Colombia Andes Bird Photography Tour 14 Days in the World’s Bird Capital

14-27 de mayo
1-14 de november

DAY 3: FINCA BAMBUSA – JARDÍN

After an early breakfast at the hotel, our driver will pick us up for a visit to the famous Enchanted Garden in the rural part of the municipality of San Francisco de Sales, 1,5 hours from Bogotá. The garden is beautifully located on a riverbank at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Owner Leonor Pardo installed hummingbird feeders more than 25 years ago and today these feeders draw around 23 of the 165 hummingbird species that have been classified in Colombia. We will have fantastic opportunities to photograph (endemic) hummingbirds like White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Gorgeted Woodstar, Red-billed Emerald, White-vented Plumeleteer, Crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird. At noon, our driver will bring us to the airport in Bogotá where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will take a flight to Medellín, followed by a transfer of 3 hours to the town of Jardín. Dinner and night at Hotel Hacienda Balandú in Jardín.

DAY 2: ENCHANTED GARDEN – MEDELLÍN

Group trip dates 2025-2026

​Welcome to Colombia! We will be waiting for you at the international airport in Bogotá and a short transfer to Hotel Hilton Garden inn. The metropolis Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, located at an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level, and has around 10 million inhabitants. Night at Hotel Hilton Garden inn, Bogotá.

Embark on the ultimate Colombia Andes photo adventure, a 14-day Colombia Andes birding photography expedition designed for photographers, birders, and nature enthusiasts eager to explore the Colombia world’s bird capital photo tour. Experience the unparalleled diversity of Colombia’s Andean ecosystems, from paramo and cloud forests to high-altitude lakes, while photographing vibrant avian species and breathtaking landscapes.
Why This Tour Is Special
This 14-day Colombia bird photography tour provides unmatched opportunities for high-altitude bird photography Colombia and Andean bird photography Colombia, including hummingbirds, tanagers, and rare endemic species. Capture the vibrant plumage and dynamic behaviors of Colombia’s remarkable avian diversity in pristine habitats.

• Andean Landscapes & Avian Diversity
  Combine wildlife with scenery on this Colombia Andean landscape & bird photography expedition. Explore cloud forests, paramo ecosystems, and Andean valleys, creating a comprehensive Colombia Andean avian diversity photo journey.

• Remote & Immersive Locations
  Photograph in secluded highland areas on remote cloud forest bird photography Colombia excursions and paramo and Andean forest bird photo expedition sites. This tour emphasizes authentic interactions with nature and dramatic highland landscapes, including the iconic Nevado del Ruiz bird photography Colombia region.

• Specialized Birding Photography Experience
  Join a Colombian Andean birding & phototour led by expert guides, focusing on composition, lighting, and behavior capture for birdwatching photography tour Colombia Andes. Learn techniques for photographing elusive species in complex Andean habitats.

• Hummingbirds, Tanagers & Endemics
  Capture spectacular species on the Colombia hummingbird and tanager photography trip, witnessing the dazzling colors and movements that make Colombia the Andes bird capital Colombia photography tour.

We leave every month get in touch with us we will set up great trip plan for you.
​Groups from 2 up to 6 people only.

Today we will visit Finca Bambusa, a small farmhouse in Colombia’s coffee region, which is owned by the Castaño family. It is a nursery for ornamental plants from the region and some traditional crops such as coffee and bananas are cultivated. Mrs. Piedad Castaño, a sweet old lady, has been feeding the birds in her garden and to her surprise many tanagers, woodpeckers, chachalacas, hummingbirds and many other species suddenly began to arrive. She decided to open the doors of her farm and welcome birders and bird photographers from all over the world. The target birds to photograph here are Green Jay, Black-collared Jay, Red-headed Barbet, Colombian Chachalaca, Flame-rumped Tanager, Acorn Woodpecker, Bluenecked Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Bronze-winged Parrot, Green Hermit, Rufoustailed Hummingbird. Night at Hotel Hacienda Balandú in Jardín

DAY 4: LUCIA FEEDERS – JARDÍN DE ROCAS RESERVE - MANIZALES

Private Trips

​DAY 1: BOGOTÁ

The Lucia Feeders farm is located in Alto Ventanas, about 1,5-hour drive from Jardín. This area is surrounded by patches of high-Andean forests on the higher side and Andean Forest on the lower side. It is a place with an incredible biodiversity and magnificent landscapes. Where the cordillera rises to 2900 meters, lives and nests a population of the endemic Yellow-eared Parrot in the remnants of wax palm forests. Lucia Feeders is a private farm owned by a family with a big heart for birds and conservation. The feeders at the farm, are visited by some very interesting species like Chami Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Ocellated Tapaculo, Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Yellow-eared Parrot, and Black-billed Mountain-Toucan. Around the garden, we can find other birds like Barred ​Fruiteater, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Black-collared Jay, among others. In the afternoon, we will visit the Jardín de Rocas Natural Reserve. This is a small farm located on the rural side of the municipality Jardín – Antioquia, where a permanent lek of the Cock-of-the-Rock exists. This place is very famous and visited by many birders and photographers. The Cocks-of-the-Rock males can be observed at close range, providing unique opportunities to photograph this beautiful bird during their displays to attract females. The owners of the farm installed bird feeders that attract some great species from the region, such as colorful tanagers and chachalacas. After our visit, we will have a transfer to our hotel in Manizales. Night and dinner at Estelar Recinto del Pensamiento Hotel in Manizales.

DAY 5: RIO BLANCO

We will spend the day at the famous antpitta feeders in the Rio Blanco Natural Reserve. This reserve is home to nearly 400 species of birds. We will have great chances to photograph three species of antpittas: Chestnutcrowned Antpitta, Brown-banded Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta. There are also very nice hummingbird feeders and flowers. Around the garden, it is possible to find Rusty-faced Parrot, Dusky Piha, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Saltator, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Barred Fruiteater, Black-collared Jay, Buffbreasted Mountain-Tanager, Emerald Toucanet, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Buff-tailed Coronet, Longtailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel, and many more. Breakfast and lunch we will have in the reserve. Night and dinner at the Estelar Recinto del Pensamiento Hotel in Manizales.

DAY 6: EL COLOR DE MI REVES

Today we will visit a wonderful Cloud Forest Reserve: El Color de Mis Reves. This is probably the best place to photograph the fantastic Black-billed Mountain-Toucan. We will also have good chances for Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Shining Sunbeam, Tourmaline Sunangel, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sickle-winged Guan, Mountain Velvetbreast, Buff-tailed Coronet, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-capped Tanager, as well as Ocellated Tapaculo and Bicolored Antpitta. Breakfast and lunch at the reserve El Color de Mis Reves. Night and dinner at the Estelar Recinto del Pensamiento Hotel in Manizales.

DAY 7: HACIENDA EL BOSQUE – TERMALES DEL RUIZ

​In the morning, our driver will bring us to the Hacienda El Bosque Reserve, about 1 hour from Manizales. This reserve is located around a former dairy farm with some patches of high-Andean Forest. Hacienda El Bosque has become a world hotspot for Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans that come daily to feed on grapes. Nowhere else is it so easy to photograph this stunning bird. Sometimes there are up to seven Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans present at once! Usually one or two antpittas (Equatorial and Crescent-chested Antpitta) visit the forest feeders. There are other nice targets for our lenses, such as Andean Guan, Whitethroated Quail-Dove, Masked Flowerpiercer, and Gray-browed Brushfinch. The hummingbird feeders should not be missed either with Shining Sunbeam, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Lesser Violetear, Blackthighed Puffleg, as well as the beautiful Sword-billed Hummingbird. In the afternoon, we will drive to our next destination: Hotel Termales del Ruiz.

DAY 8: NEVADOS DEL RUIZ – TINAMÚ BIRDING NATURE RESERVE

Hotel Termales del Ruiz beautifully located with natural hot springs, close to the Los Nevados National Park at 3800 meters above sea level. It has a superb garden with many feeders. At least 11 species are possible to photograph here: Golden-breasted and Black-thighed Puffleg, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Shining Sunbeam, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Great Sapphirewing, Tourmaline Sunangel, Mountain Velvetbreast, Viridian Metaltail, Tyrian Metaltail, and Sparkling Violetear. The fruit feeders offer chances to photograph great birds like Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager and Pale-naped Brush-Finch. We will also spend a few hours around the entrance of the Los Nevados National Park at 4200 meters above sea level. The Buffy Helmetcrest, an impressive endemic hummingbird, often can be photographed on perches or while feeding on Frailejones flowers. Other possible targets here are Tawny Antpitta, Brownbacked Chat-Tyrant, Sedge Wren, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Many-striped Canastero, and Andean Siskin. In the afternoon, we will have a transfer to the Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve. Dinner and night at the Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve.

DAY 9: TINAMÚ BIRDING NATURE RESERVE

​Today is dedicated to the Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve, located in Caldas at 18 kilometers from Manizales, in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle. It is a Tropical Rainforest area with altitudes between 1200 and 1300 meters above sea level. The conservation of the area began more than 40 years ago thanks to the Londoño Jaramillo family, who allowed the coffee and banana plantations to become a semi-natural forest. The reserve is home to more than 260 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterflies. There are several feeders that make Tinamú is very good place to photograph many species of tanagers: Blue-necked Tanager, Guira Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Scrub Tanager, as well as other species like Colombian Chachalaca, Stripe-throated Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Black-throated Mango, Gray-headed Dove, Andean Motmot, Spectacled Parrotlet, and Red-crowned Woodpecker. Night and meals at the Tinamú Birding Natural Reserve

DAY 10: TINAMÚ BIRDING NATURE RESERVE - CALI

After breakfast, we leave the Tinamú Reserve to make our way to Cali. On the way, we will do a stop at Parque Nacional de la Uva in Valle del Cauca, to try to photograph the spectacular Ruby Topaz. If possible, we can visit the Sonso Lake to look for some aquatic birds like Wattled Jacana, Horned Screamer, Comb Duck, Masked Duck, Pinnated and Least Bittern, Bare-faced and Buff-necked Ibis, Blackish Rail. After our arrival in Cali, we will have a transfer to the Araucana Lodge. This nice lodge will be our base for the next three days, during which will be visiting some private reserves. We will start to photograph in the garden with feeders ​around the lodge, where we have good chances for different species of hummingbirds, tanagers, orioles, toucanets, woodpeckers, honeycreepers and more. We will have lunch in a restaurant on the road to Cali and dinner the Araucana Lodge in Cali.

DAY 11: LA FLORIDA EL BOSQUE DE LAS AVES

​Today we will have a special visit to the La Florida Reserve that is located in the zone El Kilometro 18. KM 18 refers to the San Antonio Cloud Forest that is located along the road Cali-Buenaventura. It is an important area for bird conservation. Our targets for today are Splendid Tanager, the endemic Multicolored Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Acorn Woodpecker, Green Honeycreeper, Little Tinamou, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Andean Emerald, Western Emerald, White-booted Raquet-tail, Black-winged Saltator, Orangebellied Euphonia, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Sickle-winged Guan, Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, and many more. Breakfast we will have either in our lodge or in the reserve, lunch in the reserve. Dinner and night at the Araucana Lodge in Cali.

DAY 12: DOÑA DORA GARDEN

This morning, we will have an early 90 minutes’ transfer to the famous Doña Dora Garden in Valle del Cauca. Dora Londoño moved to a roadside house near El Queremal and set up a little cafe and restaurant for passing truck drivers. The fruits of a large Ficus tree in her garden attracted big numbers of birds and they, on their turn, attracted many local birders. Doña Dora started to put feeders for hummingbirds and fruit feeders for other species. With hard work and perseverance, her garden became a birding hotspot for visitors from Colombia and beyond. There are 478 species reported in the area around her garden. The star bird at Doña Dora is almost certainly the Toucan Barbet. This Chocó endemic species is only found in western Ecuador and Colombia. A family of Toucan Barbets nests in a hollow tree trunk in Doña Dora’s garden and makes regular visits to the banana feeders. Other birds that visit the feeders are Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Emerald ​Toucanet, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Crimson-backed Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Thick-billed Euphonia, Tricolored Brush-Finch, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Sickle-winged Guan. We will have good chances for hummingbirds as well like Green Thorntail, Empress Brilliant, Rufousgaped Hillstar, Crowned Woodnymph, Brown Violetear, Andean Emerald, White-whiskered Hermit, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Velvet-purple Coronet, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Violet-tailed Sylph. Breakfast and lunch at Doña Dora, dinner and night at the Araucana Lodge in Cali.

DAY 13: SAN FELIPE - BOGOTÁ

​We will spend all the morning at the San Felipe Reserve, another fantastic place for bird photography. We will have more chances for Little Tinamou, Chestnut Woodquail and our first chance for Scaled Antpitta, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Barred Becard. In addition, different sceneries for Black-capped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Black-winged Saltator, Colombian Chachalaca, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and the endemic Multicolored Tanager. After lunch, our driver will bring us to the airport in Cali for a flight to Bogotá. Night at the Hilton Garden in Bogotá.

DAY 14: BOGOTÁ - HOME

PRICES 4 people: 4810 USD –
Price per person. 6 people: 4400 USD –
​Price per person. Single Room Supplement: 550 USD

TOUR DETAILS

Transfer to the airport for a flight home.

Private van (comfortable transport) with air conditioning.
2 domestic flights (Bogotá – Medellín, Cali – Bogotá).
*All meals.
*Water to drink will be always available in the vehicle
*All the hotels and lodges as described in the itinerary.
*Entrance fees for the National Parks, Reserves, Gardens.
​*Professional and experienced photography guide.

INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED

International flights and taxes.
Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.
*Personal expenses (laundry etc.).
*Tips for drivers, restaurant, hotel staff, etc.
​*Private (health & travel) insurances.

GROUP SIZE

Max 6 + tour guide. P
HYSICAL DIFFICULTY Easy to moderate.
ACCOMMODATION 3 and 4-star hotels, comfortable lodges with private bathrooms.
TRANSPORTATION Private car/van, plane.
CLIMATE Variable: cold in the upper areas of Nevados del Ruiz, warm in the Cali area, temperate in the Cloud Forest. ALTITUDE 1000 – 4000 meters above sea level.
​POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS - Northern Colombia Photo Tour. - Bogotá Photography Tour
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT - Digital SLR or Mirrorless camera. - At least 300 mm lens. - Wide angle lens. - Macro lens if you are interested in macro photography. - Tripod or monopod. - Flash - Extra batteries and SD cards. CONTACT INFORMATION