Wild Colombia: Magdalena River, Antioquia & coffee zone

Starting time 6:30 am. Bogotá – Jardín Encantado (75km/2h30). A good place to start the trip. This garden attracts more than 25 species of hummingbirds out of the more than 160 that have been classified in Colombia. We will have 1h30 to enjoy this hotspot. We will continue to Villa de Guaduas (70km/2h), a stop for lunch and a walking tour to appreciate the colonial architecture. After this break, we will drive 60km/1h20 to Hacienda Balmoral, the ideal place to relax. In the large gardens we can easily observe Toucans, Parrots and some species of Tanagers. In the afternoon we will take a short hike into the tropical forests looking for several groups of primates such as the White-Footed Tamarin (endemic), the Red Howler Monkey and the Martejas. During the hike we will also visit forests of Guadua (a kind of bamboo) on the banks of small rivers of pristine waters.

At dawn we will move to Cuchilla de Bellavista, located 15 km (20 min) from the hacienda. This mountainous area of the municipality of Victoria is home to some species of endemic birds and others of special interest for its particular beauty. For these reasons it has been declared by BirdLife International as I.B.A (Important Bird Area). We will go into humid and tropical forest trails looking for the emblematic Sooty Ant-Tanager (Habia gutturalis, endemic), the special Beautiful Woodpecker (Melanerpes pulcher, endemic) and some species of Manakin. In the afternoon we will return to the hacienda to continue with birdwatching and more opportunities to encounter the primates.

Early in the morning we will travel to “Charca de Guarinocito” (23km/20min). A tour around this water body alternating boat rides or walking trails (estimated time: 3-4h), to discover different species of waterfowl such as Southern Screammer, Boat-billed Heron, Kingfisher and other birds. Our next destination is the Rio Claro Natural Reserve (112km/2h), where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we explore the caves surrounded by tropical forests, where the enigmatic Guacharos (Oilbirds) live. In the evening we have the opportunity to do a tour in search of amphibians, reptiles and insects.

Transfer from Rio Claro to the municipality of Jardin (Antioquia) (310km/6h30). After settling into the hotel and a rest, we will visit the nature reserve “Jardin de Rocas” to marvel at a Lek of the emblematic Andean Cock-of-the-rock, undoubtedly one of the best spots to photograph this species of bird.

Mirador El Roble is located in the Andean mountain range on a secondary road that connects the municipalities of Jardín (Antioquia) and Riosucio (Caldas. This is one of those authentic experiences where a family has revolved their life around bird watching tourism. Doña Lucía and Martín have created a great experience for birders from all over the world. It is the opportunity to observe different species of antpittas, hummingbirds, tanagers and other birds. The Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Chami Antpitta and the endemic Yellow-eared Parrot stand out for their beauty and peculiarity.

El Sutu (Mistrato) is located north of the municipality of Mistrato (Risaralda), is characterized by having a Choco Montano ecosystem, giving it the privilege of having a great variety of endemic birds, a privilege for any birdwatcher. To get to El Sutu you can easily reach it in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The trail is the communication route to the Embera Chami indigenous reserve. Among a variety of species that can be found are Gold-ringed Tanager and Club-winged Manakin.

Transfer from El Sutu (Mistrato) to the municipality of Pueblo Rico (Risaralda) and after a break, we head to Montezuma Rainforest EcoLodge. We will spend the afternoon in the gardens to photograph different species of hummingbirds and tanagers that feed on the flowers and feeders.

Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is one of the gateways to Tatamá National Natural Park, one of the most biodiverse places in the Andean region near the Pacific Ocean. At Montezuma, birdwatchers, butterfly enthusiasts and orchid lovers find an ideal place to explore the amazing abundance of life in a pristine natural rainforest ecosystem located in one of the planet’s main biodiversity hotspots and one of Colombia’s great natural treasures: Tatamá. The park encompasses 51,900 hectares of primary tropical and subtropical rainforest of the western Andes, temperate cloud forest and páramo habitat, and is a source of water for rivers in all directions. It is home to more than 550 species of birds, 450 species of orchids and 700 species of butterflies.

Hacienda Venecia is located near the city of Manizales (Caldas), in a privileged place in the Central Andes Mountain Range. If you are a bird watching enthusiast, do not miss the opportunity to explore the landscape and enjoy some of the 260 species that can be found. If you are a bird photography enthusiast, you can visit the bird lodge next to the lush coffee plantations.

Get to know the ecosystem near the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano (altitude 4100 masl, cold climate). Very early in the morning we will head to the páramo, a unique ecosystem of the Andes where live very particular species such as the endemic hummingbird Buffy Helmetcrest (Oxypogon stuebelii), the possibility to see the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), the Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus igniventris) and the Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis). After lunch we will back to coffee farm.

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.