Birding in Colombia has been in the news a lot recently because of its incredible bird diversity–it is the birdiest country in the world with over 1,900 species representing almost 20% of all bird species on Earth. The department of Valle del Cauca (Cauca Valley) contains high Andes habitat trailing down the Pacific slope to the ocean. This diversity of habitat makes Valle del Cauca one of the best places to go birding in Colombia. This is also a coffee-producing area boasting many coffee farms and delicious coffee! We will be dazzled with the colorful brilliance of many species of hummingbirds, tanagers, and motmots, as well as puffbirds, antbirds, and more. And this trip is the only one dedicated to playing Wingspan with designer, Elizabeth Hargrave! Get ready to play!
Motmot & hummingbirds photo credit, Kerry Snyder
Manakin photo credit, Daniel Mérida
Day 1: Arrive in Cali; transportation to lodge outside of Cali. Orientation.
Day 2: Morning bird walk up mountain, seeking tanagers, toucanets, barbets, and more. Tea tasting and breakfast, birding along edge of tea farm. Lunch in Dapa. Late afternoon and evening free for Wingspan and/or bird walks around lodge.
Day 3: Early morning departure for nearby private reserve for viewing at hummingbird garden, feeding stations for barbets, tanagers, and more. Also seeking chestnut wood quail. Breakfast and lunch at lodge. Late afternoon departure for return to lodge. Rest of day free for Wingspan and/or birding around lodge.
Day 4: Very early morning departure for Andes-Pacific transition zone birding, including visit to Andean cock-of-the-rock lek and another hummingbird garden. Breakfast and lunch at site. Late afternoon return to lodge for rest, playing Wingspan, birding around lodge.
Day 5: Early departure for coffee farm. Birding at farm and tour of farm, including how coffee is grown, produced, and a cupping demonstration and tasting. Breakfast and lunch on site at coffee farm. Late afternoon return to lodge for rest, Wingspan, birding around lodge.
Day 6: Very early departure for birding in humid tropical forest with high bird diversity in Anchicayá. ...
Day 7: Early departure for Humedal Sonso (Sonso Wetland) and Río Cauca where target birds include aquatic birds and raptors. ...
Day 8: Birding with youth birding club in Dapa. ... Spend night in Cali.
Day 9: Exploration of Cali, birding in urban parks, visits to cultural areas. Night of salsa!
Day 10: Departure to Cali airport
*Please note, due to unexpected changes in local weather or other events out of our control, the itinerary could change slightly.
Date: January 11-20, 2027
Cost: $4,295 per person double occupancy; $4,795 per person single occupancy (international flights are not included)
Registration: $2,000 deposit due by October 1, 2026. Remainder due by November 1, 2026
Difficulty level: High.
We will be walking up and down steep hills on uneven, possibly muddy, terrain. Some days, we will walk up to 3 miles. Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time. Must be able to step down into and up out of boats.
Limit: 12 people*
*PLEASE NOTE. This is an exceptional trip and Good Bird will have 12 registrants. Please be aware that for certain viewings (e.g., hummingbird gardens, cock-of-the-rock lek) the group will be divided into two smaller groups to better manage the viewings. Due to this, some people might not see what others do.