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Colombia Wildlife & Bird Photography Expedition

The world's richest bird country: feeders, cloud forests and coffee culture across the Valle del Cauca, Manizales and Antioquia.

Colombia
12 days / 11 nights
Flexible field days with intensive early-morning and afternoon photography sessions

Join the interest list

A nature journey through some of Colombia’s most biodiverse ecosystems — tropical bird photography, cloud forests, local culture and premium experiences carefully designed for nature photographers.

The expedition crosses several of Colombia’s iconic regions — the Valle del Cauca, the central Andes and Antioquia — using high-level lodges and hotels with excellent gastronomy and privileged access to the photographic zones. The pace stays flexible, adapting constantly to weather, bird activity and the best light.

Destination: Colombia
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Group size: Maximum 8 travelers
Activity level: Flexible field days with intensive early-morning and afternoon photography sessions
Dates: Two departures: 3–14 October 2027 · 3–14 November 2027
Price: Pricing available soon

Expedition highlights

Florida de las Aves — one of Colombia's finest tropical bird photography sites
Toucan barbet, multicolored tanager and velvet-purple coronet at specialist feeders
Andean cloud forests and hummingbird photography around Manizales
Sword-billed hummingbird, buffy helmetcrest and Andean cock-of-the-rock
Jardín — coffee culture, colonial color and endemic birds
A relaxed cultural and gastronomic close in Medellín

Who this expedition is for

Bird and nature photographers who want intensive, well-prepared sessions — specialist feeders, natural gardens and cloud forest scenarios — with premium lodging, excellent food and a relaxed cultural close in Jardín and Medellín.

The photography experience

This expedition is built around Colombia's specialist bird-photography infrastructure. At Florida de las Aves and the cloud-forest feeders around Manizales, subjects such as the toucan barbet, the multicolored tanager and the velvet-purple coronet come to prepared settings with clean backgrounds — conditions that let you concentrate on light, perch and timing rather than luck. Hummingbird work is a discipline of its own here, from the sword-billed hummingbird to the buffy helmetcrest of the high Andes.

The Andean cock-of-the-rock and the forest species around Jardín add color and behavior, while the town itself — coffee culture, colonial streets — invites a slower, documentary frame. The pace leaves room to repeat sessions when the light improves, and your leader works with you on setups, exposure and background control throughout.

Day by day

Day 1 — Arrival in Cali
Arrival in Cali and official group meeting. Depending on arrival times, private transfer to our base in the Valle del Cauca, with time to relax, prepare photographic equipment and enjoy a first dinner together — plus the official expedition start photo. Night in the Valle del Cauca.
Days 2–4 — Florida de las Aves, Valle del Cauca
Three nights at Florida de las Aves, one of the best places in Colombia for tropical bird photography: specialist feeders, natural gardens and cloud forests full of color and constant activity. Intensive early-morning and afternoon sessions in excellent light, on stages prepared specifically for photography. Emblematic species include toucan barbet, multicolored tanager, crimson-rumped toucanet, booted racket-tail and velvet-purple coronet — with spectacular mountain scenery, Andean mist and excellent traditional Colombian food.
Days 5–8 — Manizales and the cloud forests
Four nights around Manizales, one of Colombia's most famous regions for Andean bird photography. We work private reserves, feeders and high-altitude forests in search of some of the most striking birds of the Colombian Andes — buffy helmetcrest, sword-billed hummingbird, golden-plumed parakeet, masked trogon and Andean cock-of-the-rock — with sessions designed around soft light and natural backgrounds. Also on the menu: optional macro, Andean landscapes, coffee culture and hummingbird photography at specialist feeders.
Days 9–10 — Jardín, Antioquia
On to Jardín, considered one of Colombia's most beautiful and photogenic towns — a mix of coffee culture, colorful colonial architecture and excellent endemic bird photography: Andean motmot, yellow-eared parrot, chestnut-crested cotinga, white-capped tanager and red-headed barbet. The rhythm relaxes here, blending nature photography with local culture, traditional cafés and typical paisa gastronomy.
Days 11–12 — Medellín: culture and gastronomy
The expedition closes in Medellín with a mix of urban, cultural and gastronomic experiences: traditional neighborhoods, local cafés and markets, paisa pastries and desserts, street and documentary photography, and free time to rest — a comfortable, relaxed close before international flights.
Day 12 — Departure
Private transfer to José María Córdova International Airport for international flights home.

On the ground

Accommodation

High-level lodges and hotels selected for photographic access and gastronomy, in the Valle del Cauca, Manizales, Jardín and Medellín.

Meals

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Transportation

Private transport throughout the trip. Arrival via Cali (Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International); departure via Medellín (José María Córdova International).

What is included

Included

All accommodation during the expedition
Private transport throughout the trip
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Entrances to nature reserves and feeders
Specialist local guides
Photographic leadership by Álvaro Cubero
Water during transfers and activities
Natural and cultural activities listed in the itinerary

Not included

International flights to and from Colombia
Domestic flights within Colombia
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Travel insurance (required)
Personal expenses and laundry
Gratuities for guides and local staff
Any service not listed in the inclusions

International airfare is not included. Travelers arrange and purchase their own international flights; we provide clear arrival guidance for every expedition.

Important considerations

The pace stays flexible to adapt constantly to weather, bird activity and the best light conditions. Domestic flights within Colombia are not included. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage, is required for all Okapi expeditions.

Your expedition leader

Álvaro Cubero

Co-Founder & Expedition Director · Wildlife Photographer

Álvaro Cubero is a wildlife photographer and expedition leader with more than a decade behind the camera — a Canon EOS Master Ambassador whose photographs have been published in National Geographic and reached the finals of the Smithsonian Photo Contest. He has organized and led photography expeditions and workshops in more than 25 countries across four continents, from the savannas…

Meet the whole team