Epic Andes Birding tour
Icaro Birding tours to Colombia’s best-seller and most colorful birding adventure start conveniently in the city of Cali, exploring birding hotspots in the Cauca Valley, home to over 900 bird species!, the Choco Bioregion – the most biodiverse region on earth in a per area basis, and the Coffee Region – Great birding, beautiful landscapes and the best coffee in the world. On this tour, you can expect to see over 30 species of hummingbirds, +60 species of tanagers, +20 Choco endemics, and over 350 bird species total.
Tour Duration: 12 days
2024 Tour Dates: December 2-13
2025 Tour Dates: June 16-27 & August 5-16
Tour Price: $4,500 per birder in shared accommodation
Save $500 when adding a Santa Marta Endemics 7-day extension
Deposit: $800 *Balance to be paid in 2 interest-free installments!*
Single Occupancy Supplement: $500
Tour Goal: Over 300 bird species including +20 endemics
Tour size: Limited to 6 participants
Tour Guide: Juan Manuel Cardona, Miguel Lopez, or Ivan Aguilera
Sought-after bird species include the all endemics Multicolored, Gold-ringed, and Black-and-gold Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Munchique Wood-wren, and the amazing Buffy Helmetcrest. Choco Endemics include Velvet-purple Coronet, Blue-tailed Trogon, Toucan Barbet, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, White-faced Nunbird, and more, many more!
Highlights for the tour
• Prepare to be mesmerized as we visit many locations adorned with bird feeders, attracting a stunning variety of up to 20 hummingbird species
• Immerse yourself in the splendor of Montezuma Rainforest Lodge, a haven for Choco endemics
• Discover the renowned Río Blanco Reserve, famous for its feeding stations that entice up to five species of Antpitta
• Our schedule ensures ample birding time starting early in the morning, followed by a delightful lunch and optional downtime for a rejuvenating ‘siesta’ before indulging in more captivating birding in the afternoon
• Throughout the tour, we will stay at carefully selected ecolodges and nature reserves, known for their bird-friendly atmosphere, tranquility, and comfort
• Rest assured, all tour hotspots are conveniently located within reasonable driving distances, ensuring plenty of time to immerse yourself in the world of birding each day.
Tour Map
Epic Andes Birding Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival to Cali International Airport
As you step off the plane in Cali, our great tour guide and friendly driver will warmly welcome you. Prepare to be whisked away to the remarkable Araucana Lodge, a haven specially designed by birders for birders. Nestled in serene surroundings, this comfortable lodge offers an ideal setting for bird photography.
Night at La Araucana Lodge
Day 2 – Finca Alejandria in Km 18, San Antonio Forest, San Felipe Birding Reserve
The Cauca Valley, home to over 900 species of birds, will be our playground for the next few days. Just a short 35-minute drive away, we’ll arrive at the renowned San Felipe birding reserve. This sanctuary is renowned for its diverse avian population, including the elusive Chestnut Wood-Quail and sought-after Multicolored Tanager. Marvel at the vibrant plumage of Blue-headed Sapphire, Metallic-green, Saffron-crowned, Golden-naped, Black-capped Tanager, and Blue-winged Mountain-tanager. Witness the grace of hummingbirds like the Violet-tailed Sylph, Purple-throated Woodstar, Booted Racket-Tail, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tawny-bellied Hermit, and Wedge-billed Hummingbird. Keep an eye out for the Scaled Fruiteater and the majestic Ornate Hawk-Eagle in the San Antonio forest.
After an exhilarating day of birding, we’ll return to the comfort of Araucana Ecolodge, where you can enjoy the vibrant feeders, savor a delicious meal prepared from the organic vegetable garden, and recharge for the adventures ahead.
Night at La Araucana Lodge
Day 3 – San Cipriano in the Choco Bioregion
Journey to the heart of the Choco Bioregion as we travel from La Araucana to the mesmerizing Natural Reserve of San Cipriano. Experience the unique thrill of a “Brujita” ride, a wooden cart propelled by a motorcycle, as we traverse the railroad to reach the reserve. Nestled within a humid tropical forest, San Cipriano offers a haven for Choco specialties. Be captivated by Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Rose-faced Parrot, Saffron-headed Parrot, Five-colored Barbet, Black-tipped Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Broad-billed Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, Sapayoa! Choco Screech Owl, Tawny-crested Tanager, among others. The morning will be dedicated to birding when activity is at its peak, providing ample opportunities for birdwatching enthusiasts.
After a delicious local lunch, we’ll make our way back to La Araucana Lodge, where you can relish the memories of the day’s birding delights.
Night at La Araucana Lodge
Day 4 – Anchicaya Valley – Cloud Tropical Forest
Experience the tranquility of the Anchicaya Valley as we explore its higher elevations. Our first stop is ‘El Descanso,’ a popular birding location owned by the remarkable ‘Dona Dora.’ Delight in the sight of rarities like the Chocó Brush-Finch and near-endemic species such as the Toucan Barbet and Golden-collared Honeycreeper. Along the road, keep an eye out for the Tatamá Tapaculo, Grayish Piculet, Crested Ant-tanager, and more. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Buga to spend the night at Hotel Guadalajara.
Night at Hotel Guadalajara de Buga
Day 5 – Sonso Lagoon and transfer to Tatama National Park
Roughly 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) southwest of the municipality of Buga, Reserva Natural Laguna de Sonso (Sonso Lagoon) is one of the few pristine wetland reserves left in the country. Witness the graceful flight of the Grayish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher, Bar-crested Antshrike, and other captivating birds. After lunch, embark on a 4.5-hour journey to Tatama National Park, where the mythical Montezuma road and its avian wonders await.
Night at Montezuma Ecolodge
Day 6 – Montezuma Higher Elevations
Discover Tatama Natural Park birding at a range of 5,400 to 8,030 feet atop the world-famous Montezuma Peak. Marvel at the extraordinary diversity of over 600 bird species, including the elusive Gold-ringed Tanager, Tanager Finch, and Munchique Wood-Wren. Keep your eyes peeled for the Black Solitaire, Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, and Orange-breasted Fruiteater. Prepare for an unforgettable day of birding in this renowned hotspot.
Night at Montezuma Ecolodge
Day 7 – Montezuma Mid-lower Elevations
Explore the mid-lower segments of the Montezuma Road, where a treasure trove of bird species awaits. Spot the striking Black-and-gold Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, Bicolored Antvireo, (E) Tatamá Tapaculo (recently described), Chocó Vireo, (E) Parker’s Antbird, (NE) Indigo Flowerpiercer, (NE) Violet-tailed Sylph, (NE) Empress Brilliant, (NE) Yellow-breasted Antpitta and Streak-capped Treehunter and Bicolored Antvireo. With luck, you may encounter the Golden-winged Manakin and Club-winged Manakin, known for their captivating displays. Your day will end in fashion enjoying the hummingbird feeders that adorn the lodge surroundings.
Night at Montezuma Ecolodge
Day 8 – ½ day Montezuma Lower Parts and transfer to Tinamu Birding Reserve
Today, We’ll dedicate the morning to explore the lower parts around Montezuma lodge, completing our list of specialties including Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer, Purplish-mantled Tanager and Tricolored Brushfinch. After a delicious lunch, we’ll embark on a scenic 3.5-hour drive to the magnificent Tinamu birding reserve, nestled in the Central Andes Cordillera. This sanctuary boasts over 240 bird species, including stunning hummingbirds like the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and the Green Hermit. Don’t miss the chance to capture breathtaking shots of birds like the Golden-collared Manakin and the Blue-headed Parrot.
Night at Tinamu Birding Reserve
Day 9 – Río Blanco Natural Reserve
Today, we’ll head to the renowned Río Blanco Natural Reserve, a paradise for bird enthusiasts, a top hotspot in the tropics and home to more than 450 species. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to spot the elusive Masked Saltator, the striking Bicolored Antpitta, and the captivating Brown-banded Antpitta. As we explore the reserve’s trails, keep an eye out for fascinating species such as the Chestnut-crowned, and Slate-crowned Antpitta, the Stygian Owl, and Rusty-faced Parrot.
Other birds of particular interest to find at Río Blanco are Gray-browed Brush-Finch, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Crimson-mantled, Bar-bellied, and Powerful Woodpeckers, Golden-plumed and Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, White-throated Quail-Dove, Pale-footed Swallow, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Grass-green, White-capped and Blue-winged Tanager.
After a full day of birding at Río Blanco, we will drive for about 30 mins to spend the next two nights at the very comfortable Paraiso Verde Ecolodge.
Night at Paraiso Verde
Day 10 – Hacienda el Bosque and Sub-Páramo locations
Our adventure continues to Hacienda el Bosque and Sub-Páramo locations, where we’ll encounter two extraordinary bird species rarely found elsewhere—the Crescent-faced Antpitta and the Grey-breasted Mountain-toucan. At this high Andean Forest and Sub-paramo ecosystem, you’ll also have the chance to observe birds like the Rufous Antpitta, the Mountain Velvetbreast, Golden-fronted Redstart, Pearled Treerunner, and the Barred Fruiteater.
Night at Paraiso Verde
Day 11 – Paramo del Ruiz, Termales del Ruiz and Transfer to Otun Quimbaya
Prepare for an unforgettable experience at Paramo del Ruiz, located at a staggering 13,300 feet above sea level. Marvel at the endangered Buffy Helmetcrest, a hummingbird exclusively reliant on the espeletia flowers found in Paramo ecosystems.
The stunning Rufous-fronted Parakeet and a plethora of other fascinating birds like the Andean Condor, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Tawny Antpitta, White-chinned Thistletail, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Many-striped Canastero, Paramo Seedeater, and the Black Flowerpiercer await your discovery.
In early afternoon we’ll have lunch at Hotel Termales del Ruiz where you can enjoy stunning views of the spectacular set of gardens and feeders that will attract 10 species of hummingbirds including the highly regarded (NE) Black-thighed Puffleg, (NE) Golden-breasted Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Great Sapphirewing, and more. The hotel boats a steaming, hot, sulfurous delightful thermal pool that you can enjoy after after a delightful day of birding.
In the afternoon we will drive to Otun Quimbaya for our last day of birding.
Night Hotel Kumanday
Day 12 – Otún Quimbaya Birding Reserve
Our last day of birding in Colombia takes us to Otun Quimbaya, where flat trails and accessible understory make for an ideal birding environment. Seek out the rare and endemic Cauca Guan and the good-looking Red-ruffed Fruitcrow. Keep an eye out for other remarkable species like the Torrent Duck, Golden-plumed Parakeet, (NE) Mustached Antpitta and the Stiles’s Tapaculo.
As our adventure comes to a close, we’ll bid farewell to the vibrant landscapes of Colombia and return to Cali. Depending on your flight arrangements, we’ll arrange for an extra night at a comfortable hotel near the airport, ready to catch your flight the next morning.
We’re honored to have shared the beauty and diversity of Colombia’s birds with you and wish you a safe journey home. Until our next birding escapade in the birdiest country on earth—Colombia!
Consider joining our magnificent 7-day Santa Marta Endemics Tour extension and save $800!
Photos Day 4
Brujita San Cipriano
Chestnut-breasted Woodquail
Multicolored Tanager by Mollee Brown
White-whiskered Puffbird
Photos Day 7
Black-and-gold Tanager by Nick Athanas
Crested-ant Tanager by Juan Manuel Cardona
Munchique Wood-Wren by Francesco Veronesi
Violet Tailed Sylph
Photos Day 8
Chestnut-bellied flowerpiercer
Golden-collared Manakin by Aaron Maizlish
Purplish-mantled Tanager by David Larson
Yellow-breasted Antpitta
Photos Day 9
Grass-green Tanager by Michael Woodruff
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet
Slate-crowned Antpitta by David Larson
White-capped Tanager
Photos Day 11
Buffy Helmetcrest
Crescent-faced Antpitta
Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan
Rainbow-bearded by Arley Vargas
Photos Day 12
Cauca Guan
Moustached Antpitta
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow
Torrent Ducks by Mauricio Ossa