At dawn, you'll depart from Hotel Habitel Select to El Dorado International Airport to catch the earliest flight to Yopal, the capital of Casanare. Upon arrival, your driver will take you on a five-hour journey to the Juan Solito Eco Hotel, which provides accommodation for visitors to Hato La Aurora. As you travel through the Eastern Plains of Colombia, you'll not only enjoy breathtaking landscapes but also have the chance to spot birds, caimans, capybaras, giant anteaters, and more. After arriving at Juan Solito, you’ll have lunch and begin your activities, including a safari at Hato La Aurora. By dusk, you'll return to Juan Solito for dinner and a restful evening.

Juan Solito Hotel

Hato La Aurora eBird Hotspot

Early in the morning, you'll leave Juan Solito to immerse yourself in the Hato La Aurora Nature Reserve for a full Colombian safari experience. This day offers the opportunity to spot fascinating bird species such as Syrigma sibilatrix, Pipra filicauda, Hypnelus bicinctus, Paroaria nigrogenis, and many others. Beyond birdwatching, you'll encounter animals like howler monkeys, giant river otters, giant anteaters, Orinoco crocodiles, anacondas, white-tailed deer, capybaras, and even jaguars, as Hato La Aurora holds the highest jaguar population in Colombia. After an adventurous day, you'll return to Juan Solito Eco Hotel for dinner and relaxation.

Juan Solito Hotel

Hato La Aurora eBird Hotspot

Before dawn, you’ll embark on another exciting venture into Hato La Aurora, positioning yourself deep in the reserve before sunrise. This timing increases your chances of spotting the elusive jaguar. After a morning of birdwatching and wildlife observation, you’ll return to Juan Solito for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll begin your return journey to Yopal, where you’ll check in at the Holiday Inn Express Yopal, have dinner, and rest. 

Hato La Aurora eBird Hotspot 

Early in the morning, you’ll depart from the Holiday Inn Express Yopal and head to El Alcaraván Airport to catch the earliest flight to Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca. Upon arrival at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, your driver will take you to a specially selected restaurant for lunch. Afterward, you’ll proceed to La Huerta Hotel, located in the Calima region, where you'll have dinner and spend the night.

Your day begins early with a departure from Hotel La Huerta to the Yotoco Forest Reserve, a protected area managed by the National University of Colombia since 1959. Spanning 559 hectares, Yotoco boasts one of Colombia’s highest biodiversities, home to over 350 bird species, including the Cauca Guan, as well as howler monkeys, armadillos, various orchids, and more. This reserve serves as a research hub for scientists, researchers, educators, and students alike.

After a morning of birdwatching, you will return to Hotel La Huerta for lunch. The afternoon offers flexibility—you can choose to continue exploring the hotel’s trails in search of more birds, relax, organize your photos, or back up your photographs. Dinner and overnight accommodations will again be at Hotel La Huerta.

Yotoco Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465354

After a restful night at La Huerta Hotel, you will head out to the Río Bravo Reserve, a critical conservation area that hosts 522 bird species, including endangered ones such as the Crested Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) and the Guacharaca (Penelope ortoni). The reserve's rich ecosystems are also home to 105 mammal species, 56 amphibian species, and 59 reptile species, many of which are also at risk.

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe an impressive array of birdlife in one of Colombia’s most ecologically diverse regions. After the excursion, you will return to Hotel La Huerta for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax or continue birdwatching on the hotel’s grounds. Dinner and accommodations will be provided at La Huerta once again.

Río Bravo Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5588872

Today, you will depart from Hotel La Huerta and head towards the Laguna de Sonso, approximately a 35-minute drive away. Here, you will have breakfast and lunch at the Horned Screamer Research Center. The Sonso Lagoon is the main wetland in the Cauca River floodplain and is renowned for its high concentration of resident and migratory birds, including species such as the Horned Screamer.

The terrestrial exploration of the lagoon will allow you to observe a variety of wetland and shoreline bird species in their natural habitat. The Sonso Lagoon also serves as a regulatory basin for the Cauca River’s floods and is the last substantial remnant of the native lagoon ecosystem in the Valle del Cauca, supporting various local communities.

After your morning of birdwatching, you will travel to La Araucana Lodge. This lodge offers extreme comfort, catering to birdwatchers from around the world with its luxurious infrastructure, delicious cuisine, and excellent bird photography opportunities. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at La Araucana Lodge.

Sonso Lagoon eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465353

The day begins early with a departure from La Araucana Lodge to Finca Doña Dora, located in El Queremal. This site is a favorite among local and international birders, thanks to its large ficus tree that attracts numerous bird species when fruiting. At Finca Doña Dora, you can observe a wide range of birds, from tanagers and toucanets to Torrent Ducks and the Barred Hawk.

The finca also tells an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication, featuring stunning bird murals painted by tourism agencies and international birders. After a day filled with birdwatching, you will return to La Araucana Lodge for a relaxing evening.

Finca Doña Dora eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4375590

Today, you will depart from La Araucana Lodge to visit the San Antonio Cloud Forest, a natural treasure located just 10 minutes from the hotel. This enchanting cloud forest is home to approximately 360 bird species, including the Semicollared Hawk and the Long-billed Gnatwren, set within a magical environment rich in biodiversity and beautiful orchids.

After exploring the cloud forest, you will visit the Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature Reserve located at Kilometer 18. Here, you can observe up to 270 bird species thriving in the humid, high-altitude forest environment. After a morning filled with birdwatching, you will return to La Araucana Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations.

San Antonio Cloud Forest eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465406

Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7827417

After breakfast, you will be transferred directly to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali for your departure flight. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for choosing Ocampo Expeditions for your birdwatching adventure in the Valle del Cauca. We hope your experience has been rewarding and memorable, filled with unique bird sightings and unforgettable moments. Safe travels!