km58 Valle Del Cauca Colombia
Nature & Wildlife | Photography

Colombia’s Essential Andes Birding Route: Cali to Manizales

Follow a west-to-east-to-west arc through Colombia's Pacific rainforest, Chocó cloud forest, Andean slopes and high páramo, with feeders, reserves, community travel and a Jardín finish.

Overview

This 14-day Colombia Andes birding itinerary runs from Cali to Manizales, a relaxed circuit through cloud forest, lowland rainforest, wetlands and páramo. With a maximum of eight guests and easy walking throughout, it suits devoted birders and photographers alike. We move between working farm feeders, family-run reserves and national park trails with local guides.

Beginning in Cali, we visit the Km 18 farm feeders, where Multicolored Tanager and Chestnut Wood-quail appear at eye level, then descend to San Cipriano’s Pacific lowland forest by motorised rail car. A morning at Laguna de Sonso adds wetland birding before we climb to Montezuma Ecolodge, our base for high, mid and low elevation birding in Tatamá National Park.

From Montezuma we move to the Central Andes, birding Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary, then base ourselves in Manizales for Río Blanco’s antpitta feeding stations, Hacienda El Bosque’s elfin forest and a morning in Los Nevados páramo. The route finishes west through coffee country to Jardín, where Mirador El Roble’s feeders, a possible Andean cock-of-the-rock viewing and a dry forest stop for Antioquia Wren lead us to Medellín. The pace stays unhurried, with picnic lunches in the field and nights in comfortable lodges.

Colombia Country
14 days Duration
Easy Walking grade
Normal Schedule

Why This Tour: Colombia’s Andes from Cali to Manizales

This 14-day route follows a remarkable ecological arc from Cali’s Western Cordillera to the central Andes around Manizales, then continues through the coffee hills towards Jardín and Medellín. Along the way, cloud-forest feeders, Pacific lowland rainforest, wetlands, páramo and dry forest each bring a different bird community.

The journey is built for birders who want more than a single reserve. It links the accessible farm feeders of Km 18 with field birding in Anchicayá, the community rail-bikes into San Cipriano, the elevation gradient of Montezuma and the reserves around Manizales.

Some days are precise target searches; others are about moving slowly through a habitat and noticing what a mixed flock or forest edge brings. Sightings remain wild and conditional, but the route gives them time and context.

Cali, Km 18 and the Chocó Foothills

The first birding days use Cali as a gateway to the Western Cordillera. At Km 18, five working farms use banana and corn feeders that can bring Multicolored Tanager and Chestnut Wood-quail close to eye level, with hummingbird and tanager gardens adding to the appeal.

Upper Anchicaya changes the rhythm from controlled feeder sessions to forested roadside pullouts, where mixed flocks and Chocó foothill species have to be found through patient listening and scanning. It is less predictable, but it adds the texture of real field birding.

The route then drops towards San Cipriano and the Pacific lowlands, creating a clear contrast between cool cloud-forest ridges and warm, humid rainforest around river edges and trails.

Los Nevados Páramo and the Yellow-eared Parrot Country

The high point of the route is the páramo around Los Nevados National Park, approached from Termales del Ruiz. The open, wind-shaped vegetation is a strong contrast to the humid forests below and gives the birding a different scale and atmosphere.

Later, the road towards Riosucio and Jardín passes through Antioquia’s coffee hills and Yellow-eared Parrot country. Mirador El Roble combines family-run hummingbird and tanager feeders with the possibility of visiting a reserve associated with the parrot.

The final stage includes an optional cock-of-the-rock visit near Jardín and a stop in endangered Cauca River tropical dry forest, where species such as Antioquia Wren, Grayish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher and Colombian Chachalaca may be sought.

Montezuma: A Birding Gradient from Lowland to High Elevation

Montezuma is one of the route’s central experiences because the reserve can be worked across several elevations. After the Sonso Lagoon wetlands, the journey reaches the ecolodge by valley roads and 4WD access, then spends successive days exploring high, middle and lower sections of Tatamá National Park.

The change in elevation brings changes in vegetation, temperature and bird community. A feeder session at the ecolodge may be followed by forest trails, mixed flocks and quieter searches in less controlled habitat.

Three nights make it possible to return to the mountain rather than treating it as a single hurried visit. Weather, access and bird activity determine which section receives the most attention each day.

Photography Focus

100% Wildlife

Suitability & conditions

A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.

Seasonality

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
NOV
DEC

What to expect

  • Travel Style: Focus on Finest Experiences
  • Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
  • Transportation: Mix of public and private transport, 4x4 expeditions on epic roads
  • Dining Options: Meals are not included, except when specified in the program.
  • Physical Rating: Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

The journey at a glance

Following the route

The journey moves gradually through 5 chapters.

Route shown schematically for orientation.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival in Cali

  • Transfer from Cali Airport to Cali

    Duration: 32min
    Distance: 22 km (13.7 mi)
    Vehicle: Car

  • Welcome Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Cali (TBD)

    Spend one night in Cali after the salsa evening. The hotel name and exact location remain to be confirmed.

DAY 2

Km 18 Farm Feeders

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Km 18 Farm Feeders Birding

    Visit five working farms along the Western Cordillera ridge near Cali, where banana and corn feeders bring Multicolored Tanager and Chestnut Wood-quail to eye level — a genuine paradise for bird photographers amid the cloud forest.

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Km 18 area (TBD)

    A comfortable base on the Western Cordillera ridge near Cali, within reach of the farm feeders, hummingbird and tanager gardens of the Km 18 birding grounds.

DAY 3

Anchicaya Canyon and El Descanso Feeders

Possible Sightings:
Andean Cock-of-the-rock, White-capped Dipper, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, White-collared Swift, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Great Antshrike, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Bananaquit, Turkey Vulture

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Upper Anchicaya Roadside Birding

    Along the upper Anchicaya road we move between forested pullouts, listening for mixed flocks and watching for Choco foothill species. This block is less controlled than a feeder session, but it adds habitat and field-birding depth to the Cali-based route.

    Easy

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Km 18 area (TBD)

    A comfortable base on the Western Cordillera ridge near Cali, within reach of the farm feeders, hummingbird and tanager gardens of the Km 18 birding grounds.

DAY 4

San Cipriano and the Pacific Rainforest

Possible Sightings:
Choco Screech-Owl, Plumbeous Hawk, Blue Cotinga, Fulvous-vented Euphonia, Black-breasted Puffbird, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, White-collared Swift, Roadside Hawk

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Transfer to San Cipriano via Córdoba and Brujitas

    Travel two hours from Cali to Córdoba, then ride motorised 'Brujitas' rail cars along wooden tracks into the Pacific rainforest village of San Cipriano — an unforgettable community travel experience through lush lowland forest.

    Duration: 2h30min
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Moto

  • San Cipriano Lowland Forest Birding

    San Cipriano takes us down into warm Pacific lowland forest, with river edges, humid trails and a very different bird community from the cloud-forest feeders. We look for Choco lowland species such as puffbirds, trogons, toucans, antbirds and, with luck and patience, Sapayoa.

    Moderate

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Km 18 area (TBD)

    A comfortable base on the Western Cordillera ridge near Cali, within reach of the farm feeders, hummingbird and tanager gardens of the Km 18 birding grounds.

DAY 5

Sonso Lagoon and Arrival at Montezuma

Overnight Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)
Possible Sightings:
Crested Bobwhite, Jet Antbird, Glossy Ibis, Wilson’s Snipe, Comb Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Spectacled Parrotlet, Red-breasted Meadowlark, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Crested Ant-Tanager, Green-fronted Lancebill, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Mango, Tropical Screech-Owl, Yellow-bellied seedeater

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • 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.

    Easy
    Local Guide

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Sonso Lagoon to Montezuma

    After a morning at Sonso Lagoon near Buga, enjoy a scenic 3.5-hour drive through the Cauca Valley toward Tatamá National Park, switching to a 4WD for the final 40 minutes from Pueblo Rico up to the Montezuma ecolodge.

    Duration: 4h30min
    Road type: Combination of Paved & Unpaved
    Vehicle: 4x4

  • Arrival Birding at Montezuma Ecolodge

    If time allows, we begin exploring the surroundings of Montezuma Ecolodge with a relaxed birdwatching session around the gardens, feeders and nearby forest. This first introduction to the Chocó cloud forest often brings encounters with colourful tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds and other species that thrive in one of Colombia’s most biodiverse regions.

  • Dinner

  • Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge Reserve

    Ecolodge | $$ | Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)

    Montezuma Reserve (near Manizales, Colombia) – A lush nature reserve near Manizales, offering breathtaking cloud forest hikes, diverse wildlife, and stunning views of Colombia’s Andean landscapes. Perfect for eco-adventurers.

DAY 6

Montezuma High-Mid Section

Overnight Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)
Possible Sightings:
Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Common Potoo, Tropical Kingbird, Cinnamon flycatcher, Buff-tailed Coronet, Purple-throated Woodstar

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • High-Elevation Birding in Tatamá National Park

    Before sunrise, we make our way to the upper reaches of Tatamá National Park, where the cool cloud forests are home to some of Colombia’s most sought-after birds. Exploring the Montezuma Road at a slow pace, we search for iconic species such as the spectacular Gold-ringed Tanager and Black-and-gold Tanager, along with tapaculos, flowerpiercers, mountain tanagers and other Chocó-Andean specialties. A packed lunch allows us to remain in the field and make the most of the day’s bird activity.

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge Reserve

    Ecolodge | $$ | Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)

    Montezuma Reserve (near Manizales, Colombia) – A lush nature reserve near Manizales, offering breathtaking cloud forest hikes, diverse wildlife, and stunning views of Colombia’s Andean landscapes. Perfect for eco-adventurers.

DAY 7

Montezuma Mid-Lower Section

Overnight Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)
Possible Sightings:
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Mango, Blackburnian Warbler, White-collared Swift, Blue-black Grassquit, Tropical Screech-Owl, Yellow-bellied seedeater

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Mid Elevation Birding in Tatamá National Park

    Today we explore the mid-elevation cloud forests along the Montezuma Road, where changing habitats support an exceptional diversity of Chocó and Andean birdlife. Walking at a relaxed pace, we search for mixed flocks moving through the canopy while keeping an eye out for regional specialties such as the Toucan Barbet, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager and Orange-breasted Fruiteater. A packed lunch allows us to remain in the field and make the most of the day’s bird activity.

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge Reserve

    Ecolodge | $$ | Altitude: 1,343m (4,406 ft)

    Montezuma Reserve (near Manizales, Colombia) – A lush nature reserve near Manizales, offering breathtaking cloud forest hikes, diverse wildlife, and stunning views of Colombia’s Andean landscapes. Perfect for eco-adventurers.

DAY 8

Montezuma Lower and Drive to the Central Andes

Possible Sightings:
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Mango, Blackburnian Warbler, White-collared Swift, Blue-black Grassquit, Tropical Screech-Owl, Yellow-bellied seedeater

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Low-Elevation Birding in Tatamá National Park

    We continue our exploration in the lower elevations of Tatamá, where the warmer Chocó forests host a distinct community of birds. This rich habitat offers excellent opportunities to search for species such as the Club-winged Manakin, Beautiful Jay, Chocó Vireo and a variety of tanagers, woodcreepers and flycatchers. Guided by recent sightings and bird activity, we take our time exploring this remarkably diverse section of the reserve.

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Montezuma to Otún-Quimbaya Sanctuary

    Leave the Montezuma lodge for a 3.5-hour drive down to the west slope of the Central Andes, with roadside stops for Torrent Duck, the endemic Turquoise Dacnis and White-capped Dipper before reaching Otún-Quimbaya Sanctuary near La Florida.

    Duration: 3h30min
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Car

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in La Florida (TBD)

    A village base on the western slope of the Central Andes near Otún-Quimbaya, at about 1,800 m, with easy access to the sanctuary's trails and the road to Manizales.

DAY 9

Otun-Quimbaya Sanctuary and Manizales

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Birdwatching at Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary

    Otún Quimbaya protects one of the finest remnants of Andean cloud forest in Colombia and is home to several of the country’s most sought-after endemic species. Accompanied by a local guide, we explore the sanctuary’s forest trails and quiet roads at a relaxed pace, listening for mixed flocks and scanning the canopy for some of its iconic residents. Among the highlights are the endemic Cauca Guan and the striking Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, while the surrounding forest may also reveal the colourful Multicolored Tanager, Torrent Duck along the Otún River, woodcreepers, foliage-gleaners and a variety of Andean flycatchers. With patience and careful observation, this rich cloud forest offers rewarding opportunities for both birdwatching and photography.

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Otún-Quimbaya to Manizales via Los Termales Road

    After a morning in Otún-Quimbaya Sanctuary, drive up to the city of Manizales along the Los Termales road, dropping through coffee country to lower elevations on the way to the city.

    Duration: 3h
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Car

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Manizales (TBD)

    City accommodation at about 2,200 m in the coffee-region capital, a convenient base for Río Blanco, Hacienda El Bosque and the higher páramo days.

DAY 10

Rio Blanco Reserve Feeders and Trails

Possible Sightings:
Brown Violetear, Yellow-eared parrot, Purple-backed Thornbill, Red-hooded Tanager, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Long-billed Starthroat, Gorgeted Woodstar, Baird’s Sandpiper, Band-Tailed Pigeon, Tennessee Warbler, White-necked Jacobin, Scaled Antpitta, White-capped Tanager, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Yellow oriole, Black-thighed Puffleg, Bay-headed Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Orange-crowned Euphonia, Blue-backed Conebill, Rusty-faced Parrot, Guira Tanager

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Antpitta Feeding Stations

    We begin the morning with one of Río Blanco’s signature experiences: visiting a series of carefully managed antpitta feeding stations with an expert local guide. Thanks to years of conservation work, several normally elusive species have become accustomed to these feeding sites, offering an exceptional opportunity to observe and photograph them at close range. Our main targets include the Bicolored, Chestnut-crowned, Slate-crowned and endemic Brown-banded Antpittas, while the surrounding cloud forest often rewards us with mixed flocks of mountain tanagers, brushfinches, fruiteaters, tapaculos and other Andean specialties. Few places in Colombia offer such reliable encounters with these secretive birds.

    Easy
    Local Guide

  • Lunch

  • 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.

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Manizales (TBD)

    City accommodation at about 2,200 m in the coffee-region capital, a convenient base for Río Blanco, Hacienda El Bosque and the higher páramo days.

DAY 11

Hacienda El Bosque and the Elfin Forest

Possible Sightings:
Northern Slaty Brushfinch, Purple-backed Thornbill, White-throated Hawk, Sparkling Violetear, Golden-fronted Redstart, Blue-and-black Tanager, Andean Guan, Andean Siskin, White-throated Quail-Dove, Long-tailed Sylph, Pale-naped Brushfinch, White-capped Dipper, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Tourmaline Sunangel, Greenish puffleg, Great Thrush

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Equatorial Antpitta Experience

    One of the highlights of Hacienda El Bosque is the opportunity to observe the remarkable Equatorial Antpitta at a carefully managed feeding station. Known for its secretive nature, this elusive bird occasionally emerges from the forest floor, offering exceptional views and rewarding photographic opportunities. While waiting quietly, we also keep watch for Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, mountain tanagers, brushfinches and other high-Andean species that regularly move through the surrounding forest.

  • Hummingbird Feeders & Forest Photography

    We dedicate time to photographing the lively feeders and forest edge around the lodge, where a constant stream of hummingbirds and other colourful birds creates endless opportunities for observation and photography. The slower pace of the session allows us to experiment with composition, behaviour and changing light while enjoying the quiet atmosphere of Hacienda El Bosque. Depending on recent activity, species such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing and Shining Sunbeam may all make an appearance.

  • Elfin Forest Birdwatching

    The trails surrounding the lodge wind through elfin forest, waterfalls and high-Andean vegetation, offering a gentle introduction to this unique ecosystem. Accompanied by our guide, we search for mountain tanagers, flowerpiercers, brushfinches and other high-elevation specialties, while keeping an eye out for the elusive Tawny Antpitta, one of the area’s most sought-after species.

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Manizales (TBD)

    City accommodation at about 2,200 m in the coffee-region capital, a convenient base for Río Blanco, Hacienda El Bosque and the higher páramo days.

DAY 12

Los Nevados Paramo and Drive to Riosucio

Possible Sightings:
Pale-naped Brushfinch, Andean Teal, Andean Guan, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Great Thrush

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Birdwatching in Los Nevados National Park (Buffy Helmetcrest Quest)

    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.

    Moderate
    Local Guide

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Manizales to Riosucio

    Leave the Los Nevados highlands behind and travel west to the coffee town of Riosucio, dropping from the páramo back down through forest and coffee country for the night.

    Duration: 4h
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Car

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Riosucio (TBD)

    Accommodation at about 2,000 m in the Caldas town, a practical staging point between the Los Nevados highlands and the Jardín road birding.

DAY 13

Mirador El Roble and the Yellow-Eared Parrot Reserve

Possible Sightings:
Pink-billed Cnemoscopus, Metallic-green Tanager, Northern Slaty Brushfinch, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Red-hooded Tanager, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Golden-headed Quetzal, Azara’s Spinetail, Green Jay

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Mirador El Roble Feeder Session

    We spend time at a family-run reserve with hummingbird and tanager feeders. We keep the session patient and flexible, working with natural bird activity and the available light.

    Easy

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Riosucio to Jardín

    Travel the Riosucio–Jardín road through Antioquia's coffee hills, stopping at Mirador El Roble and the Yellow-eared Parrot reserve before continuing on to the flowery town of Jardín.

    Duration: 3h
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Car

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Jardín (TBD)

    Accommodation at about 1,950 m in the flower-bedecked mountain town, close to the Yellow-eared Parrot reserve and the following morning's cock-of-the-rock lek.

DAY 14

Cock-of-the-Rock Lek, Dry Forest and Medellin

Possible Sightings:
Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, White-capped Dipper, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Crested Ant-Tanager, Green Jay, Blackburnian Warbler, White-collared Swift, Tropical Screech-Owl, Black Vulture, Band-Tailed Pigeon, Band-backed Wren, White-necked Jacobin, White-capped Tanager, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Bay-headed Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Guira Tanager, Yellow-eared parrot, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Andean Motmot, Blue-and-black Tanager, Black-capped Tanager

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.

  • Jardín Rocas Nature Reserve Cock-of-the-Rock Viewing

    If the timing is right, visit Jardín Rocas Nature Reserve between 15:00 and 18:00, when it opens to the public. A short walk from the main square, it offers the chance to observe Andean cock-of-the-rock (sightings are never guaranteed)

    Easy

  • Cauca River Tropical Dry Forest Endemic Stop

    An obligatory stop in endangered tropical dry forest patches beside the Cauca River on the road from Jardín to Medellín, holding four tough Colombian endemics — Antioquia Wren, Grayish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher and Colombian Chachalaca — plus a sweep of dry-forest specialities.

  • Lunch

  • Transfer Jardín → Medellín

    Duration: 3h20min
    Distance: 126 km (78.3 mi)
    Road type: Paved Road
    Vehicle: Car

  • Dinner

  • Overnight at Hotel in Medellín (TBD)

    Spend the night in Medellín after the first city introduction. The itinerary uses one Medellín hotel for three nights; the property will be confirmed separately.

Target Species

A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

  • Laguna de Sonso
Discover

White-capped Tanager

  • Mirador El Roble – Doña Lucia’s feeders (Jardin Colombia)
Discover

Harpy Eagle

  • Torre Mirador Yasuní, Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
Discover

Buffy Helmetcrest

Endemic
  • Parque Los Nevados, Bird Feeders Hotel Termales Del Ruiz
Discover

Andean Cock-of-the-rock

  • Anchicayá / Upper Anchicayá Watershed, Jardin de Rocas Reserva Natural (Cock of the rock Leck)
Discover

Cauca Guan

  • Barbas Bremen Nature Reserve, Kiraikai Natural Reserve
Discover

Stiles’s Tapaculo

  • Andinobates Nature Reserve, La Pelota
Discover
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

Red-ruffed Fruitcrow

  • San Cipriano Natural Reserve
Discover

Chestnut-breasted Wren

  • Dagua
Discover

Wattled Guan

  • Montezuma Road (Middle Section), Montezuma Road (Lower Section)
Discover

Black-banded Woodcreeper

  • Km18
Discover
Golden-olive Woodpecker - Finca San Felipe, km18, Valle Del Cauca, Colombia

Golden-olive Woodpecker

  • Km18
Discover
Colombian red howler - Cañaveral, Tayrona Park, Magdalena, Colombia

Colombian red howler Monkey

  • Tayrona Park
Discover

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan

  • Hacienda el Bosque
Discover

Orange-crowned Euphonia

  • Laguna de Sonso
Discover

Accommodation

Where you’ll stay

Price Details

Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.

Price Base

  • Price for 2 people: 9.295 USD (664 USD / day)
  • Price for 3 to 4 people: 8.095 USD (578 USD / day)
  • Price for 5 to 6 people: 6.495 USD (464 USD / day)
  • Price for 7 to 8 people: 5.595 USD (400 USD / day)
* Price is indicated per person
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.

Included

  • Hotels mentioned in the program
    i
    Hotels mentioned in the program
    • Overnight at Hotel in Cali (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Overnight at Hotel in Km 18 area (TBD) — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge Reserve — 3 nights · Ecolodge
    • Overnight at Hotel in La Florida (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Overnight at Hotel in Manizales (TBD) — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Overnight at Hotel in Riosucio (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Overnight at Hotel in Jardín (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
    • Overnight at Hotel in Medellín (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
  • Local guides for selected activities
    i
    Local guides are included for
    • Yotoco
      • Birdwatching at Laguna de Sonso
    • Manizales
      • Antpitta Feeding Stations
    • Norcasia
      • Birdwatching in Los Nevados National Park (Buffy Helmetcrest Quest)
  • Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van, 4x4), as well as Moto
  • Meals indicated in the program: 13 breakfasts, 13 lunchs, 14 dinners
  • 1 cocktail before dinner
  • Water is included
  • Expert bilingual birding guide
  • Hotel accommodation (days 0 to 13)
  • One domestic flight within Colombia
  • All terrestrial transport (minibus and 4WD)
  • Entrance fees to parks, farms and reserves
  • All meals with water, snacks and fruit
  • Restaurant gratuities / tips
  • Pre-trip planning assistance
  • Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
  • Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app

Not Included

  • Lunch on Arrival day
  • Tips
  • International flights to Colombia
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Minibar, laundry and room service
  • Anything not listed in the itinerary
  • Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
  • Additional drinks and meals
  • Expenses not specified in the program
  • Camera Equipment

Deposit

  • 30% (1.949 USD approx)

Payment Options

  • Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
  • Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.

Booking Conditions

  • Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
  • Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
  • Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
  • Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗

Practical Information

Altitude, 4WD Access and Long Travel Days

This is a broad mountain route with several long road days. Access to Montezuma includes valley roads and a 4WD section to the ecolodge, while the route around Manizales climbs towards high-elevation forest, elfin forest and páramo.

Expect early starts, changing temperatures and journeys where the landscape changes faster than the accommodation. The high sections can feel cold and exposed, while San Cipriano and the Pacific forest are warm and humid.

Follow the guide’s pace, allow time to adjust to elevation and motion, and tell the team if fatigue or altitude is affecting you. Discuss relevant health concerns with a qualified professional before travelling.

Feeder Sessions, Forest Trails and Patient Birding

Feeders are an important part of this route, but they are not the whole experience. Km 18, Montezuma, Río Blanco, El Bosque and Mirador El Roble offer different opportunities to watch birds at close range, work with available light and learn the rhythm of a particular site.

Between those sessions, the itinerary moves through roadside forest, river edges, wetlands, páramo and dry forest. These sections require more patience and may produce fewer predictable encounters, but they are essential to understanding the full range of habitats.

Photography is welcome, though natural activity, weather and light always set the limits. A good day may include both a memorable close view and long stretches of careful listening.

Otún-Quimbaya, Río Blanco and El Bosque

After Montezuma, the route enters the central Andes. Otún-Quimbaya adds a protected forest setting before the journey continues towards Manizales and Río Blanco, where antpitta feeding stations and cloud-forest trails create a different kind of birding encounter.

At Hacienda El Bosque, the programme combines an Equatorial Antpitta experience with hummingbird feeders, forest photography and an afternoon in elfin forest around Termales del Ruiz. The emphasis is on giving each place its own time rather than collapsing the reserves into one generic “Andes” visit.

These days mix known opportunities with the less predictable rewards of walking, listening and watching the forest beyond the feeders.

What to Bring for Colombia’s Andes Birding Route

Bring binoculars, a field guide or offline reference, spare batteries, memory cards and a small daypack for water, medication and an extra layer. A camera with a versatile telephoto lens is useful, but keep the kit manageable for roadside stops, trails and 4WD travel.

Pack layers for cool mountain mornings and warm Pacific lowlands, together with a waterproof jacket, sun protection, insect protection and comfortable walking shoes. A dry bag or dependable rain protection will help in humid forest and sudden mountain showers.

Keep essential medication and valuables with you during transfers. The final packing list should follow the confirmed ecolodge, hotel and transport arrangements.

Detailed Trip Notes, including practical tips, cultural insights, and a complete packing list will be sent to you 60 days before departure.

Booking this tour means you agree to our full Terms and Conditions. Below is a summary of the key points. As life is unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.

  • Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable for 7 days (less transaction fees), after which it becomes a non-refundable credit, transferable to a future tour offered by Remote Expeditions within 4 years of the cancellation date, less any non-recoverable costs already paid on your behalf.
  • Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour begins.
  • Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: You will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the 30% deposit. Your deposit will be converted into a travel credit valid for 4 years on a future tour Remote Expeditions.
  • Cancellation within 90 days of departure: 100% of the tour price is forfeited. There are no refunds or credits.

* This is a summary only. Please read our complete Terms and Conditions for full details before booking.
** We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.

Travel at a human pace

The difference is in the details

Journeys shaped by experience

Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.

Room for the unexpected

The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.

Local relationships that open doors

Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.

A small group, properly looked after

With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.

Your Tour Guide

tristan photographer photography tours in colombia

Tristan Quevilly

Since my first transformative visit in 2005, Colombia has held a special place in my heart. I returned to build a life here for 10 years, managing and leading tours which allowed me unparalleled access and deep exploration across the country. My expertise is particularly strong in the stunning Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where I've cultivated relationships and understanding with the land and its indigenous Kogi communities. My photography tours are born from this passion and extensive insider knowledge, offering you a unique opportunity to authentically capture the vibrant spirit and hidden beauty of Colombia.

  • Nationality: French
  • Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
  • Guiding since: 2003
  • Specialties: Photography, Trekking, Indigenous Communities
Connect with him on social medias

Extend your journey

Optional extensions and add-ons you may consider for your trip. Each can be added to your itinerary on request — just let me know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.

No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.

Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.

Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.

Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.

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