Set within the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Cultural Landscape, this immersive experience combines Andean birding, breathtaking landscapes, specialty coffee, and authentic local culture into a relaxed yet deeply rewarding journey. From the oak forests of the Barbas–Bremen Biological Corridor and the towering wax palms of La Carbonera to the colorful towns of Filandia and Pijao, participants will explore some of the most iconic landscapes of the Central Andes while searching for remarkable species such as the Yellow-eared Parrot, Golden-headed Quetzal, Cauca Guan, and Multicolored Tanager. Blending biodiversity, gastronomy, slow travel, and meaningful cultural encounters, this route offers a unique perspective into the natural and human richness of Colombia’s coffee region.
Duration: 5 Days - 4 Nights.
Group Size: 4 - 8 Participants.
Tour Start: Pereira (PEI)
Tour End: Pereira (PEI) or Armenia (AXM)
Airport Info:
Pereira - Matecaña International Airport (PEI).
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ITINERARY - BIRDS, COFFEE & CULTURE 5D - 4N
Day 1.
Upon arrival at either Pereira or Armenia airport, a representative from our agency will meet the you and take you to Kiraikai Natural Reserve, nestled in the heart of the Quindío countryside. Depending on arrival time, guests may enjoy a first encounter with the region’s birdlife by visiting the feeders and strolling through the lodge’s surrounding gardens, where colorful hummingbirds and tanagers are frequent visitors. This day is intended for a gentle landing — you are invited to relax, enjoy the peaceful environment, and prepare for the immersive birding, coffee, and cultural experiences that await in the days to come.
Day 2.
Spend the day exploring the Barbas–Bremen Biological Corridor, one of the most vital ecological sanctuaries in the Central Andes. Hike through lush oak forests as howler monkeys echo through the canopy and endemic birds like the Cauca Guan and multicolored tanager flit through the trees. In the afternoon, discover the charm of Filandia—its colorful architecture, artisan traditions at the Bejuco to Basket Museum, and panoramic views from the illuminated hilltop viewpoint. A day that seamlessly blends biodiversity, beautiful landscapes, and the soul of Colombia’s coffee region.
Day 3.
Today, we venture into one of Colombia’s most awe-inspiring natural sanctuaries: La Carbonera, within the Tochecito Reserve. This hidden valley in the Central Andes harbors the world’s largest and most pristine population of wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense), creating a surreal landscape where ancient cloud forests meet towering palm canopies cloaked in mist. But beyond its scenic beauty, this ecosystem plays a vital role as a biodiversity corridor connecting the forests of the Central and Eastern Andes. For birders, La Carbonera is a dream. The wax palm groves and high Andean forests serve as critical habitat for a variety of sought-after species, including the Yellow-eared Parrot, a vulnerable species that depends entirely on wax palms to survive. Other highlights include Andean guans, toucanets, and a dazzling diversity of tanagers, hummingbirds, and flycatchers often observed right from the roadside—perfect for relaxed yet highly rewarding birding. This day is not about distance—it’s about depth. With every stop along the road, you're surrounded by a living tapestry of endemic species, ecological wonder, and silent mountain magic.
Day 4.
Today’s journey takes us from the hills of Filandia to the gentle rhythms of Pijao, with a meaningful stop along the way at the Quindío Botanical Garden—a lush, urban sanctuary that perfectly balances accessibility and biodiversity. Here, on the edge of Calarcá, you’ll enjoy relaxed birding along forest trails and from canopy observation towers, with opportunities to spot specialties like the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Bar-crested Antshrike, Red-headed barbet, and the endemic Turquoise Dacnis. Feeders and forest hides bring the birdlife up close, making this a perfect destination for naturalists seeking comfort without compromising on species richness. After a delicious regional lunch, we continue on to Pijao, the first Latin American town to join the Cittaslow movement—an international network of communities committed to sustainable living, local culture, and slowing down to appreciate the beauty of everyday life. Framed by the surrounding mountains and embraced by a spirit of peace and hospitality, Pijao offers the perfect setting to unwind while remaining immersed in the natural and cultural heart of Colombia’s Coffee Cultural Landscape.
Day 5.
Our final day is dedicated to a truly unforgettable birding experience along the scenic road to Vereda Maravillas, just outside Pijao. This region is home to several montane specialties and is a hotspot for mixed-species flocks, often filled with colorful tanagers, woodcreepers, and flycatchers. But the crown jewel of this morning’s outing is a bird that inspires awe in every birder—the magnificent Golden-headed Quetzal. Back in town, we’ll celebrate the experience with a curated coffee tour led by local growers, where you’ll trace the journey of a specialty bean from seed to cup, discovering the sensory richness of one of Colombia’s most refined micro-regions. We’ll close the day with a gastronomic experience in Pijao, where regional ingredients and slow food traditions come together in a relaxed, elegant setting—bringing flavor and culture to the heart of this naturalist journey.
Our tours include all of the meals beginning with breakfast on day 2 until lunch on the last day in Colombia. They also include lodging from the night before the start of the tour until the last night of the selected tour, as well as land transportation, a local guide, water and snacks.
The tour does not include: flights (except for those mentioned in the itinerary), alcoholic beverages, tips, phone calls, sim-cards for phones, extra baggage payment, laundry service, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
Note: It is possible that due to unforeseen circumstances or forces of nature, we may be forced to modify the itinerary or change the local guide without informing you previously. However, we will do everything in our power to ensure that the tour stays as close as possible to your initial itinerary.
Registration
Before enrolling, we recommend contacting a Birding & Herping consultant to answer any questions or concerns. It is necessary to register through the website. After registering, you will receive a form via e-mail, which must be completed in full, signed and sent back via email. Likewise, you must make a down payment of $ 150 USD per person, which will be discounted from the total value of the tour once the minimum number of participants has been reached. The minimum quota of a tour is two people up to a maximum capacity of 8 people. If the minimum quota has not been reached by the registering deadline down payment will be reimbursed minus a minimum percentage for bank charges.
Registration for the tour becomes effective once you have met these two requirements: The registration form and down payment
Note: Please refrain from purchasing airline tickets without verifying that the minimum quota has been completed and you have been notified by the Birding & Herping team.
Payment and cancellation policy
Once the registration process has been confirmed by the Birding & Herping team, you must pay the entire amount within a maximum period of 90 days before the start date of the tour. You can make the payment by bank transfer or through a PSE payment link.
If you request to cancel the tour less than 90 days prior to the departure date, a 20% charge will apply. If the cancellation is made less than 30 days from the departure date, a 30% charge will apply as well as any bank fees.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential in case of accidents or illnesses that may occur during the tour. Check with several companies that can provide you with travel policies and choose the one with the most coverage possible, including common illnesses such as colds or stomach problems.
Local flights
Local flights to destinations such as the Colombian Pacific, the eastern plains or southern Colombia may be delayed due to weather conditions or as a result of delays relating other flights at major airports in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín or Cali. Due to these types of circumstances, we have planned the itinerary, so that they do not coincide with the last day of the tour, which will avoid complications for flights returning home.
A tour in Colombia that exceeds all your expectations requires planning. The following recommendations have been designed in order to instruct you to make your trip in Colombia as safe, comfortable and pleasant as possible.
1. It is commonly known that our country has history of violent struggle; However, a peace process has opened a world of opportunities for local communities, many of them victims of armed conflict, to seek alternatives such as ecotourism to improve their living conditions and to enhance their culture and love for their territory. All the places proposed in each of our tours guarantee the safety and integrity of the people who are partnering with us.
2. Climate: you must be prepared for several possible weather conditions during a tour in Colombia: humid forests (between 0 and 1000 meters above sea level), dry forests (between 500 and 1000 meters above sea level), Andean forests, high Andean and páramos (between 1400 and 4000 msnm / XX feet). Include in your luggage comfortable clothing, waterproof clothing, long-sleeved shirts that protect from sun and mosquitoes, jackets for colder weather and waterproof boots.
3. Physical demand: each tour has its own physical demands. There will be routes that require long walks on trails with different types of inclines and/or unpaved roads. In the itinerary you will find out more specific details concerning the routes and the level of difficulty. We recommend you inform the team (Staff) of any physical or medical condition before the tour.
4. Health precautions and medicine: Before taking your trip, visit your trusted doctor, so they can recommend the most appropriate medicines and vaccines to take in case of acquiring any disease during your trip.
a) Vaccines against yellow fever, hepatitis and tetanus are recommended before traveling to Colombia, especially if you visit humid areas such as the Pacific or the Amazon.
b) Medicines: Remember to bring medicine (if possible in their original packaging), that you may require for any previously existing medical condition as well as common medicines that can help with headaches, flu and upset stomach.
c) Prevention: Use insect repellent at all times and wear long-sleeved clothing, thereby avoiding acquiring diseases such as dengue or related diseases transmitted through insects.
d) Always use sunscreen and a hat; stay hydrated during the walks on the tour in order to prevent problems caused by heat stroke.
5. Food and hydration: Inform the team about dietary restrictions and allergies. During your stay in Colombia, we recommend eating as much well-cooked food as possible, including vegetables; drink water only and exclusively from a bottle, avoid drinking water from the tap even if the staff tell you that it is safe (filters or purifying tablets can be used in an emergency). The guide will watch over your well-being and inform you of safe places to eat.
6. Necessary documentation: In Colombia, only a passport is required to enter the country; Verify that the expiration date is not before the end of the tour and always carry it in your carry-on baggage.
7. Money and ATMs: The Colombian currency is the Colombian PESO (COP). We recommend withdrawing enough money to cover expenses of a personal nature or those that are not stipulated within the Tour. In Colombia, there are several places including towns, terminals, shopping centers, gas stations that have ATMs readily available. If you are in need of one, do not hesitate to ask your guide, or the driver to make a stop.
8. Internet: Some of the places described in the tour, especially hotels, have Internet access; others have little or no coverage and are restricted to social areas, but not in each room. Request detailed information about the places within the itinerary where you can access the internet if you require it.
9. Equipment: Because Colombia is a Neotropical country, electronic equipment may be at risk due to humidity. We recommend bringing dry bags, a humidifier, cleaning equipment and other items that guarantee that your equipment does not suffer from humidity.
a) Insure your equipment during your trip: consult with a company that guarantees the protection of your equipment in case of damage, moisture problems, loss or theft; While the places we are visiting are guaranteed to be safe, it is better to be sure. Birding & Herping is not responsible for the loss, damage or theft of your equipment.
b) If for some reason your equipment suffers some unforeseen setback, we can provide some equipment such as cameras, lenses and binoculars (depending on the references) with a rental cost.
10. Tips: Tips are voluntary; you are not obliged to give them. However, if you consider that the people serving you have offered a good service you are at liberty to do so.
11. Follow the instructions: It is very important that you follow the recommendations or instructions of the guide. He is the person in charge of your safety and well-being, he knows every detail of the itinerary and the limits that apply to certain species of fauna or flora. He can be flexible with some things as long as they do not affect the welfare of the group and the fauna.
12. Fauna and flora: Our team is trained and know the places to visit; however, nature is unpredictable and the success of an observation depends on certain factors, many of which may be beyond our reach. We recommend consulting the team as to the most appropriate seasons to observe certain species in Colombia, this will make your stay and observation much more successful.
13. The Extraction of fauna, flora, genetic material, as well as the cultural heritage of Colombia is illegal and is penalized by the authorities (law 599 of 2000 and Decree 1608 of 1978, law 397 of 1997).
14. The sexual exploitation of children, sex tourism and other forms of abuse against minors (law 1336 of 2009), or child labor exploitation is completely prohibited and is also penalized by the Colombian authorities (Law 1098 of 2006 ).
15. Birding & Herping defends equality of race or gender (law 1482 of 2011, modified by law 1752 of 2015).
