Twelve days through the Chocó foothills, Central Andes cloud forest and páramo — antpittas at feeding stations, the Cock-of-the-Rock lek, Oilbird cave and Andean endemics.
A route built for photographers, not listers: controlled setups, close-range antpittas, hummingbird multi-flash and altitude planned day by day.
Led by Yeudy Hernández · Elías Peña
Every workshop is request-only — nothing is charged when you send the form. All workshops.
From 900 m wetlands to 4,000 m páramo, the itinerary moves through Colombia’s richest photography sites: Doñadora and La Florida feeders, Anaime hummingbirds, Río Blanco antpittas, Termales del Ruiz, Hacienda El Bosque, Tinamú, Jardín and the Guácharos reserve.
Altitude gains are staged deliberately so the group acclimatises before the páramo day at 4,000 m.
Small group format with local Colombian bird guides at every site, coordinated end to end by VIVO.
Field coaching and logistics are handled by the same people you talk to before the trip.
Bird & Wildlife Photography Partner
Collaborating photography leader on selected international departures, focused on in-field coaching for bird and wildlife photography — multi-flash hummingbird setups, birds in flight and low-light forest work.
Founder · Expedition Planner · Costa Rica Field Lead
Founder of VIVO Expeditions. Designs every workshop route, coordinates hotels, ground transport, permits and local specialists, and leads field sessions in Costa Rica. He is also the person travellers talk to before, during and after each workshop.
Sites, travel times and species targets per day. Wildlife is never guaranteed — the schedule is built around the highest-probability windows.
Airport pickup and transfer (30–60 min). Overnight in Cali or the K-18 area.
Drive ~1 h 15 (55 km). Altitude 1,300–2,000 m. Chocó foothills to cloud-forest transition. Morning at the Doñadora feeders.
2 h drive to Buga. Altitude 2,000 m down to 1,000 m. Morning at La Florida cloud forest.
30 min local plus a 4 h drive. Altitude 900–1,500 m. Wetlands to Andean forest.
2.5–3 h drive. Altitude 1,800–2,000 m. Afternoon transfer to Kiraikai.
1.5–2 h drive. Altitude 1,300–2,100 m. Afternoon transfer to Manizales.
30 min drive. Altitude 2,400–2,800 m. High cloud forest with close-range antpitta photography at feeding stations.
1.5–2 h ascent. Altitude up to 4,000 m. Páramo ecosystem with iconic high-Andean species.
High altitude day — pace is deliberately slow.
1 h 15 drive. Altitude around 2,800 m. Controlled high-elevation setups.
1 hour of bumpy road in special 4x4 vehicles. Scenic transfer through coffee landscapes. Secondary forest and open habitats.
About 3 h 30 total. Morning at Tinamú Reserve (1,200 m). Afternoon transfer to Riosucio.
About 2 h total. Altitude 1,800–2,200 m. Morning at Mirador El Roble (2 hours, bumpy road). Afternoon in Jardín at the Cock-of-the-Rock lek.
3.5–4.5 h. Morning at the Oilbird site. Afternoon transfer to Medellín (hotel or airport). End of the expedition.
Target species are the ones the route is designed around. Everything else is a realistic possibility, never a promise.
12 nights on route, positioned next to the feeders, reserves and leks used each day.
Private vehicles for the full route, with 4x4 for the El Roble, glamping and páramo sections.
Included on day 0 (30–60 min transfer).
Three meals daily, timed around pre-dawn departures and feeder activity.
Reserve entrances, antpitta stations, lek access and the Oilbird cave visit.
Colombian specialists at each site, working with the VIVO photography lead.
Altitude is gained progressively; the 4,000 m páramo day comes after acclimatisation.
Flights into Cali and out of Medellín are booked by the traveller; we advise on timing.
The same route can be run privately on your dates, subject to lodge and guide availability.
Available at a supplement where the property allows it.
Lodges are assigned per departure between the properties listed above and equivalent options in Manizales, Riosucio and Jardín, according to route timing and availability. Your written proposal names the exact property for every night.
All ground transport inside the program is coordinated by VIVO. Arriving early or staying longer? We can arrange private airport and hotel transfers around your workshop dates.
See private transfersPlate-billed Mountain-Toucan
Violet-tailed Sylph
Green-and-black Fruiteater
Hooded Mountain-Tanager
Saffron-crowned Tanager
Beautiful Jay
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Páramo lodge
Crimson-backed Tanager
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
Green Chlorophonia
Buffy Helmetcrest
Mountain-Toucan
Stripe-breasted Wren
This is a request, not a booking. Nothing is charged now: we review dates, lodges, guides and group size, then send you a written proposal with the exact route and cost.
No. This expedition is request-only: we confirm dates, lodges and guides, then send a written proposal. No charge is made when you send the form.
The route climbs from 900 m to 4,000 m progressively. The páramo day is deliberately slow-paced, but let us know about any respiratory or cardiac condition in advance.
No. Feeding stations and leks give very high odds for several endemics, but no wild species is ever guaranteed.
