Colombia Cali and the Choco 2026: Relaxed, Diverse, Magical
March 24th – 31st, 2026
Tour Length: 8 days
Est. Spaces Left: Full, waitlist available!
Colombia is the birdiest country on earth, with 1,970 species—almost 20% of the world’s total in 1% of its landmass, with new species still being discovered and new records being announced regularly. It is easy to see why. Colombia is tropical yet it also has ample elevation changes due to the Andes; furthermore, it has both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Lots of different habitats ensure an abundance of bird species. This tour celebrates the opening of Colombia’s newest birding lodge, allowing one to bird in very comfortable accommodations in some of the best birding sites in Colombia, without having to spend much time in a vehicle. The Araucana Lodge is a brand new lodge (opening date is January 2019) designed specifically for birders and nature lovers, with spacious rooms and all the comforts that ensure a good night’s rest. For those who enjoy bird photography, Araucana Lodge and many of the reserves along the route have excellent feeder set ups that provide some of the best photographic opportunities in Colombia.
Tour Leaders
Focus
Birds, Mammals, Photography
Price
Double Accommodation: $3900/person
Single Supplement: + $600
Deposit: $500
Max. Group Size
10
Pace
Easy to Moderate; walks will be on wide trails and moderate grades, with a few longer drives
Future Departures
Tour Descriptions
The tour starts in the KM 18 and San Antonio Cloud Forest, which provide an excellent introduction to birding in the Colombian Andes. More than 100 years ago, Frank Chapman, of the American Museum of Natural History, spent some time researching the bird diversity of this forest, which concluded in the first detailed bird survey for Colombia. The birding in the area is amazing, with mixed-species flocks of Multicolored, Purplish-mantled, Scrub and Golden-naped Tanagers foraging alongside Scaled Fruiteater, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias and Golden-headed and Crested Quetzal. Apart from a visit to an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, this tour dips into the humid forests of the Pacific lowlands in the San Cipriano Reserve, where the habitat and the species differ dramatically from those in the Andean Cloud forests. Another destination is the Upper Anchicaya Valley, in one of the most biodiverse national parks on the planet: Farallones NP. Found along The Old Buenaventura Road, which descends from the western Andes to the Pacific Ocean, the area is one of Colombia’s newest destinations to open up to birding and is AMAZING. The road provides a mind-boggling diversity of birds and is such that it inspired Steve Hilty to start work on his Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. This was the first ornithological field guide for South America and inspired a myriad of ornithologists on the continent.
Locations
More Details
Trip Highlights
Top Birds
Up to 28 endemics and hundreds of other Colombian species.
Other Attractions
Spectacular scenery, photography, wildlife watching
Planning for the Trip
Meeting Location
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Departure is from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Accommodations
Very comfortable lodge with en-suite bathrooms.
Included
7 nights accommodation and all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. Transport to and from the airport. Transport to birding locations. Services of local guides.
Excluded
Does not include alcoholic drinks, laundry, or other items of a personal nature.
Habitats Covered
lagoons, wetlands, dry forests, cloud forests, lowland tropical wet forests, elfin forests, paramo
Expected Climate
Temperatures in southern Colombia range from 60 to 90 degrees F. Sunny with occasional afternoon rains. It can be cool at higher elevations in the early mornings.
Suggested Clothing and Gear
Valid, current passport (w/ 4 blank pages)
Visa (if required)
Credit cards/cash
Binoculars
Scope and tripod (optional)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
Water bottle
Small umbrella
Small day pack/fanny pack
Small flashlight
Mosquito/insect repellant (DEET 25% or greater)
Itch relief cream
Lip screen/balm
Prescription drugs – carry in original packaging to avoid customs problems
OTC medicines (antibiotics, cold/sinus, cough drops, eye drops, analgesic (Motrin, aspirin), anti-diarrheal)
Toiletries
Small alarm clock
Cleaning fluids/cloths/drying cloths
Field guides
Hiking Boots/Shoes
Lightweight shoes/sneakers/sandals
Light-weight long pants
Light-weight long-sleeved shirts
Hat with brim/visor
Rain jacket/windbreaker
Warm layer for cool early morning