Photography Bird Tour – 15 Days – Birding Colombia – Nature

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR - 15 DAYS
EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANDES

AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD AND NATURE TOUR IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDEAN MOUNTAINS

Colombia is known to be the country with the highest number of bird species in the world is nearing a staggering 1950 specie and for many reasons has grabbed the headlines in the bird world in recent years.

More and more sites are offering feeding stations conducive to photography, not just for the spectacular hummingbirds, but also for tanagers, Antpittas, and more. Our photo tour to offer diverse opportunistic shooting.

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Day 1: Arrive to Bogota City
Day 2: Observatorio de Colibries
Day 3: Parque Verde y Agua – Colibrí Gorriazúl
Day 4: Loro de Fuertesi Nature Reserve – Proaves
Day 5: Anaime – Feeders
Day 6: Rio Blanco
Day 7: El Color de Mi Reves
Day 8: Hacienda El Bosque Nature Reserve
Day 9: Nevados del Ruiz National Park – Montezuma
Day 10: Tatama National Park – Montezuma
Day 11: Tatama National Park – Montezuma
Day 12: Montezuma – La Florida – Km.18
Day 13: Finca El Descanso de las Aves (Doña Dora)
Day 14: La Florida Feeders – Km. 18
Day 15: San Felipe feeders or Alejandría Feeders. Return to Bogotá in the afternoon
Day 16. International flight for home

Book this trip as a private departure for any group size (even as a solo traveler you can join to group with established dates).

AVAILABLE ALL YEAR!!!P

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO BOGOTA CITY

Transfer El Dorado International Airport to hotel. Meeting with the leader guide of Bogota Birding & Colombia Wildlife Tours. If you like we can to visit around Bogota attractions, such as the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), Cerro Monserrate, or the Candelaria neighbourhood. Night: Hotel Hilton Garden Inn. Check-in: 2:00pm

Altitude: 8530 ft (2600 m)

Inclusions: Transfer airport to hotel; Dinner; hotel accommodations.

DAY 2: OBSERVATORIO DE COLIBRIES

High Andean Cloud Forest and Hummingbird Observatory. This morning will see us birding cool cloud forest in the northeast of Bogota, especially targeting like the Lazuline sabrewing, Short Tailed Emerald, Gorgeted Woodstar and numerous other species. In the afternoon we will stop at one of the best set of hummer feeders in all of Colombia: Observatorio de Colibries, where we will likely get great views of some truly amazing birds including Blue-throated Starfrontlet, both Black- and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Glowing Puffleg, Sword-billed Billed Hummingbird and Coppery-bellied Puffleg. Hotel Hilton Garden Inn.

Altitude: 9186 ft – 9842 ft (2800m – 3000m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 3: PARQUE VERDE Y AGUA – FINCA COLIBRI GORRIAZÚL

We will move from Bogota to Parque Verde y Agua and Finca Colibrí Gorriazúl in Fusagasuga. The hummer feeders here attract superb species including Lesser Violetear, Long-tailed Sylph, Golden-winged Manakin, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Golden Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Speckled Tanager, and the temperate forest often has good mixed species flocks with typical Andean birds such as tanagers, flower piercers, warblers, flycatchers, and others. We will move to Anaime at the afternoon. Night: Hotel in Anaime – Tolima

Altitude: 6332 ft (1930m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 4: LORO DE FUERTESI NATURE RESERVE

Cajamarca is an amazing birding popular destination the mix of agricultural land, rushing streams, montane forest and the a great patch the Wax Palm forests of the highlands, Golden-plumed Parakeet can be found, and at times the rare Yellow-eared Parrot, as well Tolima blossomcrown that you can to see. Reserve Giles Fuertesi for to see the endemic and rare Fuertes’s Parrot. Targets: Yellow-eared Parrot, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, Tolima Blossomcrown, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Indigo-winged Parrot, Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, Indigo capped Hummingbird and many more. Night: Hotel in Anaime – Tolima.

Altitude: 5741 ft (1750m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 5: ANAIME FEEDERS

Highlights: Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Emerald, Emerald toucanet, Mountain motmot, Golden Tanager, Long-tailed sylph. On the river some time good options the Torrent Duck. We will move to Manizales at the afternoon. Night: Rio Blanco Lodge or Hacienda El Bosque.

Altitude: 5741 ft (1750m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 6: RIO BLANCO

Rio Blanco Nature Reserve is a mountain several Antpitta feeding stations near the lodge, and we will stop at all of them this morning. The Antpittas are wild and unpredictable, but there are decent chances to see Chestnut-crowned, Brown-banded, Bicolored, and Slate-crowned Antpittas, and occasionally others. Apart from the Antpittas, there are plenty of other birds to look for including Ocellated Tapaculo, Dusky Piha, Grass-green Tanager, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Blackbilled Mountain-Toucan, Black-collared Jay, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, and Whitethroated Screech-Owl. Hummer feeders are also quite good with Bronzy Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, and Tourmaline Sunangel among the many species that visit. Night: Río Blanco Lodge or Hacienda El Bosque.

Altitude: 7053 ft (2150m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 7: EL COLOR DE MI REVES – MANIZALES

El Color de Mi Reves. Black-billed Mountain Toucan: The lodge “El Color de mi Reves” is really good area for to get photo the famous Black-Billed Mountain Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Bicolor antpitta and other hummingbirds. Night: Río Blanco Lodge or Hacienda El Bosque

Altitude: 7053 ft (2150m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 8: HACIENDA EL BOSQUE & NEVADOS DEL RUIZ NATIONAL PARK

Morning we’ll travel about 1.5 hours up into the mountains high above the city to a remote and beautiful elfin and cloud forest. We’ll spend morning at Hacienda el Bosque where the main attraction is the feeding station that has been setup here to view the incredible Crescent-faced Antpitta. Some times to offer good chance the photo Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan.

Then after lunch we’ll go to Hotel Termales for new hummingbird and tanager species: near-endemic Black-thighed Puffleg, Rainbow bearded Thornbill, Viridian Metaltail, Glowing and Golden-breasted Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing also It has feeders for Lacrimose and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Pale-naped and Gray-browed Brush-Finches, Glossy Flowerpiercer and BUFFY HELMETCREST, an impressive endemic hummingbird, often can be photographed on perches or while feeding on Espeletia flowers near to the top the mountains (not coming to feeders).

Other targets here are Tawny Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Sedge Wren, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail and Andean Siskin. Also it has feeders for Lacrimose and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Pale-naped and Gray-browed Brush-Finches, Glossy Flowerpiercer. Night: Hacienda El Bosque or Hotel Termales del Ruiz.

Altitude: 13123 ft (4000m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation

DAY 9: NEVADOS DEL RUIZ NATIONAL PARK

This morning will be the highest elevation at Nevados National Park for look the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, the stunning hummingbird, often can be photographed on perches or while feeding on Espeletia flowers. Other change (without feeders) as well Tawny Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Sedge Wren, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, and Andean Siskin. The scenery is also impressive with fast grasslands. After a final morning at Los Nevados we will head down to the humid Choco for a three nights stay in the Tatama National Park region. Night: Montezuma Rainforest Lodge.

Altitude: 13123 ft (4000m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 10 & 11: TATAMA NATIONAL PARK

This As well as being very birdy, the Chocó region is one of the wettest areas on our planet, As well as holding a number of Chocó endemics this area is also home to the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-gold Tanager, Munchique Wood Wren, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer White-tailed Hillstar, Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph.: Mixed flocks are a feature of the area and hold such goodies as Yellow-vented Woodpecker, the skulking Rufous Spinetail, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Uniform Treehunter, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, Ornate and Handsome Flycatchers, Black Solitaire, the TANAGER Glisteninggreen and Purplish-mantled Tanagers, Silver-throated, Lemon-rumped, Rufousthroated Tanagers, Dusky-bellied Bush-Tanager, the localized Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, the delightful Indigo Flowerpiercer and Tricolored Brushfinch. We should also come across at least several of the scarcer species, which include Pacific Tuftedcheek, the little-known Bicolored Antvireo, the endemic Parker’s Antbird. the sluggish Olivaceous Piha, the gorgeous Orange-breasted Fruiteater,
Club-winged Manakin, the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, the stunning Yellowcollared and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and even Beautiful Jay. We should also find such more woodcreepers, trogons and lot orchids species. Night: Montezuma Rainforest Lodge morning will be the highest elevation at Nevados National Park for look the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, the stunning hummingbird, often can be photographed on perches or while feeding on Espeletia flowers. Other change (without feeders) as well Tawny Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Sedge Wren, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, and Andean Siskin. The scenery is also impressive with fast grasslands. After a final morning at Los Nevados we will head down to the humid Choco for a three nights stay in the Tatama National Park region. Night: Montezuma Rainforest Lodge.

Altitude: 5741 ft – 12467 ft (1750m – 3800m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 12: TATAMA NATIONAL PARK TO CALI – KM. 18 – LA FLORIDA EL BOSQUE DE LAS AVES

Birdng and photography of birds in the morning. After the lunch we will transfer to Cali – Km. 18. La Florida is much warmer in the afternoon and cool in the morning. It has quite a different set of species to photograph. There will be options around the feeders in Km. 18 for the likes endemic Multi-coloured Tanager, and lovely hummers such as the Booted Racket-tail, Blue headed sapphire, purple throated Woodstart and Bronzy Inca. Also the tanagers like: Golden Naped tanager, Golden tanager, Saffron crowned tanager, flame-rumped tanager, scrub tanager and Green honeycreeper also the chachalaca and toucanet. Night: La Florida Lodge or Araucana Lodge.

Altitude: 3339 ft (1018m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 13: FINCA EL DESCANDO DE LAS AVES – DOÑA DORA (UPPER ANCHICAYA)

The Anchicaya area became popular with Colombian birders long before it was recognized as the place to find the rare Toucan barbet. This morning we will get an early start, photographic a small and basic feeder station our accommodations that is little-known in birding circles. (also known as Dona Dora after the lovely lady who owns it) has become known as a paradise for birds, Dora’s feeders attract rarities like the Chocó Brush-Finch, Toucan Barbet, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia and some times Moss backed tanager When the Ficus tree is in the fruit season it’s a remarkable sight, as tropical rarities practically queue up to feed. Full day Dora house are and around the forest. Night: La Florida Lodge or Araucana Lodge.

Altitude: 3339 ft (1018m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 14: LA FLORIDA EL BOSQUE DE LAS AVES

La Florida is much warmer in the afternoon and cool in the morning. It has quite a different set of species to photograph. There will be options around the feeders for the likes endemic Multi-coloured Tanager, and lovely hummers such as the Booted Racket-tail, Blue headed sapphire, purple throated Woodstart and Bronzy Inca. Also the tanagers like: Golden Naped tanager, Golden tanager, Saffron crowned tanager, flame-rumped tanager, scrub tanager and Green honeycreeper also the chachalaca and toucanet. The forest itself also offers great birding, with the likes of Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Golden-headed Quetzal always a possibility. Full Day at La Florida. Plus we can to do multiflash here. Night: La Florida Lodge or Araucana Lodge.

Altitude: 3339 ft (1018m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 15: CALI – KM. 18 TO BOGOTA CITY

Photography time in San felipe feeders, Alejandría feeders or La Florida El Bosque de Las Aves feeders. Then we shall return to airport Cali a mid-afternoon for an internal flight to Bogota where the tour will conclude for some, while everyone else can look forward to our Orinoquia extension. Delicious final dinner and end the amazing photography bird trip. Hotel Hilton Garden Inn.

Altitude: 3339 ft (1018m)

Inclusions: Private transport; all meals; hotel accommodation.

DAY 16: BOGOTA CITY

International flight for home. The participants will we transfer to the El Dorado International Airport to take their international flight or connections in Colombia. Check-out: 12:00pm

Altitude: 8530 ft (2600m)

Inclusions: Breakfast; airport shuttle.

Finished Awesome the Photography Bird Tour With Us!

If you are interested you can extend this photography tour adding more days for visit the places: Monserrate-Sendero Paramuno, Jardin-Antioquia, Rio Blanco Nature Reserve, Montezuma Rainforest, La Piedra del Cóndor in Purace National Park.

NEXT DEPARTURE

DATES 2025: March 28 – April 12 – 2025 *

Days: 15 Nights and 16 Days

AREAS: Bogota, Observatorio de Colibries, Verde y Agua, Finca Colibri, Anaime, Nevados del Ruiz, Rio Blanco, Tatama National Park, La Florida, El Descanso Doña Dora, Cali.
Price Per 3 Persons: $5.000 USD – Price net per person
Double occupancy
Single room supplement: $500 USD
Max. Group size to 8 birders
Leader Guide: Oswaldo Cortes/Camilo Orjuela + local guides
SPACES AVAILABLE

Book this trip as a private departure for any group size (even as a solo traveler you can join to group with established dates).

AVAILABLE ALL YEAR!!!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

You will visit the ecosystems of Paramo and High Andean Forest in the Nevados National Park.
You can observe and photograph more than 22 species of hummingbirds between Observatorio de Colibries, Finca Colibri Gorriazúl, La Florida, Doña Dora.
You will get to know El Color de Mi Reves, Hacienda El Bosque and Termales del Ruiz, an iconic spaces for photography of birds in Manizales.
You will marvel at the Nevados National Park – Andean cloud forest and Paramo.
You will be immersed in the andean mountains and their ecosystems.
Every day you will be amazed at the change of thermal floors in the andean mountains: eastern, central and western andes.

OVERVIEW

Trip Type: Birding Colombia Tours
Total Days: 15
Tour Size: 8 Participants
Activities: Photography
Locations: Eastern, Central & Western Andes
Departure / Return Location: Bogota DC – IATA: BOG / Bogota DC – IATA: BOG
Tour Leader: You will be accompanied the entire tour by one of our Bilingual and Professional Birding Guides.
Clothing: Warm jacket, cap, hiking shoes, Comfortable athletic clothing, long sleeve shirt, t-shirts.
Pace: Moderate
Friendly: Yes
Guide Language: English, French, Portuguese & Spanish
Arrival In: Bogota (El Dorado International Airport)
Depart From: Bogota (El Dorado International Airport)

OUR BIRDING TOUR INCLUDED

TRANSPORT

Private transport 4×4 and Jeeps; flight: Cali to Bogota City; private transfer Airport – hotel – aiport

MEALS

All food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in all locations with open menu in restaurants
2 snacks daily that include bottle water, fruit, hot drinks
(Water available all the time on the bus –big bottle to recharge the potable bottles)
Vegan and vegetarian menus

ACCOMMODATIONS

All Hotels described in the itinerary (14 nights)
Eco-lodges inside the Natural Reserves
Towel and linen provided in all places
Entrance fees at National Parks and Reserves
Local guides, drivers and cooks
The group will be accompanied by a professional guide all time of BOGOTA BIRDING & COLOMBIA WILDLIFE TOURS
Experienced cooks in all reserves, lodges and hotels.

OUR BIRDING TOUR NOT INCLUDED

International flights and taxes
Toiletries and personal items
Laundry Service
Room service
Tips or gratuity
Medical Expenses
Insurance
International or local Phone Calls
Alcoholic Drinks
Activities not included in the itinerary
Extensions of a trip due to circumstances beyond our control

KEY SPECIES

Multicolored Tanager
Colombian Chachalaca
Red-headed Barbet
Crimson-rumped Toucanet
Montane Woodcreeper
Red-faced Spinetail
Crested Quetzal
Streaked Xenops
Green-and-black Fruiteater
Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant
Cinnamon Flycatcher
Golden-crowned Flycatcher
Rusty Flowerpiercer
Orange-bellied Euphonia
Saffron-crowned
Golden-naped
Metallic-green
Black-cappe

Beryl-spangled
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager
Dusky Bush-Tanager
White-necked Jacobin
Green Violetear
Brown Violetear
Black-throated Mango
Blue-headed Sapphire
Booted Racket-tail
Speckled Hummingbird
Andean Emerald
Bronzy Inca
Fawn-breasted Brilliant
Purple-throated Woodstar
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
Brown-banded Antpitta
Bicolored Antpitta
Slate-crowned Antpitta

Chestnut-naped Antpitta
Gray-browed Brushfinch
Long-tailed Sylph
Tourmaline Sunangel
Lesser Violetear
Sparkling Violetear
Speckled Hummingbird
Fawn-breasted Brilliant
Buff-tailed Coronet
White-bellied Woodstar
Booted Racket-tail
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager
Slaty Brush-Finch
Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan
Golden-plumed Parakeet
Rusty Faced Parrot
Andean Pygmy Owl

Colombia Birding

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR - 15 DAYS
EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANDES

AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD AND NATURE TOUR IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDEAN MOUNTAINS

ITINERARY SUMMARY

ITINERARY

NEXT DEPARTURE

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW

OUR BIRDING TOUR INCLUDED

OUR BIRDING TOUR NOT INCLUDED

KEY SPECIES

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR ROUTE MAP

ALLIES

CONTACT US

HOME

BIRDING & WILDLIFE ROUTES

Colombia Birding

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR - 15 DAYS EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANDES

AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD AND NATURE TOUR IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDEAN MOUNTAINS

ITINERARY SUMMARY

ITINERARY

NEXT DEPARTURE

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW

OUR BIRDING TOUR INCLUDED

OUR BIRDING TOUR NOT INCLUDED

KEY SPECIES

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR ROUTE MAP

ALLIES

CONTACT US

HOME

BIRDING & WILDLIFE ROUTES

PHOTOGRAPHY BIRD TOUR - 15 DAYS
EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN ANDES