Araucana Lodge Bird Photography Tour
Araucana Lodge Bird Photography Tour is a small-group, photography-focused birding tour based at Araucana Lodge in Colombia’s Western Andes. Over several days, participants explore productive Andean habitats and excellent feeder setups for colorful birds and hummingbirds, with ample opportunities for high-quality bird photography. The tour is limited to a maximum of 6 photographers to ensure personalized guidance and experience.
About this tour
This bird photography tour centers on the world-class biodiversity of the Western Andes at Araucana Lodge, an eco-oriented lodging in the Valle del Cauca region near Cali, Colombia. The lodge sits at about 1,600 m elevation in a forested landscape of gardens, trails, and nearby cloud forests — perfect for capturing images of a wide variety of birds visiting feeders and natural habitats.
The program includes guided bird-photography sessions at well-set feeding stations, walks on lodge grounds, and excursions to top birding sites like KM 18 and other cloud forests — locations famous for tangles of colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, and endemic species. The lodge’s feeders and gardens attract dozens of species at close range, making it ideal for photographers.
The program includes guided bird-photography sessions at well-set feeding stations, walks on lodge grounds, and excursions to top birding sites like KM 18 and other cloud forests — locations famous for tangles of colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, and endemic species. The lodge’s feeders and gardens attract dozens of species at close range, making it ideal for photographers.
Birds you can spot
Apical Flycatcher
Myiarchus apicalis
target
Myiarchus apicalis
target
Bar-crested Antshrike
Thamnophilus multistriatus
target
Thamnophilus multistriatus
target
Brown Violetear
Colibri delphinae
target
Colibri delphinae
target
Colombian Chachalaca
Ortalis columbiana
target
Ortalis columbiana
target
Fawn-breasted Brilliant
Heliodoxa rubinoides
target
Heliodoxa rubinoides
target
Grayish Piculet
Picumnus granadensis
target
Picumnus granadensis
target
Green-crowned Brilliant
Heliodoxa jacula
target
Heliodoxa jacula
target
Mexican Violet-ear
Colibri thalassinus
target
Colibri thalassinus
target
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
target
Piranga rubra
target
White-headed Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus fumigatus
target
Leuconotopicus fumigatus
target
White-necked Jacobin
Florisuga mellivora
target
Florisuga mellivora
target
Itinerary ▼
Day 1
Birds of Andean Trails
Guests will be picked up at the airport and transferred to Araucana Lodge.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 2
La Florida Feeders and Hummingbird Paradise
Today you will spend the morning photographing birds at around 2,000 meters (6,000 feet) elevation in the famed Km 18 area, along the road that connects Cali with the port city of Buenaventura.
You will have the opportunity to choose from more than six private residences in this area, all specially set up with bird photographers in mind and equipped with feeders. Each residence is unique, offering its own charm and an impressive diversity of species.
At Km 18, the star of the show is the spectacular Multicolored Tanager, with other endemics such as the elusive Chestnut Wood-Quail and Colombian Chachalaca also making an appearance.
All locations provide outstanding opportunities to photograph a wide variety of hummingbirds and tanagers. Chances are excellent for capturing Flame-rumped, Golden, Saffron-crowned, Golden-naped, Black-capped, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers.
More than sixteen species of hummingbirds can be photographed at feeders, including the beautifully ornate Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Sparkling Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, and Brown Violetear.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
You will have the opportunity to choose from more than six private residences in this area, all specially set up with bird photographers in mind and equipped with feeders. Each residence is unique, offering its own charm and an impressive diversity of species.
At Km 18, the star of the show is the spectacular Multicolored Tanager, with other endemics such as the elusive Chestnut Wood-Quail and Colombian Chachalaca also making an appearance.
All locations provide outstanding opportunities to photograph a wide variety of hummingbirds and tanagers. Chances are excellent for capturing Flame-rumped, Golden, Saffron-crowned, Golden-naped, Black-capped, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers.
More than sixteen species of hummingbirds can be photographed at feeders, including the beautifully ornate Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Sparkling Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, and Brown Violetear.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 3
Lodge Grounds & Feeder Photography
The Anchicaya watershed is located within Farallones National Park, one of the most biodiverse parks on the planet. Just a 50-minute drive from Araucana Lodge, the photography begins with an exciting stop at a roadside lamp that attracts a wide variety of species feeding on moths drawn to the light.
This feeding frenzy is fascinating to watch and photograph. Target species here include the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, Collared Trogon, and several species of woodcreepers.
At Doña Dora’s place, a unique three-story feeder setup provides outstanding photographic opportunities. Species here may include Toucan Barbet, Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, and Green Thorntail.
One of the main photographic highlights at Doña Dora’s is the Toucan Barbet, a striking species displaying five elegant colors combined with a surprisingly tough demeanor.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
This feeding frenzy is fascinating to watch and photograph. Target species here include the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, Collared Trogon, and several species of woodcreepers.
At Doña Dora’s place, a unique three-story feeder setup provides outstanding photographic opportunities. Species here may include Toucan Barbet, Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Empress Brilliant, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Hillstar, and Green Thorntail.
One of the main photographic highlights at Doña Dora’s is the Toucan Barbet, a striking species displaying five elegant colors combined with a surprisingly tough demeanor.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 4
Morning Clouds & Birding Feeders
The day is spent photographing at the Araucana Lodge feeders, which attract a diverse selection of birds including Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Black-winged Saltator, White-lined Tanager, Green Jay, Yellow-backed Oriole, and Lineated Woodpecker.
The lodge’s extensive ornamental and vegetable gardens also provide excellent habitat for hummingbirds such as Purple-throated Woodstar, Black-throated Mango, Andean Emerald, and Steely-vented Hummingbird.
The lighting and background at the feeder kiosk are carefully designed, with thoughtfully placed stands, perches, and a variety of flowering plants that help create outstanding photographic opportunities.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
The lodge’s extensive ornamental and vegetable gardens also provide excellent habitat for hummingbirds such as Purple-throated Woodstar, Black-throated Mango, Andean Emerald, and Steely-vented Hummingbird.
The lighting and background at the feeder kiosk are carefully designed, with thoughtfully placed stands, perches, and a variety of flowering plants that help create outstanding photographic opportunities.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 5
Specialized Feeding Stations
Guests will enjoy another full day of bird photography in the Km 18 area at San Felipe Birding, offering a second opportunity to photograph two key endemics: Chestnut Wood-Quail and Multicolored Tanager.
The site features three different photography hides, one of which regularly attracts Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush. Additional photographic opportunities include Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, along with a variety of colorful tanagers typical of the Andean cloud forest.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
The site features three different photography hides, one of which regularly attracts Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush. Additional photographic opportunities include Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, along with a variety of colorful tanagers typical of the Andean cloud forest.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 6
Final Session & Departure
Final photography walk or station visit before departure back to Cali for flights home.
Tour ends after breakfast or midday.
Tour ends after breakfast or midday.
Locations & map
Open in MapsAvailability & pricing
DateStatusSeatsFrom
Nov 14, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026
open
6/6
$2,295