Colombia: the best of Cali
birding photography tour
picture this...
Imagine waking to the vibrant call of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, camera in hand, as the mist lifts over the lush Colombian cloud forest. This is more than a birding trip — it’s a fully immersive photography journey designed to bring you face-to-face with the extraordinary species and breathtaking landscapes of Colombia’s Western Andes. Each moment in the field moves you closer to rare, bucket-list shots that few photographers ever experience. It’s the reason we created this tour.
Tour Overview.
Join us for an unforgettable, all-inclusive 8-day / 7-night bird photography tour based near Cali, Colombia, one of the most biodiverse and rewarding destinations for birders and wildlife photographers in South America. Located where the Pacific rainforest, Andean cloud forest, and tropical dry forest intersect, the Cali region is home to over 1,000 bird species, including sought-after highlights like the Multicolored Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Cock of the Rock, and over 30 different species of hummingbirds.
All-inclusive.
Thoughtfully crafted for bird and nature photographers who want to focus on capturing stunning images in Colombia’s biodiverse Western Andes. You'll visit top birding hotspots like KM18, the Anchicayá Valley, and private reserves with well constructed photo blinds and feeders. Enjoy seamless travel with private transportation, comfortable lodging, all meals, water, and entrance fees. We work with trusted, professional bilingual local guides that we've personally vetted- they know these birding hotspots like the back of their hand and put us right where the birds are.. You'll also receive unlimited mentorship from two experienced bird and wildlife photographers to level up your skills and portfolio. With every detail handled, you’re free to fully immerse yourself in the experience and make the most of your time in the field.
Strategic Itinerary.
By returning to the same comfortable eco-lodge each evening, you'll enjoy the convenience of a consistent home base—saving valuable time while gaining repeated opportunities to revisit key shooting locations in optimal conditions. This strategic approach allows you to slow down, refine your shots, and focus on quality bird photography in rich, photo-friendly environments. With strong local conservation efforts and unmatched species variety, this is the ideal bird photo tour for passionate photographers looking to capture quality images of rare and colorful birds in their natural habitat near Cali, Colombia. Our motto is and always will be "quality over quantity".
Disclaimer: Every image of a bird you see on our website was taken by us on real tours—no stock photos here. We believe in showing you the genuine beauty of the places we explore, birds we encounter, and moments we share. Please ask before using any of our photos—we're proud of our work and love to keep it personal.
Home Base.
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Double occupancy private cabins
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two comfortable & plush bed sizes for guests to choose from in each cabin: one king bed for couples (2 meters) or two twin beds (1 meter) for individuals
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Private bath and shower in each room
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Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
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Private balcony with a spectacular view of the cloud forest
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Authentic Colombian meals, local fresh organic coffee and local fresh squeezed juices
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Thermal and sound insulation, ensuring comfort year-round and guaranteeing a peaceful rest
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8 power outlets to conveniently charge your electronic devices
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Spacious desk with a reading light strip
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Shelves for luggage, and clothes hooks, plus additional blankets
COLOMBIA-THE BEST OF CALI ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival in Cali & Transfer to Cloud-Forest Lodge
Touch down at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) with private transfer to our home base for the week near KM 18 positioned in the snapshot-perfect cloud forest of the Western Andes. Settle in and prepare for the week ahead. We will stay in modern, wooden cabins that are clean and beautifully built, offering a cozy yet upscale retreat in the heart of the cloud forest. Each cabin provides comfortable amenities and scenic views, making it the perfect home base for birders and photographers
Day 2
Full-Day Birding at our Cloud Forest Home Base in KM18
World-class birding photography opportunities with minimal effort. From lodge-front feeders to lush montane trails, this hotspot is ideal for capturing endemic and neotropical species in their natural habitat. Key targets include the Multicolored Tanager (Colombian endemic), Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden-naped Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Booted Racket-tail, and a variety of Andean hummingbirds—all perfect for high-quality bird photography in Colombia’s Western Andes.
Day 3
Day Visit to Doña Dora
In the heart of the Anchicayá rainforest, Doña Dora’s feeders offer some of the best close-range bird photography opportunities in the Andes. Start the morning with a chance to spot the vibrant and elusive Andean Cock-of-the-rock, followed by stunning views of species like the Toucan Barbet, Red-headed Barbet, Glistening Green Tanager, Golden Tanager, and Purple-throated Woodstar. With lush surroundings and Doña Dora’s legendary homemade empanadas, this site blends top-tier birding, authentic Colombian culture, and ideal conditions for wildlife photographers.
Day 4
Day Visit to nearby Cloud Forest Reserve
Close to our home base is a neighboring eco-lodge designed with bird photographers in mind. The reserve features outstanding photo blinds and strategic feeders that offer up-close views of standout species including five endemic species. Highlights include the Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut Wood Quail, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Powerful Woodpecker, Collared Inca, and Crimson-rumped Toucanet. We will also have plentiful photo ops with an impressive hummingbird feeder station that attracts over 15 dazzling species. For an added thrill, guided night walks reveal secretive nocturnal species such as the Tropical Screech-Owl, Rufescent Screech-Owl, Spectacled Owl, Mottled Owl, and Black-and-white Owl—making it a must-visit location for serious bird photographers and nature lovers alike.
Day 5
Day Visit to Anchicayá Valley: Lowland Chocó Region
Full-day adventure into one of Colombia’s top birding and biodiversity hotspots within the Chocó biogeographic corridor. This lush, tropical region offers incredible opportunities to photograph rare and colorful species like the Chocó Toucan, Manakins, a wide variety of Tanagers, Motmots, and striking members of the cotinga family. Trekking on foot through warm and humid rainforest terrain, you’ll experience dramatic habitat transitions from lowland jungle to cloud forest—perfect for capturing both bird behavior and scenic landscape photography. This dynamic and biodiverse location is a must-visit for serious birders and wildlife photographers exploring western Colombia.
Day 6
Day Visit to a Private Reserve in Rio Bitaco Forest
Explore the scenic Chicoral Highlands, another prime location for bird photography in Colombia’s Andean region. With forest trails and well-maintained feeders, this highland habitat offers the chance to capture stunning species like the Golden-crowned Tanager, Long-tailed Sylph, Green Jay, Andean Motmot, Red-faced Spinetail, and Lineated Foliage-gleaner. The combination of canopy forest photography and close-up feeder shots makes this stop a top destination for photographers seeking high-altitude biodiversity in western Colombia
Day 7
Day Visit to Sonso Lagoon
Guided by local experts, we will venture to one of the last remaining wetland birding hotspots in Colombia’s Cauca Valley, a biodiversity-rich ecosystem teeming with waterbirds, waders, and endemic species. Located near the Cauca River, this marshy region offers photographers the chance to capture striking species like Roseate Spoonbills, Anhingas, Snail Kites, Wattled Jacanas, Apical Flycatchers, and the elusive Ruby Topaz Hummingbird in lush, natural settings. With its mix of open water, riparian zones, and rare behaviors like polyandry and communal nesting, this wetland gem provides a unique and rewarding experience for birding and wildlife photography in western Colombia..
Day 8
Departure & Transfer to Cali
Enjoy a final delicious homemade breakfast, local coffee, and a fresh jugo natural with your new best friends. Take advantage of any last minute photo-ops at the lodge before your morning transfer to Cali’s Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Please Note:
Tour Participants will be sent a detailed itinerary upon booking.
Participants should be prepared for easy to moderate hiking with some steep hills and uneven terrain typical of navigating lush rainforest environments. Trails may be muddy or slippery due to humidity and rainfall, so a basic level of fitness and comfort in natural conditions is recommended.
As this is an eco-conscious experience, we kindly ask all guests to respect the environment: no smoking is permitted on trails or in nature reserves.
TARGET SPECIES
Cali, Colombia offers unparalleled opportunities to find target bird species (especially endemics and regional specialties) thanks to its rich biodiversity and proximity to world-renowned birding hotspots in the Choco region and Western Andes. With over 1,000 species alone in this area, it would be nearly impossible to see them all in a week. However, it is our goal on this trip to give you ample opportunity to capture quality images of most of the highlighted species outlined below:
multicolor tanager
Tanagers:
Bay-headed Tanager
Beryl-spangled Tanager
Black-chinned Mountain Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Blue-necked Tanager
Crested Ant-Tanager
Emerald Tanager
Flame-rumped Tanager
Glistening Green Tanager
Golden Tanager
Gray-and-gold Tanager
Metallic Green Tanager
cock of the rock
Multicolored Tanager
Purplish-mantled Tanager
Rufous-throated Tanager
Saffron-crowned Tanager
Scarlet-and-white Tanager
Scrub Tanager
Silver-throated Tanager
Summer Tanager
Cock of the Rock
Chestnut Wood Quail
Colombian Chachalaca
Green Jay
toucan barbet
Acorn Woodpecker
Scaled Antpitta
Collard Trogon
Masked Trogon
Golden headed Quetzal
Grayish Piculet
Andean Motmot
Broad billed Motmot
Rufous Motmot
Green Honeycreeper
Purple Honeycreeper
Mustached Puffbird
empress brilliant
White whiskered Puffbird
Uniform Treehunter
Pacific Antwren
Bay Wren
Grey breasted Wood Wren
Sooty headed Wren
White headed Wren
Squirrel Cuckoo
Barred Hawk
Ornate Hawk Eagle
Swallow tailed Kite
Ornate Flycatcher
Pacific Antwren
red headed barbet
Canada Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Toucans:
Crimson rumped toucanet
Choco toucan
Yellow throated toucan
Stripe billed Aracari
Toucan barbet
Spot crowned barbet
Red headed barbet
saffron crowned tanager
Hummingbirds:
Andean Emerald
Black-throated Mango
Blue headed sapphire
Booted Racket-tail
Bronzy Inca
Buff-tailed Coronet
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Collared Inca
Crowned Woodnymph
Empress Brilliant
Fawn-breasted Brilliant
crowned wood nymph
Green Thorntail
Green-crowned Brilliant
Long-tailed Sylph
Mountain Velvetbreast
Purple-crowned Fairy
Purple-throated Woodstar
Speckled hummingbird
Tawny bellied hermit
Shining Sunbeam
Tourmaline Sunangel
Velvet purple Coronet
Violet-tailed Sylph
White-necked Jacobin
white necked jacobin
Still not sure if this tour is right for you?
Let’s talk it through. If you’re on the fence or have questions, schedule a free 15-minute virtual call to get to know us, ask anything, and see if this adventure is the right fit for you. No pressure — just bird talk!
In the meantime- make sure to check the FAQs.
