Although it is difficult to be flexible with a tour, we will try where possible to make changes depending on our birding success, to allow more time where it can be best spent. Thus, we might end up emphasizing one area more than another. Whatever we do, it will be close to the following to get the best birding trip for everybody.

• DAY 1: Arrival in Bogota

You will be welcome to Bogota International Airport and transfer to our place to stay. Night in Hotel

• DAY 2: La Calera Bird Observatory & Enchanted Garden (Hummingbird Feeders) 

Today we will visit two wonderful places around Bogota, in the morning La Calera Bird Observatory has some wonderful hummingbird feeders of high elevations (3.000 meters level to sea) where some very special hummers such as Sword-billed Hummingbirds, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Green & Black-tailed Trainbears and many more come to feed. In the afternoon we will down the hill to Magdalena Valley to San Francisco Village where more than 30 hummingbird feeders and more than 15 species of hummingbirds wait for you, It will be possible to see some amazing species such as Indigo-capped Humminbird, Short-tailed Emerald, Ruby Topaz, Andean Emerald, White –neck Jacobin and other will wait for you. After a full day of birds, we will come back to Bogota to rest. Night in Hotel

• DAY 3: Chicaque Natural Park (Eastern Andes) 

This natural park is a private property located to the southwest of the city of Bogotá. The misty and oak forests of the natural park of Chicaque ecosystems are a natural refuge for the local fauna, with more than 250 species of birds that have been registered on its trails the Chicaque Park. There have been some very rare species registered for Colombia. In the upper part of the park, there is a restaurant called the Arboloco, which also has some very good hummingbird feeders and in the lower part the restaurant offers a delicious gastronomy and an unparalleled viewpoint for birds. Night in Bogota

Some Species: Black Inca, Golden-bellied Starfronlet, Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast, Glowing Puffleg, Moustached Brush-Finch, Flame-faced Tanager, Blue and Black Tanager, Emerald Toucanet, Andean Guan, Blackish Tapaculo, Chesnut-crowned Antpitta, Grass-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Metallic-green Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Strong-billed woodcreeper, Green and black Fruiteater, Slaty-backed ChatTyrant, Grey-browed Brush-Finch.

• DAY 4: Chingaza National Park - Medellín 

Chingaza National Park: Located approximately 1.5 hours from the city of Bogota, Chingaza protects ecosystems from the moorland up to the foot of Monte Andino. The places of access from the city are mainly constituted by sub-paramos and we stop, being bushes and vegetation of little growth the predominant ones in the zone. The best bird-watching place is on the unpaved road as it is flanked by the type of habitat typical of the moors and in which the birds inhabit. The landscapes that make up these ecosystems are incredible and something typical is that at any time rains or radiant sun can appear, finding a mixed flock will be something incredible and we can appreciate the magnificent birds that inhabit here. Night in La Extremadura Hotel/Medellin

Some Species: Coopery-bellied Puffleg, Rufous-browed Conebill, Purple-backed Thornbill, Paramo Seedeater, Plush-capped Finch, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Black-headed Hemispingus, Silvery-throated Spinetail, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Matorral Tapaculo, Golden-fronted Whitestart, Superciliared Hemispingus, Brown-throated Parakeet, Sedge Wren, Grey-browed Brush-Finch, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Masked Trogon, Grass-green Tanager, Blue-black tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Montane Woodcreeper, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Glowing Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing.

• DAY 5: Birding la Romera Reserve - Jardín (Central Andes) / Valdivia Plaza

This small local reserve is located on the outskirts of the city of Medellín in the municipality of Sabaneta in the department of Antioquia, on the western flank of the central mountain range, it is a refuge for birds in the area very close to this great Colombian metropolis. The Andean and high Andean forest patches are usually loaded with mixed flocks of Tanagers, Warblers, and endemic species such as the Red-bellied Grackle, Siles Tapaculo, Colombian Chachalaca, and the very rare Yellow-headed Manakin. A very easy bird-watching place with a beautiful view of the city of Medellin and excellent restaurants nearby where you can enjoy the very good typical food of the region. Night in Hotel Valdivia Plaza/ Jardin

• DAY 6. Yellow-Eares Parrot Reserve and Cock of the Rock Lek (Central Andes) 

Today will visit the Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve: Located in the sector called Alto Ventanas, 1.5 hours from the municipality of Jardín-Antioquia on the Western mountain range. The Garden municipality is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level and is a town producing coffee, bananas, and some fruits behind it the mountain range rises to 2,900 meters above sea level, it is there where a population of Yellow-eared Parrot is a resident and is strongly associated with forest remnants with wax palms. The place is surrounded by patches of High Andean forest at the top and Andean in the lower areas. A place with an incredible biodiversity of birds and magnificent landscapes; Bird watching will be on an unpaved road with very little traffic in the middle of the beautiful mountains of the western Andes. Night in Hotel Valdivia Plaza/ Jardin

Some Species: Yellow-eared Parrot, Tanager Finch, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Spillmanns Tapaculo, Blackish Tapaculo, Ocellated Tapaculo, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Barred Fruiteater, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rufous Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Black-collared Jay, Streak-throated Bush-Tanager, Lachrymose Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Sharps Wren, White-browed Spinetail, Andean Cock of the Rock, Crested Ant-Tanager, Colombian Chachalaca, Black-chested Jay, Flame-rumped Tanager, Andean Motmot, Chestnut-naped Brush-Finch, Andean Guan, Moustached Puffbird, Bronze-winged Parrot.

• DAY 7. Finca La Bambusa, Dry Forest of Bolombolo - Manizales / Quo Hotel

Birding Finca La Bambusa a small farm having some typical crops of the region such as coffee and plantain, works as a nursery for ornamental plants in the region. Mrs. Piedad, who is a sweet old woman, began some time ago to feed the birds in her garden with the surprise that a few days later began to arrive tanagers, Woodpeckers, chachalacas, hummingbirds, and many other species, so she decided to open the doors of their farm and receive birdwatchers. This is a very nice place to spend a few hours observing very good species of the Colombian coffee region, enjoy a great lunch, and a very good coffee, and take some good photos. Night in Hotel/ Manizales

Some Species: Red-headed Barbet, Colombian Chachalaca, Flame-rumped Tanager, Acorn Woodpecker, Blue-necked Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Blue-headed Parrot, Green Hermit and many others

Bolombolo Dry Forest: Bolombolo is located in the department of Antioquia. At the base of the Cauca River Valley. Although deforestation has significantly affected this territory, remnants of dry forest and secondary growth are home to some species of birds of significant interest. The bird-watching places around Bolombolo are unpaved and usually flat rural roads, some lowland crops and livestock are the main economy of these lands. This is a place with a high diversity of species among which are 3 endemic, one of them recently described for science.

Some Species: Antioquia Wren, Apical Flycatcher, Greyish Piculet, Black-crowned Antshrike, Speckle-breasted Wren, Black-striped Sparrow, Moustached Puffbird, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Spectacled Parrotlet, Bar-crested Antshrike, Bright-rumped Attila, Cinnamon Becard, Cinereous Becard, Speckle-breasted Wren, Scrub Tanager, Guira Tanager, Black-winged Saltator.

• DAY 8: Hacienda El Bosque, Rio Blanco (Central Andes)

The Hacienda El Bosque is located about 1 hour away from the city of Manizales, it is characterized by having large patches of high-Andean forest that blend with the meadow fields used for livestock and potato crops. The Hacienda El Bosque has recently become even more popular due to the incredible feeders made for antpittas, tanagers, and hummingbirds, and also because many species of mountain-tanagers and mountain toucans tend to arrive in the surroundings of the main house. The Hacienda provides great meal services, which primarily include traditional regional cuisine. The reserve also has great trails that are pleasant for walking and observing birds with ease. It currently has a bird list of over 120 species. Night in Hotel/ Manizales

Some species: Purple-backed Thronbill, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Grey-bellied Mountain Toucan, Black-thiged Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Ocellated Tapaculo, Black-collared Jay, Rufous Wren, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Plushcap, Capped Conebill

The Rio Blanco Reserve an Andean and high Andean ecosystem framed in a misty forest that belongs to the city of Manizales has been protected for years for the conservation of the water resources that supply the city. 450 species of birds have been registered here, many of them endemic and with restricted distribution ranges. The main attraction of this reserve is the feeders of Grallarias (Antpittas) and hummingbirds, this place is one of the most famous in the world to see antpittas. The reserve has good quality accommodation which also fits perfectly for the observation of owls. Rio Blanco is one of the most popular bird-watching reserves in the country

Some Species: Brown-banded Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Slate-Crowned Antpitta, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Powerful Woodpecker, Long-tailed Sylph, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, White-capped Tanager, White-capped Dipper, Dusky Piha.

• DAY 9. Nevado del Ruiz National Park (Central Andes)

This natural area is located in the central Andes, 1 hour from the city of Manizales, its landscape is framed by 3 snowy peaks that constitute active volcanoes: El Ruiz, Santa Isabel, Tolima. There are sub-paramo patches and well-preserved moorland areas that are home to an important diversity of bird species restricted to these ecosystems. The plants of the place are also a great attraction, with an immensity of rare and unique species that mix with the aggressive volcanic landscapes of what is the largest and most important active volcano in the country. Near Los Nevados there is also the Ruiz Thermal Hotel, which is regularly used by birdwatchers, in addition to the magnificent hot springs it is also possible to enjoy the most important bird feeders above 3600 meters in Colombia, where They will be able to observe unique hummingbird species in the country. Night in Pereira

Some Species: Buffy Helmetcrest, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Tawny Antpitta, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Andean Lapwing, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. Greater Sapphirewing, Buff-winged Starfrontletet, Black-thigged Puffleg

• DAY 10. Otun-Quimbaya National Park - (Central Andes)

Located 1 hour from the city of Pereira, on the western slope of the central mountain range, Otun-Quimbaya is a sanctuary of flora and fauna created to protect the middle basin of the Otun River and the Andean forests and high Andean forests nearby to the east. The place has been under the process of reforestation for more than 40 years, which has created connectivity with the well-preserved forests of the upper part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, which is a biological corridor of the highest importance in the central Andes. It is common to see some species of large Andean mammals such as Tapir de Montaña and sometimes Bear Glasses. Currently, the Otun-Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is managed by the Yarumo Blanco Foundation, which is a national example of community tourism, all members of the foundation are local farmers who have made an unparalleled effort to make Otún one of the best sanctuaries of fauna and flora of the country. In Otun, about 400 species of birds have been recorded.

Some Species: Cauca Guan, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Torrent Duck, Colombian Screech-Owl, Emerald Toucanet, Hooded Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, White-capped Tanager and many others

• DAY 11: Birding to Montezuma Reserve

During the early hours of the morning, birds will be searched on the banks of the Otún River and in the gardens around the lodge. Then we will drive to Montezuma Nature Reserve - Pueblo Rico - Risaralda. Night in Montezuma Lodge

• DAY 12,13: Montezuma Reserve (Western Andes)

Montezuma Natural Reserve is part of the buffer zone of the PNN Tatama and consists mainly of a 14-kilometer road that goes from the reserve accommodation house to the top of the mountain at the military base of Cerro Tatama, which is a mixture of ecosystems of the Andes and the biogeographic choco, which is highly productive in terms of birds and biodiversity in general; many endemic and restricted bird species occur in this tropical rainforest, to the point that more than 520 registered bird species have been recorded in the reserve. Night in Montezuma Lodge

Some Species: Black-and-gold Tanager, Gold-ringed Tanager, Munchique Wood-Wren, Chestnut-bellied Flowerpierce, Tatama Tapaculo, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Western Emerald, White-tailed Hillstar, Barred Hawk, Toucan Barbet, White-faced Nunbird, Lanceolated Monklet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Choco Tapaculo, Nariño Tapaculo, Black Solitaire, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Tanager Finch, Barred fruiteater, Scaled Fruiteater, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Olivaceous Piha, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia.

• DAY 14: Birding Montezuma - Ibague (Central Andes)

In the morning, birds will be observed in the bird feeders of the Montezuma reserve, before midday a 6-hour trip will be made to the city of Ibague where we will rest. Night in Ibague

• DAY 15:  Birding to Ukuku Lodge, Nevado del Tolima National Park, (Central Andes)

The Ukuku lodge is located in the canyon of the Combeima River 1 hour from the city and Ibague, to access the lodge you must take a 1.5 km (1 mile) walk along the Combeima River ending on a cobbled road, the one on which you can see some good bird species. Once in the lodge, it is a place to sit and watch the hummingbirds and Tanagers feeders. The patches of forest and secondary growth and the beautiful gardens of the lodge are the refuge of some important endemic birds that can also be easily seen in the feeders of Ukuku. 

Some Species: Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Emerald.

Nevado del Tolima National Park: The road leading to the snowy Tolima borders the Combeima River and its lower canyon is located 1 hour from the city and Ibague. It consists mainly of patches of Andean and high Andean forest in the highest part, some roadside crops, and areas for livestock, the rural road ends at the place called Silence, to becomes a hiking trail that is equally productive for bird watching with more than 290 species. A place with some good endemic species unique to this region.

Some Species: Yellow-headed Brush-Finch, Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, Booted Raquet tail, Collared Inca, White-capped Dipper, Torrent Duck, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Blue and Black Tanager, Olivaceous Piculet, Tourmaline Sunangel. 

• DAY 16. Reserve Mana Dulce (Magdalena) - Bogota

Mana Dulce is an Ecological Reserve located in the department of Cundinamarca, two and a half hours from the city of Bogota, between the municipalities of Agua de Dios and Nile. It has beautiful Ecological Trails that are immersed in a variety of native forests where they develop ecological walks; In the Mana Dulce Canyon, you can see legendary Ceibas that lead to the beautiful cave of the Chimbilacera, the Stone Bridge, a legacy of nature (it is the third natural stone bridge in Colombia), and culminating with the Mirador del Indio Malachi. Mana Dulce for being located in the Interandine Valleys of Colombia, is an area of bird endemism that allows you to easily observe more than 250 species, some of them unique in this area of the country. 

Some Species: Lance-tailed Manakin, Crested Bobwhite, Pheasant Cuckoo, Blue-ground Dove, Dwarf Cuckoo, Striped Cuckoo, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pearl Kite, Whooping Motmot, Barred Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Olivaceous Piculet, Collared Forest Falcon, Yellow-crowned and Orange-winged Parrot, Spectacled Parrotlet, Great Antshrike, Barred Antshrike, White-bellied Antbird, Jet Antbird, Blue-lored Antbird, Red-billed Scytebill, White-bearded Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Forest Elaenia, Greenish Elaenia, Rufous-browed Peppershirke, band-backed Wren, Velvet-fronted Euphonia, Apical Flycatcher, Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch, Orange-crowned Oriole, White-eared Conebill, Pileated Finch

Have and amazing birding time!