Puma (Puma concolor)
Birdwatching | Photography | Wildlife

Jaguar, Puma, Tapir & Birds: From Los LLanos to the Andes of Colombia

Overview

The privileged geographical conditions of this region have made protected areas refuges for thousands of species of fauna and flora. Its beauty and great variety make Colombia the ideal destination for nature lovers, this is a special country for wildlife photography. The options and opportunities are many, but we are going to focus on the search for two big cats: the Puma and the Jaguar; a giant of the Andean forests: the Mountain Tapir and variety of Birds. That is why we have put together a team and a set of services for you to enjoy the experience to the fullest. During this itinerary we will explore part of the three slopes of the Andes mountain range (Cordillera de Los Andes), and the Orinoco region (Llanos Orientales). A guide experienced in wildlife monitoring and photography will accompany us for you to live a memorable experience.

From 2.285 USD 12 Days / 11 Nights Walking Grade: Easy
  • Day 1: Bogota
  • Day 2: Yopal - Hato La Aurora
  • Day 3: Hato La Aurora
  • Day 4: Hato La Aurora
  • Day 5: Encanto de Guanapalo
  • Day 6: Encanto de Guanapalo
  • Day 7: Guanapalo - Yopal - Pereira
  • Day 8: WildLife at Otun Quimbaya
  • Day 9: Otun Quimbaya - Montezuma
  • Day 10: Birdwatching at Tatamá Natural Park
  • Day 11: Birdwatching at Tatamá Natural Park
  • Day 12: Montezuma Rainforest to Pereira

Trip Details


Country

  • Colombia

Group Size

  • 4 Travelers Max

Schedule

  • Normal

Tour Type

  • Customizable
  • Private
  • Shared

Thematics

  • Birdwatching
  • Photography
  • Wildlife

Itinerary

Bogota (CO) - Catedral, Plaza de Bolivar
DAY 1

Bogota

Reception at the airport in Bogota, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel. Journey time approx. 30 minutes.

Casa Deco in a Junior Suite room (or similar) 30 min
Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta)
DAY 2

Yopal - Hato La Aurora

Transport from Hotel Casa Deco to Bogota airport, approx. 30m. Domestic flight to Yopal (The maximum weight allowed is 15kg per piece of luggage, any excess will incur an additional cost to be paid directly at the airpo...

B, L, D Juan Solito EcoLodge (or similar) 198 km // 4h30
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
DAY 3

Hato La Aurora

After breakfast, Jeep safari in the reserve to get to know the Hato la Aurora, an hour and a half from the hotel. We observe wildlife such as the mighty Jaguar, Capybaras, White-tailed Deer, Alligators, Cattle, Wild Hors...

B, L, D Juan Solito Ecolodge or Hammocks (or similar) 8h (Safari)
Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)
DAY 4

Hato La Aurora

For this day, we can choose one of the following two options:

1. Horseback riding in the reserve, where we discover the many species of birds and Howler Monkeys that live in these forests.

2. A boat tour of the reserve t...

B, L, D Juan Solito Ecolodge (or similar)
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
DAY 5

Encanto de Guanapalo

You’ll arrive at the first Hato in the Nature Reserve, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Settle in and visit the house: you’ll meet the family, the workers and learn about the local history. Typical lunch at the Ha...

B, L, D Hato La Palma (or similar) 3-4h (Safari)
Puma (Puma concolor) © José Iván Cano
DAY 6

Encanto de Guanapalo

A day dedicated to the search for local wildlife. We get up at dawn to enjoy the sunrise and the birdsong that accompanies it. We can observe the animals around the house in these early hours. After breakfast, we set off...

B, L, D Mata de Palma (or similar) 4h (Safari)
Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
DAY 7

Guanapalo - Yopal - Pereira

We rise at dawn to admire the sunrise, and take a short walk through the savannah and woods to observe the local wildlife and the magnificent llaneros landscape. Breakfast and free time to rest and enjoy our last moments...

B, L, D 2h Otun Quimbaya Sanctuary (or similar) 3h40
Andean Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) @ Jose Ivan Cano
DAY 8

WildLife at Otun Quimbaya

Visit to the Otún Quimbaya reserve (2000 m, cold, rainy climate). A local guide accompanies us to discover the verdant surroundings garden and forest. Some of the most representative species are Crab-eating Fox, Tayra, ...

B, L, D Cabaña El Cedral (or similar) 12 km // 40m
Violet tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis)
DAY 9

Otun Quimbaya - Montezuma

Early in the morning, we set off from El Cedral towards the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge. Our transport takes its time to add new bird species to our checklist. Before lunch (free on the way), we look for some of the fo...

B, L, D Miontezuma Rainforest Ecolodge (or similar) 3h50m
Gold ringed Tanager (Bangsia aureocincta)
DAY 10

Birdwatching at Tatamá Natural Park

This is one of the Andean region’s most biodiverse sites near the Pacific Ocean. In Montezuma, birdwatchers, butterfly enthusiasts and orchid lovers find an ideal place to explore the incredible abundance of life in a na...

B, L, D Miontezuma Rainforest Ecolodge (or similar) 20 km // 4h
Velvet purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini)
DAY 11

Birdwatching at Tatamá Natural Park

We will walk the same path as the previous day, only this time we will focus on those bird species that were left over from the first day. We will be in the field all day, the food will be picnic style. Enjoy the 2nd FUL...

B, L, D Miontezuma Rainforest Ecolodge (or similar) 20 km // 4h
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
DAY 12

Montezuma Rainforest to Pereira

This morning’s birding activity will depend on the flight schedule. Please note that you must be in the waiting room 2 hours before for domestic flights and 3 hours before for international flights.

B 98 km // 2h30m

Hotels

Casa Deco

Hotel Casa Deco is a beautiful, charming building, with a very art-deco style in La Candelaria, in Bogotá's historic center. You will easily access the tourist attractions, like the Gold Museum, the Modern Art Museum, and the Botero Museum. The Hotel includes a splendid terrace on the rooftop with the perfect view of the Cerros. The rooms are the perfect combination of European elegance with the local Colombian charms. The decoration is very colorful, with many works of art imitations. Some of the rooms have a balcony or a small terrace, where you will be able to admire the many beauties of La Candelaria.

Wifi Restaurant Bar

Juan Solito Ecolodge

| $$$

Located 180km away from Yopal, in the Llanos area, the ecolodge Juan Solito welcomes you in its small structure built with local materials, in complete harmony with the local architecture and with the Aurora natural Reserve. The hotel offers 7 rooms with its own private bathroom, and only welcomes a small amount of travelers, 21 at a time. Camping or hammocks are also available. The ecolodge is an ecological building so there will be no air conditioning system and the electricity is limited to 4 hours at night. Several activities are available in the hotel to let you enjoy the surrounding ecosystem. Lunch and dinner are included.

Restaurant

El Encanto de Guanapalo

| $$$

El Encanto de Guanapalo is a natural reserve of 9,000 hectares in Colombia, 110 km from Yopal, formed by the family inheritance of grandfather Gerardo Zambrano in 3 "Hatos" typical of the region, which since 1908 work to preserve the natural wealth, tradition and culture of the Casanare region (Colombia). Category: Excursion. Includes: Room with breakfast, lunch, dinner, excursion, local guide,

Restaurant

Santuario Otún Quimbaya

| $$$

Located 16 km from the city of Pereira, this lodge is inside the reserve and offers all the basic amenities. About 90% of the protected area corresponds to natural forests, in different stages of succession, and mature forests. In addition to the red howler monkeys and the charismatic torrent ducks, you can also observe the Cauca guan, an endemic species that usually roosts near a beautiful wooden observation tower in the surrounding Andean jungle. It offers restaurant service.

Restaurant Spa

Refugio El Cedral

This resting point is located very close to the Otún Quimbaya Sancturary Flora and Fauna, sharing characteristics in the ecosystem present in the middle basin of the Otún River. A simple and comfortable space surrounded by Andean jungle that receives the local farmers who live in the upper part of the mountains, but the star visitor is one of the great mammals of the Andes, the Woolly Tapir or Andean Tapir. It is an easy and unique opportunity to record this enigmatic and special animal.

Restaurant

Montezuma Rainforest EcoLodge

| $$$

Family Ecolodge located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world, has 12 rooms with comfortable beds equipped with bathroom, hot water shower and electricity. Delicious homemade meals based on typical Colombian cuisine are offered to suit all types of dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). Bird feeders, flowers and fruit trees surround the lodge, attracting every day a great variety of hummingbirds, tanagers, creepers, euphonias and many other species.

Restaurant

Gallery

Price Details


Included

  • Meals indicated in the program
  • Accommodation in standard hotels
  • Transportation in comfortable vehicles
  • Tour leader and English speaking guide
  • Local guides specialized in the region
  • Local transportation
  • Homestay / Hut accommodation
  • Boat transportation

Not Included

  • Domestic flights
  • International flights
  • Additional drinks and meals
  • Medical insurance
  • Expenses not specified in the program
  • Tips

Minimum Deposit

  • 30% (The last payment must be completed 45 days prior to the start of the trip.)

Price

  • 2.285 USD per person

Terms & Conditions

The terms of sale may differ based on the nature of your trip and how close your departure date is. Please review our conditions here for more information.

Spotted Species

Here is a non-exhaustive list of Animal Species you can spot during this tour

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)

Amazon Kingfisher

The Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is a medium-sized kingfisher of tropical lowlands. Found singly or...

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Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis)

Black-collared Hawk

Attractive chunky hawk of marshes and wetlands. Usually seen perched quietly near water, waiting to...

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Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl of open grassy habitats. Appears...

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capybara pantanal wildlife

Capybara

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world. They have a robust, barrel-shaped body,...

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Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Crab-eating Fox

The Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous), also known as the forest fox, is a medium-sized canid...

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Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta)

Horned Screamer

The Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta) is a enormous, ungainly ogre of a bird. Found around...

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Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)

Jabiru

The Jabiru is a huge white stork with a bare black head and neck except...

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Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Roseate Spoonbill

The roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird native to the Americas. It has a...

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Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) @ José Iván Cano

Rufescent Tiger-Heron

The Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae. It...

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Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata)

Scaled Dove

The Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata) is a dove of generally discreet habits, that walks in...

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Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)

Scarlet Ibis

Unmistakable, beautiful orange-red ibis with black wingtips. Breeding adults have black bills, pink at other...

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Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

Scarlet Macaw

The Scarlet Macaw is a brilliant and iconic parrot species found in the forests of...

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Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Jaguar

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large, powerful feline with a robust build. Adult jaguars...

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Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)

Neotropical River Otter

The Neotropical river otter is a medium-sized otter species with a slender, elongated body and...

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Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin

The Hoatzin is such a bizarre and unique bird that it almost has to be...

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Your Tour Guide

Jose Ivan Cano

Languages:English, Spanish
Guiding since: 2000
Specialties: Photography, Willdlife, Communities, Trekking
Learn More
Jose Ivan
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