Hidden within the misty slopes of Tatamá National Natural Park, Montezuma stands as one of Colombia’s most iconic birding destinations and a true sanctuary for Andean and Chocó endemics. Positioned at the meeting point between the Western Andes and the Chocó biogeographic region, this extraordinary ecosystem protects an exceptional concentration of biodiversity across a dramatic altitudinal gradient ranging from humid foothill forest to upper cloud forest. Designed as a compact yet highly productive birding escape, this experience is ideal for travelers with limited time or returning visitors seeking one of Colombia’s most rewarding hotspots. Along the legendary Montezuma ridge, participants will search for some of the country’s most coveted species, including Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-gold Tanager, Tatamá Tapaculo, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Munchique Wood-Wren, and many other range-restricted specialties while immersed in one of the richest cloud forest ecosystems in South America.
Duration: 4 Days - 3 Nights.
Group Size: 4 - 8 Participants.
Tour Start: Pereira (PEI)
Tour End: Pereira (PEI)
Airport Info:
Pereira: Matecaña International Airport (PEI).
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ITINERARY - MONTEZUMA: HEART OF THE WESTERN ANDES - BIRDING TOUR
Day 1.
Upon arrival at the Pereira airport, a representative from our team will greet you and begin the journey toward the Montezuma Rainforest Lodge, nestled on the edge of Tatamá National Natural Park. But before reaching our final destination, we’ll make a very special stop in the heart of Colombia’s coffee region. Here, among the sunlit slopes of shaded coffee farms, we’ll search for one of Colombia’s most beautiful and localized endemics: the Turquoise Dacnis. This elusive gem often appears alongside mixed flocks of tanagers, honeycreepers, and the occasional toucan—making this stop not just strategic, but spectacular. After this warm-up to the wonders of Colombian birding, we’ll continue our transfer to Montezuma, where the rainforest and its wonders awaits.
Day 2.
Before dawn, we begin our ascent into one of Colombia’s most revered birding routes—a rugged mountain road that climbs into the upper ridges of Tatamá National Natural Park. After a 1.5-hour off-road drive to the highest point of the Montezuma ridge, we’ll greet the rising mist with the first calls of some of Colombia’s most iconic endemics: Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Munchique Wood-Wren, and the striking Gold-ringed Tanager—a true emblem of this cloud forest sanctuary. As we gradually descend through a mosaic of lush forest strata, each bend in the road offers new surprises. Purplish-mantled Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, and Olivaceous Piha grace the mid-level canopy, while deeper in the understory we’ll listen for the subtle movements of Ochre-breasted and Yellow-breasted Antpittas. Flocks may reveal jewels like Black-and-gold Tanager, Black Solitaire, Tanager Finch, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, and the rare Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager. Every moment is rich with discovery—White-faced Nunbird, Lanceolated Monklet, Golden-winged Manakin, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, and the drumming of the Yellow-vented Woodpecker may all make an appearance.
Day 3.
Today we focus our efforts on the mid-elevation zones of Montezuma, exploring the bird-rich areas of Cajones and La Clarita. These transitional forests, nestled between the upper ridge and the lower foothills, offer a different suite of species and habitats, making them essential to completing the ecological puzzle of Tatamá. Here, diversity peaks—this is where highland species begin to overlap with Chocó foothill endemics, and where new surprises await around every turn. We’ll continue our focused search for rarities and range-restricted species, taking our time to cover the area thoroughly and increasing our chances to add key targets to our growing list.
Day 4.
As our time in Montezuma comes to a close, we dedicate this final morning to the peaceful observation of the feeders and gardens surrounding the lodge—a haven for photography and quiet reflection. Here, in the soft light of early morning, colorful species such as Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, and Booted Racket-tail visit the feeders with regularity, offering perfect last looks and final lifers for the list. It’s a chance to savor the atmosphere, take in the richness of the surrounding forest one last time, and let the sounds and sights of Tatamá leave their mark. Late in the morning, we begin our transfer back to Pereira, bringing with us not only incredible bird sightings, but the memory of having explored one of Colombia’s most exceptional natural sanctuaries.
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).
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