Birding in the Colombian Andes - Araucana Lodge: Choco Endemics Bonanza
Experience one of Colombia’s most spectacular birding adventures on this 8-day journey through the Chocó Bioregion and the Western Andes. From the legendary KM 18 cloud forests near Cali to the humid lowlands of San Cipriano and the biodiverse Upper Anchicaya Valley in Farallones National Park, this tour offers exceptional encounters with Chocó endemics, colorful tanagers, antbirds, hummingbirds, and iconic species such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. Based at the comfortable Araucana Lodge, thi
About this tour
Colombia is the most biodiverse country in the world for birds, and this Chocó Endemics Bonanza Tour is designed to showcase some of its very best habitats in just eight unforgettable days. Centered around the Araucana Lodge near Cali, the tour explores a remarkable variety of ecosystems—from Andean cloud forests and Pacific lowland rainforests to wetlands and dry forests—each hosting a unique and spectacular bird community..
The journey begins in the famous KM 18 and San Antonio Cloud Forest, a historic birding area first studied in detail over a century ago by Frank Chapman of the American Museum of Natural History. These forests are renowned for their mixed-species flocks, where dazzling tanagers such as Multicolored, Purplish-mantled, Golden-naped, and Scrub Tanager move alongside Scaled Fruiteater, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and both Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals. Private hummingbird feeders along the route offer close views and superb photographic opportunities of species like Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, and White-necked Jacobin.
The tour then expands into dramatically different habitats. A visit to Sonso Lagoon, one of the last remaining wetlands in the Cauca Valley, introduces a rich assemblage of waterbirds including spoonbills, ibises, herons, jacanas, and raptors. From there, the adventure continues into the heart of the Chocó Bioregion at San Cipriano, reached by the famous “brujitas” rail carts. This lush, rain-soaked forest is home to an extraordinary concentration of Chocó endemics such as Toucan Barbet, Five-colored Barbet, Black-tipped Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and a wide diversity of antbirds, manakins, and flycatchers.
One of the highlights of the tour is birding the Upper Anchicaya Valley within Farallones National Park, considered one of the most biodiverse national parks on the planet. Following the historic Old Buenaventura Road, the area offers an astonishing variety of species that famously inspired Steve Hilty to write the first Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Targets here include Crested Ant-Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-whiskered Puffbird, Green Thorntail, Empress Brilliant, and raptors soaring above the forested slopes. The experience is crowned with a visit to an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, one of South America’s most iconic wildlife spectacles.
Additional habitats such as the Atuncela Dry Forest add further diversity, with localized endemics and a striking contrast to the surrounding rainforests. Throughout the tour, guests enjoy comfortable accommodations at the purpose-built Araucana Lodge, professional bilingual bird guides, excellent food, and well-paced days designed to maximize both species diversity and overall enjoyment.
This tour is ideal for dedicated birders and nature photographers seeking an immersive experience in one of the richest birding regions on Earth—combining history, biodiversity, comfort, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in western Colombia.
The journey begins in the famous KM 18 and San Antonio Cloud Forest, a historic birding area first studied in detail over a century ago by Frank Chapman of the American Museum of Natural History. These forests are renowned for their mixed-species flocks, where dazzling tanagers such as Multicolored, Purplish-mantled, Golden-naped, and Scrub Tanager move alongside Scaled Fruiteater, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and both Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals. Private hummingbird feeders along the route offer close views and superb photographic opportunities of species like Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, and White-necked Jacobin.
The tour then expands into dramatically different habitats. A visit to Sonso Lagoon, one of the last remaining wetlands in the Cauca Valley, introduces a rich assemblage of waterbirds including spoonbills, ibises, herons, jacanas, and raptors. From there, the adventure continues into the heart of the Chocó Bioregion at San Cipriano, reached by the famous “brujitas” rail carts. This lush, rain-soaked forest is home to an extraordinary concentration of Chocó endemics such as Toucan Barbet, Five-colored Barbet, Black-tipped Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and a wide diversity of antbirds, manakins, and flycatchers.
One of the highlights of the tour is birding the Upper Anchicaya Valley within Farallones National Park, considered one of the most biodiverse national parks on the planet. Following the historic Old Buenaventura Road, the area offers an astonishing variety of species that famously inspired Steve Hilty to write the first Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia. Targets here include Crested Ant-Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-whiskered Puffbird, Green Thorntail, Empress Brilliant, and raptors soaring above the forested slopes. The experience is crowned with a visit to an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, one of South America’s most iconic wildlife spectacles.
Additional habitats such as the Atuncela Dry Forest add further diversity, with localized endemics and a striking contrast to the surrounding rainforests. Throughout the tour, guests enjoy comfortable accommodations at the purpose-built Araucana Lodge, professional bilingual bird guides, excellent food, and well-paced days designed to maximize both species diversity and overall enjoyment.
This tour is ideal for dedicated birders and nature photographers seeking an immersive experience in one of the richest birding regions on Earth—combining history, biodiversity, comfort, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in western Colombia.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Colombia.
Birds you can spot
Amethyst Woodstar
Calliphlox amethystina
target
Calliphlox amethystina
target
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Rupicola peruvianus
target
Rupicola peruvianus
target
Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga
target
Anhinga anhinga
target
Barred Hawk
Morphnarchus princeps
target
Morphnarchus princeps
target
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
target
Dendrocygna autumnalis
target
Black-breasted Puffbird
Notharchus pectoralis
target
Notharchus pectoralis
target
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
target
Himantopus mexicanus
target
Black-throated Mango
Anthracothorax nigricollis
target
Anthracothorax nigricollis
target
Black-tipped Cotinga
Carpodectes hopkei
target
Carpodectes hopkei
target
Blackish Rail
Pardirallus nigricans
target
Pardirallus nigricans
target
Blue-capped Manakin
Lepidothrix coronata
target
Lepidothrix coronata
target
Blue-headed Parrot
Pionus menstruus
target
Pionus menstruus
target
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Xiphorhynchus susurrans
target
Xiphorhynchus susurrans
target
Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
target
Ardea cocoi
target
Colombian Chachalaca
Ortalis columbiana
target
Ortalis columbiana
target
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
target
Caracara plancus
target
Empress Brilliant
Heliodoxa imperatrix
target
Heliodoxa imperatrix
target
Flame-rumped Tanager
Ramphocelus flammigerus
target
Ramphocelus flammigerus
target
Fulvous Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
target
Dendrocygna bicolor
target
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
target
Plegadis falcinellus
target
Golden-collared Manakin
Manacus vitellinus
target
Manacus vitellinus
target
Greater Ani
Crotophaga major
target
Crotophaga major
target
Green Thorntail
Discosura conversii
target
Discosura conversii
target
Greyish Piculet
Picumnus granadensis
target
Picumnus granadensis
target
Horned Screamer
Anhima cornuta
target
Anhima cornuta
target
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
target
Egretta caerulea
target
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus ornatus
target
Spizaetus ornatus
target
Pale-breasted Spinetail
Synallaxis albescens
target
Synallaxis albescens
target
Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Querula purpurata
target
Querula purpurata
target
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Melanerpes rubricapillus
target
Melanerpes rubricapillus
target
Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata
target
Megaceryle torquata
target
Rose-faced Parrot
Pyrilia pulchra
target
Pyrilia pulchra
target
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
target
Platalea ajaja
target
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Chrysolampis mosquitus
target
Chrysolampis mosquitus
target
Scarlet-and-white Tanager
Chrysothlypis salmoni
target
Chrysothlypis salmoni
target
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
target
Rostrhamus sociabilis
target
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
target
Egretta thula
target
Sooty-headed Wren
Pheugopedius spadix
target
Pheugopedius spadix
target
Spectacled Parrotlet
Forpus conspicillatus
target
Forpus conspicillatus
target
Spot-breasted Woodpecker
Colaptes punctigula
target
Colaptes punctigula
target
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
target
Butorides striata
target
Striped Cuckoo
Tapera naevia
target
Tapera naevia
target
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
target
Piranga rubra
target
Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
target
Elanoides forficatus
target
Tawny-bellied Hermit
Phaethornis syrmatophorus
target
Phaethornis syrmatophorus
target
Tawny-crested Tanager
Tachyphonus delatrii
target
Tachyphonus delatrii
target
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
target
Jacana jacana
target
White-necked Jacobin
Florisuga mellivora
target
Florisuga mellivora
target
White-whiskered Puffbird
Malacoptila panamensis
target
Malacoptila panamensis
target
Yellow-headed Caracara
Milvago chimachima
target
Milvago chimachima
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Cali
Guests will be picked up at the airport and driven to the lodge in a private vehicle.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 2
CLOUD FORESTS OF KM 18
Today we spend the morning around the famous KM 18, located on an 1,800-meter (5,900-foot) mountain pass, 18 kilometers (11 miles) northwest of Cali, along the road that connects Cali with the port city of Buenaventura.
Birding can be very productive here, and we will search for four endemics: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colombian Chachalaca, Grayish Piculet, and the spectacular Multicolored Tanager.
This area is a true tanager paradise, offering excellent chances to see Purplish-mantled, Summer, Beryl-spangled, Flame-rumped, Golden, Metallic-green, Saffron-crowned, and Golden-naped Tanagers, as well as Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager.
We also hope to be dazzled by an impressive display of hummingbirds at a private house along the same road. Species may include the beautifully ornate Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Green Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, and Tawny-bellied Hermit.
Birding in the surrounding forest can additionally produce several near-endemics such as Scrub Tanager, Purple-throated Woodstar, and Nariño Tapaculo.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Birding can be very productive here, and we will search for four endemics: Chestnut Wood-Quail, Colombian Chachalaca, Grayish Piculet, and the spectacular Multicolored Tanager.
This area is a true tanager paradise, offering excellent chances to see Purplish-mantled, Summer, Beryl-spangled, Flame-rumped, Golden, Metallic-green, Saffron-crowned, and Golden-naped Tanagers, as well as Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager.
We also hope to be dazzled by an impressive display of hummingbirds at a private house along the same road. Species may include the beautifully ornate Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Blue-headed Sapphire, Green Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, and Tawny-bellied Hermit.
Birding in the surrounding forest can additionally produce several near-endemics such as Scrub Tanager, Purple-throated Woodstar, and Nariño Tapaculo.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 3
SONSO LAGOON
We will start early for a scenic two-hour drive to this wetland gem. It is one of the last remaining wetlands in the Cauca Valley and is teeming with birdlife, making it one of Colombia’s finest wetland birding locations.
Here, we will explore the marshes and lagoons along the Cauca River in search of Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Anhinga, and a variety of herons including Little Blue, Cocoi, and Striated Herons, as well as Snowy Egret, Black-necked Stilt, and Snail Kite.
We are also likely to encounter Wattled Jacana, a species known for its fascinating polyandrous breeding system, in which females mate with multiple males within a single breeding season. This rare adaptation occurs in less than 1% of bird species and is most commonly found among shorebirds.
Other interesting species we may observe include the endemics Apical Flycatcher and Grayish Piculet, along with Jet Antbird, Blackish Rail, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, and Horned Screamer.
Along the riparian habitats, we may find Greater Ani, Ringed Kingfisher, Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, and Cocoa Woodcreeper. Greater Anis are particularly intriguing, as two to four unrelated pairs form a nesting group, building a single nest in which all females lay their eggs and raise the young communally.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Here, we will explore the marshes and lagoons along the Cauca River in search of Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Anhinga, and a variety of herons including Little Blue, Cocoi, and Striated Herons, as well as Snowy Egret, Black-necked Stilt, and Snail Kite.
We are also likely to encounter Wattled Jacana, a species known for its fascinating polyandrous breeding system, in which females mate with multiple males within a single breeding season. This rare adaptation occurs in less than 1% of bird species and is most commonly found among shorebirds.
Other interesting species we may observe include the endemics Apical Flycatcher and Grayish Piculet, along with Jet Antbird, Blackish Rail, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, and Horned Screamer.
Along the riparian habitats, we may find Greater Ani, Ringed Kingfisher, Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, and Cocoa Woodcreeper. Greater Anis are particularly intriguing, as two to four unrelated pairs form a nesting group, building a single nest in which all females lay their eggs and raise the young communally.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 4
ARAUCANA LODGE
The day will be spent at the Araucana Lodge in search of some of the target species found around the lodge grounds. These may include Parker’s Antbird, Grayish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Bar-crested Antshrike, Spectacled Parrotlet, Scaled Antpitta, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Colombian Chachalaca, and Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant.
We will also have the opportunity to explore the trails that wind through the pre-montane forest protected by the lodge owners. A leisurely stroll through the organic vegetable gardens is another enjoyable highlight of the day.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
We will also have the opportunity to explore the trails that wind through the pre-montane forest protected by the lodge owners. A leisurely stroll through the organic vegetable gardens is another enjoyable highlight of the day.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 5
San Cipriano
The day starts with a 1.5-hour drive to Zaragoza, our entry point into the humid forests of the San Cipriano Reserve. There are no roads into the reserve, so access is via a pleasant ride on “brujitas” — motorcycle-powered wooden carts on rails ingeniously engineered by the locals.
Located in the heart of the Chocó Bioregion, this area is known for being one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, as well as one of the wettest. Possible species here include Chocó Toucan, Stripe-billed Aracari, Black-tipped Cotinga (near-endemic), Rose-faced Parrot (near-endemic), Blue-headed Parrot, Spot-crowned Barbet, Five-colored Barbet (near-endemic), Broad-billed Motmot, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and Tawny-crested Tanager.
The area is teeming with antbirds, with chances to see Ocellated, Jet, Stub-tailed, and Bicolored Antbirds. Due to the high humidity and heat, it is best to target species such as Pacific and Checker-throated Antwrens, Pacific Flatbill, Cinnamon Becard, Thicket Antpitta, Black-chested Puffbird, White-ringed Flycatcher, Blue-black Grosbeak, and Blue-crowned and Golden-collared Manakin earlier in the day, before lunch.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Located in the heart of the Chocó Bioregion, this area is known for being one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, as well as one of the wettest. Possible species here include Chocó Toucan, Stripe-billed Aracari, Black-tipped Cotinga (near-endemic), Rose-faced Parrot (near-endemic), Blue-headed Parrot, Spot-crowned Barbet, Five-colored Barbet (near-endemic), Broad-billed Motmot, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and Tawny-crested Tanager.
The area is teeming with antbirds, with chances to see Ocellated, Jet, Stub-tailed, and Bicolored Antbirds. Due to the high humidity and heat, it is best to target species such as Pacific and Checker-throated Antwrens, Pacific Flatbill, Cinnamon Becard, Thicket Antpitta, Black-chested Puffbird, White-ringed Flycatcher, Blue-black Grosbeak, and Blue-crowned and Golden-collared Manakin earlier in the day, before lunch.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 6
Upper Anchicaya and Andean Cock-of-therock Lek
erhaps Colombia’s most famous birding location, the Anchicaya watershed is located within Farallones National Park, one of the most biodiverse parks on the planet.
Birding begins along a paved road that offers access to many Chocó endemics found in this exceptionally diverse region. The day will be spent birding the upper portion of the road, with time devoted to the El Descanso area, where Rufous-throated, Glistening-green, and Silver-throated Tanagers are known to occur.
A full day of birding at Doña Dora’s place and along the upper stretches of the road is likely to yield many highly sought-after species, including the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-whiskered Puffbird, Uniform Treehunter, Sooty-headed Wren, Green Thorntail, and Empress Brilliant.
One of the main target species is the spectacular Toucan Barbet, displaying five elegant colors along with a notably robust demeanor. We will scan the skies for Barred Hawk, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Swallow-tailed Kite, while also watching for the attractive Ornate Flycatcher feeding on low branches.
Another major highlight is the recently described Tatama Tapaculo. After lunch, the group will take a two-hour drive to an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek.
A full day of birding concludes with our return to Araucana Lodge for another comfortable night.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Birding begins along a paved road that offers access to many Chocó endemics found in this exceptionally diverse region. The day will be spent birding the upper portion of the road, with time devoted to the El Descanso area, where Rufous-throated, Glistening-green, and Silver-throated Tanagers are known to occur.
A full day of birding at Doña Dora’s place and along the upper stretches of the road is likely to yield many highly sought-after species, including the endemic Crested Ant-Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, White-whiskered Puffbird, Uniform Treehunter, Sooty-headed Wren, Green Thorntail, and Empress Brilliant.
One of the main target species is the spectacular Toucan Barbet, displaying five elegant colors along with a notably robust demeanor. We will scan the skies for Barred Hawk, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Swallow-tailed Kite, while also watching for the attractive Ornate Flycatcher feeding on low branches.
Another major highlight is the recently described Tatama Tapaculo. After lunch, the group will take a two-hour drive to an active Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek.
A full day of birding concludes with our return to Araucana Lodge for another comfortable night.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Day 7
ATUNCELA DRY FOREST
On this morning we will visit the village of Atuncela, located about 40 minutes from the lodge, where a unique habitat exists due to a very localized rain shadow.
This dry forest, characterized by several endemic cactus species, hosts a variety of engaging birds such as Bar-crested Antshrike and Striped Cuckoo. Other target species in this area include Pale-breasted Spinetail, Golden-rumped Euphonia, as well as the endemic Apical Flycatcher and Cocoa Woodcreeper.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
This dry forest, characterized by several endemic cactus species, hosts a variety of engaging birds such as Bar-crested Antshrike and Striped Cuckoo. Other target species in this area include Pale-breasted Spinetail, Golden-rumped Euphonia, as well as the endemic Apical Flycatcher and Cocoa Woodcreeper.
Lodging: Araucana Lodge
Locations & map
Availability & pricing
Availability is confirmed after your inquiry.
DateStatusFrom
Jan 17, 2027 - Jan 24, 2027
open
USD 2,495
Feb 28, 2027 - Mar 7, 2027
open
USD 2,495
Included
- All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
- Professional Bilingual Bird Guide (Expenses for guide Included)
- Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
- All Meals From Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 8
- Snacks Throughout the Trip
- Entrances to Parks and Reserves
- Local Guides at Many Sites
- All Transportation and Airport Transfers
- Limited Accident and Medical Insurance
Not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Trip Insurance
- Airfare to Colombia
- Laundry
- Laundry
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.