ENDEMIC BIRDS OF COLOMBIA
Bird Photography Tour
TRIP 1: Andean Region, Choco & Pacific Lowlands
A Bird Photography Tour focused on Endemic and Near-endemic birds.
Endemic Birds of Colombia is a series of bird photography expeditions, each to a different region of the country. The TRIP 1: Andean Region, Choco & Pacific Lowlands itinerary follows the western slopes of the Andes, from the Choco cloud forests and Pacific lowlands to the dry inter-Andean valleys, temperate forests and high páramos of the Central Andes. A two-week journey through landscapes that change completely as the route climbs.
Trip Overview
Colombia is home to more bird species than any other country on Earth and holds one of the richest concentrations of endemic and near-endemic birds in the world. Many of these species are restricted to a single mountain range, valley or forest, making every stage of the route different from the last.
Travelling in a group of no more than 8 participants, led by our two specialist guides: Marc Guyt & Jose Castaño, allows time to photograph each location properly, adapting to weather, light and bird activity rather than following a fixed schedule.
From humid lowland rainforest to páramos above 4,000 m, the route crosses an extraordinary range of habitats. Each landscape offers its own photographic opportunities and a distinctive selection of Colombia's most sought-after endemic birds.
Where and when?
The tour begins in Cali and ends in Manizales, crossing the western and central cordilleras from west to east.
The western section focuses on the Choco bioregion — one of the wettest and most species-rich areas on Earth, with a very high concentration of endemic and near-endemic birds.
The route then moves through the Cauca Valley and up into the western slope of the Central Andes, covering wetlands, dry forest and mid-elevation cloud forest.
The final days climb into the high páramos of the Central Andes, where the avifauna changes dramatically and open-country endemics become the main targets.
October and November are excellent months for this route. The inter-Andean valleys are productive, migration adds some interest, and the Choco forests are active throughout the season.
Highlights
Endemics & Near-Endemics
Choco & Pacific Lowlands Chocó y Tierras Bajas del Pacífico Chocó i Terres Baixes del Pacífic
Western & Central Andean Forests Bosques Andinos Occidental y Central Boscos Andins Occidental i Central
High Andean Forests & Páramo Bosques Altoandinos y Páramo Boscos Altandins i Páramo
Near-Endemics & Regional Specialties Casi-endemismos y Especialidades Regionales Quasi-endemismes i Especialitats Regionals
Other photographic highlights
Tour Itinerary
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We meet in Cali airport and transfer to the birding areas around Km 18, beginning the tour with afternoon sessions targeting some of the Andean specialties of the western slope.
Key species: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colombian Chachalaca, Grayish Piculet, Multicolored Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager -
A full day of forest birding beginning at the Doña Dora birding lodge,
Afternoon drive to San Cipriano.
Key species: White-whiskered Hermit, Spot-crowned Barbet, Toucan Barbet, Scarlet-rumped Toucanet, Grass-green Tanager -
A full day dedicated to the forests around San Cipriano, one of the most productive lowland sites in Colombia. We spend the entire day working the forest trails and edges in search of some of the most sought-after endemics on the tour.
Key species: Berlepsch's Tinamou, Baudo Guan, Brown Wood-Rail, Choco Poorwill, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Rose-faced Parrot, Banded Ground-Cuckoo, Blue-tailed Trogon, White-tailed Trogon, Black-breasted Puffleg, Five-colored Barbet, Choco Toucan, Lita Woodpecker, Choco Woodpecker, Sapayoa, Pacific Antwren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Stub-tailed Antbird, Pacific Flatbill, Glistening-green Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Scarlet-and-white Tanager
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A final morning session in San Cipriano before leaving the Pacific lowlands and transferring east toward Buga, crossing back over the western Andes.
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We begin the day at the Sonso Lagoon, a key wetland in the Cauca Valley.
In the afternoon we head toward Cajamarca, entering the Central Andes.
Key species: Grayish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher, Spectacled Parrotlet, Dwarf Cuckoo, Bar-crested Antshrike
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A full day in the Anaime Valley and surrounding cloud forest.
Afternoon drive to the Fuertes's Parrot Reserve.
Key species: Colombian Chachalaca, Tolima Dove, Tolima Blossomcrown, Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Yellow-eared Parrot, Yellow-headed Brushfinch
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A full day at the reserve, working the cloud forest trails and spending time with the endemic parrots of the Tolima slope.
Key Species: Yellow-eared Parrot, Indigo-winged Parrot (or Fuerte’s Parrot)
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A morning session in the Anaime area before transferring to Risaralda area.
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A full day at Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, one of the finest mid-elevation forest reserves in Colombia, before transferring to Apía in the afternoon.
Key species: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Cauca Guan, Stiles's Tapaculo, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, Bronze-winged Parrot, Moustached Antpitta, Hooded Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Scrub Tanager
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Morning birding on the Pacific slope before moving toward Mistrató.
Key species: Tatama Tapaculo, Parker's Antbird, Turquoise Dacnis
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Full day of Birding in Mistrató
Afternoon transfer toward Río Blanco Nature Reserve, with birding stops along the road as we climb into the cloud forest zone. -
A full day in Río Blanco, one of the finest antpitta sites in Colombia, where feeding stations allow for exceptional close-range photography of normally elusive species.
Key species: Brown-banded Antpitta, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Bicolored Antpitta.
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The day will be dedicated to the páramo and upper montane habitats, where we will look for some of the characteristic birds of the high Andes.
Key species: Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Andean Teal, Noble Snipe, Carunculated Caracara, Tourmaline Sunangel, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Black-backed Bush Tanager, Buffy Helmetcrest
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A final morning session in the páramo before transferring to Pereira Airport for onward flights to Bogotá.
Key species: Buffy Helmetcrest, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Viridian Metaltail, Black-thighed Puffleg, Golden-breasted Puffleg
Prices and options
Included
- Accommodation throughout the itinerary
- All ground transport during the tour
- Cali airport/hotel pick-up on Day 1
- Pereira airport drop-off on Day 14
- All meals throughout the programme
- 14 days of guiding with Marc Guyt and José Castaño + local guides
- All entrance fees and reserve access included in the itinerary
- On-location photographic guidance throughout the tour
Not included
- International flights to/from Bogota
- Domestic connections Bogota–Cali and Pereira–Bogota
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses
- Transaction charges
- Anything not specified above
This itinerary is also available as a private departure — Reach us at warblertours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp for availability and rates.
How to book a tripCómo reservar un viajeCom reservar un viatge
Three simple steps to get you there.Tres pasos sencillos y estarás en camino.Tres passos senzills i ja estaràs en camí.
Booking form
Prefer to write directly?
Reach us at warblertours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp.
FAQs
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This tour is designed for Bird Photographers who want to work seriously in the field. Photographers who understand that the best images come from time, patience and being in the right place with the right conditions.
You do not need to be an expert birder or photographer. But you do need to be comfortable with full days outdoors.
If you have photographed birds before and want to push further, with better light, more complex subjects, wilder places, this is the right trip for you.
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Yes — we offer this itinerary as a private trip for individuals, couples, or small groups. Write to us at warblertours@gmail.com or reach out on WhatsApp to check availability and get a quote.
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Yes. Write to us at warblertours@gmail.com or reach out on WhatsApp and we'll keep you in the loop — you'll be the first to know when new dates are announced.