More birds than anywhere on earth

A note from Rick: I scouted this route in person and built this itinerary myself, but I won't be leading this one. Your trip will be hosted by a hand-picked Birding with Rick host, alongside Roger, our specialist Colombian birding guide, and local guides at every hotspot. Same small group, same care, same standard you expect from a Birding with Rick trip.

Colombia has more bird species than any other country in the world, over 1,900 of them. You feel that from the first morning. At Tinamú, antbirds that normally skulk out of sight hop out to the worm feeders a few feet away. By day four you're watching a Brown-banded Antpitta, a bird once considered nearly impossible to see, walk out of the cloud forest to breakfast. By day five you're above 13,000 feet, scanning for a Buffy Helmetcrest, with the Ruiz Volcano behind you.

Twelve days. Three mountain ranges' worth of habitat. From the dry forests and coffee farms of the Central Andes, up to the high scrubs of Los Nevados National Park, across the Cauca Valley to the cloud forests of the Western Andes, and down the Old Buenaventura Road where Andean and Chocó birds overlap. Chestnut Wood-Quail at the feeders. Multicolored Tanager in the canopy. An Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek at dawn. Horned Screamer at Sonso Lagoon.

And this is Colombia, so it's not only birds. We spend an afternoon at Hacienda Venecia learning coffee from the plant to the cup, soak in the hot springs at Termales del Ruiz, and finish in Cali with a city tour and a salsa performance.

This is a fully guided, all-inclusive birding tour. All meals are included. You land in Pereira on September 10, and your Birding with Rick host and our local team take care of everything until you head home from Cali on September 21.

Dates:Sep 10-21, 2027
(11 nights, 12 days)
Location:Colombia: Pereira, Tinamú Reserve, Owl's Watch (Manizales), Los Nevados National Park, Hacienda El Bosque, Western Andes (La Florida, Old Buenaventura Road), Dona Dora, Sonso Lagoon, Cali
Price:$8,450 per person (double occupancy). If we do not reach 6 guests, every dollar including your deposit is refunded in full.
Includes:All accommodations, all meals, private ground transportation, all park and reserve fees, the Hacienda Venecia Coffee Experience, Cali City Tour & Salsa performance, and tips for local guides and drivers.
Group Size:6–10 participants
(minimum 6 required)
Difficulty Level:Moderate. Mostly easy trail and feeder birding, with one day at high elevation (up to 13,800 ft / 4,200 m) and some early pre-dawn starts. One antpitta trail is rocky & uneven.
Your Host: A Birding with Rick host (to be announced), with Roger, our specialist local birding guide. Rick designed this tour but will not be attending.

What to Expect: Antbirds and manakins at Tinamú, a coffee farm afternoon, antpitta feeders in the cloud forest, a full day in the high páramo for Buffy Helmetcrest, three nights at a hot springs lodge, Chocó specialties on the Old Buenaventura Road, wetland birding with a local community at Sonso, and a salsa send-off in Cali.

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Dates & Booking

**Expedition Dates:** Sep 10-21, 2027
**Arrival Day:** Sep 10, 2027: fly into Matecaña International Airport, Pereira (PEI)
**Departure Day:** Sep 21, 2027: depart from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, Cali (CLO)
**Price:** $8,450 per person (double occupancy)
Hold your spot with a **$1,000 deposit**
**Single Supplement:** $1,500
Travelling solo? We **match roommates** so you can pay the double occupancy rate.
**Group Size:** Minimum 6 participants, maximum 10. If we do not reach 6 guests, every dollar including your deposit is refunded in full.
**Please note:** Rick is not leading this tour. It is hosted by a Birding with Rick host (name announced before final payment is due).

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IMPORTANT NOTE ON ALTITUDE

Day 5 takes us into Los Nevados National Park, where the páramo reaches about 13,800 ft (4,200 m), and our lodge at Termales del Ruiz sits above 9,800 ft (3,000 m). We build up to it gradually, starting at around 4,000 ft (1,200 m) at Tinamú. Most guests feel only mild effects like shortness of breath on short climbs. Walking is slow and easy at elevation, and we go at the group's pace. If you have heart or lung conditions, please check with your doctor before booking.

Tinamú is a 37-acre private reserve in the village of San Peregrino, 90 minutes from Pereira Airport. It sits in dry forest at around 4,020 ft (1,225 m), with an excellent trail network and some of the best feeders in the Central Andes. We transfer straight here from the airport on Day 1 and settle in for three nights.
The worm feeders are the star. They bring normally hidden, skulking birds out into the open: Jet Antbird, Blue-lored Antbird, Barred Antshrike, and Great Antshrike, all at close range. Three Colombian endemics live here too: Grayish Piculet, Colombian Chachalaca, and Parker's Antbird.
The fruit and nectar feeders are busy all day. Near-endemic Western Emerald and Scrub Tanager share space with Green Honeycreeper, Blue-necked Tanager, Long-billed Starthroat, Steely-vented Hummingbird, White-vented Plumeleteer, Black-throated Mango, and three species of violetear. On the trails we visit a Golden-collared Manakin lek to watch the males snap and dance, and look for Moustached Puffbird, Andean Motmot, Speckle-breasted Wren, Guira Tanager, and Golden-rumped Euphonia.
Accommodation:
Tinamú Reserve
Target Species:
Grayish Piculet, Colombian Chachalaca, Parker's Antbird, Golden-collared Manakin, Jet Antbird, Western Emerald, Scrub Tanager, Moustached Puffbird
Sep 12 | Afternoon at a working coffee farm
We spend the morning birding Tinamú, then head to Hacienda Venecia for lunch and an afternoon of coffee during the quiet midday hours, so we don't give up any prime birding time.
It starts with a cup in the farm's Coffee Lounge and an introduction to coffee's history, varieties, and what makes Colombian coffee special. The region is part of Colombia's Coffee Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we walk the plantation, pick our own coffee cherries, visit the wet mill to see how the beans are processed, and finish with a roasting session where we taste beans at different stages and learn why a few seconds can make or break a batch.
We return to Tinamú for our final night.
Owl's Watch sits in the cloud forest above Manizales and is one of the best places in Colombia to see antpittas upclose. The local guide walks us to several feeding stations, where the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta, near-endemic Bicolored Antpitta, and Chestnut-crowned Antpitta come in for breakfast.
Breakfast is served high on the mountain where a Black-billed Mountain-Toucan will visit in exchange for a banana!
The hummingbird feeders hold Long-tailed Sylph, Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, and Fawn-breasted Brilliant. The forest trails add Pearled Treerunner, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Lachrymose Mountain-Tanager, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and, with some patience, Plushcap and Ash-colored Tapaculo. The hummingbird feeders are so busy, get ready to hand-feed hummingbirds while sipping on the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had!
After lunch we climb to Termales del Ruiz, our base for the next three nights, above 9,800 ft (3,000 m).
Accommodation:
Termales del Ruiz
Target Species:
Brown-banded Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Long-tailed Sylph, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Plushcap, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan.
Day 5: Los Nevados National Park. An early start takes us into the park around the Ruiz Volcano, from about 9,200 to 13,100 ft (2,800 to 4,000 m), with a field breakfast along the way. We begin in the elfin forest for the rare Rufous-fronted Parakeet, near-endemic Black-thighed Puffleg, Black-backed Bush Tanager, and Páramo Tapaculo. Mixed flocks can hold Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, and two species of chat-tyrant.
Then the main event: the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest. We search the open páramo, checking the flowering frailejones (Espeletia), the tall, fuzzy sunflower relatives that define this landscape. Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spinetail, and White-chinned Thistletail share the habitat. Afternoon is back at the lodge, where the feeders bring in Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg, and Shining Sunbeam, and the hot springs are waiting.
Day 6: Hacienda El Bosque. A traditional Andean hacienda 30 minutes from Manizales, running from 9,200 to 12,800 ft (2,800 to 3,900 m), with high-Andean forest and páramo protected for over 40 years. Its antpitta feeders are the draw: Crescent-faced, Slate-crowned, Undulated, and Equatorial Antpitta. The hummingbird feeders hold Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Tourmaline Sunangel, Tyrian Metaltail, and Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan is a real possibility. After lunch we return to Termales del Ruiz.
Accommodation:
Termales del Ruiz
Target Species:
Buffy Helmetcrest, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Black-thighed Puffleg, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
A relaxed morning with breakfast and some last birding around the lodge, then we head south. The drive takes us out of the Central Andes, down across the Cauca Valley, and up into the Western Andes, with stops for lowland Cauca Valley birds and lunch along the way. It's about six hours, and the change in landscape is part of the experience.
La Araucana Lodge sits among bamboo and palms on a traditional finca at around 5,250 ft (1,600 m). If there's light and activity when we arrive, we'll walk the grounds for Red-headed Barbet, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, and Black-billed Thrush.
Accommodation:
La Araucana Lodge
Target Species:
Red-headed Barbet, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, Black-billed Thrush
Day 8: Finca La Florida. A short drive brings us to this cloud forest farm at about 6,560 ft (2,000 m), one of the great hummingbird and tanager spots in Colombia. The endemic Multicolored Tanager and near-endemic Blue-headed Sapphire are the headliners, alongside Golden-naped Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Black-winged Saltator, and Long-tailed Sylph. We start early for the endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail, which regularly walks in to the feeders. Scaled Antpitta and Little Tinamou are also possible. Afternoon is back at La Araucana, where more than 180 species have been recorded, including Apical Flycatcher and Purple-throated Woodstar.
Day 9: Old Buenaventura Road & Doña Dora's. A very early start, and a short walk by spotlight down a forest trail to an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek. We arrive before sunrise to watch the males gather and display, one of the great spectacles of the Andes. Then breakfast at Doña Dora's feeders with the Chocó endemic Toucan Barbet, Glistening-green Tanager, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, and Rufous-throated Tanager. We spend the rest of the morning birding the Old Buenaventura Road through the Anchicayá Valley, where Andean and Chocó species overlap.
Accommodation:
La Araucana Lodge
Target Species:
Multicolored Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Toucan Barbet, Glistening-green Tanager, Empress Brilliant
Sonso Lagoon, beside the Cauca River, is one of the last large wetlands left in the dry Cauca Valley. The local community protects it and runs the guiding here, and they cook our breakfast and lunch, so our visit supports the people doing the conservation work.
The big target is Horned Screamer, a prehistoric-looking bird with a single horn-like quill on its forehead. Spectacled Parrotlet, Common Potoo, Comb Duck, and Dwarf Cuckoo are also on the list, and the mudflats and shallow edges can be good for shorebirds. After lunch we drive into Cali.
Accommodation:
Hotel Spiwak, Cali
Target Species:
Horned Screamer, Spectacled Parrotlet, Common Potoo, Comb Duck, Dwarf Cuckoo
Our last full day is about Cali itself. Local cultural guides walk us through the city's historic heart and share its stories. Lunch is at a traditional local restaurant, the afternoon is free, and we close the trip with a farewell dinner and a Salsa performance!
On Day 12, after breakfast, we arrange your transfer to the airport based on your flight time.
Accommodation:
Hotel Spiwak, Cali

What's Included

Accommodation: 11 nights in handpicked reserves, lodges, and hotels.
All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout, from dinner on September 10 through breakfast on September 21, including a farewell dinner in Cali. Snacks provided daily. Dietary restrictions are accommodated.
Ground Transportation: Private vehicle and driver throughout, including airport transfers.
Expert Guidance: Birding with Rick host (to be announced) + Roger, our specialist local birding guide + additional local guides at each birding hotspot.
Park & Reserve Fees: All entrance fees to Los Nevados National Park, Tinamú Reserve, Owl's Watch, Hacienda El Bosque, Finca La Florida, Doña Dora's, Sonso Lagoon, and all other sites visited.
Coffee Experience: A guided afternoon at Hacienda Venecia, with lunch, plantation walk, and roasting session.
Cali City Tour & Salsa Performance: With local cultural guides and dancers.
Drinking Water: Bottled Water provided during all transit
Checklists: Daily checklists of all bird species & mammals. You'll get to bring home a souvenir checklist of the trip.
Tips for Local Guides & Drivers: Included. Birding with Rick handles this on behalf of the group.

What's NOT Included

International Flights: Airfare into Pereira (PEI) on September 10 (arrive before noon), and home from Cali (CLO) on September 21 or later.
Colombia Visa: US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays under 90 days. Canadians pay $85 tax on arrival. Colombia also requires an online entry form before arrival. Check current requirements for your passport before booking.
Travel Insurance: Required. Participants are responsible for their own trip coverage (the included emergency medical insurance does not replace it).
Alcoholic Beverages: Available for purchase at lodges and restaurants
Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, spa services, laundry
Tips/Gratuities: Optional gratuity for your Birding with Rick Host

What to Bring

- Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 recommended)
- Camera with zoom lens if you enjoy bird photography (the feeders are a photographer's dream)
- Field guide to the Birds of Colombia (optional)
- Small backpack for daily excursions
- eBird app or Merlin downloaded for region (optional)
- Headlamp or small flashlight (essential for the pre-dawn walk to the Cock-of-the-rock lek)
- Neutral-toned layers (khaki, olive, grey)
- Warm layers for the highlands: fleece, warm hat, and gloves. Mornings in the páramo can be near freezing.
- Rain jacket (cloud forest means clouds, and rain)
- Sun hat with brim
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots with good grip (trails can be muddy)
- Swimsuit for the hot springs at Termales del Ruiz
- High-SPF sunscreen (the sun is strong at altitude)
- Insect repellent
- Prescription medications, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude
- Valid passport (6 months beyond Sep 21, 2027)
- Travel insurance documentation
- Spotting scope not necessary (There will be two for the group)

What NOT to Bring

You won't need fancy clothes. Casual and comfortable is the vibe.
Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Colombia and Birding With Rick are committed to sustainability.
Bright colors like red, orange, white, and anything neon make you the most visible thing on the trail and can flush shy birds before the group sees them. Stick to greens, browns, and greys, especially at the antpitta feeders, where the birds are wary and the payoff is worth it.

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Physical Fitness Level

Difficulty: Moderate

This is mostly easy birding at feeders, on lodge grounds, and on short forest trails, with vehicle transfers between sites. The main challenge is elevation, not distance.

Walking 1-3 miles per day, on trails that can be sloped, uneven, or muddy.
Standing periods of 1–2 hours during birding sessions
One very early morning (4:00a.m.) for pre-dawn headlamp walk to Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek
High elevation on Day 5, up to about 13,800 ft (4,200 m), with walking at a slow, easy pace
A full travel day on Day 7 (about six hours by road, with birding stops)

Birding Ability: Beginner birders are welcome on all of Birding with Rick's tours. You will feel welcome and appreciated regardless of experience level.

Accessibility Note: Some trails have stairs, steep sections, and uneven surfaces. If you have mobility or health concerns, especially related to altitude, please contact us to discuss.