Herping Photography Tour in Colombia’s Pacific Chocó

Day 1 | Chocó | Bahía Solano | The Pacific Beckons

The journey began under a bright Medellín sky, where the group gathered at Olaya Herrera Airport, anticipation shimmering in the morning air. By noon, the plane descended gracefully into Bahía Solano, unveiling an emerald coastline caressed by the Pacific’s restless waves.

A hearty lunch gave strength for the day’s unfolding, and soon, tuk-tuks buzzed through Ciudad Mutis, weaving through streets alive with the pulse of Chocó. At Playa Mecana, the Pacific Botanical Garden awaited—a sanctuary where nature whispered secrets to those who listened.

As dusk cloaked the sky in hues of amber and indigo, the group settled into their hotel, their hearts quickened by what lay ahead. Dinner was followed by a nocturnal adventure; under a canopy of stars, flashlights illuminated jeweled amphibians and the glint of reptilian eyes. Night murmurs and camera clicks mingled until the jungle reclaimed its silence at 11 p.m.

Day 2 | Chocó | Bahía Solano | Wings of Dawn

A symphony of bird calls welcomed the day, coaxing everyone from sleep to the vibrant reality of the Pacific. Over breakfast, plans were shaped for a bird photography walk, where feathers gleamed in the morning light, and binoculars sought avian treasures flitting among the greenery.

By midday, the group returned for lunch, recharged for an afternoon by the sea. Boats skimmed over azure waves, their journey guided by the nesting sites of pelagic birds. Evening descended with stories shared over dinner, and the night’s second act began—a moonlit herping walk. Here, time seemed irrelevant, the jungle’s mysteries ever unfolding until cameras rested once more at 11 p.m.

Day 3 | Chocó | Bahía Solano | Through the Lens of Light

The day mirrored its predecessor, the rhythm of nature dictating the itinerary. From the melodious calls of birds to the intricate textures of macro photography, the group honed their craft under Chocó’s radiant skies and dense canopies.

As the sun cast golden shadows, the afternoon’s walk revealed landscapes painted in natural light, each frame a testament to the Pacific’s untamed beauty. The night held its familiar enchantment, where flashlights illuminated secret lives hidden within the undergrowth.

Day 4 | Chocó | El Valle | Between Sea and Forest

Morning led the group to El Valle, a village nestled between the sea and a lush forest. Trails winding through Utría National Park offered a glimpse of a world untouched, where mangroves whispered of ancient tides.

After lunch, the Pakoré Werá Nature Reserve welcomed the group with open arms. Here, the confluence of local traditions and vibrant ecosystems painted a tapestry of resilience. The day ended with dinner and the group’s reflections on the landscapes etched in their memories.

Day 5 | Chocó | El Valle | The Song of Poison Frogs

The day belonged to the vibrant guardians of Chocó’s rainforests—the poison frogs. Trails led deep into the jungle, where flashes of color betrayed their presence, and every frame told a story of survival and adaptation. Lunch in the field bound the group closer to nature’s heart, a communion with the wilderness that lingered long after the sun dipped below the horizon.

Day 6 | Chocó | El Valle | The Art of Observation

A day to refine the art of looking—a bird’s call, the glisten of dew on leaves, or the subtle shadows cast by the canopy. Walks led to treasures often overlooked, while the evening resumed its ritual of discovery under the moon’s gaze.

Day 7 | Chocó | Nuquí | Of Rivers and Hot Springs

The journey continued to Nuquí, a gateway to Utría National Park’s secrets. Boats carried the group to Jurubirá, where the warmth of hot springs offered solace after the day’s explorations. The Jurubirá River glittered in the twilight, its nocturnal symphony drawing the group into its magic.

Day 8 | Chocó | Nuquí | Echoes of Wings

Birdsong heralded another day of avian wonders. From the treetops to the mangroves, every moment brought flashes of color and melody. Rest came with the realization that the Pacific’s rhythms had woven themselves into the group’s own.

Day 9 | Chocó | Nuquí | Coastal Dreams

The Pacific’s coastline unraveled its secrets—a boat tour revealed birds etched against a backdrop of endless blue. As Morromico emerged from the horizon, the evening marked the final night walk, each step a goodbye whispered to the forest.

Day 10 | Chocó | Nuquí | Farewell to the Pacific

The final morning broke gently, a bittersweet farewell to Chocó. The group returned to Nuquí airport, their hearts full of memories and SD cards brimming with stories. By noon, Medellín welcomed them back, but the spirit of the Pacific lingered—a reminder of the untamed beauty they had captured and carried home.