Culture & Birds of Colombia

Colombia

Culture | Wildlife

A gentle intro to Colombia's birds and historical sights

15 days Ask us for pricing This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
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Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Discover the best of Colombia`s birdlife and culture on this relaxed birding and cultural tour. Visit Otun Quimbaya National Park, Las Tangaras Reserve and the unsurpassable El Dorado. With 1,876 species, Colombia is home to 20% of the world`s bird species so this is an amazing opportunity to see some of these fascinating birds in their natural habitat. In addition you will get the chance to see some of Colombia's most enchanting tourist sights - learn about the coffee-making process, stay on a coffee farm, visit Santa Marta, Colombia`s oldest city, and finish the trip on the stunning paved streets of Colonial Cartagena.

NOTE: THIS TOUR IS SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES AND FITNESS LEVELS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wander cosmopolitan Bogotá
  • Colombia’s cultural highlights
  • Stay at an authentic Coffee Farm
  • The walled city of Intramuros in Manila
  • Gentle birding in three of Colombia's top sight-seeing areas
  • Look out for rare Colombian birds
  • Cartagena’s colonial architecture

Places Visited

Bogotá - La Florida Park - Otun Quimbaya National Park - Rio Blanco - Choco - Nevado del Ruiz National Park - Medellín - Santa Marta - El Dorado - Cartagena

What's Included

Birding guide throughout
All airport transfers
All accommodation
Internal flights
Ground transportation
Entrance fees to parks
Most meals (see meal plan in itinerary)

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Itinerary & Map
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Day 1 : Bogotá

Arrive in Bogotá where you will be met at the airport by a Travel The Unknown representative and brought to your hotel. Overnight in Bogotá.

Overnight in Hotel B3 Virrey, Bogotá

Meal plan: Dinner

Nestled high in the Andes at 2620 m. (8646 ft), Bogotá, or Santafé de Bogotá to give it its full title, is a city of contrasts, with high-rise buildings standing next to colonial churches, museums and artisan cafés. Its influences range from Spanish and English to Indian. It is a city of wild traffic and calm oases reflecting a bygone era. 

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Day 2 : Bogotá

The day begins with a trip along the funicular railway or cable-car to the Monastery of Montserrate. Next, visit Quinta de Bolivar Museum, Museo de Oro (Gold museum) and Plaza de Bolivar. Overnight in Bogota.

Overnight in Hotel B3 Virrey, Bogotá

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 3 : Otun Quimbaya National Park

You will start with a visit to La Florida Park, before flying to the city of Pereira. Visit Otun Quimbaya National Park. Overnight in a nearby lodge.

Overnight in La Suiza, Otun Quimbaya National Park

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

La Florida Park is located near the Bogota International Airport. From here, there is an opportunity to view the Spot- Flanked Gallinule, Silvery-Throated Spine tail and the Noble Snipe.

Otún Quimbaya National Park is around 5sq/km of humid vegetation. This consists of wetland and tree farms as well as natural forests. One of the attractions in the park is Otún Lagoon, situated at a height of 4000 metres above sea level. The national park is home to a wide variety of birds including crested eagle, moustached antpitta and mountain parakeet as well as differing species of butterfly.
The lodge nearby where you will stay is home to many species of bird, like Chestnut Wood Quail, Moustached Pittbird, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher and Flame-Rumped Tanager.

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Day 4 : Manizales

The morning will be spent at your lodge doing some bird-watching. In the afternoon travel to Manizales to visit a coffee farm. Overnight on coffee farm. The farm is home to many species of bird, like Chestnut Wood Quail, Moustached Pittbird, Chestnut-breasted Wren, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher and Flame-Rumped Tanager.

Overnight in Hacienda Venecia, Manizales

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Colombia has a strong coffee industry which you will learn about during the trip to Manizales. Coffee originated in Ethiopia but has been grown in Colombia for 200 years. The country is the third largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil and Vietnam.



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Day 5 : Rio Blanco Reserve

The day involves a full day of bird watching at the Rio Blanco reserve. Accommodation will again be provided at the coffee farm near Manizales.

Overnight in Hacienda Venecia, Manizales

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Rio Blanco Reserve holds many species of the Central Andes. On the hummingbird feeders we’ll look for Tourmaline Sunangel and White-bellied Woodstar. In the reserve are Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Dusky Piha, Handsome Flycatcher, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Plushcap and Black-eared Hemispingus. There are also Yellow-billed Cacique, Black-billed Peppershrike, Masked Saltator, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Powerful Woodpecker, Northern Mountain Cacique, White- capped Tanager and Golden-plumed Parakeet. 



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Day 6 : Nevado del Ruiz National Park - Las Tangaras Reserve

Begin the day with a drive to Nevado del Ruiz National Park, stopping at the Elfin Forest and Paramo en route. In the afternoon, drive to Las Tangaras reserve where overnight accommodation will be provided.

Overnight in Las Tangaras , Choco

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Elfin Forest and Paramo is home to the Bearded Helmetcrest. Other species that we may encounter are Viridian Metaltail, Tawny Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Stout-billed Cinclodes and Glossy Flowerpiercer.



Nevado del Ruiz National Park will allow you to look for Golden-breasted Puffleg, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Rufous-fronted Parakeet, Andean and Pygmy-Owl. You will also be able to look out for White-browed Spinetail, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Ocellated Tapaculo, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager and Pale-naped Brush-Finch.
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Day 7 : Chocó Rainforest

Today we visit the Choco Rainforest in Western Colombia for a full day of bird-watching. An overnight stay is provided at Las Tangaras Lodge.

Overnight in Las Tangaras , Choco

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Chocó rainforest in western Colombia has one of the highest concentrations of range-restricted biodiversity in the world, with many birds, plants and amphibians at risk of extinction. You will be driven along the road to the best trails, where hummingbird feeders at the trailhead hold at least 10 species. Here, you can look for endemics such as Chocó Vireo, Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-gold Tanager, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Alto de Pisones Tapaculo. Other specialties here include Beautiful Jay, Black Solitaire, Fulvous-dotted Tree-runner, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Orange- breasted Fruit-eater, Toucan Barbet and White-headed Wren. 



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Day 8 : Medellin

In the morning you will have some free time at Las Tangaras before heading to the city of Medellin. After lunch, visit Botero Museum in the city centre. Evening is free for own exploration. Overnight in Medellin.

Overnight in Hacienda La Extremadura, Medellín

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

As the second largest city in Colombia, the bustling streets of Medellín are awash with features that highlight its historical and cultural significance. Medellín is also noted for its numerous sculptures from local artist Fernando Botero. Botero’s sculptures frequently show people that have been purposely swollen and enlarged, something done to convey his negative attitude towards politics.

This is a city reborn from the ashes of the notorious Escobar cartel that controlled it until the 1990s. Its resurgence is considered nothing less than remarkable.

Medellin's Botero Museum is a renovated colonial house that is now home to artwork, much of which was supplied by Fernando Botero when it first opened. There is also a display of 20th century sculptures available for viewing. 

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Day 9 : La Romera - Santa Marta

Visit La Romera Forest in the morning before flying to Santa Marta for an afternoon tour of the city. Continue to Minca for overnight.

Overnight in La Casa del Farol, Santa Marta

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Positioned between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Santa Marta’s history, colonial architecture and beaches make it one of the most popular tourist towns for Colombians. Santa Marta is the oldest remaining city in Colombia, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas in order to exploit the gold treasures of the Tayronas. By 1600, the Tayrona tribe had been wiped out and the gold had all been taken. La Casa de la Aduana is the museum dedicated to the Tayrona’s history. Simón Bolívar, who played a key role in Latin America’s fight for independence, died in Santa Marta in December 1830. His house Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is now a museum.



At La Romera Forest, you can expect to see the endemic Red-bellied Grackle, Greenish Puffleg, Rufous-naped Greenlet  and Pale-naped Brush-Finch. The elusive endemic Yellow-headed Manakin is also often found here.

 
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Day 10 : El Dorado

Spend the morning at the forest around Minca for bird-watching. After lunch, travel to the El Dorado for more birding. Overnight in a lodge here.

Overnight in El Dorado Lodge, El Dorado

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 11 : El Dorado

Full day bird-watching in El Dorado. Accommodation in a comfortable lodge.

Overnight in El Dorado Lodge, El Dorado

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

At El Dorado, you will be able to take things fairly gently and have plenty of time to rack up the endemics at this gorgeous site which features views of both the city of Santa Marta below and the mountain peaks (the tallest in Colombia) above.

Amongst the many endemics you will find the endangered Santa Marta Parakeet, the newly discovered Santa Marta Screech Owl, Blossomcrown, White-tailed Starfrontlet, Santa Marta Toucanet, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta Antpitta, Santa Marta Tapaculo and Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant. In addition to this, you will be able to see Santa Marta Mountain Tanager, Santa Marta Warbler, White-lored Warbler, Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Brown-rumped Tapaculo, and Santa Marta Brush-finch. This list doesn't include the many others we will see including Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, White-tipped Quetzal, and Golden-breasted Fruit-eater. 



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Day 12 : El Dorado

Full day bird-watching in El Dorado. Accommodation in a comfortable lodge.

Overnight in El Dorado Lodge, El Dorado

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 13 : El Dorado - Cartagena

There is free time in the morning before driving to Cartagena. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Cartagena.

Overnight in Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 14 : Cartagena

The full day will be spent on a sightseeing tour of Cartagena. Overnight in Cartagena.

Overnight in Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Meander through Cartagena’s picture-perfect streets. You cannot fail to admire a city that oozes beauty and whispers its long history from its famous battlements.

Founded in 1533, Cartagena became the main port on the Caribbean coast during Spanish rule. Treasure was stored in the city until it could be taken to Spain and for this reason, in the 16th century, Cartagena suffered five sieges including one led by Francis Drake in 1586. This is why the Spaniards then built the forts (Fuertes) and walls (Las Murallas) that still encompass the old town. The Puerta Del Reloj (Clock Gate) signals the entrance to the inner part of the walled city, also called Calamari. Just behind this is the old slave market situated in the Plaza de los Coches. The Plaza de la Aduana and Plaza de Bolivar also have fascinating historical context, as well as the numerous churches, museums, convents and monuments.

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Day 15 : Cartagena - Bogotá - Departure

Flight from Cartagena to Bogotá to connect with international departures from Bogotá airport.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.

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Hotel B3 Virrey

Bogotá (2 nights)

Located close to Parque El Virrey in the desirable Chico area of north Bogotá, Hotel El Virrey is a modern, stylish boutique hotel with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. It has an eye-catching facade, which is covered in a vertical garden, and rooms are decorated in a simple but chic manner. Rooms at Hotel B3 Virrey are equipped with a flat-screen TV, work desk and private bathroom with hairdryer. Facilities at the hotel include Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, currency exchange and bicycles. El Tres Bar and Restaurant offers light meals, snacks and cocktails.

Visit hotel's site
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La Suiza

Otun Quimbaya National Park (1 night)

The Las Suiza lodge is set in the Otun Quimbaya National Park, and run by the local community; this is one of the best run national parks in Colombia and offers rustic accommodation, good food, and a warm welcome.

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Hacienda Venecia

Manizales (2 nights)

Hacienda Venecia is a coffee farm and produces green coffee that is sold worldwide. The Hacienda Venecia main house has well-equipped rooms as well as a dining room, kitchen, swimming pool with  sunbeds and hammocks, beautiful gardens, a bar and billiards all overlooking a beautiful Colombian landscape.

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Las Tangaras

Choco (2 nights)

Uvernei and Daisy at the spacious new Las Tangaras lodge provide a warm welcome to visitors to the Choco. This is one of the wettest areas in the world, but the rainfall is mostly at night and in the late afternoon.

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Hacienda La Extremadura

Medellín (1 night)

Located in the nearby city of Sabaneta, Hacienda La Extremadura offers its visitors an awesome and quiet environment surrounded by nature, only 20 minutes away from Medellin downtown. Each of their rooms resembles an entire colonial dwelling, making the stay an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, La Extremadura has everything a modern hotel visitor needs: spa, gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool, chapel, meeting rooms, room service, restaurant, etc., besides the great view and the excellent service.

Visit hotel's site
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La Casa del Farol

Santa Marta (1 night)

La Casa del Farol is located at the heart of the historic city of Santa Marta. The decor within the hotel is influenced by the city's colonial history, each room has taken its inspiration from a different city around the world - including Havana, New York and Beijing. The bedrooms are modern and spacious, providing access to free wifi, satellite television and air-conditioning. The hotel restaurant serves a fusion of Caribbean and Spanish food. Guests can also access the swimming pool and Jacuzzi on the hotel's roof terrace, where they can enjoy views of the iconic city cathedral against a beautiful mountainous backdrop. 

Visit hotel's site
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El Dorado Lodge

El Dorado (3 nights)

The El Dorado lodge is the crown jewel of the ProAves lodges and offers great birdwatching, outstanding views and excellent food.

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Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia

Cartagena (2 nights)

Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia provides visitors with the perfect balance of culture, history, elegance, and warmth, while they experience the stunning colonial city of Cartagena. Set in the historic heart of El Centro, Hotel Don Pedro Heredia is the perfect place to rest as you enjoy this breathtaking city.
The hotel features 37 elegant and comfortable rooms that offer cableTV, a safety box, air-conditioning, mini-bar and a hair-dryer. The hotel itself provides guests with a refreshing swimming pool, a lovely spa, wire-less internet, and a solarium.

Visit hotel's site
Extensions

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Colombia's Cities (1-5 days)

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Colombia's Beaches (1-7 days)

Remote beaches along the Caribbean and Pacific coast

Tayrona Extension (3 days)

Explore the beauty of Tayrona National Park

Colombian Odyssey (18 days)

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Black & White Carnival (16 days)

Get carried away at Carnaval de Negros y Blancos

Culture & Birds of Colombia (15 days)

A gentle intro to Colombia's birds and historical sights

Birds & Mammals of Colombia (15 days)

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Reviews

Seamless, worry-free travel in a far flung corner of the world. It was the best way to make sure we used our travel time seeing the country, interacting with the people, and tasting the food. I`ve already spent enough time, in queues, on buses, or just generally lost to appreciate a well planned trip.

Sean and Bonnee Gregg , Tailormade Colombia

David and Rahul, what a great company you run! My tailormade trip to Colombia was just perfect! Your advice and guidance in advance of the trip was excellent. I loved the accommodation in Bogota and Cartagena; quaint and traditional. And the staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming and helpful. Your agent, Russell, was very attentive, and the drivers allocated to transport me were punctual, friendly and helpful! I cannot fault a thing. Thanks so much for planning such smooth-running trip for me. And, naturally, Colombia was the big star; can`t wait to visit again!

Stuart Robinson , Tailormade Colombia

Thanks so much for a wonderful trip. The whole trip was fantastic. Our guides throughout were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. The Humming Bird walk in Manizales was probably the highlight but it`s not easy to choose. We will definitely travel with Travel the Unknown again.

Shaun Matthews , Tailormade Colombia

Thanks for making my trip possible and so successful in such a short time. I loved every single second and the trek to the Lost City is amazing. Would do it again in this precise moment. And Colombia was a pleasant surprise, the country is incredible and really safe against the common stereotypes. It is a place I would be happy to live in, with the good weather, the colours and on particular the music. The food was incredible and freshly cooked. I am normally a fussy eater but I had every single meal almost cleaning the plate every time! Really enjoyed the fresh fruit supplied during the breaks.
The package was excellent considering the very short notice. I was impressed by the efficiency and the great communication.

Lisa Zardoni , Lost City Trek, Colombia

I would recommend Travel The Unknown`s Colombian Odyssey tour for anyone who wants a fairly comprehensive tour of the highlights of Colombia. I would definitely advise an add on to Cartagena, if you haven`t already visited. Colombia is a wonderful place to take a holiday whether you have been to Latin America many times before or even if it is your first trip. Travel The Unknown have definitely chosen the best places to stay and we were very well looked after. If you want a completely tailormade trip, I`m quite sure that the experience would be equally excellent. It`s good to find a smaller company where you get a more personal service and which goes to off beat places or off beat areas of well known but far away places.

Julie Crank , Colombian Odyssey, Colombia

There have been so many highlights on our 15-day trip to Colombia: the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, Colonial towns of Villa de Leyva and Cartagena, learning about the coffee culture, the wonderfully crazy Carnaval de Negros Y Blancos at Pasto to name a few. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to introduce us to the local culture, making this one of the most memorable trips I've ever taken.

Albert Chau , Festivals of Colombia, Colombia

We have just returned from a three week trip to Colombia organised on a private basis by Travel the Unknown. This followed our tours with them to both Eastern and Western Turkey in 2015 and to Iran in 2014. We view all three trips as great successes, wherein everything that was promised, was delivered. We will be planning further trips with them.

James & Margaret Stewart , Tailormade Colombia

The Lost City trip was amazing. Would recommend this trip to anyone who has a sense of adventure and not afraid to leave their comfort zone. Machu Picchu is nothing like this and the sense of achievement you get when you reach the Lost City is truely outstanding. I am now looking for a similar adventure in another part of the world.

Daniel Bean , Lost City Trek, Colombia

This was a great adventure. Be prepared to get hot and wet but the rewards are worth it. Beautiful scenery and we learnt a lot about the history of Colombia and the local region from our guide. Would recommend Colombia to any travellers. Thanks to Travel the Unknown for organising trip, we had no issues which allowed us to appreciate the country even more. This was one of the best treks I have done. Very enjoyable and some amazing scenery.

Terry Cooper , Lost City Trek, Colombia

An amazing and comprehensive tour of Colombia. This is a beautiful county, go now before it gets too touristy!

Gillian Lowe , Tailormade Colombia

Travel the Unknown organised a brilliant three-location private trip to Colombia, including Bogotá Gold Museum, coffee-country and colonial and Republican Cartagena. Practical arrangements for transport, hotels and guides worked well. It was a delightful tour.

Tony Cram , Tailormade Colombia
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