Birding Tour Andes Colombia

ANDES OF COLOMBIA BIRDING TOUR

15 days

Best season from April to November and June to August

DATES

Contact us to arrange your preferred travel dates.

OVERVIEW

With more than 1,900 bird species, Colombia is the most bird-diverse country in the world and a fantastic destination for birders. This tour offers a unique birding adventure in the Andes, starting in Bogotá and crossing three Andean mountain ranges.

During this tour, we explore a wide variety of landscapes and ecosystems, from the cold páramo at around 4,000 meters / 13,123 feet above sea level to the dry forest of the inter-Andean valleys and the rainforest on the western slopes of the Andes. These diverse environments are home to a rich birdlife, including many endemic and near-endemic species.

We visit several gardens with feeders, offering excellent views of antpittas, tanagers, wood-quails, toucans, and a wide variety of hummingbirds. In the surrounding reserves, we look for spectacular endemic species such as Gold-ringed Tanager, Buffy Helmetcrest, Multicolored Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer.

At Bosque Guajira Reserve, dedicated to the conservation of the páramo ecosystem, we look for endemic species such as Brown-breasted Parakeet and Silvery-throated Spinetail. We also visit the charming Observatorio de Colibríes, which offers excellent opportunities to observe a variety of hummingbirds, including Glowing Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and the near-endemic Blue-throated Starfrontlet and Coppery-bellied Puffleg.

The tour continues to the La Florida wetlands in Bogotá, home to more than 200 bird species, including endemics such as the endangered Bogotá Rail and Apolinar’s Wren, as well as the near-endemic Rufous-browed Conebill. The wetlands also serve as an important stopover for migratory species, including Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, and Spotted Sandpiper.

At the small Lake Tabacal, we may spot endemic species such as Velvet-fronted Euphonia and Apical Flycatcher, as well as near-endemics including the attractive Bar-crested Antshrike and Scrub Tanager.

Río Blanco Reserve is home to nearly 400 bird species and is renowned for its antpitta feeders, where we may see Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta, and the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta.

Hacienda El Bosque features excellent feeders for tanagers, hummingbirds, and antpittas, including Crescent-faced Antpitta and Equatorial Antpitta. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans come to feed on grapes, offering a fantastic opportunity to observe these beautiful birds at close range.

The Otún-Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary protects the Otún River and the surrounding Andean forests, as well as one of the last remaining populations of the endangered Cauca Guan. Here we may see species such as Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Hooded Antpitta, Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren, and the endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail and Crested Ant-Tanager, among many others.

Two other highlights of this tour are the Montezuma Reserve in the Chocó region and the famous Doña Dora Garden in Valle del Cauca. Montezuma is home to many endemic birds, including Black-and-gold Tanager, Munchique Wood-Wren, Tatama Tapaculo, and Grayish Piculet, as well as near-endemics such as Yellow-collared Chlorophonia and Orange-breasted Fruiteater.

At the feeders in Doña Dora’s garden, species such as Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, and Sickle-winged Guan are regular visitors, among many others.

Thanks to the majestic Andes and its remarkable variety of habitats, this tour offers the opportunity to observe a wide range of endemic and near-endemic bird species for an exceptional birding experience.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Bogotá Airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bogotá.

Day 2: Birding in Bosque Guajira and at Observatorio de Colibríes. Overnight at a hotel in Bogotá.

Day 3: Birding at La Florida wetlands and Lake Tabacal, followed by a late afternoon flight to Pereira and a transfer to Manizales. Overnight at a hotel in Manizales.

Day 4: Full-day birding in Río Blanco Reserve. Overnight at a hotel in Manizales.

Day 5: Transfer to Hacienda El Bosque, followed by birding in the area and a transfer to Termales del Ruiz. Overnight at Termales del Ruiz.

Day 6: Morning birding in the high-altitude zones of Los Nevados del Ruiz, followed by an afternoon transfer to Otún-Quimbaya. Overnight at Kumanday Lodge.

Day 7: Birding at Otún-Quimbaya. Overnight at Kumanday Lodge.

Day 8: Morning birding at Otún-Quimbaya, followed by an afternoon transfer to Montezuma Reserve. Overnight in Montezuma Reserve.

Day 9–10: Two full days of birding in Montezuma Reserve. Overnight in Montezuma Reserve.

Day 11: Early transfer to Laguna de Sonso, followed by birding in the area for several hours. Overnight at a hotel in Cali.

Day 12: Birding at Km 18. Overnight at a hotel in Cali.

Day 13: Transfer to Doña Dora’s garden, followed by birding in the area. Overnight at a hotel in Cali.

Day 14: Birding at Km 18, followed by a transfer to the airport for a flight to Bogotá. Overnight at a hotel in Bogotá.

Day 15: Transfer to Bogotá Airport for your flight home, marking the end of the tour.

KEY SPECIES

Endemic species: Gold-ringed Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, Black-and-gold Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Rufous- fronted Parakeet, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Bogota Rail, Apolinar’s Wren, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Apical Flycatcher, Brown-banded Antpitta, Cauca Guan, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Munchique Wood-Wren, Tatama Tapaculo, Grayish Piculet, Parker’s Antbird, Golden-fronted Redstart, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Buffy Helmetcrest.

Near-endemic species: Spectacled Parrotlet, Rusty-faced Parrot, Gray-throated Warbler, Bar-crested Antshrike, Scrub Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Sooty-headed Wren, Gray-throated Warbler, Bicolored Antvireo, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Hooded Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Club-winged Manakin, Choco Vireo, Beautiful Jay, Black Solitaire, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Black-thighed Puffleg, Gorgeted Woodstar, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Pale-bellied Tapaculo, Choco Tapaculo.

Other species: Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Páramo Seedeater, Slate-colored Seedeater, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Agile Tit-Tyrant, Dusky Piha, Masked Saltator, Toucan Barbet, Spot-crowned Barbet, Red-headed Barbet, Uniform Treehunter, Black-headed Brushfinch, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Rufous-naped Greenlet, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-collared Jay, Black-capped Hemispingus, Capped Conebill, Sharpe’s Wren, Golden-headed Quetzal, Flammulated Treehunter, Yellow-billed Cacique, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, White-throated Quail-Dove, Andean Guan, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Spotted Barbtail, Dusky Chlorospingus, Crested Bobwhite, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Noble Snipe, Wattled Jacana, Horned Screamer, Pinnated Bittern, Least Bittern, Bare-faced Ibis, Buff-necked Ibis, Blackish Rail, Torrent Duck, Andean Duck, Comb Duck, Masked Duck, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Blue-lored Antbird, Jet Antbird, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Barred Fruiteater, Scaled Fruiteater, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Emerald Toucanet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, White-throated Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Andean Pygmy Owl, Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Colombian Screech-Owl.

Ash-colored Tapaculo, Ocellated Tapaculo, Páramo Tapaculo, Nariño Tapaculo.

Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Equatorial Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta.

Glowing Puffleg, Golden-breasted Puffleg, White-whiskered Hermit, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Viridian Metaltail, Mountain Velvetbreast, Great Sapphirewing, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Bronzy Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Violet-tailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel, Geoffroy’s Daggerbill, Shining Sunbeam, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Brown Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Lesser Violetear, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Western Emerald, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Green-fronted Lancebill, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Crowned Woodnymph, Tawny-bellied Hermit.

Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Buff-banded Mountain Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Black-backed Bush Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Golden Tanager, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Glistering-green Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager.

TOUR DETAILS

Group Size: Maximum 8 participants + tour guide

Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Accommodation: 3-star hotels and comfortable lodges in beautiful locations

Transportation: Private vehicle with driver (car/minivan/4×4), plane

Habitats covered: high Andean mountains, cloud forest, páramo, tropical rainforest, dry forest

Climate: Highly variable, from cold conditions in high-altitude areas such as Nevados del Ruiz to warmer temperatures in places like Otún-Quimbaya and the Cali region, and temperate conditions in the cloud forest.

Altitude: 1,500–4,000 meters / 4,921–13,123 feet above sea level

Possible extensions:
– Endemic birds of Santa Marta
– Llanos of Colombia