Expeditions East, central and southwest colombia birding tour

Arrive at any time. We will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Bogota. Depending on the traffic, the drive from the airport takes around 30-45 minutes.
At the hotel, we will check again your itinerary to make sure everything is clear, help you with anything you may need and give you some practical information about Bogota and Colombia. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may have some time to start exploring the city on your own or just to relax.

Overnight: Bogota – Hilton Garden inn
Meal Plan:

We will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel and head towards Fute Nature Reserve, located about 1.5 hours outside Bogotá in the municipality of Bojacá. The vehicle will take us to a nearby point, and from there, we will walk approximately 200 meters uphill to reach the entrance. Nestled in an Andean forest ecosystem, this reserve offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography, with easily accessible trails and a rich diversity of hummingbirds and other native bird species.

Overnight: Bogota – Hilton Garden inn
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

We will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel and head towards Muisca Birding and surroundings of Bosque Guajira in Guasca, located just two hours from Bogotá. In this incredible area, we’ll go birding through páramo and cloud forest habitats at approximately 2,800 to 3,200 meters above sea level. Some of the target species are the Muisca Antpitta (Grallaria rufocinerea), Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Andean Potoo, Bronze-tailed Thornbill and many more species. 

At the relevant time, we will transfer you to the airport for a flight to Pereira. Upon arrival in Pereira, we will transfer you to Reserva Tinamu. 

Tinamú Nature Reserve is an exceptional destination for birdwatching, thanks to its well-maintained trails and observation points. Located in the coffee region, this reserve is home to over 260 bird species. It spans 11 hectares of tropical rainforest, situated between 1,200 and 1,300 meters above sea level. Visitors to the reserve can observe a variety of birds, including colorful hummingbirds, motmots, tanagers, woodpeckers, and even the elusive Tinamu, which the reserve is named after. 

Upon arrival, we’ll make the most of the remaining daylight by doing some birdwatching along the nearby trails. Afterwards, there will be time to relax and settle in before the adventures planned for the next day.

Overnight: Tinamu Reserve
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

We will spend the day birdwatching at the Tinamu Reserve, a sanctuary known for its rich biodiversity and excellent birding opportunities. Early in the morning, after enjoying a coffee or tea to kick off the day, you will join your guide to begin the birdwatching experience. 
    
Soon after, you’ll explore one of the reserve’s scenic trails, taking advantage of the soft morning light to spot some of the area’s most iconic bird species. After returning for breakfast, the adventure will continue along well-maintained trails and observation points that provide ideal conditions for birdwatching. Around midday, we’ll take a break for lunch and enjoy the beautiful gardens of the lodge, which are the perfect spot to relax and continue observing birds in a more tranquil setting. 

Throughout the day, we’ll have the chance to see a variety of fascinating species, including the Little Tinamou, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Sickle-winged Guan, Colombian Chachalaca, Western Emerald, Greyish Piculet, Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, and Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, among many others.

Overnight: Reserve Tinamu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Very early in the morning, we will depart for the Río Blanco Reserve, one of Colombia’s premier birding destinations and a designated Important Bird Area (IBA). Upon our arrival, we’ll begin exploring the reserve’s well-maintained trails, enjoying the early morning bird activity. After an hour of birding, we’ll pause for breakfast before continuing our walk along the ecological trails.

Río Blanco protects vital cloud forest and páramo ecosystems, which are home to over 350 bird species, including the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta and the near-endemic Bicoloured Antpitta. We may also spot five species of Tapaculo, along with other wildlife such as armadillos, spectacled bears, and butterflies. Around midday, we’ll stop for lunch and appreciate the peaceful surroundings of this essential watershed, which provides water to the city of Manizales. 

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our birding expedition, heading to a strategic viewing point that’s perfect for observing forest-dwelling species and taking in the beauty of this remarkable conservation area.  At the end of the day, you can relax and enjoy a delicious dinner.
 

Overnight: Rio Blanco Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, we will go birdwatching near the hotel. After breakfast, we will embark on our journey to a lodge near Otún Quimbaya, which takes about 2.5 hours.
Once we arrive, we will explore the surrounding area, which is full of excellent birding opportunities. One of the best stopping points is the first bridge, located just before the gate over the Otún River. From this location, we have a good chance of spotting species such as the Torrent Duck, Torrent Tyrannulet, and Black Phoebe. It's an ideal spot to pause and observe these birds in their natural habitat.
 

Overnight: Hotel Casa Kumanday
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

We will spend the day birding in the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, a nationally protected area spanning 1,208 acres of pristine Andean cloud forest. Situated between 5,741 and 7,382 feet above sea level, this sanctuary is nestled within the larger Otún River watershed, making it a vital habitat for wildlife. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here, including notable residents such as the Torrent Duck, Cauca Guan, Wattled Guan, and Chestnut Wood-Quail. The sanctuary’s rich biodiversity and diverse elevations create an ideal environment for birdwatching, offering opportunities to observe both rare and endemic species in their natural cloud forest habitat.

At the end of the day, we will go to the airport for your flight to Bogota. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel.

Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Early in the morning we will pick you up to transfer to the airport for your flight to Ipiales. Upon arrival at San Luis Airport, your journey begins with a visit to the breathtaking Las Lajas Sanctuary, a neo‑Gothic masterpiece spanning the Guáitara River canyon. While admiring its dramatic architecture and panoramic views, you’ll spot species such as the Striped‑throated Bush‑Tyrant and the Torrent Duck, perfectly blending birdwatching with cultural discovery.

Next, a short stop at Potosí offers the chance to observe the Giant Hummingbird and the White‑capped Dipper along pristine mountain streams — a highlight for photographers and bird enthusiasts alike.

The experience concludes with lunch in Ipiales and check‑in at the Hotel Loft, where comfort awaits after a morning filled with natural wonders and cultural treasures. This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking to maximize a half‑day with a balance of birding and heritage in southern Colombia

Overnight: Ipiales – Hotel Loft
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning departure to La Nutria Reserve, with strategic birding stops along the route. At Nalnoa, we will search for the Andean Duck (Oxyura ferruginea) and look for possible migratory species associated with high-Andean wetlands. A second stop at Granja Chimangual in Panamal will focus on the beautiful Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca turcosa), along with other characteristic montane forest species. Arrival at La Nutria Reserve in the afternoon, with additional birding opportunities around the lodge grounds.

Overnight: La Nutria Reserve Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

The day begins with an early morning departure from Ipiales, heading towards the La Nutria Reserve, a remarkable conservation area surrounded by lush Andean forests. The first stop is at the Nalnoa wetlands, where the Andean Duck is the main target species, with good chances of spotting seasonal migratory birds. Around midday, the group enjoys lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the journey.

In the afternoon, the route passes near the Ñambí Reserve, a cloud forest known for its biodiversity, before reaching Hotel La Nutria. This rustic lodge, located close to the reserve, offers a comfortable setting to relax and prepare for the next day’s birding adventures.
 

Overnight: La Nutria Reserve Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

We will begin the day with birdwatching at the feeders before breakfast, enjoying hummingbirds and tanagers in close view. After breakfast, we will depart for the Ñambí Reserve, a cloud forest renowned for its biodiversity and excellent birding opportunities. Around midday, we will return to the main road and have lunch at Aves y Flores Lodge, a local spot with bird feeders that make the meal part of the birding experience.

In the afternoon, we will continue to Bangsias on the road to Barbacoas, targeting specialties such as the Moss‑backed Tanager, Esmeraldas Antbird, Stub‑tailed Antbird, Rufous‑brown Solitaire, Yellow‑collared Chlorophonia, Chocó Vireo, Black Solitaire, Brilliant Green Tanager, and the Indigo Flowerpiercer. Later, we will transfer to the Laguna de La Cocha area and settle into Pucara Lodge, a comfortable base for the next stage of the birding adventure.

Overnight: Pucará Lodge
Meal Plan:  Breakfast, Lunch

Early in the morning, depart for Bordoncillo to target specialties such as the Masked Mountain Tanager, Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut‑bellied Cotinga, Golden‑crowned Tanager, and Sapphire‑winged Hummingbird. By late morning, continue birding at the lake, focusing on Andean Duck, Ecuadorian Rail, Subtropical Doradito, and Andean Gull. In the afternoon, transfer to Pasto, with possible midday birding along the Río Pasto, where highlights may include Tufted Tit‑Tyrant, Cinereous Conebill, Black‑billed Shrike‑Tyrant, and Hooded Siskin, rounding out a diverse day across high‑altitude forests, wetlands, and urban habitats.

Overnight: Pucará Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

At the time requested, we will transfer you to the airport for your international flight back home.

Note: Hotel check-out before 12pm

Overnight: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast