Coffee Region · Valle del Cauca
Bird Photography Tour
An unforgettable experience designed for those passionate about capturing the beauty of birds in their natural environment, across two of Colombia's most spectacular regions.
Duration
7 days
Best season
Year-round
Group
2-10 pax
The expedition
Embark on an unforgettable experience, designed for those passionate about capturing the beauty of birds in their natural environment. This bird photography tour will take you through two of the most spectacular regions of Colombia, where nature and the art of photography meet in perfect harmony.
In the coffee region, Río Blanco Reserve, Hacienda El Bosque, and the magical landscapes of Termales del Ruiz, along with the majestic Laguna Negra and Brisas in Los Nevados National Natural Park, provide the perfect setting to photograph exotic species in all their splendor. With customized perches and strategically placed flowers to attract hummingbirds, these locations offer the best conditions for capturing unique shots, with carefully selected natural backgrounds that enhance the beauty of the bird without distractions.
Throughout 80% of the tour, the farms we will visit are equipped with feeders, allowing birds to come and feed, giving you incredible opportunities to photograph them in controlled environments. With perches adjusted to your preference and flowers arranged to attract hummingbirds to the ideal spot, you'll have creative control over every shot. The birds will come to feed at these stations, offering you perfect conditions for capturing crisp, artistic images.
The Valle del Cauca region is equally breathtaking. At Doña Dora Birdwatching, La Florida, and the enchanting Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature, you'll witness an explosion of biodiversity. Here, every photograph becomes a masterpiece, with the perfect balance of natural light, birds in their environment, and settings designed specifically for the sharp eye of a professional photographer.
Attention to detail extends beyond the landscapes and birds. Each lodge has been selected to provide maximum comfort: first-class facilities, exquisite local cuisine, and a dedicated team that will make your stay as enjoyable as the photography sessions. This tour is more than an adventure; it's an opportunity to create art in nature, with each click of your camera telling the story of Colombia's wildlife.
Target highlights
Hummingbird photography
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Customized perches & feeders
Multicoloured Tanager
Day by day
The route, unfolded.
Day 01
Arrival in Pereira
Pickup at Matecaña International Airport (PEI) and ~1.5-hour transfer to Hotel Quo Quality in Manizales. Lunch, briefing and overnight at the hotel.
Day 02
Rio Blanco Nature Reserve
Early start to Rio Blanco (4,932 ha of cloud forest, 517 species recorded). Antpitta feeders for Grallaria milleri, G. rufocinerea and G. ruficapilla. Breakfast and lunch on the reserve. Overnight at Hotel Quo Quality.
Day 03
Hacienda El Bosque
Pre-dawn departure to Hacienda El Bosque (314 species), one of the country's top photography sites for Grallaricula lineifrons, Ensifera ensifera (Sword-billed Hummingbird) and Buthraupis montana. Transfer in the evening to Hotel Termales del Ruiz.
Day 04
Termales del Ruiz, Laguna Negra & Brisas → Cauca Valley
Morning at Termales del Ruiz (294 species) for Anisognathus igniventris, Chalcostigma herrani and Aglaeactis cupripennis; then up to Laguna Negra and the Brisas Sector (Los Nevados NP) targeting Oxypogon stuebelii. Lunch at Termales del Ruiz, then a six-hour scenic drive down to La Araucana Lodge in the Valle del Cauca.
Day 05
Finca Doña Dora
Full day at Finca Doña Dora (500+ species recorded), the top species count in the Cauca Valley. Target list includes Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus), Chlorochrysa phoenicotis, Aulacorhynchus haematopygus and Lyre-tailed Nightjar.
Day 06
La Florida & Bosque de Niebla (Km 18)
Morning at La Florida (360+ species) for the endemic Multicolored Tanager (Chlorochrysa nitidissima), Black-winged Saltator and Chestnut Wood-Quail. Afternoon at Bosque de Niebla Birding & Nature for hummingbird setups (Coeligena coeligena, Ocreatus underwoodii, Heliodoxa rubinoides).
Day 07
Departure
After breakfast at La Araucana Lodge, direct transfer to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) in Cali.
Lodges & accommodations
Where you'll rest.
eBird hotspots
Verified on the route.
What's included
The fine print.
Included
- Transportation throughout the tour.
- Accommodation.
- Main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as stipulated in the itinerary.
- Private transport. Includes 4x4 transportation if necessary.
- Entrance fees to all reserves visited during the tour.
- Travel insurance.
- Professional guide expert in birds.
- Driver.
Not included
- International or domestic flights.
- Laundry service. Personal hygiene items.
- Room service.
- Medical expenses that are not covered by the travel insurance granted by us.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Activities not included in the itinerary.
- Extensions in the trip due to events of force majeure or fortuitous event.
- Tips.
Gallery
Scenes from
this expedition.
Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, taste delicious Colombian cuisine and live unforgettable adventures in every corner of the country. Are you ready for this magical journey?
Reserve your spot now and join us on the trip of a lifetime! The wildest and most exciting experiences in Colombia await you. Don't let them tell you, be part of the magic!