Colombia Bird Photo Tour
DURATION :
LOCATION :
10 Nights & 11 Days Tour
The Avian treasure chest
Tour Information
Colombia is known to be the country with the highest number of bird species in the world and for many reasons has grabbed the headlines in the bird world in recent years. Increasing and improving eco-tourism has ensured some amazing spots for bird photography and we take advantage of this growing industry.
Colombia’s bird list is nearing a staggering 2000 species, and in recent years eco-tourism has really started to flourish – it is primed to become the newest bird photography craze. More and more sites are offering feeding stations conducive to photography, not just for the spectacular hummingbirds, but also for tanagers, antpittas, and more.
Colombia has been steadily mending from its past political troubles, and in recent years the country has returned to this diverse and abundant habitat, and our carefully crafted itineries with the expert of local guides seek many of its range-restricted and threatened species while enjoying all those wonderful tropical birds of more widespread distribution. At the same time, there has been a steady growth in Colombian ornithology and the establishment of many private nature reserves to complement the public ones, all making locating many of the special birds more practical.
Our all-inclusive itinerary ensures the photography is done at safer locations and provides a lifetime experience of birding in Colombia. We work closely with the local expert guides and our team with technical ability ensure you enhance your photography techniques as you capture these diverse species.
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Airport
You should arrive to and depart from Colombia’s Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport. Our representative will be waiting to provide your private transfer to a hotel near city centre in Cali.
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 – 8 people per group.
1. Jan 5th – 14th 2024
2. March 17th – 26th 2024
3. Apr 25th – May5 2024 (7 seats available)
4. Nov 15th – 25th 2023 (full)
Tour Motive
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the Multi-colored tanagers, Long-tailed sylph, Red headed tanager and more such stunning species.
- Guided Colombia Bird photo tour with expert local guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, safe, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
Cost (In USD)
1. (2022) $4500 per person in sharing accommodations/ $5000 in single supplement
2. (2023) $4900 per person in sharing accommodation/$5400 in single supplement
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
ITINERARY
Upon arrival you will meet our representative at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport and transfer to your hotel near the city centre in Cali.
- Overnight at hotel in Cali, meals are not included this day
- Elevation: 1018m
We meet at 5am and head to our first rainforest lodge, 1.5 hours north of Cali. This secluded lodge in the middle of a cloud forest which is nothing short of spectacular. This is one of the highlights of our trip where we photograph the much-anticipated tanagers and hummingbirds like the endemic multicolored tanager.
We spend 3 nights here photographing these beautiful birds.
- Overnight at eco-lodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2000m
Today we meet at the deck at 5am to start our photography session around the lodge feeders all day. The lush gardens boats regular visitors such as saffron-crowned tanager, red-headed barbet, flame-rumped tanager, and many other species.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2000m
We start our Colombia Bird photo tour session in the lodge garden at 5am again today. Our target will be hummingbirds such as, long-tailed sylph, brown violetear and more. We spend the entire day photographing in and around the lodge feeders.
Today will be our last night at this lodge.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2000m
This morning we depart every early to reach our next lodge up north in the Rio Bitaco forest area. The lodge is situated in mountains high above the city and is known for its thermal baths – it’s nice to soak in the pools after a day of travel!
Our main targets in these days will be: Golden-breasted and Black-thighed Puff legs, Buff-winged Star frontlet, Shining Sunbeam, Rainbow-bearded Thorn bill, Great Sapphire wing, Tourmaline Sun angel, Mountain Velvet breast, Viridian Metal tail, Tyrian Metal tail, and Sparkling Violetear.
We’ll spend 2 nights here.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 5311m
Today post breakfast, we will drive to Los Nevados National Park (4200 m.) to look for the Buffy Helmet crest, a high-altitude hummingbird found nowhere else in the world.
Other species include Lacrimose and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Glossy Flower piercer and many more species.
We will spend the day in and around the area.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 5311m
After breakfast on our 7th day morning we will drive 2.5 hrs to reach Rio Blanco which is famous among birders for its antpitta feeders. Possible species – Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Brown-banded Antpitta. Slate-crowned Antpitta is a bit harder due to its small size and nervous habits. More luck is needed for Bicolored and Chestnut-naped Antpittas, which are more sporadic.
We will also spend time at the fruit feeders, that attract a few species such as Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and several other beautiful highland tanagers.
We will spend two nights here.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2300m
Today we spend the day photographing the locall visiting hummingbirds at the lodge feeders.
Hummer feeders by the lodge are good for both multi-flash as well as getting clean shots of perched birds, and possibilities include Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy and Collared Incas, Tourmaline Sun angel, Lesser (Green) Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, speckled Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-bellied Wood star, and Booted Racket-tail.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2300m
Post early breakfast we head to our last location, about 4 hours drive further north from Rio Blanco.
This beautiful town has a very special treat for photography – the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock can be seen easily. We visit the beautiful sorrounding gardens and target the local species found in the town.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 1750m
Today we spend an entire day at a very special reserve. Other species that we will find are highly interesting species such as Yellow-eared Parrot and Dusky starfrontlet.
In the evening we depart for Medellin for next day departures.
- Overnight at a hotel in Medellin, B-L-Dinner not included.
- Elevation: 1750m
This morning our transport partners will drop you for your respective international departures from the Medellin airport.
End of tour.
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
Tour Pace
Easy to moderate
Much of the Atlantic tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on to get to the hide and access the farms with feeders and manakin leks.
North Pantanal photography sessions will mostly be done in safari vans and boats. Some sessions may involve walking around gardens and feeders.
Suggested Equipments
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
- Pack a ton of memory cards
- Release cable
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo
An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S. Supreet’s work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Reviews and Score Breakdown
7.0
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Registration
- To register for the tour, fill out and submit the form below. A ‘NON-REFUNDABLE’ deposit of USD 1000 per person of the tour cost is required to confirm your spot.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person. Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in TOUR CANCELLATION.
Payment can be completed by credit card/PayPal or bank transfer. If you would like to mail a check, that option is available as well Please read all the Terms & Conditions for cancellation/refund policies and other important information.
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- A ‘non-refundable’ deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person.
- Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
- Lodging as specified.
- Meals as specified
- Stainless steel flask for water.
- Private transfers to and from hotels on first and last days.
- Land/Domestic air transportation during the tour
- Professional driver/photo/nature guide and private transportation in spacious tour bus.
- Guide and Photography Skipper services
- Entrance fees for all described activities.
- Taxes on all services listed above.
- Non-mealtime snacks or meals not included.
- Non-mealtime soft drinks and bottled water.
- Visa fees
- International/personal airfare
- Insurance
- Phone calls
- Laundry
- Tips
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
Book Your Tour With Us In 6 Easy Steps
1.Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2.Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
Important Note
2.Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
3.All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
Frequently asked questions
• The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour. If you would like to pay the remaining balance in installments, please let us know.
• All figures in USD per person
• Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
• A deposit is your commitment to joining the workshop. These deposits don’t typically sit in an account, they are used to cover initial expenses for the workshop like hotel reservations, park permits/fees and guided tour deposits. Due to these expenses, deposits are non-refundable and tour payment made is subject to a cancellation fee.
- More than 60 days before the start of the tour: Refund of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $100 convenience fee.
- 60 – 45 days before the start of the tour: Refund of 50% of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $199 convenience fee.
- Less than 45 days before the start of the tour: No refunds will be given, and all payments will be forfeited. Full payment is required no later than 45 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by this date you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 3 business days, your spot will be forfeited and offered to participants on the waiting list.
Alternatively, we can also find a perfect roommate for you based on your gender, age, and interests. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Please note that we calculate the cost of the single supplement by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes).
• Your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
• A wide-angle lens if you are interested in capturing landscapes
• You can also bring your flash with a flash bracket
• Pack a ton of memory cards
• A macro lens is highly recommended
• A sturdy tripod or monopod is required
• Release cables
Other essentials: Good hiking boots, Laptop, memory card readers, bug spray, sunscreen, silica gel sachets to keep your camera dry. Since, it is likely that there might be rain and mosquitoes especially in dense rainforests, so you must pack your rain jacket and a bug jacket.
You can carry medicines that are for common illnesses like colds, cough, fever, diarrhea, altitude sickness, headaches, heartburn or severe acidity and sore throats to name a few. Those who take regular medication for hypertension, blood sugar, allergy, and asthma should carry an adequate supply of medicines.
We tend to travel to remote places, it is best you have your medicines handy. Though most of our trips require moderate stamina, it is best if you are high on energy and stay fit to get the most out of the experience.
Please note that this is a general information, it is recommended that you check with your physician and doctor to determine what medicines you need to carry.
Our team will get back to you with assistance.
