This 10-day photography expedition is designed for travelers with limited time who want to experience and photograph two of Colombia’s greatest natural treasures: its extraordinary birdlife and remarkable tropical wildlife. Compact yet remarkably diverse, the journey offers an ideal escape for photographers looking to put their skills into practice across a variety of subjects, habitats and photographic conditions.
Beginning in the cloud forests and rainforests of the Western Andes and Chocó region, the tour offers opportunities to photograph colorful and endemic birds, poison frogs, reptiles, hummingbirds, toucans and other wildlife. The journey then continues into the Central Andes, where high-elevation cloud forests, specialized feeding stations and the dramatic páramo landscape create a completely different photographic experience.
From the Multicolored Tanager and Lehmann’s Poison Frog to mountain toucans, antpittas and the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, each destination has been selected for its distinctive species and photographic potential. Designed for photographers who want more than a traditional bird photography tour, this compact expedition combines dedicated bird photography with the exploration of Colombia’s amphibians, reptiles and diverse ecosystems—from tropical rainforest to the high Andes.
Trip Overview
Dates: To be confirmed
Group Size: Maximum 8 participants
Destinations: Valle del Cauca & Coffee Region
Tour Focus: Bird & Macro Photography - For photographers who want more than birds: endemic wildlife, vibrant forests and the wild side of Colombia.
Tour Ends: Pereira (PEI)
Cali: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Pereira: Matecaña International Airport (PEI)
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ITINERARY - WILD COLOMBIA: BIRDS & WILDLIFE PHOTO EXPEDITION
Day 1. Welcome to Cali! Upon your arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Hotel. Take the evening to unwind—relax, settle in, and begin dreaming of the incredible Birding & Herping Photo Tour ahead.
Day 2. Today, we will visit La Florida, "The Bird's Forest," located 40 minutes from Cali. This place is surrounded by a large public-private natural area of cloud forest. La Florida will give us the start of an incredible photography expedition in which endemic and colorful species will be the protagonists. During the day, we will be able to enjoy a variety of species that come to the feeders, including the endemics Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut-Wood Quail, and Colombian Chachalaca. Other specialties in this place are Red-headed Barbet, Golden-naped, Black-capped and Golden Tanagers, Andean Motmot, Acorn Woodpecker, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Black-winged Saltator, Green Honeycreeper and Hummingbirds such us Bronzy Inca, Booted Racket-tail, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Green Hermit, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Andean Emerald.
Day 3. We’ll begin our journey exploring the lush rainforest of Anchicayá, part of the buffer zone of Farallones National Natural Park. This morning’s walk of about one kilometer down/up will focus on finding the the endemic Lehmann’s Poison Frog (Oophaga lehmanii), known for its striking coloration and limited distribution. As we move through this vibrant ecosystem, we’ll also stay attentive to other wildlife that may appear, making this a rewarding start to our exploration of Colombia’s tropical forests.
Day 4. This day, we are heading to Doña Dora, a family-run birdwatching project nestled in Colombia’s biogeographically rich Chocó region. We’ll begin with a brief stop at a small cliff known as the habitat of the elusive Lyre-tailed Nightjar. Then we’ll continue to our main destination, where the star of the place — the charismatic Toucan Barbet — will be waiting for us. Other highlights include Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Rufous-throated, Silver-throated, White-lined, and Glistening-green Tanagers, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Tricolored Brushfinch, and a wonderful array of hummingbirds such as the stunning Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Crowned Woodnymph, and White-whiskered Hermit.
After lunch, we will continue our journey toward the San Cipriano Nature Reserve. To reach the reserve, we’ll take a traditional local transport known as a “Brujita” — a unique motorbike-powered wooden platform adapted to run along the old railway tracks, offering a fun and authentic way to arrive at this lush forest haven. This place give us a valuable window of time to begin exploring the surrounding forest. San Cipriano is a protected watershed known for its crystalline rivers, natural pools, and rainforest trails that cut through diverse microhabitats. These ecosystems provide ideal conditions for a wide array of herpetofauna.
Day 5. We will deepen our exploration of the San Cipriano Nature Reserve, venturing into lesser-traveled trails that cut through dense rainforest, crystal-clear rivers, and hidden waterfalls. One of our main routes will lead us to the Venteadora Waterfall, where we will search for the elusive Boquete Rocket Frog (Silverstoneia nubicola) and the cryptic Bocourt’s Dwarf Iguana (Enyalioides heterolepis), alongside smaller gems such as Andinobates minutus—the tiniest poison frog in Colombia—and the recently described Phyllobates niche. On the following day, we will head toward the Waterfall of Love, a sector known for its high herpetological diversity and the potential to encounter the iconic Bushmaster (Lachesis acrochorda), one of our primary reptile targets. Along this trail, we may also spot other species such as Micrurus dumerilii, Porthidium nasutum, Oxybelis brevirostris, and various forest lizards, including Anolis notopholis, A. chloris, and additional sightings of Enyalioides.
Day 6. As we continue our journey toward the western Andes , we will make a special stop in a transitional zone between fragmented forest and primary rainforest. Our main goal for the day is to locate one of the most distinctive and range-restricted poison frogs of the region: the Anchicayá Poison Frog (Oophaga anchicayensis). Reaching its habitat will require an approximately 1.5-hour hike through a dynamic landscape of tropical rainforest, secondary growth, and rural agricultural mosaics. After lunch we will drive for about 4 hours and a half to our next destination: Manizales.
Day 7. Glamping Color de mi Revés is nestled in the high-cloud forest of the Central Andes. An intrepid adventure will take us to this reserve in 4x4 vehicles. Moreover, we'll have the chance to photograph some striking birds at feeding stations, including the Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Black-collared Jay, Bicolored and Slate-crowned Antpitta, hummingbirds like the dazzling Long-tailed Slyph, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, and Tourmaline Sunangel.
Day 8. Situated in the buffer zone of Nevados National Park, Hacienda el Bosque is a family-run project that harmonizes sustainable livestock practices with biodiversity conservation efforts. Upon our early arrival, visitors may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of elusive species such as the Crescent-faced Antpitta and Ecuatorial Antpitta, along with a dazzling array of hummingbirds, including the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-thighed Puffleg, Collared Inca, Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Startfrontlet, Mountain Velvetbreast. Among the most pampered residents are the Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, Gray-browed Brushfinch, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant offering an unforgettable experience amidst the natural splendor of the Andes.
Day 9. Nevados National Park boasts the remarkable Buffy Helmetcrest, one of the world's most astonishing hummingbirds found exclusively in this region. Encompassing approximately 55 hectares of snow-capped peaks, paramos, and sub-paramos within Colombia's central mountain range, this natural haven offers the chance to spot iconic species such as the Andean Condor, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Pale-naped Brushfinch, and the critically endangered Rufous-fronted Parakeet, endemic to the area.
In the afternoon, we'll unwind amidst the stunning mountain scenery at Hotel Termales del Ruiz, indulging in the soothing hot springs nestled between the mountains. The bird feeders at this location will delight us with species such as Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Shinning Sunbeam, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Great Sapphirewing and to top it all off, keep an eye out for the dazzling Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, adding a final touch of brilliance to our unforgettable journey through Nevados National Park.
Day 10. A day of travel from the hotel to the airport to catch our flights back home. Departure.
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).
