Suggested itinerary · Dates by arrangement
Colombia
Photography Expedition
15 days of hummingbirds,
tanagers and Andean forests.
From Bogotá’s hummingbird gardens to the cloud forests around Manizales, the wetlands of the Cauca Valley and the Western Andes near Cali, take time to work with the light, find natural backgrounds and photograph Colombia’s extraordinary birds.
- Duration
- 15 days · 14 tour nights
- Start & finish
- Bogotá · Return flight from Cali
- Recommended travel months
- May through August
- Recommended maximum
- 6–8 participants
Your private tour, your personalized quotation. Pricing is TBC once the final number of participants, travel dates, room arrangements and services are confirmed. We recommend a maximum of 6–8 participants.
Arrival: Plan to arrive in Bogotá one day before Day 1. Airport pickup is proposed as included; the extra hotel night is quoted separately. Meals: Breakfast and lunch on Days 1–15. Dinners are at your own expense.
Bogotá · Cajamarca · Manizales · Buga · Cali
Follow the birds.
From gardens to cloud forest.
Travel overland through contrasting habitats, with a domestic flight from Cali back to Bogotá at the end of the expedition.
View full-size route map
- 01Bogotá · El Zoque hummingbird gardensDay 1
- 02Cajamarca · Retorno de ColibríesDays 2–3
- 03Manizales · Tinamu, Río Blanco, Nevado & Hacienda El BosqueDays 4–9
- 04Buga · Laguna del SonsoDays 10–11
- 05Cali region · La Florida, Doña Dora & AtuncelaDays 11–14
- ↗Cali–Bogotá domestic flight · Departure homeDay 15
Your suggested program
Day by day in Colombia.
This 15-day itinerary is a starting point. We can adapt the dates, pace, time at each site and target species to your interests and budget. Plan your international arrival for the day before Day 1. Your final proposal confirms the trip leader, rooms and services for your group.
Day 01El Zoque hummingbird gardens
Visit the El Zoque hummingbird gardens for your first full day of photography. Work patiently at the garden viewpoints, selecting clean backgrounds and suitable light while observing the hummingbirds' feeding patterns. Your leader will help you adjust camera settings and positioning as activity changes. Return to Bogotá after the visit.
Possible species: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Great Sapphirewing, Glowing Puffleg, White-bellied Woodstar and Tyrian Metaltail.
- Overnight
- Aloft Hotel Bogotá
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 02Overland to Cajamarca
Leave Bogotá and travel overland to the Cajamarca area. This is primarily a transfer day, with photography stops where safe access, travel time and bird activity allow. After arrival, settle into Anayme Hotel and review the following day's local photography plan.
Possible species: Regional opportunities include Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, Amazonian Motmot and Tolima Dove, subject to the stops available along the route.
- Overnight
- Anayme Hotel
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 03Retorno de Colibríes
Spend the day visiting Retorno de Colibríes and the surrounding birding area. Concentrate on hummingbird photography and use quieter periods to look for other local species. Your leader will coordinate access and the day's targets with the local hosts. Return to Anayme Hotel after the session.
Possible species: Tolima Blossomcrown, Indigo-capped Hummingbird and Crowned Woodnymph. Other regional targets include Yellow-eared Parrot, Indigo-winged Parrot, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan and Tolima Dove, depending on local access and current activity.
- Overnight
- Anayme Hotel
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 04Travel to Tinamu Birding Lodge
Travel overland to Tinamu Birding Lodge in the Manizales region. After check-in and lunch arrangements, begin an afternoon photography session around the lodge gardens and available viewing areas. Focus on acclimating to the site and learning which perches and backgrounds work best for the birds visiting that afternoon.
Possible species: Little Tinamou, Colombian Chachalaca, White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-breasted Hermit, Bay-headed Tanager, Steely-vented Hummingbird and Black-throated Mango.
- Overnight
- Tinamu Birding Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 05Full day at Tinamu
Spend a full day photographing the lodge's birds. Use the morning activity period for the most productive garden and forest-edge opportunities, then revisit suitable locations as the light changes. Local guiding will help locate birds that are less visible from the main viewing areas. There is time to work carefully on image quality rather than rushing between sites.
Possible species: Little Tinamou, Colombian Chachalaca, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Thick-billed Euphonia, Gray-headed Tanager, Flame-rumped Tanager, Scrub Tanager and Andean Motmot.
- Overnight
- Tinamu Birding Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 06Río Blanco Reserve
Visit Río Blanco for a change to Andean forest photography. Coordinate the visit with the reserve's local guides, allowing time for the antpitta opportunities available that day and for birds along the forest edges. Watch for mixed feeding flocks between the main photography stops. Continue to Recinto del Pensamiento for the night.
Possible species: Brown-banded Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Slaty-crowned Antpitta and Bicolored Antpitta; also Grass-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Buff-tailed Coronet, Green-and-black Fruiteater and Long-tailed Sylph.
- Overnight
- Recinto del Pensamiento
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 07Nevado and Termales
Make a high elevation photography excursion in the Nevado and Termales area. Work at the accessible hummingbird and highland bird locations selected for the day. Allow extra time for changing visibility and light, and bring warm layers and rain protection. Return to Recinto del Pensamiento after the excursion.
Possible species: Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Tourmaline Sunangel, Viridian Metaltail, Black-thighed Puffleg, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager and Rufous-fronted Parakeet.
- Overnight
- Recinto del Pensamiento
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 08Hacienda El Bosque
Travel to Hacienda El Bosque and settle into the accommodation. Spend the afternoon at the photography areas operating during your visit, with local guidance on current bird activity. Take time to select positions that offer natural backgrounds and to prepare for a full day at the property tomorrow.
Possible species: Highland hummingbirds, antpittas and forest tanagers. Specific targets and the available photography sessions will be checked with the local hosts.
- Overnight
- Hacienda El Bosque
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 09Full day at Hacienda El Bosque
Devote the day to the hacienda's bird photography opportunities. Follow the local guides' sequence of visits to the active viewing areas, then revisit productive spots when conditions permit. The extended stay gives us time to respond to birds' behavior and changing light, with breaks coordinated around the day's activity.
Possible species: Antpittas, highland hummingbirds and tanagers, according to the birds active at the property during our stay.
- Overnight
- Hacienda El Bosque
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 10Overland to Guadalajara de Buga
After the morning arrangements at Hacienda El Bosque, travel toward Guadalajara de Buga in the Cauca Valley. Photography stops will depend on the drive and conditions. Check in at the Buga hotel and prepare for the wetland session the following morning. The hotel name will be confirmed with the final accommodation details.
Possible species: Cauca Valley targets for this stage include Common Potoo, Snail Kite, Horned Screamer, Grayish Piculet and Masked Cardinal. The main wetland session is planned for Day 11.
- Overnight
- Buga hotel to be confirmed
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 11Laguna del Sonso and La Florida
Photograph at Laguna del Sonso in the morning, concentrating on wetland birds and the vegetation around the lagoon. After the session and lunch arrangements, continue overland to La Florida Birding Lodge in the Cali region. If arrival time and light permit, begin a short photography session around the lodge.
Possible species: Laguna del Sonso: Horned Screamer, Snail Kite, Masked Cardinal and Grayish Piculet. La Florida: Multicolored Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Golden Tanager and Saffron-crowned Tanager.
- Overnight
- La Florida Birding Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 12Full day at La Florida
Spend the day at La Florida's photography areas. Concentrate on tanagers, barbets and hummingbirds, choosing backgrounds and exposure for the available light. Return to productive viewpoints through the day as birds revisit the area, with local guiding where required by the property.
Possible species: Multicolored Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Golden Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, White-bellied Woodstar, Crowned Woodnymph, Violet-tailed Sylph and Booted Racket-tail.
- Overnight
- La Florida Birding Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 13Doña Dora birding
Make a full day visit to Doña Dora for photography in a different Western Andes setting. Follow local guidance at the viewing areas, with particular attention to barbets, hummingbirds and tanagers. Return to La Florida after the session.
Possible species: Toucan Barbet, Red-headed Barbet, Empress Brilliant, White-whiskered Hermit, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden Tanager and Silver-throated Tanager.
- Overnight
- La Florida Birding Lodge
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 14Atuncela and transfer to Cali
Visit Atuncela for the final morning of bird photography. After the session, travel to Cali in the afternoon and check in at the hotel selected for the final night. Use the evening to organize luggage and camera equipment for the domestic flight and international journey the following day.
Possible species: Sickle-winged Guan, Blue-headed Sapphire, Andean Emerald, Golden-naped Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager and Black-capped Tanager.
- Overnight
- Cali hotel to be confirmed
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 15Cali to Bogotá and departure home
Transfer to Cali Airport for the domestic flight to Bogotá and your onward international departure. Freddy Madrigal Photography Expeditions will coordinate the local flight booking for your group. Meals and transfers will be arranged around the confirmed flight schedule.
- Overnight
- None on departure day
- Meals included
- Breakfast and lunch
Know what to expect
What your expedition covers.
The final quotation will confirm accommodation, room arrangements, flights and services for your departure.
Proposed inclusions
- Fourteen tour nights on Days 1–14, with room arrangements confirmed in your personalized quotation.
- Breakfast and lunch during the tour, plus one bottle of drinking water per participant per day.
- Private ground transportation, itinerary activities and entrance fees.
- A dedicated professional trip leader and local guides where required by the properties.
- The Cali–Bogotá domestic flight on Day 15, with flight times and fare conditions to be confirmed.
- International arrival pickup in Bogotá and the departure transfers described in the program.
Items to budget separately
- International flights to and from Colombia and travel insurance.
- The pre-tour hotel night before Day 1, quoted separately.
- Dinners and meals beyond the included breakfast and lunch.
- Alcoholic beverages and additional drinks beyond the daily included bottle of water.
- Personal expenses and activities or services outside the confirmed itinerary.
- Tips for trip leaders, drivers, local guides, restaurant staff and housekeeping staff.
Photography & field preparation
Be ready for changing light
and mountain weather.
The Nevado and Termales excursion reaches higher elevations, where visibility and light can change quickly. Bring warm layers and rain protection, and tell us about any access or altitude concerns while we plan your route.
At hummingbird gardens, forest viewpoints and wetland sites, take time to observe activity and choose your position. Your trip leader will help with camera settings and positioning as the conditions change.
Follow the leader and local hosts at hides, feeding areas and forest trails so everyone has space to photograph and the birds can approach calmly. The extended stays at Tinamu, Hacienda El Bosque and La Florida allow time to return to productive viewpoints.
Personalized private tours
Your group.
Your Colombia expedition.
Share your preferred dates, target species and final participant count so we can prepare your personalized proposal.
- Price per person
- Personalized · TBC once the final number of participants is confirmed. Travel dates, room arrangements and selected services also shape your quotation.
- Recommended maximum
- 6–8 participants, with the final group size agreed during planning.
- Accommodation
- 14 tour nights. Room preferences, single-room pricing and hotel availability are confirmed in your quotation. The Buga and Cali hotels are TBC.
- Deposit & payment schedule
- TBC in your individual proposal, including any advance hotel and flight payments.
- Arrival & domestic flight
- Arrive in Bogotá the day before Day 1; the extra hotel night is quoted separately. The Cali–Bogotá flight on Day 15 will be coordinated with your international departure.
- Scheduled mixed-group tours
- Departure dates and prices will be announced as each Colombia tour is scheduled.
Booking & cancellation terms
The following cancellation refunds are based on the amount paid, as set out in your final quotation:
- 90 days or more before the tour: 100% less a 15% administration fee.
- 60–89 days before the tour: 75%.
- 30–59 days before the tour: 50%.
- 29 days or fewer before the tour: no refund.
Your individual proposal confirms the applicable terms, payment deadline and accommodation before booking. Travel insurance covering cancellation, interruption and medical emergencies is strongly recommended.
Provide international flight details so we can coordinate the Bogotá arrival pickup and the return connection from Cali. The domestic airline, flight times and fare conditions remain TBC until confirmed. Dietary requirements can be shared during planning.
Your expedition experience
Local knowledge.
Time for your photography.
Freddy Madrigal brings 38 years of birding and photography experience to the design of each journey. A Certified International Tour Manager, he personally trains his team to uphold his standards of service, preparation and attention to each traveler.
A dedicated professional trip leader, supported by local guides where required, helps your group make the most of Colombia’s bird photography sites. Your final proposal confirms the leader and arrangements for your departure.
Meet our expedition teamLet’s plan your next experience
Tell us what you hope to discover.
Tell Freddy your Colombia travel dates, target birds and group size. We will shape your suggested itinerary and confirm a personalized quotation for your final number of participants.