The Western & Central Andes of Colombia. Photographic birding tour

After your morning flight to Cali, we’ll ascend into the Western Andes for an unforgettable introduction to Colombia’s rich avifauna. The legendary Km 18 road and the San Antonio cloud forest host an astonishing variety of species. Among the highlights are the Golden-headed Quetzal, South American Leaftosser, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Scaled Fruiteater, Nariño Tapaculo, Andean Solitaire, Streak-capped Treehunter, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, and the dazzling White-throated Daggerbill.

By mid-afternoon, we’ll visit the feeders at La Araucana Lodge, where vibrant species such as Green Jay, Scrub Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and Black-winged Saltator await. The lodge’s trails also offer opportunities to encounter rarities like the endemic Parker’s Antbird, Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, and the endemic Grayish Piculet.

This first day promises to be a spectacular start to your journey—filled with diverse habitats, exceptional birding, and countless photographic opportunities.

The KM 18 is not only a classic birding hotspot but also one of the finest places for bird photography in the Colombian Andes. Around five local farms maintain hummingbird and tanager feeders, creating perfect conditions to capture stunning images of the Multicolored Tanager—an endemic jewel and one of Colombia’s most sought‑after species. These feeders also attract other remarkable endemics such as the Colombian Chachalaca and Chestnut Wood-quail, alongside dazzling tanagers like the Flame-rumped, Scrub, Golden, Saffron-crowned, and Golden-naped Tanagers. The vibrant Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager is a frequent visitor, while species such as the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Black-winged Saltator, and Red-headed Barbet add even more color to your lens. The Little Tinamou is also known to visit the feeders, offering unique photographic opportunities of this elusive species.

The hummingbird feeders are a true spectacle, offering close photographic encounters with species including the Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, and the near-endemic Purple-throated Woodstar. Even hermits such as the Tawny-bellied and Green Hermit make appearances, providing endless opportunities for dynamic shots.

Exploring the surrounding cloud forest reveals yet more treasures for your camera: the near-endemic Nariño Tapaculo, Scaled Fruiteater, Green-and-black Fruiteater, and brush-finches like the Chestnut-capped, White-naped, and Yellow-breasted. The forest understory is alive with photographic challenges and rewards, from Spotted and Rusty-winged Barbtails to Streak-capped and Striped Treehunters. For woodpecker enthusiasts, the Yellow-vented, Acorn, and Golden-olive Woodpeckers provide excellent subjects.

With its combination of feeders, trails, and forest habitats, KM 18 offers unparalleled opportunities to capture vivid, close‑up portraits and dynamic action shots of Colombia’s most iconic birds.

This area is one of Colombia’s premier birding hotspots, with easy access via a paved road, canopy-level views, and the added charm of hummingbird and tanager feeders. It’s the perfect introduction to the avifauna of the Chocó, one of the world’s most biodiverse ecoregions.

Our day begins with a walk along the historic road to Buenaventura, where the elevated Anchicayá region reveals specialties such as the Tatamá Tapaculo, Grayish Piculet, Crested Ant-tanager, and Parker’s Antbird (all endemic), plus the Toucan Barbet, Rufous-throated Tanager, Chocó Tapaculo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Club-winged Manakin, and many more.

At 1100 meters, we’ll reach El Descanso, a family restaurant with feeders that attract the near-endemic Toucan Barbet, often nesting right in the garden. Other visitors include Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, euphonias, and brush-finches. Hummingbird highlights feature the Green Thorntail, White-whiskered Hermit, and near-endemics like the Empress Brilliant and Brown Inca.

Anchicayá offers a remarkable mix of accessibility, diversity, and close-up photography opportunities—making it a must for birders and photographers alike.

This morning we’ll visit the Sonso Lagoon, a public nature reserve near Buga. Along the Cauca River and in patches of tropical dry forest, we’ll search for local specialties. When rains flood sections of the reserve, aquatic birds gather in impressive numbers, creating excellent photographic opportunities.

Key species include the endemic Grayish Piculet and Apical Flycatcher, the near-endemic Bar-crested Antshrike, plus Cinereous Becard, Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, Jet Antbird, Spectacled Parrotlet, and several cuckoos (Striped, Little, and Dwarf). Waterbirds such as Comb Duck, Blackish Rail, whistling-ducks (Fulvous, White-faced, Black-bellied), and ibises (Buff-necked, Glossy) are often present. Other highlights include Common Potoo, Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher, and more.

After a rewarding morning of birding and photography, we’ll continue toward the mountains on the eastern slope of the Central Andes.

Today we’ll journey to the highlands above the town of Anaime, a stronghold for several Andean parrot species. In the upper reaches, we’ll search for one of the rarest birds in the Americas: the Indigo-winged Parrot, endemic and critically endangered.

Lower down, groves of Quindío Wax Palm shelter a thriving population of the endemic and endangered Yellow-eared Parrot, offering exceptional chances for close observation and photography. The area also supports other charismatic parrots, including the Golden-plumed Parakeet and Bronze-winged Parrot.

Beyond parrots, Anaime is home to remarkable highland specialties such as the elusive Masked Saltator, Black-headed Hemispingus, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Agile Tit-tyrant, and the striking Black-collared Jay.

With its mix of rare endemics, dramatic landscapes, and unique habitats, Anaime provides one of the most rewarding birding and photography experiences in the Andes.

This newly established location is a haven for several Tolima endemics, including the Tolima Blossomcrown and Tolima Dove, as well as other intriguing species such as the Yellow-headed Brushfinch and Indigo-capped Hummingbird.

It is also home to the fascinating White-tipped Sicklebill, a hummingbird with a uniquely curved bill, and the Andean Motmot, which offers spectacular views and excellent photographic opportunities. Around the feeders, Orange-chinned Parakeets are often seen playing, adding lively moments to the experience. In addition, many other brilliant hummingbird species regularly visit the feeders, creating dazzling scenes for birders and photographers alike.

Following our morning exploration here, we will continue to the renowned Tinamu Birding Reserve, located below Manizales, for even more exceptional birding encounters.

Tinamú Birding Reserve is a true sanctuary for birds thriving among agriculture and cattle farms. Protecting a significant area of subtropical forest, the reserve has transformed from a traditional farm into a premier birding destination, offering excellent lodging, comfortable trails, and strategic lookout points designed for birdwatchers and photographers.

Here you’ll encounter a fascinating mix of sub‑Andean and tropical dry forest species. Grey-headed Doves visit the corn feeders, while endemics such as the Bar-crested Antshrike and Parker’s Antbird are highlights. Other specialties include Great Antshrike, Black-crowned Antshrike, Blue-lored Antbird, Lineated Woodpecker, and wrens like Whiskered, Speckled-breasted, and Scaly-breasted. The reserve also hosts colorful tanagers—Flame-rumped and Scrub Tanagers—as well as parrots such as Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Spectacled Parrotlet, and Blue-headed Parrot. Nearby, the energetic Golden-collared Manakin displays constantly at its leks, a spectacle for both eyes and cameras.

✨ Recently established feeders now attract species like the Bar-crested Antshrike, Great Antshrike, Jet Antbird, Blue-lored Antbird, and the charismatic Moustached Puffbird, offering close encounters and superb photographic opportunities

Río Blanco is one of Colombia’s oldest and most renowned birding reserves, famous for pioneering antpitta feeders. These provide close views of at least three species, including the endemic Brown-banded, Chestnut-crowned, and Slate-crowned Antpittas—a highlight for photographers.

Equally rewarding are the hummingbird feeders, attracting vivid Andean species such as Collared Inca, Tourmaline Sunangel, Bronzy Inca, Sparkling Violetear, Long-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, and the near-endemic White-throated Daggerbill. The entrance garden adds gems like Andean Emerald and Green-fronted Lancebill.

Tanager feeders bring colorful subjects including Buff-banded and Blue-winged Mountain-tanagers, Northern Slaty Brush-finch, and Masked Flowerpiercer. Along the road, photographers may capture rarities such as the elusive Masked Saltator, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-capped Tanager, Golden-plumed Parakeet, and striking woodpeckers like Crimson-mantled and Bar-bellied.

With its mix of feeders, trails, and forest habitats, Río Blanco offers unparalleled opportunities for close‑up portraits and dynamic action shots, making it a must‑visit destination for birders and photographers alike.

Hacienda El Bosque, in Colombia’s Central Andes, is a cattle ranch that protects vast high Andean forests under the civil society reserve model. Today it stands out as one of Manizales’ most successful nature tourism projects, offering scenic cabins, comfortable trails, and a welcoming restaurant.

The reserve is famous for its antpitta feeders, where photographers can capture the Equatorial Antpitta and the extremely rare Crescent-faced Antpitta—the only reliable site within its limited range. Another highlight is the Gray-breasted Mountain-toucan, a charismatic bird that regularly visits for grapes, providing close and memorable shots.

Other specialties include the Barred Fruiteater, Andean Guan, White-throated Quail-dove, and a lively family of Hooded Mountain-tanagers at the feeders. Brilliant hummingbirds such as the Buff-winged Starfrontlet and the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird add drama to every photo, while species like Hooded Siskin, Andean Siskin, Paramo Seedeater, and the striking Crimson-mantled Woodpecker enrich the experience.

After lunch at the “Bosco” restaurant, we’ll ascend to elfin forests in search of highland jewels: the Golden-crowned Tanager, near-endemic Black-backed Bush-tanager, Viridian Metaltail, Paramo Tapaculo, and the vibrant Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager.

With three feeding stations designed for photographers and a wealth of rare species, Hacienda El Bosque offers one of the most rewarding birding and photography experiences in the Andes.

Today we’ll explore Los Nevados National Park, in the highest reaches of Colombia’s Central Andes. The route winds through forest patches that open into páramo, a dramatic montane ecosystem above the treeline, dominated by frailejones and grasses. We’ll reach elevations up to 4,100 meters (13,400 ft), taking precautions against cold and altitude.

At the upper elevations, we’ll focus on two rare endemics: the Buffy Helmetcrest and the Rufous-fronted Parakeet, both prized photographic targets. Other highland specialties include White-chinned Thistletail, Andean Tit-spinetail, Stout-billed Cinclodes, and Many-striped Canastero.

The páramo also hosts Paramo Seedeater, Grass Wren, Tawny Antpitta, and raptors such as the Black-chested Buzzard-eagle and the majestic Andean Condor. Forest edges reveal Paramo Tapaculo, White-banded Tyrannulet, Golden-crowned Tanager, Ash-coloured Tapaculo, and the near-endemic Black-backed Bush-tanager. 

With its sweeping landscapes and rare endemics, Los Nevados offers one of the most dramatic settings for high-altitude bird photography in Colombia.

Near Manizales, El Color de mi Revés is a renowned site where feeders are perfectly positioned for close, high‑quality shots of tanagers, toucans, and antpittas. Key highlights include the vibrant Black-billed Mountain-toucan, the elusive Bicolored Antpitta, and the striking Hooded Mountain-tanager.

Photographers also enjoy encounters with the bold Black-collared Jay and a variety of dazzling highland hummingbirds, most notably the spectacular Sword-billed Hummingbird, whose unique bill makes for unforgettable images.

By mid‑afternoon, we’ll continue west toward the town of Riosucio, opening the next chapter of our Andean birding adventure.

Our day begins at Mirador El Roble, where feeders provide a second chance to photograph the charismatic Chestnut Wood-quail, along with colorful species like the Grass-green Tanager and Blue-capped Tanager. On rare occasions, the elusive Andean Tiger Cat appears, offering extraordinary views of this unusual feline.

We then continue to Alto Ventanas, long celebrated for hosting the largest population of the endangered, endemic Yellow-eared Parrot. This remains a good site to observe and photograph the species, and here we’ll also have further opportunities to capture them in their natural highland habitat. Other highlights include the endemic Golden-fronted (Colombian) Whitestart, near-endemics Purplish-mantled Tanager and Tanager Finch, plus striking birds such as Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and White-rumped Hawk.

Photographers can enjoy close encounters with the Purple-backed Thornbill, Black-billed Mountain-toucan, and tapaculos like Ocellated and Spillman’s. Forest trails reveal Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Striped and Flammulated Treehunters, and colorful highlights such as Barred Fruiteater, White-capped Tanager, Red-hooded Tanager, and Black-collared Jay. The powerful Woodpecker adds drama to the mix.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Jardín, home to Colombia’s best Andean Cock‑of‑the‑rock lek, where males display at close range—an unforgettable photographic spectacle. Here we may also enjoy near views of the endemic Red‑bellied Grackle, adding another rare and charismatic species to the day’s highlights.

On our last day we’ll visit the Oilbird Reserve, a site that offers rare daylight opportunities to observe and photograph the Oilbird—a species usually confined to dark caves, but here visible under excellent light conditions.

The reserve also hosts the spectacular Torrent Duck, the endemic Crested Ant-tanager, and the charismatic Red-bellied Grackle, all providing memorable photo subjects. In addition, colorful tanagers and other highland birds frequent the area, ensuring a vibrant finale to the trip.

This final stop combines unusual encounters, brilliant colors, and close views, making it a perfect conclusion to our Colombian birding and photography adventure.