Birdwatching Tours in Colombia
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As any serious birder knows, Colombia is a true paradise for birdwatching. Below are a few sample itineraries focusing on birdwatching, but we can offer anything from day tours, mixed in with general touring, to general nature tours that focus on birds as well as other animal species, or a package staying at 1 or more lodges in birding hotspots. There are also birdwatching photography tours, since photographers are a little different than birdwatchers. We know lots of operators, so check with us if you prefer to join a group tour and we will try to find something for you. |
A Classic 17 Day Birdwatching Itinerary in Colombia
A Classic 17 day itinerary with minimal flights (click on map for itinerary)
Cali, Coffee Region and Santa Marta - 10 daysThis tour is designed for birding enthusiasts, where you will visit different spots in Colombia surrounded by great nature and where you will also have the chance to observe great bird species. Colombia is known for having the largest diversity of bird species in the world. This trip aims to have low carbon footprint as the transportation is mainly by road, with no flights. Here you can expect to visit great birding reserves with different species and have different levels of comfort options. You will be able to admire great and very diverse landscapes by completely different ecosystems at each region, also with the chance to observe great birds, depending how deep in nature you want to get at each destination.
DAY 1 - WELCOM IN CALI
A person from our team will be waiting for you at your arrival time at Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Airport in Cali and will take you to the most comfortable birding lodge of the area located 1.5 hrs away. On the way, he will give you a briefing the whole experience with advices and recommendations for a pleasant trip. Subsequently, you will have the rest of the day free at leisure, having time to recover from the flight and enjoy the facilities of the ecolodge and its feeders. MEALS: (-/-/-) HOTEL: LA FLORIDA BIRDING / BOSQUE DE NIEBLA / ARAUCANA LODGE DAY 2 - LA FLORIDA BIRDING Today, you will be taken to the La Florida Birding Reserve located 20 mins away, in the Key Biodiversity Area of the San Antonio cloud forest. This place is home 340 species of birds, including 39 varieties of hummingbirds and up to 30 species of tanagers, including the colorful multicolor tanager and other species such as the elusive chestnut wood quail, both endemic only in that area and easy to spot there. Later on, you will be taken back to the lodge. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: LA FLORIDA BIRDING / BOSQUE DE NIEBLA / ARAUCANA LODGE DAY 3 - DOÑA DORA BIRDING Early morning departure at 5:00 AM for a 1-hr. transfer to the Doña Dora reserve, which is a charming place run by locals that have been protecting the area for years and where visitors can see 28 to 60 species in a day, in an area no larger than 150 square meters. Here we can easily observe species like the Andean Cock-of the-Rock, the toucan barbet among other species of the 478 that have been reported here, before being taken to the town of Buga. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: GUADALAJARA DE BUGA / SEÑORA INES BOUTIQUE DAY 4 - EL SONSO LAGOON Today you will visit the El Sonso Lagoon, which is the main wetland in the alluvial plain of the Cauca River and where we will have a birding activity in a place with 98 birds that are resident and 20 migratory. As for mammals, 16 species have been recorded in this special Tropical Dry Forest ecosystem. Later on, you will have a 3.5-hrs transfer to your next hotel in the small town of Mistrató passing by the great landscapes of the Cauca Valley. MEALS: (B/L/D) HOTEL: LAS BRISAS MISTRATÓ / ARRAYANAL DAY 5 - MISTRATÓ On this day, you will visit a private reserve in this area, which is the home of several species like the club winged manakin, different tanagers such as the black and gold ring tanager, silver throated tanager, the yellow-breasted antpitta, the orange-breasted fruiteater, different hummingbirds in its feeders, among others. In the afternoon you will have a transfer to Manizales area to the hotel that will be you base for the upcoming days of birding. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: QUO MANIZALES / TINAMÚ BIRDING / HACIENDA EL BOSQUE DAY 6 - RIO BLANCO RESERVE We will take you early to Rio Blanco, which is a reserve of 4932 hectares of cloud forest extension located between 2,150 and 3700 m.a.s.l. where 372 different bird species have been identified, of which 13 are endemic, 30 migratory and 13 are threatened. It is home of more than 61 species of registered mammals, more than 180 diurnal butterflies, 40 different species of native orchids due to its well preserved primary forest. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: QUO MANIZALES / TINAMÚ BIRDING / HACIENDA EL BOSQUE DAY 7 - HACIENDA EL BOSQUE We will take you early to Hacienda El Bosque, which is a traditional family dairy farm located 30 mins away with an elevation gradient from 2,800 to 3,900 m.a.s.l. The natural forest fragments have been protected for over 40 years, allowing the conservation of more than 25 water sources. It has an inventory of 127 species of birds. Later on, you will have a 40-mins transfer to your next hotel located at 3500 m.a.s.l. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: QUO MANIZALES / HACIENDA EL BOSQUE / TERMALES DEL RUIZ DAY 8 - PARAMO OF NEVADO DEL RUIZ Today we will get deep into the paramo ecosystem of the Los Nevados National Park. We will bird watch throughout the morning at key points along the way till 3960 ma.s.l. that will be our highest point. With appropriate clothing for the low temperatures, we will hope to find great species such as the endemic Rufous-fronted Parakeet, the Black-backed Tanager, the Golden-crowned Tanager, the Buffy helmetcrest or even the towering Andean Condors. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: QUO MANIZALES / TERMALES DEL RUIZ / TINAMÚ BIRDING DAY 9 – TINAMÚ RESERVE You will have a 45 minute transfer to the Tinamú reserve to have a full day of birding at this great place, which is famous for birds like the Golden-collared manakin, the blue-lored antbird and of course the little tinamu, among others. You will have lunch on site and can also enjoy the feeders where several hummingbirds and tanagers can be photographed. In the afternoon you will continue birding before returning to your hotel. MEALS: (B/L/-) HOTEL: QUO MANIZALES / TERMALES DEL RUIZ / TINAMÚ BIRDING DAY 10 - FLIGHT OUT On this day, you will have breakfast included at the hotel. Then you will have a transfer included to take you to the airport of Pereira to be 2 hours before flight connections. MEALS: (B/-/- *2026 price per person in US$: $3275 with 2 people, $2900 with 3 people, $2387 with 4 people. Ask for prices for up to 8 people. *All prices are in USD and are given per person in double or twin occupancy in standard rooms in regular season. Peak seasons: December 20 - January 12 / March 29-April 5 / October 3-12, other public holidays, late bookings or high occupancy in hotels and flights might affect the final price Includes:
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More ExamplesBIRDWATCHING & EXPEDITION IN THE JUNGLE OF THE AMAZON, MITÚ - VAUPÉS - 10 DAYS
Mitu is a dream come true for birders. During these 8 days we will be immersed in the Amazon jungle of the Vaupes region, walking through lush and full-of-life trails. We will visit trails in Varzea forest, White Sand forest, Terra Firme forest, and Amazon forest in the places of Urania, Cajure, Ceima Cachivera, Bocatoma, Santa Cruz and Mituseno. We hope to see more than 300 species of birds during this tour. NORTHERN COLOMBIA : BARRANQUILLA, SANTA MARTA, GUAJIRA, PERIJA - 12 DAYS
This is a cheerful and relaxing holiday and birding trip in Barranquilla: Km.4, Isla Salamanca national Park; Santa Marta: Minca, El Dorado Nature Reserve, Cuchilla de San Lorenzo; Guajira: Flamencos National Park, Camarones; Valledupar: Chamicero de Perija Nature Reserve. This area has been identified as the planet’s single most important and irreplaceable site for threatened and endemic biodiversity. This tour has focused on the endemic and near-endemic bird species. Santa Marta, Perija and Guajira birds. Almost 250 birds + almost 45 endemic! BIRDING & NATURE TOUR IN SANTA MARTA HIGHLANDS - 8 DAYS
A great tour that included ALL ENDEMIC BIRDS of the Santa Marta Mountains with the plus Blue-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon cyanolaemus), and Santa Marta wren (Troglodytes monticola), plus the subspecies that occur up there. BIRDING & NATURE TOUR IN THE ANDEAN FOREST, LLANOS FOOTHILLS & ORINOQUIA - EXPLORE THE ORINOCO - 10 DAYS
Enjoy this birding, nature and safari tour in the amazing Andean forest, Llanos foothills (Grasslands and Savannas biome) in the departments of Cundinamarca, Meta and Casanare. This offers different experiences including; mammals tours, safaris, anaconda views, watching jaguar, birding and cultural tours in the Colombian Llanos. Andean cloud forest, Bavaria Forest Nature Reserve, Rancho Camana Nature Reserve, Hato La Aurora Nature Reserve ANDEAN ENDEMICS: BOGOTA - CUNDINAMARCA - 8 DAYS
The main focus is the lands surrounding Bogota, including Cloud forest, the eastern Andes, paramo, Magdalena Valley, and dry forest. Well-known as well as less-visited birding localities in near Bogota are explored. COLOMBIA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR - 15 DAYS
More and more sites are offering feeding stations conducive to photography, not just for the spectacular hummingbirds, but also for tanagers, Antpittas, and more. This photo tour to offer diverse opportunistic shooting. Bogota City; Observatorio de Colibries; Parque Verde y Agua; Finca Colibri Gorriazúl; Ukuku; Tinamu NR; El Color de Mi Reves; Hacienda El Bosque; Nevados del Ruiz; Km. 18: La Florida El Bosque de Las Aves; Doña Dora ANDEAN ENDEMICS: BOGOTA - CUNDINAMARCA - BOYACA - 15 DAYS
Bogota City; Chingaza National Park & Observatorio de Colibries; La Florida Wetland, Laguna Tabacal & Jardin Encantado; Chicaque Nature Reserve; Sumapaz National Park; Cerro Quinini Nature Reserve; Los Cactos Nature Reserve; Guayabetal; Rogitama; Duitama; Soata ANDEAN ENDEMIC TOUR - THE PARTY - 23 DAYS
This 23 days birdwatching tour covers Eastern- Central- Western Andes + Magdalena Valley and Choco. This is very intense tour and they will do what it takes to get the target birds. Endemics and special birds are priority. (72+ endemic bird species) around the 500 birds. Habitats: Cloud, dry, rain, premontane, wetland, valley, paramo and choco! Spectacular birds including Bogota Rail, Green-bearded Helmetcrests, Yellow-eared Parrot, White-mantled Barbet, Antpitta, tanager finch, Black-and-gold, Gold-ringed, falme faced tanager and wren and many more. This tour has several destinations that are Important Bird Areas. You will bird in a variety of habitats. This tour has globally endangered and endemic bird species. Bogota City; Sumapaz National Park; Guasca & Observatorio de Colibries; Finca Colibri; Cañón del Combeima; Bellavista NR; Paujil NR; Rio Claro NR; La Romera NR; Jardin; Rio Blanco NR; Nevados del Ruiz NP; Santa Rosa de Cabal; Otun Quimbaya; Montezuma-Tatama National Park COLOSSAL TOUR! MORE THAN 700 BIRD SPECIES - 32 DAYS
An endemic birding tour throughout Colombia with three cordilleras (eastern-western-central Andes), the remote Amazonian and the stunning Santa Marta. Normally you can expect to see anything from 700 up to 1000 species of birds in a month if you are lucky. Bogota City; Guasca & Observatorio de Colibries; Finca Colibri; Cañón del Combeima; Bellavista NR; Paujil NR; Rio Claro NR; La Romera NR; Jardin; Rio Blanco NR; Nevados del Ruiz NP; Otun Quimbaya; Montezuma-Tatama National Park; Barranquilla; Santa Marta Mountains; Guajira; Perija; Mitu Check with us for itinerary and pricing details for these trips. Hummingbirds and TanagersThis is a 16 day photographic birding tour where you can find almost 170 hummingbird species This exciting tour explores some of the very best birdwatching spots in Colombia: Eastern-central-Western-Santa marta and Orinoquia. Main targets (Hummingbirds and tanager) also the being endemics such as Buffy Helmetcrest or Cock-of-the-Rock beside amazing Antpittas, great toucans or Barbet!
More Examples of Specific Regions and Animal Types
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