Club-winged Manakin, Sooty-headed Wren, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, White-whiskered Hermit, and Yellow-collared Chlorophonia.
At 1100 meters, we’ll reach “El Descanso,” a family restaurant with a dedicated space for tanagers and hummingbirds. Notably, it’s the sole location in Colombia where the near-endemic Toucan Barbet frequently feeds on bananas, even nesting in the feeding garden. Other avian visitors to the fruit feeders include the Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Glistening-green and Rufous-throated Tanagers, Black-headed and Tricolored (Chocó) Brush-finch, Tick-billed, and Orange-bellied Euphonias. Watch for fascinating hummingbirds such as the Green Thorntail, White-whiskered Hermit, Empress Brilliant (near-endemic), and Brown Inca (near-endemic).
🏨Night in Km 18 area
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 3: Atuncela dry forest – drive to San Cipriano.
Night in San Cipriano
This morning we’ll head to the tropical dry forest of Atuncela on our way to San Cipriano. Atuncela is a remnant of tropical dry forest and sub-xerophytic vegetation. Here we’ll look for the Ultramarine Grosbeak, Orange-crowned Euphonia, Blue-headed Sapphire, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Golden-rumped Chlorophonia, and Dwarf Cuckoo among many others. By noon time we’ll drive to the small town of San Cipriano near the Pacific coast. As the day transitions into dusk, our adventure extends to seek out the elusive Choco Poorwill, Choco Screech-owl, and Crested Owl near the town.
➡️Driving time: 1.5 hrs
🏨Night in San Cipriano. 80 meters
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 4: San Cipriano – drive to Buga
Night in Buga
This tourist town is frequently visited by both locals and international visitors, is renowned for its pristine rivers and impeccably preserved forests. Nestled within an ethnic territory, the town boasts efficiently managed tourist services overseen by the local community. Our exploration unfolds along the trails bordering San Cipriano, delving into the unique offerings of these lowland, incredibly humid ecosystems. Throughout the day, our quest promises encounters with a diverse bird spectrum.
Among the notable species we may spot are the White-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon Woodpecker, the resplendent Scarlet-and-white Tanager (near endemic), Rufous-winged Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Rose-faced Parrot, Gray-and-gold Tanager, Black-chested and White-necked Puffbirds, Black-faced Antthrush, Tiny Hawk, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Red-capped Manakin, (NE) Lemon-spectacled Tanager, (NE) Five-colored Barbet, Lanceolated Monklet, (NE) Purple-chested Hummingbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, as well as Spotted, Bicolored, and Ocellated Antbirds, Berlepsch Tinamou, Baudo Guan, and the very rare Sapayoa, among others. By mid-afternoon, we’ll make our way out of San Cipriano and drive to the town of Buga in the Cauca river valley.
🏨Night in Buga. 1000 meters
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 5: Sonso Lagoon – drive to Pereira.
Night in La Florida village.
This morning we’ll be visiting the Sonso Lagoon, a public nature reserve area next to the city of Buga. Here we will look for local specialties along the Cauca River and in forest patches of tropical dry forest. When it has rained enough, sections get flooded, and many aquatic birds visit the place. Among the specialties, it is possible to find: (E) Grayish Piculet, (E) Apical Flycatcher, (NE) Bar-crested Antshrike, Cinereous Becard, Dwarf Cuckoo, Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, Comb Duck, Jet Antbird, Striped, Little, and Dwarf Cuckoos, Blackish Rail, Spectacled Parrotlet, Fulvous, White-faced & Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Buff-necked and Glossy Ibises, Common Potoo, Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher, and others. After a busy morning here, we will head up to the mountains on the western slope of the Central Andes. In the late afternoon, we can look for Torrent Duck and Torrent Tyrannulet near the lodge.
🏨Night in La Florida village. 1800 meters.
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 6: Otun Quimbaya Sanctuary. Drive to Montezuma (Tatamá National Park)
Night in Montezuma lodge
Otún-Quimbaya is another famous location with a long birding tradition. This small national protected area, is part of a corridor that connects the sanctuary with the Ucumarí Regional Park and Los Nevados National Park. Otún-Quimbaya is also known for holding the biggest population of the endemic and rare Cauca Guan. It’s also the best place for some restricted birds like the endemics Crested Ant-tanager, Stile’s Tapaculo, and Multicolored Tanager. Other specialties here include: (E) Grayish Piculet, (NE) Moustached and the very rare Hooded Antpitta, (NE) Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Torrent Duck, White-capped Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Wattled Guan, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet, Tyrannine and Black-banded Woodcreeper, (NE) White-throated Wedgebill (Chocó Dagerbill), Streak-capped Treehunter, Bronze-olive Pygmy-tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike, Golden-winged, and Cerulean Warblers among others. In the afternoon we’ll make our way to Montezuma within the Tatama National Park in the Western Andes.
🏨Night in Montezuma, 1400 meters, 21°C
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 7: Montezuma hill (high section).
Night in Montezuma lodge
The Montezuma hill which lies within the Tatamá NP, is often divided into 3 altitudinal sections. This day we will explore the best spots of the high part in the quest for many of the specialties with stops at 2 feeders set at 2200 and 2400 masl. The endemics list here contains the Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Munchique Wood-wren, and Gold-ringed Tanager, the tanager with the most restricted range in Colombia and an iconic bird of the country.
Other specialties here are (NE) Tanager Finch, (NE) Black Solitaire, (NE) Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, (NE Orange-breasted Fruiteater, (NE) Beautiful Jay, (NE) Bicolored Antvireo, (NE) Yellow-breasted Antpitta, (NE) Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, (NE) Purplish-Mantled and Glistening-green Tanagers, (NE) Indigo Flowerpiercer, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, White-faced Nunbird, Golden-headed Quetzal, Ochre-breasted Antpitta; Furnarids are also present here with a good party representing them: Olivaceous, Spotted and Montane Woodcreepers, Brow-billed and the very rare Greater Scythebill, four Fruiteaters are often seen here: Green-and-black, Barred, Scaled and the Chocó endemic, Orange-breasted Fruiteater.
🏨Night: Montezuma lodge. 1350m. 20°C
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 8: Montezuma hill (medium section).
Night in Montezuma lodge
This day will start at the mid-level, considered the most biodiverse of the three sections. Here we’ll have chances to see the endemic Black-and-gold Tanager, Olivaceous Piha, (NE) Indigo Flowerpiercer, (NE) Purplish-mantled Tanager, (NE) Glistening-green Tanager, (NE) Dusky Chlorospingus, (NE) Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Olive Finch, Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Yellow-collared, and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias and Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant. Other interesting birds are Barred Hawk, Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, and some interesting antbirds as (NE) Bicolored Antvireo, Zeledon’s Antbird, (E) Parker’s Antbird, Slaty, Rufous-rumped, and Yellow-breasted Antwrens.
🏨Night in Montezuma lodge
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 9: Montezuma, Lower section – afternoon drive to Manizales.
Night in Manizales
This morning we will work on the surroundings of the lodge and the feeders. Around here is possible to see (NE) Brown Inca, Purple-bibbed Withetip, (NE) Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Moustached Puffbird, Zeledon’s Antbird, (NE) Sooty-headed Wren, Black-winged Saltator, (E) Grayish Piculet, Rufous-breasted Anttrush, (NE) Rufous-throated Tanager, Black hawk-eagle, Chestnut-headed Oropendola. By the early afternoon we’ll head to the town of Manizales in the Central Andes near Los Nevados National Park.
➡️Driving time: 3.5 hrs
🏨Night in Manizales. 2200 meters
Bird photography trip in Colombia Day 10: Río Blanco reserve.
Night in Hacienda El Bosque
Río Blanco holds a distinguished status as one of Colombia’s oldest and most renowned birding hotspots. It earned its place in history as the pioneer in establishing antpitta feeders, providing opportunities to observe a minimum of four species: (E) Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, Slate-crowned, and (NE) Bicolored antpittas. Strategically positioned close to the lodge and main road, these feeders offer convenient viewing.
Hummingbird feeders are equally alluring, drawing in common and vivid species native to the Colombian Andes: Collared Inca, Tourmaline Sunangel, Bronzy Inca, Lesser and Sparkling Violetears, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant, among others. Within a garden at the main entrance to the reserve, the Andean Emerald, Green-fronted Lancebill, and (NE) White-throated Daggerbill find their haven.
The tanager feeders attract Buff-breasted and Blue-winged Mountain-tanagers, Slaty Brush-finch, Masked Flowerpiercer, and more. While traversing the road, sightings of the elusive Masked Saltator, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-capped Tanager, Golden-plummed Parakeet, Montane, Tyrannine, and Strong-billed Woodcreepers, Rusty-faced Parrot, Dusky Piha, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Red-hooded Tanager, Black-collared Jay, Yellow-vented, and Bar-bellied Woodpeckers come to light. The reserve further reveals Plushcap Finch, Chestnut-crowned Tody-flycatcher, Mountain Cacique, Capped Conebill, Pearled Treerunner, and numerous other species, offering an enriching experience. Recenty established feeders with grapes attract the Southern Emerald Toucanet, and the Black-billed Mountain-Toucan.
🏨Night in Hacienda El Bosque. 3200 meters
Day 11: Hacienda El Bosque and Paramo del Ruiz.
Night in Hacienda El Bosque
Hacienda El Bosque is a must-visit destination for any birdwatcher exploring the Central Andes of Colombia. This cattle ranch simultaneously protects extensive high Andean forest areas through a conservation model known as a civil society natural reserve. This reserve is sanctioned by Colombian law and is part of the country’s national system of protected areas. In recent years, Hacienda El Bosque initiated a nature tourism project that stands out as one of the most successful in the Manizales region.
The project began, like many others, with feeding stations for Antpittas, where two species can be observed: the Equatorial Antpitta and the extremely rare Crescent-faced Antpitta. This location is the only place within its limited distribution, stretching from northern Ecuador to Colombia, where the Crescent-faced Antpitta can be spotted. Subsequently, a feeding station for the Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan was established, and this charismatic bird has become a regular visitor to the daily offerings of grapes. Other species of interest include the Barred Fruiteater, Andean Guan, White-throated Quail-dove, and a numerous family of Hooded Mountain-tanager.
Hacienda El Bosque
Hacienda el Bosque also features several cabins with the best views of the mountains and a welcoming restaurant serving both guests and visitors. In total, three stations or feeding areas are available, each tailored to the different needs of nature photographers while simultaneously delighting the avid birdwatcher. Target species: Equatorial Antpitta Buff-winged StarfrontletSword-billed HummingbirdHooded SiskinAndean SiskinBarred FruiteaterAndean GuanHooded Mountain-Tanager (in feeders too) Paramo SeedeaterCrimson-mantled Woodpecker
In the afternoon, after a tasty lunch at Hacienda El Bosque “Bosco” restaurant, we will head even higher to the first patches of dwarf or elfin forests. Here we will look for Golden-crowned Tanager, (NE) Black-backed Bush-tanager, Viridian Metaltail, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Paramo Tapaculo, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, and others.
🏨Night in Hacienda El Bosque. 3200 meters
Day 12: Paramo del Ruiz (Los Nevados NP) – drive to Riosucio.
Night in Riosucio
Today we will explore Los Nevados National Park, located on the highest part of the Colombian Central Andes. We will wind through patches of forest that open up to Paramo, a montane ecosystem above the treeline dominated by espeletia (frailejon), and grasses. We will reach elevations up to 4100 meters (13,400 feet), so it will be cold and we will take all precautions to avoid elevation sickness. Starting in the upper elevation (4100 meters), we will go for specific highland targets as the endemics Buffy Helmetcrest and Rufous-fronted Parakeet. Other specialties here are: White-chinned ThistletailAndean Tit-spinetailStout-billed CinclodesMany-striped CanasteroBlack FlowerpiercerAndean DuckNoble SnipeParamo Ground-tyrantParamo SeedeaterGrass WrenTawny AntpittaBlack-chested Buzzard-eagleAndean CondorParamo TapaculoWhite-banded TyrannuletGolden-crowned TanagerAsh-coloured TapaculoAndean Pygmy-owlBlack-backed Bush-Tanager.
In the afternoon, we’ll start making our way to the town of Riosucio in the Western Andes.
🏨Night in Riosucio. 2000 meters. 20°C
Day 13: Ventanas road, Yellow-eared Parrot reserve and Mirador El Roble.
Night in Jardin
Today kicks off with an early start as we head to Alto Ventanas, a location that gained fame over two decades ago for harboring the largest population of the endangered and endemic Yellow-eared Parrot. To this day, it remains the premier spot for observing these remarkable parrots. Our prospects for the day include sightings of the (E) Colombian Whitestart, (NE) Purplish-mantled Tanager, and (NE) Tanager Finch. Additional specialties in this rich avian landscape encompass the Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, White-rumped Hawk, Purple-backed Thornbill, Black-billed Mountain-toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Spillman’s Tapaculo, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Striped and Flammulated Treehunters, Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant, Barred Fruiteater, White-capped Tanager, Red-hooded Tanager, Black-collared Jay, and Powerful Woodpecker. En route we’ll keep an eye out for feeders offering unique opportunities to spot the endemic Chami Antpitta and Chestnut-naped Antpitta. It’s a day filled with unique and exciting birding encounters.
🏨Night in the town of Jardin
Day 14: Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek and the Cauca tropical dry forest – drive to airport, flight to Bogota.
This morning we’ll be visiting the best Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek of the country. This place, is strategically located within the town of Jardin and offers great opportunities to spot over 10 males of this gorgeous bird along with other local specialties like the endemic Red-bellied Grackle, Inca and Black-chested Jay and the endemic Crested Ant-tanager. After few hours here we will take our way to Medellin stopping along the way in a tropical dry forest where we will search for one of the “Antioquia” birds, the endemic Antioquia Wren, plus other specialties like the endemics Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher, Moustached Puffbird, Bar-crested Antshrike, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Cinereous Becard, Spectacled Parrotlet, Guira Tanager, Black-crowned Antshrike, and others. In the afternoon, we will continue on our way to the Rionegro’s International Airport for the late-afternoon flight to Bogota. Night in Bogota or connection with an international flight.
END OF THE TRIP
Pricing
The final price does include:
- Full transportation from day 0 (arrival) to day 14 in a comfortable SUV with an air-conditioned, and fully available every day of the trip. It does include airport-hotel-airport transfers on arrival day and departing day;
- Domestic flights: Bogota – Cali, Medellin – Bogota;
- Lodging in good hotels or lodges with individual/shared accommodation from night of the day 0 to the night of day 13.;
- Full meals including snacks and unlimited water;
- Full bilingual professional guiding service and expert local guiding when necessary;
- Obligatory travel insurance with coverage in Colombia.
Price doesn’t include:
- International flights.
- Laundry service, minibar expenses, tips.
- Transportation not listed above.
- Other services that are not listed above.
- Dinner on day 0 and day 13.
PRICE
Based on SHARED accommodation for SIX participants: USD $6 200, GBP £4 670 / Participant
Single room supplement USD $ 600 / GBP £ 450
Contact
For more information, feel free to contact me using this form here.
This tour is organised by Esenko Workshops.
Esenko Workshops is a trusted brand of Židana Marela d.o.o.
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