Exotic Birds of Colombia
September 23 - October 3, 2026
About 2000 bird species, representing about 20% of the world's avian diversity, reside in the western and central regions of the Andes Mountains of Colombia. It is an unparalleled destination for wildlife photographers who love taking pictures of beautiful and exotic birds. We photograph in a variety of climates, from warm temperatures at 2800 feet above sea level to 13,000 feet where it will be cold -- even though we'll be just north of the Equator. Our adventure includes shooting at feeders that attract brilliantly colored tanagers, hummingbirds, high altitude toucans, and more. Join Jim for this extraordinary opportunity to capture some of the world's most exquisite birds.
What you will learn on this tour:
How to photograph birds in flight
The anatomy of a hummingbird flash setup
Dealing with low light noise issues
The best shutter speeds to freeze wing movement
Using pre-capture strategies
Understanding focus point options
Post-processing techniques for increasing DOF
ITINERARY:
Day 1, Sept. 23, Wednesday
You will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (code: CLO) and transferred to our lodge. We will meet in the lobby of the lodge at 6:30pm for a meet and greet and to discuss the upcoming tour. Overnight Araucana Lodge, Cali, Colombia.
Day 2, Sept. 24, Thursday
This is followed by the welcome dinner. The following morning we depart early to begin our wonderful journey through Colombia. Expect temperatures today to range from 63 to 73 Fahrenheit. We arrive at one of Colombia's most renowned photographic spots, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and diverse species that
frequent feeders nestled in the cloud forest of the Western Andes. This location offers a unique opportunity to observe endemic and vibrantly colored birds. Notable species include the multicolored tanager, the saffron-crowned tanager, rose-faced parrots, and the toucan barbet. Overnight at the Araucana Lodge, Cali.
Day 3, Sept. 25, Friday
Doña Dora is an area renowned for its avian diversity. Situated close to the Chocó biogeographic region after crossing the Western Cordillera, it offers a rich birding experience. One of the highlights is the opportunity to visit a lek (mating area) of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, accessible via a 20-minute walk with a moderate incline. Stunning birds today include the glistening-green tanager, the black-chinned tanager, crimson-bumped toucanet, and the green honeycreeper. Expect temperatures to be between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and the
elevations ranging from 3600 to 4600 feet. Overnight at the Araucana Lodge, Cali.
Day 4, Sept. 26, Saturday
Laguna de Sonso is a vital wetland complex along the Cauca River, one of Colombia's most significant waterways. Our exploration today begins on a trail and continues with a boat ride, allowing us to search for beautiful birds in the lowlands. Afterward, we head south to return to the Western Mountain Range, where we will spend the next few nights at Araucana Lodge. This high quality lodge offers exceptional comfort and delicious meals. Birds in this area include the five-colored barbet, Purple-throated Woodstar hummingbird, crested quetzal, and the choice toucan. Temperatures will range from 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and elevations will be between 2800 and 3900 feet. Overnight Tinamu Lodge.
Day 5, Sept. 27, Sunday
We explore the Tinamu Reserve today. It is situated between the cities of Pereira and Manizales, and it stands as a successful reforestation and biodiversity conservation project. Once a coffee farm, it has been developed to cater largely to birdwatchers and photographers. It was designed with well-painted trails and bird feeders that attract a variety of species among which are the stunning bay-headed tanager, the Baltimore oriole, orange-crowned euphonias, green honeycreepers, and the Guira tanager. Temperatures today range from 63 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit with elevations between 4900 to 5900 feet. Overnight in the Tinamu Lodge.
Day 6, Sept. 28, Monday
The Rio Blanco Reserve is an important bird area renowned for its cloud forest ecosystem. This
protected area is home to over 450 recorded bird species. The reserve has many feeders that attract species such as mountain toucans, black-billed mountain-toucan, and the white-throated daggerbill. Expect temperatures to be between 57 and 79 degrees with elevations ranging from 5200 to 7875 feet. Overnight in Hacienda el Bosque.
Day 7, Sept. 29, Tuesday
Hacienda el Bosque is renowned as one of the premier locations for bird photographers, thanks to its exceptional feeder setups designed for antpittas, tanagers, hummingbirds, and mountain toucans. The newly built cabins provide high-quality lodging at an elevation of 10,000 feet, complemented by a top-notch restaurant. The area is distinguished by extensive patches of high Andean forest interspersed with pastures used for livestock and potato
cultivation. Birds of interest include the lesser violetear hummingbird, shining sunbeam hummingbird, chestnut-crowned antpitta, and gray-breasted mountain-toucan. Expect temperatures ranging from 45 to 61°F. Overnight in Hacienda el Bosque.
Day 8, Sept. 30, Wednesday
The Nevado del Ruiz volcano is the habitat of the unique buffy helmetcrest hummingbird, an endemic species (left) of the Central Andes. It feeds beneath flowers instead of fluttering above them. We'll be on the lookout for this species in Los Nevados National Park and we'll enjoy the feeders at the Ruiz hot springs where high-altitude tanagers and other hummers can be seen. We will also be looking for the scarlet-bellied mountain tanager, the beautiful hooded mountain tanager, and the golden-brested puffleg. Temperatures today will be between 45 and
77 degrees Fahreneheit, and elevations will range from 10,800 to 13,450 feet. Overnight Valparaiso Hotel.
Day 9, Oct. 1, Thursday
El Mirador el Roble is a family run project offering the opportunity to observe birds at feeders and water stations for exotic hummingbirds. We will have the chance to use flash setups to capture these beautiful birds in flight with tack sharp clarity. In the afternoon, we visit the Andean cock-of-the-rock lek (the mating area) to photograph these unusual and fascinating birds with brilliant orange plumage. Other birds within telephoto range to look for are the stunning blue and black tanager, southern lapwing, golden fronted redstart, and the majestic white tailed hawk. Expect temperatures today between 57 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit with elevations ranging from 5200 to 7875 feet. Overnight Valparaiso Hotel.
Day 10, Oct. 2, Friday
After breakfast we visit the Bambusa farm where we take advantage of well-established feeders to photograph colorful birds like the crimson-backed tanager, the bay-headed tanager, the green honeycreeper, and the blue-necked tanager. Following this, we head to a hotel in the municipality of Rionegro, conveniently close to José María Córdova International Airport. Birds of interest at this location include the Jabiru stork, rufescent tiger heron, and the collared aracari toucan. Overnight in Rionegro.
Day 11, Oct. 3, Saturday
After breakfast we're transferred to José María Córdova International Airport for our return flight home, knowing we've seen and photographed some of the most beautiful birds in the world.
Tour cost: $6650. Includes 10 nights lodging based on double occupancy, private transportation throughout the tour, all meals beginning at dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 11, snacks, bottled water, local guides, all entrance fees, medical assistance insurance, and photography instruction.
Single supplement: $875
Not included: International flight to and from Colombia, alcoholic beverages, tips to local guides, and items of a personal nature.