Colombia: Discovering the Central Andes

We begin in the coffee region between Pereira and Manizales, where Andean cloud forests are interspersed with rich coffee plantations. The Otún Quimbaya Sanctuary along the Otún River is a great place to get to know the ecology of cloud forests. Here, remarkable amounts of water move through the moss- and epiphyte-covered trees, and fruiting plants attract flocks of colourful tanagers. A bit farther north, the Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve is the living manifestation of a successful and ongoing forest regeneration effort. Curious antpittas and some truly spectacular hummingbirds are standouts at the nearby Río Blanco Nature Reserve. Moving higher in altitude, we come to the humid elfin forests and sweeping páramo grasslands of Los Nevados National Park, where we can observe hardy wildlife against a backdrop of volcanoes and snow-capped mountains.

Our three-night stay farther north in the village of Jardín allows us to have easy access to several impressive sites, including the Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve and the renowned lekking site for Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, one of the most striking and well-known tropical resident birds. The dry forest at Bolombolo in the Cauca Valley serves as an interesting contrast to the humid forests that dominate much of the Central Andes.

Among our explorations of forests and grasslands, we have planned many visits to feeding areas where tanagers, hummingbirds, toucans, and antpittas offer close views and excellent photography opportunities.

This tour is perfect for both first-time Colombia travellers or return visitors who wish to experience the dazzling natural diversity, notably the bird life, of this verdant stretch of the central Andes.