Colombia | Birding the Central Andes Post-Trip Extension with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Take a 9 am flight from Barranquilla to Bogotá and then to Pereira, arriving around 1 pm. Have a quick lunch in town before continuing to Tinamú Lodge and Nature Reserve, about an hour outside the city of Manizales near the village of San Peregrino. This area is focused on the production of shade-grown coffee and other agricultural products. The Tinamú Nature Reserve is a mosaic of coffee with shade, secondary growth, and patches of native forest, and there are feeders installed to attract different species. Inside the reserve, a network of moderately difficult trails offers great opportunities to see species not observed at the feeders that are around the rooms and inside the forest. Receive a talk by a local guide about the origin of Tinamú and the 40-year history of the community taking care of and conserving the forest, water sources, and birds. The guide will also discuss the programs they have developed and the benefits of bird tourism in the region. Some important species that are possible to spot in Tinamú include Guira Tanager, Moustached Puffbird, Common Potoo, Golden-collared Manakin, Andean Motmot, Jet Antbird, Great Antshrike, Bay-headed Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Gray-fronted Dove, Scaled Antpitta, Spectacled Parrotlet, Red-headed Barbet, and Colombian Chachalaca. Elevation: 4,265 feet | Walking conditions: Easy, unpaved rural road, moderately difficult trails within the reserve | Temperature: 75-84 °F.

Start today with a very early breakfast. Then, at 5:30 am, depart for Río Blanco Natural Reserve, arriving by 7 am to this humid tropical forest of the Magdalena Valley. Río Blanco is an Important Bird Area (IBA) in a cloud forest that belongs to the city of Manizales, protected for years to conserve the water resources that supply the city. No fewer than 450 bird species have been recorded here, many of them endemic and with ranges of restricted distribution. You may see Brown-banded, Bicolored, Chestnut-crowned, and Slate-crowned Antpittas, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Powerful Woodpecker, Long-tailed Sylph, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, White-capped Tanager, White-capped Dipper, and Dusky Piha. Also visit the hummingbird and tanager feeders. This afternoon, return to Tinamú to walk the local trails or just enjoy the feeders around the grounds.

Wake up early this morning to go birding around Tinamú before departing for Hacienda El Bosque. The drive is a little over an hour and there will be birding en route. This reserve is characterized by large patches of high Andean cloud forest mixed with livestock paddocks and potato fields. More than 120 species have been seen on the property, including Purple-backed Thornbill, Crescent-faced Antpitta, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Ocellated Tapaculo, Black-collared Jay, Rufous Wren, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Plushcap, and Capped Conebill. Later, arrive at Termales del Ruíz, with time to bird around the lodge trails and hummingbird feeders or relax in the magnificent thermal hot springs baths. The hotel is at 11,150 feet, so remember to take it slow. Elevation: 11,150-12,200 feet | Walking conditions: Easy, unpaved and paved rural road, trails within the reserve | Temperature: 42-58 °F.

Spend the day birding in Los Nevados National Park, which protects an incredible páramo habitat with many special birds and amazing landscapes. Some of today's specialties include Buffy Helmetcrest, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Tawny Antpitta, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Andean Lapwing, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Greater Sapphirewing, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Black-thighed Puffleg. The park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the country; the landscape is framed by snow-capped peaks that include three active volcanoes: El Ruíz, Santa Isabel, and Tolima. In addition to great birding, the park's flora is another draw, featuring an immensity of rare and unique species.

Start the day early with birding around the lodge, and then depart for the airport in Pereira, which is about one hour away. Arrive in Bogotá in time to go birding in La Florida, an important wetland that is home to many bird species, including several endemics. Check into the hotel before dinner and overnight.

Travel to the airport for your flights home. Check-out is at 12 pm.