The tour’s species list names ten species of the poison frog family (Dendrobatidae), such as the harlequin poison frog (Oophaga histrionica) and the black-legged poison frog (Phyllobates bicolor). Some are threatened: the IUCN Red List classifies O. histrionica as Critically Endangered and P. bicolor as Endangered. Sightings in the wild are never guaranteed.
In the Colombian Pacific lowlands, which this tour visits, it rains in every month: Bahía Solano averages about 5,700 mm a year and no month falls below 170 mm. Poison frogs are mostly active by day, so there is no single best month. Because the tour runs on demand, Keeping Nature Tours sets the dates with your group.
Keeping Nature Tours quotes this tour on request because it runs on demand for groups of up to 8 people. The quote includes domestic flights between Medellín and Bahía Solano and from Medellín to Pereira, 9 nights of lodging, all meals, ground transport, day and night walks and photography guidance. Write to us with your dates and group size.
Join us for an exclusive journey through Colombia’s lush and diverse landscapes, where the vibrant world of poison frogs awaits. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the habitats of 10 species of these colorful, mysterious amphibians, each with its own distinctive markings, behaviors, and ecological importance. From the coastal rainforests of Bahía Solano to the dense jungles of Santa Cecilia and San Cipriano, and the Pacific slope of Valle del Cauca, you’ll experience the true essence of Colombia’s biodiversity.
The tour begins in the heart of the Chocó Biogeographic region, renowned for being one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots, particularly for amphibians. This region’s high humidity and intricate ecosystems provide the ideal environment for poison frogs to flourish. As you traverse these extraordinary landscapes, you’ll witness the brilliant colors and patterns of these frogs in their natural habitats, learning about their roles in maintaining ecological balance and contributing to the health of the rainforest.
Perfect for herpetology enthusiasts, nature photographers, and anyone captivated by wildlife, this tour combines exploration and education. Guided by a herpetologist, you’ll not only observe these amphibians up close but also gain insight into the ecological significance of each species and the delicate balance of their ecosystems. This immersive experience will reveal the fascinating adaptations and survival strategies of Colombia’s poison frogs, which are crucial to sustaining the country’s biodiversity.
More than just a photography tour, this journey offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature in one of the world’s most critical biodiversity corridors. Through our guided walks, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Colombia’s natural treasures and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these extraordinary amphibians and their habitats. Join us on this unforgettable adventure and contribute to the preservation of Colombia’s ecological heritage.
Macro Lens (90 mm – 105 mm). A high-quality macro lens is essential for capturing the intricate details of small subjects, such as the vibrant patterns of poison dart frogs. It allows you to get close enough to fill the frame while maintaining sharpness and clarity.
Wide-Angle Macro Lens (15 mm). A 15 mm wide-angle macro lens is perfect for creating environmental portraits that feature both the subject and its natural habitat. This lens helps highlight the unique surroundings, adding depth and context to your shots.
External Flash. Portable off-camera flashes are ideal for delivering controlled lighting in the low-light conditions of tropical forests. They enhance the vivid colors of amphibians without disturbing their natural behavior, making each shot more impactful.
Wireless Flash Triggers. Wireless transmitters allow you to use off-camera flash setups, offering greater creative control over light direction and intensity. This is particularly useful in uneven lighting conditions and dense jungle environments.
Flash Diffuser. Essential for softening harsh light and minimizing reflections on the moist skin of amphibians. Diffusers ensure even, natural-looking lighting that highlights fine textures without overpowering the subject.
Portable Reflector. Compact and foldable, reflectors help bounce light onto the subject, providing additional fill light in shaded or low-light conditions. They enhance detail and color without the need for extra flash units.
Extension Tubes. Extension tubes increase your lens magnification, allowing for more precise focus on very small details. They are a cost-effective way to expand your macro capabilities without investing in new lenses.
Note. Highlighted in green are some of the potential poison frog species on this tour.
Herpetologist with a degree in Biology from the Universidad del Quindío. He is a full-time nature photographer, specializes in macro photography and leads workshops and photographic tours in Colombia. He is author or co-author of 11 articles in scientific journals on Colombian amphibians and reptiles.
His photographic work has taken him to explore every corner of the country. His photos have been featured in magazines such as Enfoque Visual, RowZine, and the Catalog of Amphibians and Reptiles of Colombia, among others. He won the environmental advocacy category in the Agenda del Mar photography competition (2022). He uses photography and biology as tools to promote conservation through various initiatives, contributing to a deeper understanding of species’ behaviors and their interactions with ecosystems. These two passions have allowed him to offer a unique perspective on the hidden and unknown world beneath the mysterious landscapes of Colombia’s mountains and plains, aiming to create a bridge between memory and nature.
Day 1 | Chocó | Bahía Solano | Welcome to the Pacific As the dawn begins to crackle over Medellín, we gather like characters stepping into a grand adventure, bound for Bahía Solano’s mythical shores. At Olaya Herrera Airport, time feels stretched as laughter and anticipation intermingle. By noon, the airplane dips toward the emerald forest that cradles José Celestino Mutis Airport, a portal into a land forgotten by time. We’re ferried through tangled green veins toward El Valle, where the air hums with mystery and life, a breath of pure wilderness. After a hearty lunch, we embark on a walk through the jungle, our senses finely tuned to each rustle and shimmer. As night drapes the land, we venture forth again, flashlights casting pools of light in the darkness as secrets of the night unfold—a world where the familiar becomes foreign and the creatures of the earth reveal themselves only to those who look closely. Day 2 | Chocó | Bahía Solano The morning arrives with a soft, misty light. Today, we are pilgrims in search of the vibrant, deadly, and mesmerizing—the poison frogs that lie hidden among the verdant ferns. Each step through the dense forest brings us closer to creatures adorned in colors stolen from dreams. Lunch is served in the heart of the forest, our conversations punctuated by bird calls and the hum of insects. As evening falls, we take once more to the night, a reverent silence binding us as we glimpse into a world woven from shadows and gleams, of creatures rarely seen and barely understood. Day 3 | Chocó | Bahía Solano With the sun kissing the treetops, we set out in search of elusive birds and tiny lifeforms too small to command notice yet teeming with life. Cameras at the ready, we capture the forest breathing, shifting, and revealing itself one frame at a time. By afternoon, the jungle calls us again to its verdant depths. We wade through foliage, each step sinking us deeper into its mysteries. Night draws us back once more; we become shadows among the shadows, awaiting the moment a flash illuminates scales and eyes glowing like embers in the black. Day 4 | Risaralda | Pereira The day unfolds in a medley of travel, the jungle releasing us from its embrace as we journey by air to the Andean heartland. By late afternoon, the familiar, haunting sights of Medellín recede as we venture on to Pereira, where lush coffee-scented landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Dinner is filled with laughter and anticipation, memories of the jungle dancing in our minds like echoes. Day 5 | Risaralda | Santa Cecilia Our journey leads to Santa Cecilia, a quiet town on the threshold of another paradise—its forests brimming with life and mystery. By afternoon, we are greeted by the wild chorus of Santa Cecilia’s rainforest. As night falls, we step into an almost mythical reality, where amphibians sing their ancient songs and the air hangs thick with stories waiting to be told. The forest stretches out before us, and for a few enchanted hours, it feels as though we belong to it. Day 6 | Quindío | Kiraikai After a morning walk, we set off towards Filandia’s hidden sanctuary—Kiraikai, where nature has been left to whisper its secrets undisturbed. By dusk, the lodge glows like a beacon under the encroaching darkness, and we step out to explore. The night’s air is thick with possibilities, the calls of nocturnal creatures echoing like drums in the distance. Our cameras and eyes become instruments, capturing fleeting instants of existence in a forest bound by ancient rhythms. Day 7 | Valle del Cauca | San Cipriano After an early walk, we depart for San Cipriano, a place so close to myth that reaching it requires a ride on a “brujita”—a contraption of wood and metal, riding the rails like a spell-bound chariot. As we reach the reserve, night descends. By lantern light, we step into the depths of the forest, where the creatures of dusk and shadow emerge. Tonight, the forest and all its mysteries feel ours alone. Day 8 | Valle del Cauca | San Cipriano The day is an ode to amphibians and reptiles, as we delve further into their world. Beneath the canopy, our senses attune to the smallest hints of life, colors blending with shadows, all to the rhythm of an ancient pulse. In the stillness of twilight, we dine under the forest’s embrace. As darkness falls, we take to the trails once more, our final night in San Cipriano alive with discovery. Day 9 | Valle del Cauca | San Cipriano Our last full day in San Cipriano begins with a silent homage to the rainforest. Each creature, each leaf, seems to resonate with the joy of existence. The day unfolds in a dance of light and shadow, of tiny scales and unseen eyes. Evening finds us deep within the forest, our cameras capturing the silent lives unfolding in each humid corner. Day 10 | Valle del Cauca | Return and Farewell Before dawn we set off for a last walk on the Pacific slope of Valle del Cauca, where several threatened poison frogs of the genus Oophaga live. We look for them quietly and from a distance, and the forest decides what we see. Then we drive back to Cali. Note. The end time of the night tours may vary and if someone Wishes to continue the night hike after 23:00, They can do so with one of the guides. Flight schedules may vary, and we are not responsible for any delays that airlines may experience. The duration of ground transfers may also vary due to potential accidents on the road.
OUR WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
OUR WORKSHOP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
We will begin an immersive photographic adventure in nature where you will discover and tell your version of your story through your photographs. We have some recommendations that will be very useful when choosing your equipment depending on the approach you want to explore. We want to travel comfortably and protect our equipment. We’ll give you some tips on what to keep in mind.
Keeping Nature Tours: love for nature, passion for photography.
Luggage Carrying
Accommodation
Complete Feeding
Photographic Assistance
Local Guides
Hydration
Rural lodging
Day and Night Tours
Snacks
Souvenir
Health Insurance
Ground Transport
We will be happy to talk to you and clarify all your doubts about your next photographic experience, select one of our customer service lines, we will answer you as soon as possible.
Each adventure is unique and so is its level of difficulty. Visit our blog to learn how we classify the physical intensity of our tours and find the one that’s right for you.
Keeping Nature Tours is a tour operator that promotes photography, nature tourism, and wildlife observation with the goal of helping to conserve the most threatened ecosystems, which are affected by deforestation, lack of awareness about species, or cultural beliefs.
Through photography and nature tourism, we can showcase the most beautiful side of Colombia, creating new opportunities for the remote communities in our country.
FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS
Copyright 2026 © Keeping Nature Tours
