KEEPING NATURE TOURS

Birds Of The Colombian Andes
Sep 12 | 2025 | The Andes

Discover Colombia's Birding Paradise: Birds of the Colombian Andes Tour

Birds Photo Tour | Andes Mountain Range

Join us on an unforgettable birding tour through the breathtaking landscapes of the Colombian Andes, home to the greatest variety of bird species in the world. Colombia’s incredible diversity of habitats makes it a premier destination for birdwatchers and photographers alike.

During this immersive tour, you’ll explore cloud forests, high-altitude páramos, and lush valleys, all while capturing stunning images of some of the rarest and most colorful bird species on the planet. From vibrant hummingbirds to majestic Andean condors, this experience will take you closer to nature, providing endless photographic opportunities in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a nature photographer, or someone looking to connect with the wonders of Colombia’s wildlife, this birding tour is designed to ignite your passion for avian conservation and photography. Don’t miss your chance to witness why Colombia is the ultimate birding destination!

  • You will learn advanced remote photography techniques focused on the local fauna of Casanare.

 

  • Capture incredible moments of birds in flight in the mystical ecosystem of the Orinoco.

 

  • Live the adventure in search of mammals such as chigüiros, honey bears and anteaters.

 

  • Travel with biologists and nature photographers, take advantage of their experience and trajectory to clarify all your doubts.

 

  • Learn about nature photography through our theoretical and practical methodology, applying what you learn on the spot.
  • Practical lessons inside the tour, birds in action and wildlife
    and wildlife.

 

  • Nocturnal lessons with herpetos, macro-photographic practices with artificial light.

 

  • Group sessions in the field with experts in nature photography.
 

Birds

  • Bar-bellied Woodpecker
  • Barred Fruiteater
  • Black-and-gold Tanager
  • Black-billed Mountain-Toucan
  • Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager
  • Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia
  • Chestnut-crowned antpitta
  • Club-winged Manakin
  • Collared Inca
  • Crescent-faced Antpitta
  • Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
  • Gray-browed Brushfinch
  • Hooded Mountain-Tanager
  • Mountain Velvetbreast
  • Powerful Woodpecker
  • Rufous Antpitta
  • Scaled Fruiteater
  • Sword-billed Hummingbird
  • Tolima Blossomcrown
  • White-throated Screech-Owl
  • Bar-bellied Woodpecker
  • Barred Fruiteater
  • Black-and-gold Tanager
  • Black-billed Mountain-Toucan
  • Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager
  • Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia
  • Chestnut-crowned antpitta
  • Club-winged Manakin
  • Collared Inca
  • Crescent-faced Antpitta
  • Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
  • Gray-browed Brushfinch
  • Hooded Mountain-Tanager
  • Mountain Velvetbreast
  • Powerful Woodpecker
  • Rufous Antpitta
  • Scaled Fruiteater
  • Sword-billed Hummingbird
  • Tolima Blossomcrown
  • White-throated Screech-Owl
  • 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.

  • Follow instructions: Above all others, the most important rule to live by while exploring is to observe and follow all oral instructions given by the tour leader, or lodge or station staff.

  • Protect yourself from the sun at all times: During the explorations we will be exposed to high, low temperatures or humid tropical climates, it is recommended to bring all the elements that protect from the sun such as hats or caps, collars, sunscreen and long sleeve shirts.

  • Basics: You should know and handle the basics of manual photography (aperture, speeds, ISO, focal range). If you do not know these concepts, we recommend you take our basic photography course where you will receive an Introduction to Photography before the photographic tour.

  • Protect your equipment from humidity: Reduce the impact of temperature changes, try to keep the battery out of the camera, this can reduce electronic damage and prolong your charge. Carry dry bags that allow you to keep your equipment isolated from the weather conditions. It is always advisable to carry silica gel, these absorb moisture. After working days you can put your equipment in the dry bag and add plenty of silica gel to absorb the moisture retained by your camera.

  • Take care of your belongings: All our favorite destinations are safe to travel to. You should always be vigilant and take care of your valuable items whenever you find yourself in crowded bus stations, busy city streets and bustling markets.

 Jhonattan Vanegas

Biologist, Herpetologist, and Nature Photographer

One of the best amphibian, reptile and wildlife photographers in Colombia. He leads workshops and photographic tours. He is a biologist and expert in macro-photography, full-time nature photographer and leading tour guide in Colombia.

He has published 14 scientific articles contributing to the knowledge and conservation of various species in Colombia. 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 | Welcome to Colombia | La Florida El Bosque De Las Aves

Your adventure begins at 6:00 AM with a meeting point in Cali (Valle del Cauca). At 6:20 AM, we will head to Km 18, arriving at the stunning Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature site at 7:20 AM. After enjoying breakfast at 7:30 AM, we will dive into the first birdwatching and photographic activities starting at 8:00 AM. After a morning full of bird sightings, we will break for lunch at 1:00 PM, followed by another session of bird photography in the afternoon. At 4:00 PM, we will begin our journey to Queremal, where we will arrive by 5:30 PM and settle into the hotel. Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM, followed by some well-deserved rest.

Day 2 | Valle del Cauca | Doña Dora Birding

An early start awaits at 4:30 AM as we travel to Doña Dora Birding. At 4:50 AM, we will begin a hike to observe the magnificent Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) in its natural habitat. After this exciting experience, we will return by 7:30 AM and enjoy breakfast at 8:00 AM. The rest of the morning will be filled with photography activities, capturing the vibrant bird species of the area. After lunch at 1:00 PM, we’ll continue with more photography in the afternoon. At 4:00 PM, we will head to Buga, arriving at Guadalajara de Buga (Valle del Cauca) by 7:00 PM, where we will check in and relax over dinner at 7:30 PM.

Day 3 | Valle del Cauca | Laguna de Sonso

The day will start with breakfast at 9:00 AM. At 10:00 AM, we will head out for a photography walk, focusing on birds or macro shots. After a midday break and lunch at 1:00 PM, we will continue with an afternoon photography session at 3:00 PM, capturing birds, macro details, or landscapes with natural light. After dinner at 6:00 PM, a night walk will follow at 7:00 PM to photograph more frogs, lizards, and snakes, concluding our day’s adventure by 11:00 PM.

Day 4 | Quindío | El Retorno de los Colibríes Reserva Natural

We will hit the road early, leaving Cajamarca at 5:00 AM for the Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) watching site. Upon arrival at 6:30 AM, we will begin birdwatching before having breakfast on the go around 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, we will continue with photographic activities before heading to El Retorno de los Colibríes for more bird photography, focusing on hummingbirds. Lunch will be at 1:00 PM. At 4:00 PM, we’ll travel to Armenia, arriving by 6:00 PM for dinner and rest at 6:30 PM.

Day 5 | Tolima | Reserva Natural La Rivera

At 7:00 AM, we will drive to the Reserva Natural La Rivera, arriving around 7:45 AM for breakfast. Our morning will be filled with photography activities, focusing on the region’s incredible biodiversity. After a lunch at 1:00 PM, we will set off for Mistrató at 2:00 PM. By 4:30 PM, we will arrive and check into the lodging, ready for a relaxing evening with dinner and rest at 6:30 PM.

Day 6 |Risaralda | Bird’s Home Mistrató

At 6:00 AM, we will leave the lodge and travel to Birds Home Mistrató, arriving by 6:40 AM for breakfast. The morning will be dedicated to birdwatching activities, providing plenty of opportunities for stunning bird photography. After lunch at 1:00 PM, we will head to Manizales, arriving by 5:00 PM for dinner and a well-deserved rest at 6:30 PM.

Day 7 | Caldas | Tinamú Birding

Our day starts at 6:00 AM as we drive to Tinamú Birding. After a 40-minute journey, we’ll arrive at 6:40 AM for breakfast. The birdwatching activities begin at 7:30 AM, where we’ll encounter a variety of species in this beautiful reserve. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM, and by 4:30 PM, we will return to Manizales for dinner and rest at 6:30 PM.

Day 8 | Caldas | Río Blanco Reserva Natural

At 6:00 AM, we will make our way to the Río Blanco Natural Reserve, arriving at 7:00 AM for breakfast. The morning will be spent birdwatching, capturing some of the region’s rare and exotic species through photography. After a lunch at 1:00 PM, we will return to Manizales at 4:30 PM, where dinner will be ready at 6:30 PM, followed by an evening of relaxation.

Day 9 | Caldas | Termales del Ruiz

We will depart at 6:00 AM for Termales del Ruiz, arriving at 7:00 AM for breakfast. After fueling up, we will embark on birdwatching activities, enjoying the unique fauna and thermal springs of the region. Lunch will be at 1:00 PM, followed by a return to Manizales at 4:30 PM, where we will conclude the day with dinner and rest at 6:30 PM.

Day 10 | Caldas | El Color de Mis Revés

Our final day begins with a drive to El Color de mis Reves at 6:00 AM. After arriving at 7:00 AM, we will have breakfast before starting our last birdwatching adventure at 8:00 AM. Following a morning of bird photography, we will have lunch at 1:00 PM. By 4:30 PM, we will return to Pereira, where the tour will conclude at 6:30 PM, bringing this unforgettable experience to a close.

 

 

OUR PHOTO TOUR INCLUDES::

  • All ground transportation, from Cali airport on day one to the end of the tour at Pereira Hotel on day ten.

  • Canoe trip along the laaguna de Sonso for bird photography.
    modation for nine nights in the places described in the itinerary.

  • All meals.

  • Snacks throughout the tour.

  • Guide by Jhonattan Vanegas has spent a lot of time photographing the birds of Colombia.

  • Local guides.

  • Souvenirs.

  • Entrance to the places where we will develop the activities.

  • Medical assistance card.

OUR PHOTO TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE::

  • Expenses not stipulated.
  • Transportation from place of origin to Cali (Valle del Cauca).
  • Transportation from Pereira (Risaralda) to place of origin.
  • Alcoholic drinks within the tour.
  • Tips for local guides and staff during the stay
 

 

  • 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.

  • Follow instructions: Above all others, the most important rule to live by while exploring is to observe and follow all oral instructions given by the tour leader, or lodge or station staff.

  • Protect yourself from the sun at all times: During the explorations we will be exposed to high, low temperatures or humid tropical climates, it is recommended to bring all the elements that protect from the sun such as hats or caps, collars, sunscreen and long sleeve shirts.

  • Basics: You should know and handle the basics of manual photography (aperture, speeds, ISO, focal range). If you do not know these concepts, we recommend you take our basic photography course where you will receive an Introduction to Photography before the photographic tour.

  • Protect your equipment from humidity: Reduce the impact of temperature changes, try to keep the battery out of the camera, this can reduce electronic damage and prolong your charge. Carry dry bags that allow you to keep your equipment isolated from the weather conditions. It is always advisable to carry silica gel, these absorb moisture. After working days you can put your equipment in the dry bag and add plenty of silica gel to absorb the moisture retained by your camera.

  • Take care of your belongings: All our favorite destinations are safe to travel to. You should always be vigilant and take care of your valuable items whenever you find yourself in crowded bus stations, busy city streets and bustling markets.

SERVICES INCLUDED

DATE AND DETAILS OF THE PHOTO TOUR

  • Location: Ten bird photography hotspots described
    in the itinerary
  • Date: 12 al 21 | Sep | 2025
  • Duration: : 10 days | 9 nights
  • Starting point: Valle del Cauca Department
  • End point: Caldas Department
  • Starting time: 09:00 h
  • End time : 13:00 h
  • Level of Physical Demand: Medium.
  • Minimum Capacity : 9 people.
  • How to get there : —————-

VALUE OF YOUR NEXT TRIP

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$ 3.690

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