About this trip.

In South America there is nothing like the Andes, despite being a single mountain range, in the south of Colombia the Andes split in 3 different branches creating a unparalleled variety of ecosystems and habitats from the tropical forest in the lowlands to the top of the mountains above the Paramo. As a result, the biodiversity which inhabits the Colombian Andes is not only astonishing but also special, tons of birds, cryptic mammals, butterflies and orchids beautify the mountains, making it a paradise for birdwatchers, naturalist and photographers. This trip has been careful designed to increase the chances to get a beautiful collection of bird photos, including a wide variety of endemic and rare species. During our Andes trip we will be visit some of the best photography spots on the eastern central and cordilleras, loaded with colorful birds, endemics and range restricted species and also with high chances for some mammals and other biodiversity. Colombian Andes is a naturalist delight.

The second portion in the llanos, also known as the Eastern Plains, offers a unique wildlife experience that can be compared to a safari. Los Llanos is a vast region of grasslands and wetlands that is teeming with diverse wildlife, this immense plain is furrowed by wide rivers that at slow speed cross the savannahs. Along the rivers, the gallery and riparian forest and out in the open savannas, the ponds and wetlands are the greatest shelter for wildlife. During the dry season, the surviving bodies of water become a place of congregation of fauna that offers a magnificent show, literally thousands of birds and wildlife all over the place creating a natural scenario, it provides a fascinating opportunity to explore a lesser-known but equally captivating wildlife destination in Colombia. This tour promises an incredible adventure through the vast and diverse ecosystems of this region, a place to enjoy a Colombian-style safari.

On your arrival a driver will be waiting for you to transfer to the hotel. At evening meet and greet, welcome dinner with the group and tour leader.

Night at: Hilton Garden Inn or similar near the airport - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bogatgi-hilton-garden-inn-bogota-airport/

Dinner included.

Chingaza area is located in the outskirts of Bogotá, the buffer area is above the town of la Calera. After an early departure from Bogotá, we will drive 1.5h in order to reach the subparamo an start our birding session on the gravel road that leads to the national park. The gravel road is flanked by the typical high elevation ecosystems, bushy areas and low trees and eventually reach the paramo in higher elevations.  This high Andean ecosystems are home of many range restricted birds. We are planning to reach Eco Palacio by midday. 

Pace: Easy

Conditions: gravel road, 3000 - 3500 masl (9000 – 11.000 ft)

High chances: Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Superciliared Hemispingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Golden-fronted Redstar, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren.

Night at: EcoPalacio - http://ecopalaciochingaza.co/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Full day in the paramo in search of the Spectacled bear and birds in the high elevations into the national park. Our morning will be in the high elevation open paramo ecosystem and the trails we will be walking depends on local rangers’ information about Spectacled bear sighting – our main target - Palacio and areas surrounded are known as one of the best spots for Spectacled bear. In the mean time we will have chances for paramo birds including top ones like the Green-bearded Helmetcrest. 

Pace: moderate

Conditions: gravel road and singletracks 3000 - 3700 masl (9000 – 11.600 ft)

High chances: Spectacled Bear, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Rufous-browed Conebill, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Superciliared Hemispingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Golden-fronted Redstar, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren.

Night at: EcoPalacio - http://ecopalaciochingaza.co/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Last morning into Chingaza national park, today´s plans depends on our missing targets. We will have the last chance to work on birds and/or bear or simply walk in the paramo in order to get phoyos of the magnificent and unique landscape that the paramo provides. Midday transfer to the town of Guasca or Sesquilé

Pace: moderate

Conditions: gravel road and singletracks 3000 - 3700 masl (9000 – 11.600 ft)

High chances: Spectacled Bear, Green-bearded Helmetcrest, Rufous-browed Conebill, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Rufous-browed Conebill, Superciliared Hemispingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Golden-fronted Redstar, Masked Flowerpiercer, Grass Wren.

Night at: Guasca or Sesquilé. https://hotelcasamanoa.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

We will start early morning to drive 1.5h to reach the high Andean forest and enjoy a beautiful birding session in a rural área of concepcion. The rural area is flanked by high Andean forest, secondary forest and dairy farmhouses and provides home for several range restricted species of the Colombian eastern Andes including some endemics and near endemics. After the forest walk we Will reach Bosque Guajira, a private reserve amidst the mountains and enjoy a hummingbirds photo session.

Pace: easy to moderate

Conditions: rural unpaved road, High Andean forest at 3000 masl (9000 ft)
High chances: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Longuemare´s Sunangel, Mountain Cacique, Muisca Antpitta, Green and Black Fruiteater, Slaty Brush Finch, Superciliared Hemispingus, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Tyrian Metaltail.

Night at: Guasca or Sesquilé. https://hotelcasamanoa.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast we will drive to the outskirts of the town of la Calera and visit the hummingbirds observatory, an excellent spot with hummingbird feeders, perfect to photograph some of the restricted species to the eastern Andes. Despite there is no primary forest in the property, the secondary growth and bushes are home of at least 12 different species of hummingbirds and other birds. At midday we will be transfer to el Dorado airport to take a 45 min flight to the city of Yopal.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: hummingbirds at feeders, birds around the garden. 3000 masl (9000 ft)

High chances: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Blue-throated Starfronlet, Glowing Puffleg, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Metaltail, Mountain Velvetbreast, Slaty-backed Chat Tyrant, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Tourmaline Sunangel among others.

Night at: Yopal – Holiday inn. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/yopal/eypex/hoteldetail?

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Early morning 5 hours ground transfer to Hato la Aurora.

Hato la Aurora is a 17.000 hectares ranch, the private property has been using partially for cattle ranching but also for conservation. Along the property we will find the Ariporo river, the gallery and riparian forest along the rivers and small creeks and the open flooded savannas with ponds and wetlands, home of a vast biodiversity. During the dry season and around the remnant over-summer water bodies, there is a congregation of wildlife: Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Ducks but also mammals tend to stay nearby and this place turns into beautiful scenarios for watching and photographing giving incredible chances to capture scenes but also to play with the light and imagination, that’s why we will stay here and on the next couple of days to explore the ranch in the way to maximize our chances of sights and photos.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: Birds and wildlife in natural scenarios. 300 masl (900 ft)

High chances: Scarlet Ibis, Orinoco Goose, Pale-headed Jacamar, Hoatzin, Jabiru, Sharp-tailed Ibis, Buff-necked Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Whistling Heron, Wire-tailed Manakin, Crested Oropendola, Oriole Blackbird, Horned Screamer, Sunbittern Crab-eating Fox, Spectacled Caiman, Green Anaconda, Capybara, White-tailed Deer, Giant Anteater, Red-Howler Monkey. 

Night at: Ecolodge Juan Solito – www.juansolito.com

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Riverboat excursion, open car Safaris and short walks through the ranch to witness and photograph the incredible biodiversity.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: Birds and wildlife in natural scenarios. 300 masl (900 ft)
Night at: Ecolodge Juan Solito –  www.juansolito.com

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Night walks at Hato la Aurora are available during our days there, some widllife like: Crab-eating Fox, Coachwhips or Boas could be spotted. 

Riverboat excursion, open car Safaris and short walks through the ranch to witness and photograph the incredible biodiversity.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: Birds and wildlife in natural scenarios. 300 masl (900 ft) Night at: Ecolodge Juan Solito – www.juansolito.com

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Night walks at Hato la Aurora are available during our days there, some widllife like: Crab-eating Fox, Coachwhips or Boas could be spotted. 

Last morning in the field. Our morning plans depend on our targets. At midday we will drive 2.5 h back to the city of Yopal to take a 45min flight back to Bogotá. 

Pace: Easy to moderate

Night at: Hilton Garden Inn airport: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bogatgi-hilton-garden-inn-bogota-airport/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast we will have a morning 1h flight to Cali, on arrival we will drive for about 1.5h above the city of Cali in order to reach our lodge. 

Cali is located in the Cauca river valley, right behind the city, rises up the western Andes and this branch, provides a completely different set of birds. On the coming days we will explore the best places for birds, starting with our lodge grounds, which have records for over 200 bird species.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: birds at feeders and possible walk in the property. 1800 masl (6000 ft.)

High chances: Bar-crested Antshrike, Parker´s Antbird, Green Honeycreeper, Golden Tanager, Andean Motmot, Thick-billed Euphonia, Black-throated Mango, White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Andean Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird.

Night at: Araucana lodge. https://www.araucanalodge.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Our morning will be atop of the western Andes in the pass locally known as km 18. On the ridge an IBA (important birds area) is located and the cloud forest around is home of many beautiful species, including astonishing colorful and endemic birds. Both, La Florida and San Felipe are farmhouse surrounded by this forest, those places has been perfectly setting for birdwatching and birds photography, there we will enjoy, the forest and the feeders in the way to increase our chanches for good sights. Tanagers, Hummingbirds and Toucanets are in the menu.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: birds and mammals, forest and feeders at 2100 masl (6800 ft.)

High chances: Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colombian Chachalaca, Golden Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Andean Motmot, Crimson-rumped Toucanet,  Andean Emerald, White-booted Racket-tail, Red-tailed Squirrel, Central American Agouti.

Night at: Araucana lodge. https://www.araucanalodge.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

One hour from our lodge is located Doña Dora´s house. The place is on the western slope of the western Andes at mid elevation in the old road that leads to the pacific, the area is surrounded by primary and secondary growth rain forest and it is home for tons of colorful birds as well some of the most sought after by photographers. Through the years, Mrs Dora has made her home a birds paradise specially for birds photographer and easy birders by setting different feeding stations under a fig tree. After lunch we will drive 2.5h to the city of Buga.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: bird feeders at 1300 masl (4200 ft.)

High chances: Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Silver-throated Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Black-headed Brush-Finch, Green Thorntail, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Honeycreeper, Red-headed Barbet, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Chestnut-headed Oropendola.

Night at: Buga. https://hotelguadalajara.com.co/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Early morning 1.5h transfer to Parque de la Uva. This private park is mainly a grapes crop, but in the backyards some aloe vera plantations are often visited by the Spectacular Ruby Topaz, which is our main target. We will stay in the área during the morning walking along this crops in order to have chances to watch and photograph this bird. At midday we will star to diver towards northwest on the way to Montezuma.

4h transfer.

Pace: Easy 

Conditions: crops and bushes at 1000 masl (3000 ft)

High chances: Ruby Topaz, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Bar-crested Antshrike, Greyish Piculet, Blue-black Grassquit, Spectacled Parrotlet.

Night at: Mistrató - Brisas del Rio

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Mistrató is a small town located on the western slope of the western andes, in the buffer area of Tatamá national natural park. Above the town, the rainforest is home for several birds and orchids spcies restricted to the western Andes in Colombia. In the area we have two main roads for birding: san Antonio and Costa Rica, both are 2.4km long gravel roads flanked with primary or secondary old growth forest but also a nice farm house with birds feeders to increase our chances for photography.

Mistrató also provides excellent opportunities to photograph orchids, the rainforest of the pacific slope on the western Andes is home of a vast diversity of orchid species and despite they only blooms once a year, some species could be spotted during our sessions in the mountains.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: birds at feeders and rain forest. 1700-2300 masl (6000-8000 ft)

High chances: Black and Gold Tanager, Velvet-purple Coronet, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Greenish Pufflegs, Purplish-mantled Tanager, Empress Brilliant, Club-winged Manakin, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Masked Flowerpiercer, Collared Inca.

Night at: Mistrató - Brisas del Rio

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Our morning plans depends on our missing targets. We can visit last time the farm house with feeders or walk along the forest above the town. At midday we will depart to the city of Manizales – 5h – located on the central cordillera.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: birds in the rainf forest or at feeders. 1600-2400 masl (6000-8000 ft)

High chances: Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Greenish Pufflegs, Green-crowned Brilliant, Bar-crested Antshrike, Blackish Rail, Greyish Piculet, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Andean Motmot

Night at: Manizales – Recinto del pensamiento or similar. https://recintodelpensamiento.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Located 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the city of Manizales, on the slopes of the central cordillera, Hacienda el bosque is a beautiful place surrounded by high Andean forest. The whole place has been adapted for an easy birding and bird’s photography, in that way there are 3 different bird photography spots and also the trails into the hacienda are very productive in terms of birds and birds’ photography. The high chances list includes amazing birds, some of them very uncommon and range restricted.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: Birds at forest feeders and into the forest, hummingbird feeders. 3000 masl (9000 ft)

High chances: Crescent-faced Antpitta, Equatorial Antpitta, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Barred Fruiteater, Sickle-winged Guan, Andean Guan, Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-throated Quail Dove, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Paramo Seedeater, Grey-browed Brush-Finch.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Night at: Termales del Ruiz or similar. https://termalesdelruiz.com/

Today we will explore the Paramo ecosystem and their incredible birds and landscapes at los Nevados National Natural Park. Early in the morning we will work at the hummingbird feeders around the hotel´s garden where we will have high chances for some beautiful birds and later in the morning we will explore the higher areas at 4000 masl (12000 ft) with a different set of birds. Everything at the paramos is very special and unique.

At the afternoon we will drive 1.5h to a lower elevation towards our next spot.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: Birds at feeders around the hotel and then natural condition on the paramo, 4000 masl (12000 ft)

High chances: Buffy Helmetcrest, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Shinning Sunbeam, Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Shinning Sunbeam, Stout-billed Cinclodes.

Night at: Termales del Ruiz – www.termalesdelruiz.com

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Last morning at los Nevados, today we will search for and photograph any missing targets before depart to a lower elevation area.

Pace: Easy to moderate

Conditions: gravel road. 3400masl (10000 ft)

High chances: Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Black-headed Hemispingus, Blue-backed Conebill, Ocellated Tapaculo, Masked Trogon, Golden-fronted Redstar, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Buff-winged Starfronlet, Black-thiged Puffleg among others.

Night at: Tinamú. https://tinamubirding.com/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Tinamú ecolodge is near the city of Manizales, at mid elevation, facing the Cauca river valley and surrounded by shade ground coffee, secondary growth forest and patches of primary forest. Due to the junction of different habitats, there are chances for a lot of birds. The birding session take place in the gravel road near the lodge, the garden and singletracks into the reserve.  The Tanager and hummingbird feeders at Tinamu, also provide plenty opportunities for photography and good sights.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: Birds at feeders around the lodge and then natural condition on shade ground coffee, 1600 masl (6000 ft)

High chances: Guira Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Andean Motmot, Golden-Collared Manakin, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Western Emerald, Comon Potoo, Little Tinamu, Whiskered Puffbird, Grey-fronted Dove

Night at: Tinamú lodge - https://tinamubirding.com/
All meals here.

After breakfast we will depart to the town of Jardin, located in the western Andes. The drive trought the Cauca river valley takes around 5h. after arrival to the colonial colorful town we could have a chill out afternoon walking in the streets or even have a quick visit to the Andean Cock of the Rock lek.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: lek area

High chances: Andean Cock of the Rock

Night at: https://hotelvaldiviaplaza.co/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Behind the town of Jardin, the cordillera rises up all the way to 2800 masl (10000 ft). The area above the town is covered by primary and secondary high Andean forest and is home of very interesting and beautiful biodiversity. Our main plan is to visit a local farmhouse running by campesinos (pheasants) whose have dedicated their life of birds and wildlife protection and have settled their property to maximize the chances to watch birds and a very unusual Tiger Cat (Oncilla) which is the smallest and one of the most uncommon cats. During our day we will be able to visit Antpittas feeding stations, hummingbird feeders but also the forest around usually give good chances for other birds.

Pace: Moderate

Conditions: Birds at feeders around the farmhouse and natural conditions at the forest. To reach the Antpittas feeding stations we have to walk on a muddy forest single track 2800 masl (9000 ft)

High chances: Chami Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Grey-browed Brush-Finch, Long-tailed Sylph, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Green Jay, Acorn Woodpecker, Green and Black Fruiteater, Speckled Hummingbird, Slaty Brush-Finch, Tiger Cat (Oncilla).

Night at: Jardin, Antioquia. https://hotelvaldiviaplaza.co/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Today we will work in 2 exceptional places and very close to the town of Jardin. Our first spot is Bambusa farmhouse, located 20 minutes away from the town and surrounded by secondary growth forest and shade ground coffee is a beautiful place for an easy birding and birds photography around the feeders. Our second spot is only five blocks from the towns main plaza, Jardin de rocas is a local reserve in charge to take care of the Andean Cock of the Rock lekking area, with excellent chances for the perfect photo of this iconic bird. Not only the Cock of the Rock is around but also other good birds show off!

After lunch we will drive 3.5 hours to the city of Medellin, our hotel is located near the Rio Negro international airport. Farewell dinner at night.

Pace: Easy

Conditions: Birds at feeders around the farmhouse and then natural conditions at the lekking area, 1600 masl (6000 ft)

High chances: Red-bellied Grackle, Andean Cock of the Rock, Crested Ant-Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Green Jay, Streak Saltator, Western Emerald, Green Hermit, Scrub Tanager.

Night at: Medellín – Movich las Lomas www.movichhotels.com/en/hotel-laslomas-in-medellin/

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Time to say goodbye 

Hotel-airport shuttle bus available every hour.

Meals: Breakfast

William started watching birds at an early age in his hometown Gracias, Lempira, Honduras. William’s first career was with the government, where he eventually became a math professor and later worked for a NGO helping communities to develop. He wisely decided on a complete change of career and started birding in 2005, rapidly becoming a key member of the Honduran Ornithology Association of Honduras. William is also one of the best bird photographers, he is very good using his scope and do digiscoping of some of the most amazing birds through the Americas. He got the first video footage of the rare Blue-bearded Helmetcrest in Santa Marta Colombia. William has travelled extensively in search of birds, visiting over 20 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, South and Central America. He has spent considerable time in the field. He also created the first youth birdwatching club in Honduras named Tanunas. William has a long experience and skills as a tour leader

Alejandro is a Colombian biologist, profesional guide, birdwatcher since 2009, birding guide since 2011. Main interest: bird & wildlife photography. As a biologist his main interest was related to seed dispersal by birds in the Colombian Eastern plains. Eventually he moved south in Colombia to research the change of bird composition in the Orinoco-Amazon transition near the area of Guaviare. Alejandro has been guiding birdwatching tours full time since 2015

Began my photography journey in 1993 with Film, but really took off with the advent of digital. Have always shot with Canon Cameras and recently upgraded to a Canon R6 II with a 100=500 lens which I couple with a 1.4 Extender when necessary.  

My love is hummingbirds which we don't have in New Zealand - and with half the species in Colombia, it makes sense to chase them there.

My love of wildlife has seen me travel to Africa, USA, Costa Rica and Honduras.

When not travelling I'm either working on my images or helping others in my capacity of a PSNZ judge.