Birds of Colombia: 5-day wildlife adventure
Colombia is the number one country for birdwatchers. Did you know it is home to over 1,920 bird species? Thanks to its vast range of habitats - cloud forests, paramos, rainforests, plains, lowlands, snow-capped peaks, and even the highest coastal mountain range in the world - Colombia features the largest bird collection on the planet. This includes 73 endemic species, over 200 migrant species, at least 160 hummingbirds, and the list gets longer every year. Grab your binoculars and explore!
Please be aware, due to technical limitations, the map displayed for this itinerary may not fully reflect your route. A more accurate version will be provided at the time of planning.
Services
Included:
- Four nights accommodation in hotels as per the itinerary
- Four breakfasts
- Private transfers as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide on excursions
- English-speaking naturalist guide
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
Excluded:
- International & domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional:
- Please ask your local expert for tailored advice and optional services.
Itinerary at a Glance
Pereira - Otun Quimbaya - Pereira
Welcome to Pereira: a paradise for birdwatchers
Pereira - Salento - Pereira
Visit the unique Cocora Valley & the town of Salento
Pereira - Rio Blanco - Pereira
Bird sightings at the Río Blanco Forest Reserve
Pereira - Finca Romelia - Pereira
Exploring Finca Romelia's bird sanctuary
Pereira
Goodbye Pereira
Detailed Itinerary
Pereira - Otun Quimbaya - Pereira
Day 1: Welcome to Pereira: a paradise for birdwatchers
Welcome to Pereira, where you will be transferred to your hotel in the city. Your birdwatching tour begins here, with a visit to the Otun Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary.
Here you can see the endemic and threatened Cauca guan and the crested ant tanager. You can also spot the endemic greyish piculet and the rare multicolored tanager, one of the most beautiful birds of the region. Other important species you might spot include the red-ruffed fruitcrow, torrent duck, wedge-billed hummingbird, wattled guan, green jay, collared trogon, and 250 others.
The landscape is absolutely beautiful, and is one of the protected areas of the upper Otún River basin that provides drinking water throughout the city of Pereira.
Pereira - Salento - Pereira
Day 2: Visit the unique Cocora Valley & the town of Salento
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading to Quindio, including a visit to the Cocora Valley and the town of Salento from morning to midday.
Here, you might see the majestic Andean condor, the black-billed mountain toucan, white-browed spinetail, white-capped tanager, torrent duck, long-tailed sylph, collared inca, golden-fronted whitestart, and over 300 species of representative birds from the mountains and highlands of Colombia.
Go on to discover more birds at the Quindio Botanical Garden, home to hummingbirds including the endemic brown violetear, green hermit, blue-necked jacobin, bay-headed tanager, and 126 other species.
Pereira - Rio Blanco - Pereira
Day 3: Bird sightings at the Río Blanco Forest Reserve
After a delicious breakfast, your birding tour continues in the Río Blanco Forest Reserve. This reserve is famous for sightings of the Colombian grallarias or tororoi, as well as other important endemic species.
Some of these include the rusty-faced parrot, golden-plumed parakeet, rufous-banded owl, ocellated tapaculo, chestnut-naped antpitta, plushcap, chestnut-crowned antpitta, masked saltator, and over 360 representative species of the Andean forests and highlands.
Pereira - Finca Romelia - Pereira
Day 4: Exploring Finca Romelia's bird sanctuary
Embark on a serene journey at your own pace through the lush trails of Finca Romelia, where the harmony of nature unfolds. Become one with the environment and explore the diverse vegetation and vibrant birds it supports.
Armed with a detailed checklist, you'll discover and learn about over 285 bird species, from the elusive white-tailed tyrannulet to the majestic Andean pygmy owl. Whether you're a seasoned birder or new to the avian world, Finca Romelia offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and the fascinating world of birds.
Pereira
Day 5: Goodbye Pereira
On the final day of your tour, you will be transferred to Matecaña International Airport in the city of Pereira to catch your flight home or continue your travels.
