Wild Colombia: Giants Of The Andes
Birdwatching | Photography | Wildlife

Wild Colombia: Giants of the Andes (Chingaza & Coffee Zone)

Overview

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.

7 Days / 6 Nights Walking Grade: Easy
  • Day 1: Bogota
  • Day 2: Chingaza Natural Park
  • Day 3: Ecopalacio Conservation Area
  • Day 4: Otun Quimbaya
  • Day 5: Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
  • Day 6: La Ruta del Condor
  • Day 7: Hacienda Venecia – Pereira (Airport)

Trip Details


Country

  • Colombia

Group Size

  • 6 Travelers Max

Schedule

  • Relax

Tour Type

  • Private
  • Shared

Thematics

  • Birdwatching
  • Photography
  • Wildlife

Itinerary

Bogota, walking tour
DAY 1

Bogota

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
Spectacled Bear (Tremactos ornatus)
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...

L, D 2h Monterredondo lodge (or similar) 6h30
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
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...

B, L, D 3h Ecopalacio lodge (or similar) 4h
Andean Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) @ Jose Ivan Cano
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...

B, L, D 30 min El Cedral lodge (or similar) 4h30
Cauca Guan (Penelope perspicax)
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 ...

B, L, D 2h El Cedral lodge (or similar) 1h
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) @ Jose Ivan Cano
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...

B, L, D 2h Hacienda Venecia (or similar) 5h30
Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus) y Saffron crowned Tanager (Tangara xanthocephala)
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.

B 1h15

Hotels

Refugio Ecopalacio

| $$$

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.

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

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

Gallery

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 (Vultur gryphus) @ Jose Ivan Cano

Andean Condor

The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) has black plumage with a white collar of feathers around...

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Andean Teal (Anas andium)

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 (Andigena nigrirostris)

Black-billed Mountain Toucan

The Black-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena nigrirostris) is a colorful bird species found in the andean...

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Inca Jay or Querrequerre (Cyanocorax yncas)

Green Jay

The Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is a colorful and noisy tropical bird. It belongs to...

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