Southwest Andes Colombia Birding Tour | Uncover Colombia

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Birding Colombia Tour

Short Trips southwest colombia birding tour

Private Tour
From $0 - 6 days
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Adventure to Colombia’s Southwest

Visit the habitats of fascinating endemic and migratory species during this unforgettable birding tour in southwest Colombia. We will cover a variety of different landscapes: from the wetlands, lakes and mountains of the Andes towering 2,800 meters above sea level, to the tropical rainforest of the Pacific Coast. You will have the chance to see a large number of aquatic birds, including endemic and migratory species, at the spectacular Laguna de La Cocha and Isla de La Corota. You will visit the Pacific rainforest in La Planada Nature Reserve (IBA) to see endemic and endangered species such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris). Finally, we will observe a great community of hummingbirds (31 species) in Río Ñambí Nature Reserve (IBA) before visiting a beautiful famous sanctuary.

EXPERIENCE TYPE Birding, Eco-Tourism & Culture

 Birding Colombia Tour
Tour Highlights

Laguna de La Cocha

Located in the southwestern region of the Colombian Andes, La Cocha is the country's second-largest natural body of freshwater. It was recognised as a wetland of international importance under the RAMSAR convention. This Andean lake is located 2,800 meters above sea level and sits 20 kilometres from the capital city of Pasto. About 140 bird species have been registered in La Cocha, including threatened species related to high Andean wetlands such as Yellow-billed Pintail (Anas georgica) and Colorado Duck (Anas cyanoptera). This beautiful lake is also houses a large number of migratory boreal and austral birds.

Fauna & Flora Sanctuary Isla de La Corota

This peaceful island is located in Laguna de La Cocha and is the smallest natural protected area in Colombia. It is an integral part of the entire wetland ecosystem of La Cocha and is the perfect place to spot aquatic birds.

La Planada Nature Reserve

Located in the Pacific side of the Andes Mountains, La Planada is part of the Chocó biogeographic region. It is one of the most bio-diverse coastal tropical rainforests in the world. Nearly 283 bird species have been registered here including endemic and endangered species such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris). La Planada Nature Reserve is also a great place to observe spectacled bears, the last remaining short-faced bear species.

Rio Ñambi Nature Reserve

Nestled in the Pacific coastal foothills of Nariño (one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world) this nature reserve is an IBA with 354 registered bird species. At Rio Ñambí, we will find a great community of hummingbirds (31 species), as well as an extensive variety of butterflies and large animals such as the ocelot, the jaguar and the anteater. At night, we can observe nocturnal plants and animals, such as fluorescent fungus.

San Juan de Pasto

Also known as Pasto, the capital of the department of Nariño sits in the southwestern region of Colombia with a spectacular view of the Galeras Volcano. This city is famous for its beautiful churches and architecture, as well as for the Black and White Carnival.

What to Expect

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1 Travel to Pasto & City Tour and Transfer to La Cocha

Early in the morning, we will pick you up at your hotel in Bogota for your flight to Pasto. After arriving in Pasto, we will have a city tour to see some of the most iconic places of this charming city.

In the afternoon, we will transfer you to your hotel in La Cocha, Colombia’s biggest natural lake.

Overnight: La Cocha - Hotel Chalet Guamez
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2 Birding in La Cocha

There are more than 50 natural reserves around La Cocha. One of the best reserves is El Encanto, which covers nearly 2.5 ha of paramo. The Grey-breated Mountain Tucan is surprisingly common here. The Mountain Cacique (cacicus chrysonotus), Speckle-faced (pionus tumultuosus) and Bronze-winnged parrots (Pionus chalcopterus) amongst other species can also be spotted.

We will also spend some time at La Corota Island to see even more bird species.

 

Overnight: La Cocha - Hotel Chalet Guamez
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 Birding in La Cocha and Visit of the Sanctuary of Las Lajas,

We will spend the morning exploring another natural reserve around La Cocha before travelling to the magnificent Sanctuary of Las Lajas, one of the most unique churches in the world. It was built atop a bridge spanning a gorge below the village of Las Lajas.

We will spend the night in Ipiales.

 

Overnight: Ipiales
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 Birding in Rio Ñambí

Today we will go to Río Ñambí Natural Reserve, located in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. This reserve protects nearly 1,000 ha of pristine rain forest with a high degree of endemism. It is a paradise for observing specialties of the Western Andes and Pacific Rainforest that are difficult to see elsewhere. We will have the opportunity to see more than 30 hummingbird species.

The evening is to explore the reserve and see the unique fluorescent fungus and other plants and nocturnal animals.

 

Overnight: Rio Ñambí Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 Birding in Rio Ñambí and La Planada

We will continue exploring Rio Ñambí in the morning and have the chance to see the near endemic Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) and Rufous-breasted Antthrush (Formicarious rufipectus) amongst other birds.

Then, we will go to La Planada, a natural reserve located in the Pacific slope of the Eastern Andes. This reserve covers 3,200 ha of primary and secondary wet forest with more than 283 species registered here, including the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris) and Club-winged Manakin (Machaeropterus deliciosus).

Overnight: La Planada Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 Birding in La Planada and Flight to Bogota

We will continue exploring other sectors in La Planada Nature Reserve to see more birds, possibly including near-threatened species such as the Orange-fronted Barbet (Capito squamatus) and the Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus).

Overnight:
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Essential Information

What's Included

  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • 5 nights' accommodation
  • Domestic flights
  • Private ground transport
  • Meals as defined in the itinerary
  • Experienced local birding guides fluent in English
  • Entry tickets to all natural parks and reserves mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entry tickets to all touristic places mentioned in the itinerary

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips & other discretionary expenses

How to Book

If you wish to book this tour, please click on the yellow "Book Now" button, select the date, number of people, complete the details and go through a secured online payment platform.

If you have any question or whish to change something, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

 

Accommodations

We have carefully chosen the right accommodations with different styles and standards depending on the cities, small towns or natural reserves visited. We personally ensure that each property has the right combination of features such as cleanliness, location, friendly staff and good service.

We highly recommend!

We had a FANTASTIC experience with Uncover. Nidia and her team organized the most magical 4-day trip to the Colombian Coffee Region. I am Colombian but needed assistance as I wasn’t familiar with the area. We went to the Cocora Valley, Rafting down a river, had a fabulous coffee farm experience and even visited a cacao farm where we got to make artisan chocolate. We traveled with our school aged children...

– Daniela, July 2024

3 Week Tour of Colombia

We feel very fortunate to have chosen Uncover Colombia. Your guides were passionate and professional and informative, the accomodation was exceptional at every stop and most impressively, we were aware of you constantly checking in our wellbeing. We return to Australia with an awareness of Colombia’s variety, vitality and positivity.

– Mal & Michelle, July 2023

Amazing tour with Uncover Colombia - San Agustin, Tierradentro and Tatacoa

My mother and I did a 5-day trip to San Agustin, Tierradentro and the Tatacoa dry forest/desert with Uncover Colombia. It was absolutely brilliant. The communication was great and Nidia helped us to ensure that the trip was tailored to our needs and wishes. Our driver, Jesus, and guide, Jorge, were very friendly and Jorge was very knowledgable. I can highly recommend using Uncover Colombia for your trip!

– Nora, February 2024

Highly Recommended

Uncover Columbia, specifically Helena (who handled all logistical questions pre-trip) Sergio (our amazing guide) helped make an unforgettable 4 day experience as part of our honeymoon.

– Mates, July 2024

Every day a different experience and not a moment wasted

Uncover Colombia did a wonderful job of providing me with a itinerary covering some of the best of Colombia's many highlights covering cities and villages, mountains and beaches, and more, and accommodating my own wishes and preferences. Every day was a different experience and a chance to see something completely different from my own life, not a moment was wasted and I never felt rushed.

–  Robert McTaggart, March 2024

3 Week Tour of Colombia

We feel very fortunate to have chosen Uncover Colombia. Your guides were passionate and professional and informative, the accomodation was exceptional at every stop and most impressively, we were aware of you constantly checking in our wellbeing. We return to Australia with an awareness of Colombia’s variety, vitality and positivity.

– Mal & Michelle, July 2023

4 day Amazonas Tour

It was actually two whole days plus two half days. Everything was well organized. I was accompanied by our guide Sergio from the first to the last minute. He was very nice, helpful and knowledgeable. The program was very exciting and I felt safe and in good hands at any time.

– Rob, February 2023

A perfect organization!

I'm the Italian President of CIGV (Club Internazionale Grandi Viaggiatori) and I decided to organize the trip to Colombia for 14 club members selecting Uncover Colombia agency. The program they made has been fantastic, touching the most interesting sites of this country but also their, guides, drivers and hotel selection I found simply perfect. Not a mistake, never a delay. I would recommend this agency to everyone...

– Luca, January 2023

Great tour of Salt Cathedral

Myself and my wife did a private tour with Juan Carlos to the Salt Cathedral. The tour and Juan Carlos were both great. He had an intimate knowledge of the Salt Cathedral having worked there previously, and also knew a lot about the nearby town and local area. It's a really fascinating structure, and would definitely recommend visiting it if you're in Bogota.

– Barra M, January 2023

Arranged an incredible two week trip

We had an amazing two weeks tour arranged by Uncover Colombia for our honeymoon. Nidia suggested great hotels and activities and made adjustments based on our feedback. All our tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable and professional with excellent English. Great activities in a beautiful country. They've got a UK-base so are ATOL protected - reassuring given uncertainty with travel at the moment. 

– Louise, October 2022

Fantastic 15 day Tour of Colombia

We selected Uncover Colombia after reading their great reviews online and it was definitely the right choice. They were the best communicators and within a few emails back and forwards, we had tailored our perfect tour. We spent 15 days traveling Colombia, with all connections, accommodation and activities being handled by Uncover...

– Ben, September 2022

7 extra days in Colombia

We needed a tailored tour to follow a wedding we were attending and wanted to make the most of our travels. Nidia was helpful, responsive and excellent in organising our trip from Periera to Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota. Everything worked like clockwork. Our 3 guides (one for each place) were also perfect, Andreas, Roberto & Camilo. They knew their stuff, were responsive and very personable.

– Daniel, August 2022

 

Local experts of "Uncover Columbia" is the best

They Organized activities in Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena for the two of us. They modified the activities to our needs of seeing wilderness as well as a local culture. Been around the word a few times, we were a little demanding as well. They came thru on everything at a very reasonable price.. Pays to have local organizers like them who truly know Columbia and the needs of the Clients...

– Dolly, December 2021

THANK YOU

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