In this short trip we will go in search of the largest and most emblematic animals of the Andes. We will explore some of the most biodiverse regions of Colombia: the Páramo de Chingaza, the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, and the mountains around the Los Nevados National Park in the coffee region. The targets will be 3 of the largest mammals of the Andes: the Spectacled Bear, the White-tailed Deer and the Andean Tapir. We will also be able to encounter a variety of birds, especially the Andean Condor. It will undoubtedly be an exciting week for lovers of wildlife photography, landscapes and coffee culture.
Trip Details
Thematics
Birdwatching
Photography
Wildlife
Itinerary
DAY 1
Bogota
Reception at the airport in Bogota, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel in the colonial center of the city.
Reception at the airport in Bogota, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel in the colonial center of the city.
Casa Deco (or similar)
30
DAY 2
Chingaza Natural Park
Early in the morning we will travel by 4×4 vehicle to cross the Chingaza National Natural Park, on the way we can have some encounters with the local fauna while we discover the high mountain ecosystem “Paramo”. After se...
Early in the morning we will travel by 4×4 vehicle to cross the Chingaza National Natural Park, on the way we can have some encounters with the local fauna while we discover the high mountain ecosystem “Paramo”. After settling in the Monterredondo Refuge, we will move to the sector of the Chingaza Lagoon and the Plantas del Camino Trail. It will undoubtedly be a day of long walks and wild landscapes, experiencing the different conditions in which we will be able to see the Spectacled Bear, as well as other species that inhabit the paramo.
Trails of the day: Plantas del Camino and around Monterredondo.
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L, D
2h
Monterredondo lodge (or similar)
6h30
DAY 3
Ecopalacio Conservation Area
On our second day of exploration we will move to the Ecopalacio Mountain Refuge. During the 4×4 trip we will make several stops to hike the Laguna Seca trail and the mining area. This area, formerly affected by mining, h...
On our second day of exploration we will move to the Ecopalacio Mountain Refuge. During the 4×4 trip we will make several stops to hike the Laguna Seca trail and the mining area. This area, formerly affected by mining, has been under restoration for 30 years. Here we will be able to observe the processes of passive restoration of the paramo ecosystem and the plants involved in this healing process. We will also observe the geological formations of different glacial epochs and the history of the limestone.
Trails of the day: Laguna Seca and around Ecopalacio lodge.
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B, L, D
3h
Ecopalacio lodge (or similar)
4h
DAY 4
Otun Quimbaya
Transfer EcoPalacio – Bogota (Airport) – Pereira (Airport) – Otun Quimbaya Natural Park
After breakfast we will travel to the airport in Bogota to fly to Pereira. Al aterrizar, nos trasladaremos a la cu After arrival, w...
Transfer EcoPalacio – Bogota (Airport) – Pereira (Airport) – Otun Quimbaya Natural Park
After breakfast we will travel to the airport in Bogota to fly to Pereira. Al aterrizar, nos trasladaremos a la cu After arrival, we will travel to the otun river basin, where we will find the otun quimbaya flora and fauna sanctuary and the El Cedral conservation area, a sector where it is possible to see one of the most difficult species of tapirs to find in their natural environment: the Andean Tapir. This sector of the central Andes is also known as one of the hotspots for bird watching, the most emblematic being the endemic Cauca Guan and the fantastic Torrent Duck.
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B, L, D
30 min
El Cedral lodge (or similar)
4h30
DAY 5
Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
During this second day we will enjoy the Andean forest conservation areas in the Otun Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and Otun River Basin.
Important advise: the Andean Tapir is an almost nocturnal animal, so it will ...
During this second day we will enjoy the Andean forest conservation areas in the Otun Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and Otun River Basin.
Important advise: the Andean Tapir is an almost nocturnal animal, so it will be afternoons and evenings of patience, waiting times and good luck. Don’t forget some extra lighting and a good coat. In the morning and midday hours we will be looking for encounters with Red-howler Monkeys and different species of birds that inhabit these beautiful and well-preserved Andean forests.
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B, L, D
2h
El Cedral lodge (or similar)
1h
DAY 6
La Ruta del Condor
La Ruta del Condor (Condor Route) is a social project that brings together different local initiatives with the objective of strengthening community tourism in this coffee region in the areas near the Los Nevados Nationa...
La Ruta del Condor (Condor Route) is a social project that brings together different local initiatives with the objective of strengthening community tourism in this coffee region in the areas near the Los Nevados National Natural Park. On this route we find the best opportunities to observe the Andean condor as it flies over the nests located on the rocky walls of these forests cared for by the farmers who live nearby. At the end of the day we will rest in a comfortable and traditional hacienda in the middle of coffee plantations.
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B, L, D
2h
Hacienda Venecia (or similar)
5h30
DAY 7
Hacienda Venecia – Pereira (Airport)
This birwatching activity and coffee tour 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.
This birwatching activity and coffee tour 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.
Hotels
Refugio Ecopalacio
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$$$
Refugio Ecopalacio is located 52 km from the city of Bogota in the protective forest reserve of the Blanco and Negro rivers in the buffer zone of the Chingaza National Park. It provides ecotourism guiding services with a focus on environmental education, bird watching, restoration activities, and hiking. The lodging service is in three (3) rooms with double beds, electricity with solar panels and shared bathrooms with hot water. Surrounded by gardens and Andean forests that are the ideal space for nature lovers.
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.
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.
Price Details
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
Andean Condor
The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) has black plumage with a white collar of feathers around...
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Andean Teal
The Andean Teal (Anas andium) is an small duck found in high elevation lakes and...
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Black-billed Mountain Toucan
The Black-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena nigrirostris) is a colorful bird species found in the andean...
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Green Jay
The Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is a colorful and noisy tropical bird. It belongs to...
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