Dear Suzanne,
Welcome! We are delighted to share this photography-focused expedition through Colombia's Central and Western Andes, designed specifically for the two of you. This itinerary has been built around comfort, feeder-based photography, and extended stays at each location to maximize your photographic results.
Every reserve on this trip has been carefully selected for its feeding stations, hides, and short-distance photography setups — no long hikes required. We have planned 2 to 4 nights at each site so you can work with morning and afternoon light across multiple sessions, refining compositions and waiting for the ideal conditions.
The route flows linearly from Cali northeast to Caldas with no backtracking, minimizing travel fatigue. All accommodations offer on-site birding, private bathrooms, and full meal service. Throughout the trip you will be accompanied by our team, who will take care of all logistics so you can focus entirely on photography.
We look forward to welcoming you to Colombia.
Jinneth Acosta
Motmot Nature — Community Birdwatching Tourism
Itinerary
Day-by-Day Route
All transfers are by private 4×4 vehicle with your dedicated driver-guide. Your photography days are spent entirely at feeders and hides — no strenuous walking required.
1
Airport pickup in Cali → Transfer to Doña Dora Birding
2.5 hours · Afternoon photography session at feeders
📍 Doña Dora
2
Full day photography at Doña Dora
Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet at feeders
📍 Doña Dora
3
Full day photography at Doña Dora
Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, 28–60 species in 150m² area
📍 Doña Dora
4
Transfer to La Florida Birding (Km 18)
1 hour · Afternoon at cloud forest feeders
📍 La Florida
5
Full day photography at La Florida
Multicolored Tanager (endemic), Chestnut Wood-Quail (endemic), Booted Racket-tail, 24 hummingbird species
📍 La Florida
6
La Florida + optional day trip to Km 18 sites
Bosque de Niebla, San Felipe, or Alejandría feeders nearby
📍 La Florida
7
Full day photography at La Florida
30 tanager species, photography cabins in cloud forest
📍 La Florida
8
Transfer to Eco Hotel Hacienda El Diamante (Buga)
1.5 hours · Afternoon at hummingbird feeders & bamboo hides
📍 Hda El Diamante
9
Photography at Hacienda El Diamante
Bamboo photography hides, 12+ hummingbird species, Apical Flycatcher (endemic)
📍 Hda El Diamante
10
Day trip to Laguna de Sonso + Hacienda El Diamante
Horned Screamer, Snail Kite, Red-capped Cardinal, waterbirds · 30 min drive
📍 Hda El Diamante
11
Photography at Hacienda El Diamante
Cauca Valley dry forest species, hides
📍 Hda El Diamante
12
Transfer to Cajamarca / Cañón de Anaime
3.5 hours · Scenic drive through Barragán pass
📍 Cantos del Río
13
Photography at Retorno del Colibrí Reserve
Yellow-eared Parrot, Tolima Dove (endemic), Golden-plumed Parakeet
📍 Cantos del Río
14
Photography at Retorno del Colibrí Reserve
Tolima Blossomcrown (endemic), Golden-plumed Parakeet, Sparkling Violetear
📍 Cantos del Río
15
Photography at Retorno del Colibrí Reserve
White-tipped Sicklebill, wax palm forest species
📍 Cantos del Río
16
Transfer to Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve
4.5 hours via La Línea tunnel · Afternoon at feeders & hides
📍 Tinamú Birding
17
Full day photography at Tinamú
Professional hides, fruit feeders, hummingbird garden, Andean Motmot
📍 Tinamú Birding
18
Full day photography at Tinamú
260+ species, Golden-collared Manakin lek, Colombian Chachalaca
📍 Tinamú Birding
19
Transfer to Owl's Watch at Río Blanco Reserve
40 minutes ascending · Luxury eco-cabin with jacuzzi & fireplace
📍 Owl's Watch
20
Photography at Río Blanco Reserve
Antpitta feeding stations (4–5 species), cloud forest hummingbirds
📍 Owl's Watch
21
Photography at Río Blanco Reserve
393 species recorded · Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Masked Trogon
📍 Owl's Watch
22
Morning at Río Blanco → Afternoon transfer to Color de mis Rêves
30 minutes · Luxury glamping in cloud forest at 2,850m
📍 Color de mis Rêves
23
Photography at Color de mis Rêves
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Long-tailed Sylph, cloud forest tanagers
📍 Color de mis Rêves
24
Photography at Color de mis Rêves
High-altitude cloud forest, hummingbirds, tanagers, river trail
📍 Color de mis Rêves
25
Transfer to Pereira Airport (Matecaña)
2 hours · Departure flight
— End of tour
Key Reserves
Photography Sites & Target Species
Doña Dora Birding
Anchicayá, Valle · 3 nights · 500+ spp recorded
Andean Cock-of-the-rock (lek), Toucan Barbet, Empress Brilliant, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Green Thorntail, Velvet-purple Coronet
La Florida Birding
Km 18, Cali · 4 nights · 340+ spp · Cloud forest cabins
Multicolored Tanager (endemic), Chestnut Wood-Quail (endemic), 24 hummingbird species, 30 tanager species
Hacienda El Diamante
Buga, Valle · 3 nights · Bamboo hides
Apical Flycatcher (endemic), 12+ hummingbird species. Laguna de Sonso excursion: Snail Kite, Red-capped Cardinal
Retorno del Colibrí
Anaime, Tolima · 3 days (day trips) · Private reserve
Yellow-eared Parrot, Tolima Dove (endemic), Tolima Blossomcrown (endemic), Golden-plumed Parakeet, White-tipped Sicklebill
Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve
Manizales, Caldas · 3 nights · Professional hides & bird lake
Golden-collared Manakin (lek), Colombian Chachalaca (endemic), Grayish Piculet (endemic), 260+ species
Owl's Watch at Río Blanco
Manizales, Caldas · 3 nights · Luxury eco-cabins
Brown-banded Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Bicolored Antpitta, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Masked Trogon, 393 species
Color de mis Rêves
Villamaría, Caldas · 3 nights · 2,850m · Luxury glamping in cloud forest
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Long-tailed Sylph, cloud forest tanagers, 83 species at glamping, 489 in surrounding forest
Investment
Trip Cost
Accommodation (24 nights, private rooms)Included
All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)Included
Private 4×4 vehicle & driver-guide for 25 daysIncluded
Reserve entrance fees & local birding guidesIncluded
Fuel & highway tollsIncluded
Airport pickup (Cali) & drop-off (Pereira)Included
Total — 2 Photographers
USD $25,000
Per person
USD $12,500
Details
What's Included & Not Included
✓ Included
- 24 nights accommodation in private rooms with private bathroom
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Private 4×4 SUV with driver-guide for the entire trip
- All fuel and highway tolls
- All reserve entrance fees and day passes
- Local birding guides at each reserve
- Airport transfers (Cali arrival / Pereira departure)
- Bilingual coordination and trip planning
✗ Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses and tips
- Additional activities not described in itinerary
Terms
Booking Conditions
Reservation & Payment
A 50% deposit is required to confirm the booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the trip start date. Payments are accepted via international wire transfer (Western Union or bank transfer).
Cancellation Policy
Important: Upon receipt of the 50% deposit, all accommodations at each nature reserve and lodge on the itinerary are booked and paid in advance immediately. These bookings are non-refundable by the nature reserves and lodges. Additionally, our team blocks 25 full days of exclusive dedication to your trip.
In the event of cancellation after the deposit has been received, only approximately 15% of the deposit may be refunded, corresponding to unused highway tolls and a partial fraction of the operator fee. The remaining 85% is non-refundable as it has been committed to accommodation bookings and operator time.
Date changes are subject to availability at all sites involved and may incur additional costs due to rate differences.
Health & Physical Requirements
This itinerary has been designed for senior photographers with minimal walking requirements, suited to your needs. All photography is done from feeders, hides, and short trails near accommodations. The final days at Color de mis Rêves (2,850m) require altitude adaptation. We recommend consulting your physician before travel.
Important Notes
The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, road conditions, or reserve availability. All reserve bookings are subject to confirmation. Bird sightings cannot be guaranteed, though the reserves selected have excellent track records for the target species listed.