Colombia is the most bird-rich country on Earth, home to over 1,900 species, including an exceptional number of endemics and range-restricted birds. This 13-day tour takes you deep into the Andes, visiting some of the most diverse and scenic habitats in the country—from cloud forests and páramo grasslands to vibrant hummingbird gardens. Starting near Cali, you’ll explore hotspots like Km18 and Doña Dora, where standout species include Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, and the extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird. From there, the route winds through celebrated reserves such as Otún Quimbaya and Tinamú, with highlights like Crescent-faced Antpitta, Golden-plumed Parakeet, and Black-billed Mountain-Toucan. In the highlands near Manizales and the páramos of El Ruiz and Sumapaz, we’ll seek out high-elevation treasures including Buffy Helmetcrest, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, and Bogota Rail. Along the way, you’ll be welcomed with warm hospitality, delicious local food, and an inspiring look at Colombia’s growing commitment to bird conservation.
Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.
Upon arrival in Cali, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, we’ll gather for an informal welcome to get to know one another and go over the plans for the days ahead.
A short drive takes us into the misty cloud forests above Cali, where the slopes of the Western Andes shelter a remarkable diversity of birdlife. At La Florida, we’ll search for Colombian Chachalaca, Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, and hummingbirds such as Booted Racket-tail and White-throated Daggerbill. Later, at La Conchita, we’ll enjoy close views of tanagers, barbets, and hummingbirds at feeders—Golden-naped Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Scaled Antpitta, and Long-tailed Sylph among them. This peaceful reserve is a sanctuary for birds and birders alike.
Today we visit the famous Doña Dora Reserve, nestled in the Anchicayá forest. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and excellent birding, it’s a perfect place to enjoy homemade coffee and meals while watching feeders for dazzling species like Toucan Barbet, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, and Glistening-green Tanager. Whether you're birding from the veranda or strolling the forest trails, this is a day to savor.
San Felipe Birding Nature Reserve is a lively mosaic of gardens and forest, with feeders attracting hummingbirds and tanagers such as Blue-necked Tanager, Green Jay, Flame-rumped Tanager, and Andean Motmot. After a rewarding morning, we begin our journey northeast toward the Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary, arriving in the late afternoon.
We’ll start the day with an early walk along a quiet forest road at Otún Quimbaya, where the haunting calls of Howler Monkey may accompany our search for Hooded Antpitta, Cauca Guan, Multicolored Tanager, and Crested Ant-Tanager. Other possible highlights include Moustached Antpitta, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Golden-headed Quetzal, and Wattled Guan. After lunch, we’ll continue toward Manizales, with a scenic stop by a rushing river that may yield views of Torrent Duck, Torrent Tyrannulet, and White-capped Dipper.
Just outside Manizales, Tinamú Reserve is a private haven of bird-rich secondary forest. Trails here offer opportunities to find Grayish Piculet, Colombian Chachalaca, Parker’s Antbird, and Moustached Puffbird. At feeders, Western Emerald, Blue-necked Tanager, and Golden-collared Manakin may steal the show. Tinamú’s decades-long conservation story adds depth to your time in the field.
Río Blanco is a legendary site for elusive forest birds. With the help of local wardens, we’ll visit antpitta feeding stations that provide close encounters with Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, Bicolored, and Slaty-crowned Antpitta. Other highlights may include Rusty-faced Parrot, Masked Saltator, Golden-plumed Parakeet, and Bar-bellied Woodpecker, as well as a variety of dazzling hummingbirds.
Just a short drive from Manizales, Hacienda El Bosque spans a range of high-altitude ecosystems. Feeders bring in Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Tourmaline Sunangel, and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, but our main targets are the shy Crescent-faced Antpitta and the local Equatorial Antpitta—both exceptionally hard to see elsewhere.
We spend today in the windswept páramos and stunted forests of Los Nevados. This high-elevation environment is home to a suite of special birds, including Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Black-thighed Puffleg, Paramo Tapaculo, and the lovely Buffy Helmetcrest. Mixed flocks may also include Sedge Wren, Golden-fronted Redstart, and Crowned Chat-Tyrant.
Before our flight to Bogotá, we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning birding around Termales del Ruiz. The feeders here are famously productive, with species like Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, and Golden-breasted Puffleg among the highlights. Afterward, we transfer to the airport for our short domestic flight.
Today we explore the world’s largest páramo ecosystem—Sumapaz. In this vast highland grassland, we’ll search for Bogota Rail, Bearded Helmetcrest, and Apolinar’s Wren, alongside Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, and Many-striped Canastero. It’s a dramatic, windswept landscape with rare and localized species around every bend.
After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport in time for your international flight home.