Amazing Colombia!

Day 1: Arrival in Pereira 

Upon Arrival we will meet our guide and transfer to our hotel in Pereira, if we have some time we will do some birding nearby.

Accommodation at Movich Hotel Pereira – https://www.movichhotels.com/en/pereira/

Day 2: Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary & Transfer to Manizales

Our first full day of birding and we will dive straight into the action. We will begin with a relaxed walk along an open quiet road and hopefully connect with several sought after birds including the elusive Hooded Antpitta and our first endemics, Cauca Guan, Multicolored Tanager and Crested ant-Tanager. Birding in the area is incredible and the birds will be coming in thick and fast! We will take the time to admire incredible species such as Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Andean Motmot, Moustached Antpitta, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Plumbeous-crowned and Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Black-billed peppershrike and many more. Also, this place is one of the best for the mysterious Mountain Tapir and with some luck we may connect with this magical animal.  

After lunch, we will make our way to Manizales with a few birding stops along the way, including  a nearby tumbling river where we will search for the fantastic Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper among others.

In the afternoon we plan short visit to Tinamu Reserve and check out their bird feeders and trails.  located in San Peregrino village, the reserve is home to several awesome endemics such as Grayish Piculet, Colombian Chachalaca and Parker’s Antbird. Other specialties may include Gray-headed Dove, Moustached Puffbird, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Blue-lored and Jet Antbird, Guira Tanager and the charming Golden-collared Manakin.

At the feeders we can see the near-endemics Western Emerald and Scrub Tanager and a host of more common species such as Blue-necked Tanager and a host of Hummingbirds such as Long-billed Starthroat, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Green Hermit, White-vented Plumeleteer, Black-throated Mango, Lesser, Brown and Sparkling Violetears.

Accommodation at Hotel Quo in Manizales https://quo.com.co/

Day 3: Rio Blanco Reserve

Rio Blanco is one of the best birding sites in Colombia and was one of the pioneers of establishing feeders for Antpittas.  

Located three kilometers northeast of Manizales, it is an area of Cloud Forest with high biodiversity and protects numerous endangered species. Over 360 species of birds are found here, including 13 of Colombia’s endemics.

Our visit will begin with the local warden that will take us to several spots where we can get close views of the endemic and once almost impossible Brown-banded Antpitta, the near-endemic Bicolored Antpitta, and the charismatic Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. 

The hummingbird feeders here can provide good and new species such as Long-tailed Sylph, Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet and Fawn-breasted Brilliant. 

Other species that we´ll look for include the near-endemic White-throated Wedgebill, Pearled Treerunner, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Streak-headed Antbird, Lachrymose Mountain-tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Slaty brush-finch, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Bar-bellied and Crimson-Mantled Woodpeckers and Grey-browed Brush-finch. Further searching should reveal Masked saltator, Plushcap, Yellow-billed Cacique, Ash-colored Tapaculo, and Ocellated Tapaculo.

Accommodation at Hotel Quo in Manizales https://quo.com.co/

Day 4: Hacienda el Bosque & Termales del Ruiz hotel

Hacienda el Bosque, located 30 minutes from Manizales sits in a high elevation area with gradients from 2,800 to  3,900 Meters.   The area includes diverse habitats such as pastures for livestock and dairy production and large patches of high Andean and Paramo forests that have been protected for more than 40 years. The area has quality feeders for hummingbirds and tanagers where Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sparkling Violetear, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-Winged Starfrontlet and the incredible and sought-after Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan can be found. The main attraction here is one of the most enigmatic species of Antpitta, the Crescent-faced Antpitta alongside the Central-Andes member of the Rufous Antpitta complex, the Equatorial Antpitta. 

Afterwards, we will drive to Termales del Ruiz to have lunch and enjoy the wonderful feeders where Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg and Shining Sunbeam can be found besides many others. 

Accommodation at Termales del Ruiz Hotel https://hoteltermalesdelruiz.com/

Day 5: Nevado del Ruiz & Termales del Ruiz.

Nevado Del Ruiz is a National Park situated below the Ruiz Volcano between 2600 m and 5300 meters. It hosts ecosystems such as elfin forest, patches of bamboo, Paramo and of course, an active volcano.

The elfin forest and nearby areas are home to many endemic species including the rare and local Rufous-fronted Parakeet, and near-endemic Black-thighed Puffleg. Starting in the elfin forests we will look for these two species along with the near-endemic Black-backed Bush Tanager, and Paramo Tapaculo, while feeding flocks may include Hooded Mountain Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, Sedge wren, Plain-coloured Seedeater, Paramo Seedeater, Tawny Antpitta, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-spinetail, Crowned Chat-tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-tyrant, Andean Tit-spinetail and White-chinned Thistletail. 

One of the main targets of this amazing mountain is the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest, an amazing bird that favors flowering bushes of Espeletia (commonly known as ‘frailejones’ , a unique subshrub from the sunflower family, that only exists in the Paramo). A cool experience we will have here is birding while chilling in the hot springs themselves, binoculars in one hand and a drink in the other 🙂

Accommodation at Termales del Ruiz Hotel / https://hoteltermalesdelruiz.com/

Day 6: Venecia Coffee Farm & Transfer to Montezuma Ecolodge

Our day starts with a pleasant and very birdy walk in Termales del Ruiz forest and after breakfast we will head to the Venecia Coffee farm. Since a good portion of the trip we will be surrounded by coffee plantations and Colombian coffee is of the highest quality in the world, we are happy to include a legit coffee experience at Venecia farm. 

During our time here we will learn about the origin and history of coffee, the worldwide distribution, the different coffee varieties and qualities, as well as about the aromas and properties of coffee and the Coffee Cultural Landscape (World Heritage Site by UNESCO).

After the perfect cup and full of energy, the interactive tour continues with a walk through the plantation to learn more about the growing and harvesting. After you picked your own beans, you will visit the wet mill to learn about the coffee processing and marketing. As roasting is both a science and art – the difference between perfectly roasted coffee and a rejected batch can be a matter of seconds. You will have the chance to taste and see the beans with different grades of roasting to experience the different aromas, as the roasting brings out the aroma and flavor that is locked inside the green coffee beans. Needless to say, the visit will include some birding during the coffee tour. We should find some cool species such as Scrub Tanager, Parker’s Antbird, Bronze-winged Parrot, Flame-rumped Tanager and more.

Afterwards, we will head to the incredible Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge. 

Accommodation at Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge  https://montezumarainforest.com/

Day 7 & 8: Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge (Tatamá National Park) 

Tatamá National Park is located in the Western Cordillera, between the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca and Risaralda. It is known for its rugged geography and steep slopes.

During our two days here we will enjoy some spectacular birding. We will mostly bird along the road, with opportunities for many endemics, such as Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Munchique Wood-wren, Black-and-gold Tanager, Chestnut Wood-quail, Multicoloured Tanager, Crested Ant-tanager, Tatamá Tapaculo, Gold-ringed Tanager and Red-bellied Grackle.

The birding here is just amazing and we should expect to see many great species here, Black Solitaire, Choco vireo, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Toucan barbet, Bicoloured antvireo, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Golden-chested Tanager, Choco Toucan, Plumbeous Pigeon, Western-immaculate Antbird, swallow-tailed Kite, Choco Tyrannulet, Variable Seedeater, Scarlet-rumped and Lemond-rumped Tanagers, Marble-face Bristle Tyrant, Ornate Flycatcher, Metallic-green Tanager, Scaly-breasted Wren, Guira Tanager, Bay Wren, Russet-backed Oropendola, Masked Tityra, Andean cock-of-the-rock, Bar-crested Antshrike, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Red-faced Spinetail, Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Nariño Tapaculo, Tricoloured Brush-finch, Dusky Bush-tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Wing-barred Piprites, Yellow-breasted Antpitta,  Sylver-throated and Rufous-throated Tanagers, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Club-winged Manakin, Chestnut-capped Brush-finch, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Lemond-browed Flycatcher, Beautiful Jay, Olivaceous Piha, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Barred Fruiteater, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Scaled Fruiteater, Golden Tanager and the Tanager Finch.

The reserve has a number of hummingbird feeders either in high, middle and low elevations that are visited by near-endemics Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Purple-throated Woodstar and Western Emerald. Other interesting hummingbirds found at the feeders are: Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Andean Emerald and Greenish Puffleg. 

Accommodation at Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge  https://montezumarainforest.com/

Day 9: Morning at Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge & Transfer to the Sonso area

We will spend another morning at Montezuma Rainforest lodge and after an early lunch we will head to the area of Sonso in the Cauca valley. We will do some relaxed birding in the gardens of our hotel where some endemic and near-endemic jewels could be found like Bronze-winged Parrot, Western Emerald, Bar-crested Antshrike, Apical Flycatcher, Grayish Piculet and more.

Night at Hotel La Huerta – https://lahuertahotel.com.co/

Day 10 – Morning birding around Sonso where we will expect a great combination of water birds and dry forest species. The Laguna and immediate area host some awesome species such as the endemics Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher, Blackbird Oriole, Spectacled Parrotlet, Common Potoo, Jet Antbird, Bar-crested Antshrike, Comb Duck, Dwarf Cuckoo and and one of the rare populations of Horned Screamers in Colombia W of the Andes.

Back to Hotel La Huerta for lunch. In the early afternoon we will drive to La Araucana lodge. The lodge is an incredible place nestled in a mix of habitats close to several top birding spots. This finca grows most of its own veggies at 1600 meters above sea level. We should have some time for afternoon birding around the lodge grounds and feeders where we will search for Red-headed Barbet, Saffron-crowned and Golden Tanagers, Andean Emerald, Black-billed Thrush and more.

Night at Finca la florida, Bosque de las aves

Day 11: Dona Dora and San Felipe

Early in the morning we will head to the Old Buenaventura road which descends from the western Andes to the Pacific lowlands through the Anchicaya valley, holding a mind-blowing biodiversity and a spectacular mix of Chocó and andean species. Our main hotspot today is Doña Dora’s place. We will begin by visiting her famous Andean Cock of the Rock Lek, one of the most exciting birding experiences in the tropics! Following the lek we will enjoy breakfast while enjoying the feeders. This fantastic place attracts species such as the emblematic and Chocó endemic Toucan Barbet, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Purple-throated Woodstar, Rufous-throated and Silver-beaked Tanager, Black-headed Brushfinch and many more. Recently, the local staff have started attracting the parambae (W of the Andes) subspecies of Plain-backed Antpitta which is a major target. After leaving Dona Dora’s we will explore the upper section of the valley looking for Slaty-capped Shrike Vireo, Gray-and-gold Tanager, Tatamá Tapaculo and Crested Ant-Tanager among others. Following an early lunch we will head back to la florida for a rest. In the afternoon we will enjoy some leisurely birding at San Felipe reserve. The reserve has some trails and an amazing set of feeders where we have good chances for Multicolored Tanager, Scaled Antpitta and other goodies.

Night at Finca la florida, Bosque de las aves

Day 12 – La Florida and transfer to the airport.

Our last morning 🙁 – We will spend the morning on the grounds of our finca. By now you will already know that this is a true Paradise for hummingbirds and tanagers. La Florida is the best place to find the endemic and stunning Multicolored Tanager and the near-endemic Blue-headed Sapphire, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Black-winged Saltator, Long-tailed Sylph and many more. One of our main targets here is the skulky and endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail, which actually come to feeders here, providing incredible views and photo opportunities, along with Scaled Antpitta and more. Following a productive morning we will have lunch and head to the Cali airport where our tour ends.

———————————-

Tour price 6-10 pax: $6800 / $6390 / $6000 / $5700 / $5420
Single supplement: $540

Price includes:
All accommodation and transportation within the country
All meals from dinner on day 1 till lunch on day 12.
All guiding and entry fees, including tips to local guides.

Price excludes: 
International flights
Domestic flights from Bogota and backPersonal travel insurance  
Alcoholic drinks and items of personal nature
Tips to principal guides and driver