Your day begins early with a departure from Hotel Quo Quality to the Rio Blanco Nature Reserve, a short 20-minute drive away. Located just 3 km from Manizales, Rio Blanco is an ideal spot for bird photography, boasting 4,932 hectares of cloud forest ranging from 2,150 to 3,700 meters above sea level. This reserve plays a crucial role in conserving the water supply for Manizales’ residents and has historically recorded up to 517 bird species.

During your visit, you will explore ecological trails equipped with bird feeders attracting antpittas such as Grallaria milleri, Grallaria rufocinerea, and Grallaria ruficapilla. Breakfast and lunch will be enjoyed within the reserve, providing ample opportunities for photography amidst stunning natural backdrops. In the afternoon, you will return to Hotel Quo Quality in Manizales for dinner and overnight stay.

Hotel Quo Quality: https://quo.com.co/

Rio Blanco Nature Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2241379/bird-list

On this exciting day, you will embark early in the morning from Hotel Quo Quality to Hacienda El Bosque, one of the premier birding sites in Colombia’s coffee region. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to spotting stunning species, including the Grallaricula lineifrons, Ensifera ensifera, Buthraupis montana, and many more, with a remarkable record of up to 314 bird species documented in this area.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at Hacienda El Bosque, allowing you to savor the local flavors while surrounded by breathtaking scenery.  In the afternoon, you’ll return to Hotel Quo Quality for dinner and overnight stay. 

Hacienda El Bosque eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7816358

This day will start with an early departure from Hotel Quo Quality to Los Nevados National Park, where you'll visit two key birding hotspots. The first stop will be Laguna Negra, where you can observe species such as Cinclodes excelsior, Oxyura ferruginea andina, Anas andium andium, Catamenia homochroa, and Asthenes flammulata. The second stop will be the Brisas zone, known for birds like Atlapetes pallidinucha, the stunning Oxypogon stuebelii (a highlight), Geranoaetus melanoleucus, Ochthoeca fumicolor, and Asthenes flammulata.

After birding in Los Nevados National Park, we will embark on a scenic 5-hour journey to La Huerta Hotel in Calima, Valle del Cauca, where we will enjoy dinner and rest for the evening.

Laguna Negra eBird Hotspot: Laguna Negra eBird

Brisas Sector eBird Hotspot: Brisas Sector eBird 

Your day begins early with a departure from Hotel La Huerta to the Yotoco Forest Reserve, a protected area managed by the National University of Colombia since 1959. Spanning 559 hectares, Yotoco boasts one of Colombia’s highest biodiversities, home to over 350 bird species, including the Cauca Guan, as well as howler monkeys, armadillos, various orchids, and more. This reserve serves as a research hub for scientists, researchers, educators, and students alike.

After a morning of birdwatching, you will return to Hotel La Huerta for lunch. The afternoon offers flexibility—you can choose to continue exploring the hotel’s trails in search of more birds, relax, organize your photos, or back up your photographs. Dinner and overnight accommodations will again be at Hotel La Huerta.

Yotoco Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465354

After a restful night at La Huerta Hotel, you will head out to the Río Bravo Reserve, a critical conservation area that hosts 522 bird species, including endangered ones such as the Crested Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) and the Guacharaca (Penelope ortoni). The reserve's rich ecosystems are also home to 105 mammal species, 56 amphibian species, and 59 reptile species, many of which are also at risk.

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to observe an impressive array of birdlife in one of Colombia’s most ecologically diverse regions. After the excursion, you will return to Hotel La Huerta for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax or continue birdwatching on the hotel’s grounds. Dinner and accommodations will be provided at La Huerta once again.

Río Bravo Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5588872

Today, you will depart from Hotel La Huerta and head towards the Laguna de Sonso, approximately a 35-minute drive away. Here, you will have breakfast and lunch at the Horned Screamer Research Center. The Sonso Lagoon is the main wetland in the Cauca River floodplain and is renowned for its high concentration of resident and migratory birds, including species such as the Horned Screamer.

The terrestrial exploration of the lagoon will allow you to observe a variety of wetland and shoreline bird species in their natural habitat. The Sonso Lagoon also serves as a regulatory basin for the Cauca River’s floods and is the last substantial remnant of the native lagoon ecosystem in the Valle del Cauca, supporting various local communities.

After your morning of birdwatching, you will travel to La Araucana Lodge. This lodge offers extreme comfort, catering to birdwatchers from around the world with its luxurious infrastructure, delicious cuisine, and excellent bird photography opportunities. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at La Araucana Lodge.

Sonso Lagoon eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465353

The day begins early with a departure from La Araucana Lodge to Finca Doña Dora, located in El Queremal. This site is a favorite among local and international birders, thanks to its large ficus tree that attracts numerous bird species when fruiting. At Finca Doña Dora, you can observe a wide range of birds, from tanagers and toucanets to Torrent Ducks and the Barred Hawk.

The finca also tells an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication, featuring stunning bird murals painted by tourism agencies and international birders. After a day filled with birdwatching, you will return to La Araucana Lodge for a relaxing evening.

Finca Doña Dora eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4375590

Today, you will depart from La Araucana Lodge to visit the San Antonio Cloud Forest, a natural treasure located just 10 minutes from the hotel. This enchanting cloud forest is home to approximately 360 bird species, including the Semicollared Hawk and the Long-billed Gnatwren, set within a magical environment rich in biodiversity and beautiful orchids.

After exploring the cloud forest, you will visit the Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature Reserve located at Kilometer 18. Here, you can observe up to 270 bird species thriving in the humid, high-altitude forest environment. After a morning filled with birdwatching, you will return to La Araucana Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations.

San Antonio Cloud Forest eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L465406

Bosque de Niebla Birding and Nature Reserve eBird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7827417

After breakfast at La Araucana Lodge, you will be transferred directly to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali for your departure flight. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for choosing Ocampo Expeditions for your birdwatching adventure in the Valle del Cauca. We hope your experience has been rewarding and memorable, filled with unique bird sightings and unforgettable moments. Safe travels!