Expeditions Colombia Birding Photography Tour

Located in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, just two hours from Bogotá, Muisca Birding Nature Reserve is nestled in the municipality of Guasca. This reserve spans over 30 hectares dedicated to the conservation of the páramo ecosystem, a unique high-mountain environment.

Here, you’ll find a rich variety of bird species, including the Andean Potoo, the Muisca Antpitta and many others, making this a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. What’s more, we can assure you that you’ll capture outstanding shots for your photography and if you’re very lucky, you might even spot the famous spectacled bear.

Target species: Muisca Antpitta, Coppery-bellied Puffleg, Bronze-tailed Thornbill, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown-breasted Parakeet, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Black-billed Mountain-toucan, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-chested Mountain-tanager and Andean Potoo.

Photo by: Fredy Alfonso

The Bogotá Botanical Garden is a major tourist attraction, covering an area of 20 hectares where, in addition to flora and fauna observation, you’ll also find a centre for research and conservation.

Bogotá is home to over 200 bird species, and the Botanical Garden has historically recorded around 90 of them, making it a site of great importance for conservation and environmental balance.

Target species: Southern Lapwing, Bare-faced Ibis, Striated Heron, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Sparkling Violetear, Purple Gallinule, Mountain Elaenia, Tropical Kingbird, Brown-bellied Swallow, Shiny Cowbird.

Phot by: Botanical Garden

Km 18 is recognized as one of the best birdwatching spots near Cali, nestled in the lush cloud forests of the Western Andes. Located along the road from Cali to Buenaventura at around 1,900 meters above sea level, this area is known for its outstanding bird diversity and accessibility.

Bosque La Florida, a private reserve within Km 18, offers well-maintained trails, bird feeders, and observation points, making it ideal for both birdwatchers and bird photography enthusiasts. Thanks to its elevation and forest cover, the area hosts an impressive number of hummingbirds, tanagers, woodcreepers, and Andean forest species. Over 340 species have been recorded here, and bird activity is constant throughout the day, especially around feeders.

Target species: Multicoloured Tanager, Golden-winged Manakin, Red-headed Barbet, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Little Tinamou, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Booted Racket-tail, Speckled Hummingbird, and Montane Woodcreeper.

In the heart of the Anchicayá River Canyon in Valle del Cauca, Doña Dora stands as an iconic destination for birdwatching in Colombia. This natural haven, surrounded by lush rainforest and mountains, offers a unique experience of biodiversity. Within just 150 square meters, visitors can spot between 28 and 60 bird species each day. The vibrant colors, melodic songs, and fascinating behaviors of the birds make every visit truly remarkable.

One of the most striking species is the Toucan Barbet, known for its multicolored plumage and symphonic call. Since 2010, Doña Dora has welcomed birdwatchers, biologists, and photographers from around the world. Her conservation efforts have made this site a model for community-based ecotourism.Doña Dora Birding has recorded over 500 bird species in the Anchicayá area, which includes four endemic species, 54 near-endemic species, and 10 threatened species.

Target species: Green Hermit - Velvet-purple Coronet - Purple-bibbed Whitetip - Toucan Barbet -Spot-crowned Barbet - Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager and Crested Ant-Tanager.

Photo by: Elber Sanchez

This national protected area was created in 1996 and belongs to the "Bosques del Oriente de Risaralda" IBA (Important Bird Area). It is located on the west slope of the Central Andes in an area well recognised for its biological richness and of course its birds. The sanctuary covers 1,208 acres between 1,749 and 2,250 meters above sea level, where clouds drench the mountains with misty rains.

Target species: Wattled Guan, Torrent Duck, Crested Ant-Tanager, Red-ruffed fruitcrow, Cauca Guan, Sickle-wing Guan,Chestnut Wood-Quail, Stiles’s Tapaculo,Hooded Antpitta, Bronze-winged Parrot, Bar-crested Antshrike, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow,parker’s antbird and Crested Ant-tanager.

Los Nevados National Natural Park is located in Colombia’s coffee region, surrounded by snow-capped volcanic peaks. The park is home to unique flora and fauna that captivate every visitor. Its distinctive mountain vegetation and more than 30 species of hummingbirds make it a truly special destination.

You’ll also find hummingbirds, eagles, parrots, and condors, along with towering wax palms and frailejones, creating the perfect setting for stunning, one-of-a-kind photographs.

Target species: Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Many-striped Canastero, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, and Buffy Helmetcrest.

Rio Blanco is an important IBA and conservation area that is already recognised as one of the best bird watching sites in Colombia. The reserve has an altitudinal range of between 2,239 and 3,699 meters, covers an area of 7,949 acres and protects cloud forests and paramo. More than 335 species have been recorded here, including several endemics and endangered species.

Target species: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Rusty-faced Parrot, Colombian Chachalaca, Bar-crested Antshrike, Parker’s Antbird, Scrub Tanager, Little Tinamou, Gray-headed Dove, Tropical Screech-Owl, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Western emerald and Smoky-brown Woodpecker.

Phot by: Alejandro Grajales

The Cock of the Rock Lek Reserve located only a few minutes from Jardin, is dedicated to protecting the vibrant Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus). This bird is the reserve's primary attraction, and it was named after the “lek,” a communal breeding ground where male cocks-of-the-rock gather to perform elaborate dances and calls to attract females.

Target species: Red-bellied Grackle, Colombian Chachalaca, Parker’s Antbird, Crested Ant-Tanager, Andean Cock-of-the-rock and many more.

Photo by: Alejandro Ramirez

The Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve, near Jardín - Antioquia, was established to protect the critically endangered Yellow-eared Parrot, a species once thought to be extinct. Thanks to conservation efforts, visitors now have the chance to observe these vibrant green and yellow birds in their natural habitat, as well as other high-Andean species.

Target species: Yellow-eared Parrot, Dusky Starfrontlet, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Ocellated Tapaculo, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Crested Oropendola, Parker’s Antbird, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Munchique Wood-wren, Golden-headed Quetzal, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Chestnut-naped Antpittas and many more.

Los Flamencos Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, located just 20 minutes from Riohacha, spans over 7,000 hectares of wetlands, including mangroves, coastal lagoons, and dry forest. It's best known for its stunning pink flamingos, whose vibrant colour and flocking behavior create a truly unforgettable sight. The sanctuary is also home to more than 150 bird species, including herons, ducks, and gulls, which can be seen throughout the year.

Target species: American flamingo, Caspian tern, Brown Pelican, Sanderling,Buffy Hummingbird.

Photo by: Cristian Sierra

This reserve protects some 1,729 acres of cloud forest between 900 and 2,599 meters above sea level and was created to protect part of this important area of endemism called Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, which is part of the buffer zone of Sierra de Santa Marta National Park.

Target species: Santa Marta Brush-Finch, Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta Antbird, Santa Marta Tapaculo, Santa Marta Woodstar, Santa Marta Blossomcrown, Santa Marta Bush-Tytant, Santa Marta Sabrewing, Santa Marta Wood-Wren, Santa Marta Screech-Owl, White-lored Warbler, White-rumped Hawk, Coppery Emerald, Streak-capped Spinetail and White-tipped Quetzal.

Hilton Garden Inn Bogotá is a modern and comfortable hotel located in one of the city’s most vibrant areas, ideal for leisure travelers. Guests enjoy spacious, well-equipped rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, delicious on-site dining, and convenient access to major business districts, shopping centers, and cultural attractions. Backed by the renowned Hilton brand, the hotel ensures high-quality service, comfort, and reliability throughout your stay.

Araucana Lodge is a charming 10-room boutique lodge nestled in a bamboo and palm grove on a 30-acre farm in Colombia’s Western Andes, just 40 minutes from Cali. Surrounded by forests, orchards, and hiking trails, the lodge offers a peaceful setting for birdwatching, nature walks, and farm-to-table dining. Originally established in the 1950s by the Calonje family and named after their Chilean heritage, Araucana Lodge now welcomes birders from around the world, drawn by its rich biodiversity and prime location for birding adventures.

Hotel Casa Kumanday is a boutique hotel close to the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. It offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of the Coffee Cultural Landscape. The hotel has stylish, comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and modern amenities. This beautiful hotel balances rustic charm and contemporary comfort. 

This is a mountain retreat located at over 3,500 meters above sea level in the Colombian Andes, near Los Nevados National Natural Park. Surrounded by páramo landscapes and rich biodiversity, the hotel offers cozy accommodations, thermal hot springs, a restaurant with local cuisine, and spectacular views. It’s an ideal destination for relaxation, birdwatching, and nature exploration in a peaceful, high-altitude setting.

Casa Passiflora is a boutique hotel located in Jardín, Antioquia, inspired by the beautiful Passiflora Jardinensis. Designed to preserve the town’s traditional colonial architecture and decor, the hotel blends classic charm with modern touches and top-quality service—offering the best of both worlds in one place. Guests can relax in the exclusive outdoor patio featuring pergolas, lounge areas, tables, chairs, sunbeds, a restaurant and bar service.

Casa Origen is a boutique hotel located in the Los Naranjos area, at kilometer 33 on the Santa Marta – Riohacha road, within the Barlovento area, just 5 minutes from the main entrance of Tayrona National Park, El Zaino.

It is a place to disconnect, relax, and unwind in a setting filled with comfort, exclusivity, connection with nature, and excellent cuisine.

This mountain birding lodge in the Sierra Nevad de Santa Marta is located at 1,640 meters above sea level, the lodge offers a simple yet charming retreat perfectly positioned for exploring the renowned birding hotspots of Minca and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It features a spacious veranda overlooking a flower-filled garden frequented by hummingbirds, with sweeping panoramic views toward the Caribbean. The sunsets are often spectacular, and it's easy to spend hours here perfecting your hummingbird photography skills!