In just 12 days and 11 nights, an extraordinary adventure awaits you. Get ready to immerse yourself in a thrilling bird photography expedition through Colombia's majestic Andes Range. Venture into diverse and untamed landscapes, where every moment offers the possibility of capturing the rarest and most beautiful birds on Earth. This is not just a trip—it's an adventure for explorers and nature lovers eager to experience the wild magic of avian wonders.

Day 0. Medellín (José María Córdova International Airport) - Jardín

Pick up at San José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, then head to San Rafael, a two -hour drive. Overnight in San Rafael.

Day 1 - 3 San Rafael

1. Today we explore a new reserve searching for the endemic Sooty Ant‑Tanager, Rufous Motmot, Bar‑crested Antshrike (EN), Collared Aracari and Black‑bellied Wren. We may also encounter local wildlife such as the endemic Gray Titi and Night Monkey— a great chance to expand your portfolio with mammals and forest scenes. Overnight in San Rafael.

2. Morning photography session focused on Red‑headed Barbet, White‑mantled Barbet, Great Antshrike, White-bearded Manakin, Striolated Manakin and a variety of tanagers. Guides will position hides and recommend angles to maximize light and behaviour shots. In the afternoon, we run a hummingbird workshop, covering techniques to photograph these fast‑moving jewels—shutter speeds, lighting, backgrounds and composition. Practical demos and hands‑on shooting time included. Overnight at the same lodge.

3. Morning photography targeting Squirrel Cuckoo, Gray‑crowned Wood‑Rail, Slaty Spinetail, Bicolored Wren, Black‑bellied Wren and other understory specialists. Transfer and Overnight in Jardín.

Day 4. Jardin

Today, we will visit two reserves to photograph three emblematic Birds, targets: Oilbird, Green Jay, Red-bellied Grackle [endemic], Crested Ant-Tanager [endemic], Black-chested Jay, Torrent duck, Southern-emerald Toucanet, Andean Motmot and the enigmatic Andean Cock of the Rock, among many others. Transfer to Mistrato. Overnight Mistrato.

Day 5. Mistrato

Today we wake up in the middle of the Western Andes Range to photograph the emblematic Black and Gold Tanager (Endemic), Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Club-winged Manakin, Andean Motmot and Crowned Woodnymph, among others. Then, a road trip to Chinchiná, 2 hours away. Overnight Chinchiná.

Day 6. Chinchina

Today, we spent the day photographing the Blue-necked Tanager, Andean Motmot, Crimson-backed Toucanet, Bay-headed Tanager, Torrent Ducks, Streak-headed Woodcreeper and Turquoise Dacnis (endemic) among many others. Then road trip to Manizales. Overnight: Manizales, 1 hour away.

Day 7 - 9. Manizales

1. Today, we visited several spots to photograph different birds, including the Crescent-faced Antpitta, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, and Barred Fruiteater, among others, as well as hummingbirds and tanagers. Overnight: Manizales.

2. Today, we will visit National Park Los Nevados (one hour away) to photograph the Buffy Helmetcrest (Endemic), as well as some tanagers, including the Hooded Mountain-Tanager, the Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, the Rainbow-bearded Thorbill and the Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager. We will also spot Antpittas and Hummingbirds. Overnight: Manizales.

3. Today, we will head to the mountains to photograph two specific species: the Black-billed Mountain Toucan, the Bicolored Antpitta, and possibly the Ocellated Tapaculo. We will also photograph hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and tanagers. Transfer to Armenia. Overnight: Armenia. 3-hour transfer.

Day 10. Finlandia

Early in the morning, go to a private reserve 30 minutes away that has one of the most exotic birds in Colombia, the emblematic Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, among many others. Transfer to Km 18. 5 hours. Overnight: Km 18.

Day 11. Km 18.

Today, we spent all morning photographing the Multicoloured Tanager (Endemic), Chestnut Wood-Quail (Endemic), Little Tinamu, Toucanets, Tanagers, and Hummingbirds.

Day 12. Dagua.

Today, we will focus on photographing the Toucan Barbet, Glistering-green Tanager, Spot-crowned Barbet, and Green Thorntail, among other birds. Overnight: km 18.

Day 13. Km 18 - (Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, Cali).

After breakfast, we'll drop you off at the airport in time for your flight home.
RETORNO Home.

1. Red-headed Barbet

2. Golden Tanager

3. Colombian Chachalaca (e)

4. Golden-crowned Tanager

5. Multicolored Tanager (e)

6. Golden-naped Tanager

7. Chestnut wood Quail (e)

8. Crimson-rumped Toucanet

9. Orange-bellied Euphonia

10. Chestnut-capped Brushfinch

11. Flame-rumped Tanager

12. Blue-winged Mountain Tanager

13. Black-capped Tanager

14. Scrub Tanager (ne)

15. Southern Emerald-Toucanet

16. Blue-necked Tanager

17. Rufous-throated Tanager

18. Andean Cock-of-the-rock

19. Yellow-eared Parrot (e)

20. Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager

21. Lacrimose Mountain Tanager

22. Tawny Antpitta

23. Ocellated Tapaculo

24. Bicolored Antpitta (e)

25. Black-billed Mountain-Toucan

26. Slaty Brushfinch

27. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan

28. Hooded Mountain Tanager

29. Rufous Chestnut Antpitta

30. Crescent-faced Antpitta

31. Barred Fruiteater

32. Black and Gold Tanager

33. Oilbird

34. Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia

35. Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (e)

36. Gold-ringed Tanager (e)

37. Blue-lored Antbird and more..

1. White-necked Jacobin

2. Green Hermit

3. Tawny-bellied Hermit

4. Greenish Puffleg

5. Fawn-breasted Brilliant

6. Purple-throated Woodstar

7. Western Emerald

8. Steely-vented Hummingbird

9. Brown Inca

10. Black-throated Mango

11. Crowned Woodnymph

12. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

13. Empress Brilliant

14. Blue-headed Sapphire

15. Green Thorntail

16. Violet-tailed Sylph

17. Rufous-gaped Hillstar

18. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

19. Tolima Blossomcrown

20. Shining Sunbeam

21. Rainbow-bearded Thornbill

22. Buff-winged Starfrontlet

23. Green-fronted Lancebill

24. Blak-thighed Puffleg

25. Golden-breasted Puffleg

26. Viridian Metaltail

27. Mountain Avocetbill

28. Purple-backed Thornbill

29. Tourmaline Sunangel

30. Long-tailed Sylph

31. Buffy Helmetcrest

32. Many others.

• Photography equipment with at least two batteries and ample memory card capacity.

• You can bring an external drive, which is necessary for downloading photos daily. Recommended: 10 Terabytes per photographer.

• A computer for editing photos.

• Waterproof clothing for rain and quick-drying clothing.

• Camera rain cover.

• Bring silica gel to store equipment overnight and prevent moisture.

• Sunscreen, hat, or cap.

• Insect Repellent

• Waterproof trekking boots.

• Layers to keep you warm on days 5, 6 and 7, when we are at a high altitude.

• Please ensure your camera is ready with the correct settings for Bird Photography, Hummingbird photography, and mammal photography. We do not recommend changing the settings during the tour. If you ask for help, it is your responsibility.

Retorno does not provide equipment rental or loan services; each individual must bring cameras, lenses, batteries, memory cards, and a computer to carry out the activity under optimal conditions.

Retorno is not responsible if you cannot photograph properly; you are responsible for being ready, alert, and familiar with your camera.

• WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF ANY SPECIES

• Payment must be completed before the tour begins, with 50% due upon booking and the remaining 50% due 30 days prior to the expedition's start date.

• These prices are valid until July 30/2026.

• If you want Day 0 and the night of Day 12 to catch your flight on Day 13, please add the optional add‑on nights.

• Payment by wire transfer and We Travel is 3% recharge; however, payments made by credit card or PayPal are subject to a 5.8% recharge.