WHERE THE BIRDS DANCE
WESTERN AND CENTRAL ANDEAN ENDEMICS, CAUCA VALLEY AND CHOCO SPECIALTIES
One of our most popular tours, it is designed to highlight Colombia’s astounding avian diversity at a comfortable pace, taking time to enjoy the rich history, culture, and gastronomic traditions the central and Western Andes have to offer. We believe we have struck the perfect balance with this exhilarating itinerary: From exploring the paramo ecosystems in the Los Nevados Park,to the infamous Anchicaya Valley on the Pacific slope, to the pristine forests of the Montezuma Lodge. This tour packs in some of the best birding localities in Colombia without having to travel extremely long distances.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bird the Anchicaya Watershed, an area that inspired the first Bird ID guide for South America.
- Enjoy the feeders at KM 18, where more than 22 species of hummingbirds have been recorded.
- See 5 species of Antpittas at the feeders in Rio Blanco Reserve.
- Seek out some of the rarest species in Colombia at the Montezuma Lodge, including Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Munchique Wood-wren and Gold-ringed Tanager.
- Stay at the brand new Araucana Lodge, owned and operated by Colombia Birdwatch and specially designed for birders.
- Visit an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek that is only a 20 minute hike.
- Take an exhilarating rail ride in the Pacific Lowlands where you will bird close to sea level in search of lowland species.
- Visit the surreal Paramo Ecosystem where you will bird above 3,500 meters in search of the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Cali and transfer to Buga
Day 2: Sonso Lagoon and transfer to Montezuma Lodge
Day 3 - 4: Montezuma Lodge
Day 5: Montezuma and transfer to Manizales
Day 6: Rio Blanco Reserve
Day 7: Rio Blanco and transfer to Los Nevados National Park
Day 8: Los Nevados National Park
Day 9: Los Nevados NP to Otun Quimbaya NP
Day 10: Otun Quimbaya NP and travel to Araucana Lodge
Day 11: Km 18
Day 12: Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek
Day 13: Anchicaya Valley
Day 14: San Cipriano
Day 15: Depart Cali