Country: Colombia

Birdwatching in Los Nevados National Park (from Termales del Ruiz)

This morning, we venture into the páramo landscapes of Los Nevados National Park, one of the highest and most distinctive birding environments in Colombia. Exploring the high-altitude roads and open grasslands, we search for iconic species such as the Buffy Helmetcrest, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Rufous-fronted Parakeet and other remarkable birds specially adapted to life above the treeline. Combined with sweeping volcanic scenery, this is one of the highlights of birding in the Central Andes.

Hummingbird feeders at termales del Ruiz

The gardens of Termales del Ruiz are renowned for attracting some of the Andes’ most spectacular high-altitude hummingbirds. We spend time at the feeders observing and photographing species such as the Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Golden-breasted Puffleg and Buff-winged Starfrontlet, often at remarkably close range. The relaxed setting provides excellent opportunities to study their behaviour while refining compositions and close-up images.

Afternoon Birdwatching at Río Blanco (Late Arrival)

If time allows, we head out for a relaxed birdwatching session around the reserve’s trails and feeders. This first exploration offers an excellent introduction to Río Blanco’s cloud forest, with opportunities to observe mountain tanagers, hummingbirds, toucanets and other Andean specialties while becoming familiar with one of Colombia’s most celebrated birding destinations.

Rio Blanco Afternoon Birding: Cloud Forest Feeders & Trail Birding

As bird activity shifts through the day, we slow our pace and spend time around Río Blanco’s hummingbird and fruit feeders before exploring the surrounding forest trails. This combination offers excellent opportunities to observe species such as the Long-tailed Sylph, Collared Inca, Bronzy Inca and Tourmaline Sunangel, often at remarkably close range. Later, we continue into the cloud forest in search of additional Andean specialties, with chances to encounter woodcreepers, Masked Saltator, Rusty-faced Parrot, Andean Motmot and mixed flocks moving through the moss-covered forest. Guided by local expertise, we adapt our route to recent sightings and the day’s bird activity, making the most of every opportunity the reserve has to offer.

Birdwatching at Laguna de Sonso

Laguna de Sonso is Colombia’s largest remaining natural wetland in the Cauca Valley and one of the country’s most important birding sites. Accompanied by a local guide, we explore its trails and observation points, searching the lagoons, reedbeds and gallery forest for the rich diversity of species that inhabit this unique ecosystem. One of the main highlights of our visit is the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, a striking species that draws birdwatchers and photographers from around the world. Alongside this sought-after hummingbird, the wetlands provide excellent opportunities to observe and photograph herons, jacanas, kingfishers, ibises, raptors and many other resident and migratory birds. Moving at a relaxed pace, we take time to enjoy the ever-changing activity of the wetland and make the most of each photographic opportunity.

Morning Birdwatching at the Feeders (La Florida Birding)

Following breakfast, we return to the lodge’s observation areas for another birdwatching session. As the morning progresses, mixed flocks become increasingly active around the feeders and forest edge, often bringing colourful tanagers, flowerpiercers, toucanets and a remarkable variety of hummingbirds into view. Rather than moving quickly between sites, we spend time observing the birds as they come and go, allowing plenty of opportunities for photography, identification and learning about the ecology of this exceptionally diverse cloud forest.

Azure Gallinule

Day 3 Morning — Final Birding in Serranía del Perijá

On our final morning in the Serranía del Perijá, we revisit the habitats that have been most productive before leaving the reserve. The flexible session offers another opportunity to look for Perijá endemics and other high-elevation targets such as Phelps’s Brush-Finch, Slaty Brush-Finch, Rufous-shafted Woodstar, Golden-headed Quetzal, Venezuelan Tyrannulet, and Rufous-headed Tanager.

Day 2 Morning — Birding the Perijá Highlands

We leave before sunrise to explore the upper slopes of the Serranía del Perijá, moving through Andean forest toward páramo. The reserve’s key targets include Perijá Metaltail, Perijá Thistletail, Perijá Antpitta, Perijá Brush-Finch, Perijá Tapaculo, and Perijá Starfrontlet, alongside other species that depend on conditions and bird activity.