2nd Version / September 12-14 / 2025
Birdwatching Routes

During the event, we offer 6 different routes that will take you through the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of our region. Each day, participants will have the opportunity to choose one route to enjoy during an exciting field outing.

The Salento BirdFair Birdwatching Routes span an altitudinal range from 900 to 3,300 meters above sea level. Our routes will take you through a variety of ecosystems, from cloud forests to lush valleys. With over 487 bird species recorded in total, these routes offer a unique opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Salento.

Get ready for an unforgettable birdwatching experience and discover the beauty of our natural surroundings as you explore the Salento BirdFair routes!

La Rivera Reserve

Natural reserve located within the Barbas - Bremen conservation area. In this place, Andean forests and permaculture intertwine, creating a mosaic that harbors more than 320 bird species. They specialize in bird photographers, with feeders designed especially for this audience, and it is the only place in Colombia where the Red-ruffed fruitcrow (Pyroderus scutatus) comes to the feeders. Here, birdwatching can be done along trails to try to spot the greatest number of species or by spending the morning waiting for the beauties that come to feed at the baiting stations.

Details:

  • Location: km 4 rural road El Roble - Morrazul
  • Altitude: 1950-2300 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Low - Medium
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • Web site: https://www.reservalarivera.com.co/
Registrations
Ruta: Reserva La Rivera - Pyroderus scutatus - Jinneth Acosta
Ruta: Casa Selva - Eubucco bourcierii - Jinneth Acosta

Guayacan Nature Preserve

Located in the Quebrada Negra region, just 20 minutes from Calarcá, Guayacán Nature Preserve is a biodiversity sanctuary in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region. This natural paradise is home to a rich variety of bird species, including the Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii), Blue-necked Tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis), and Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis). Recently opened to the public, this reserve offers ideal conditions for bird photography.

Details:
  • Quebrada Negra, near Calarcá, Quindío, Colombia
  • Altitude: 1400 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Low - Medium
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • Web site: https://guayacanpreserve.com/
Registrations

Soñarte Nature Reserve

Located in the municipality of Córdoba, Quindío, SoñArte is a nature reserve and eco-hotel that blends over 100 years of coffee-growing tradition with the conservation of fragile ecosystems. Spanning 70 hectares, it features more than 15 km of trails that wind through high Andean forests, bamboo groves, and natural springs, providing an ideal habitat for over 260 recorded bird species. It’s a perfect spot for both seasoned birders and beginners, offering guided walks at dawn and dusk—when bird activity is at its peak. The reserve also offers complementary experiences such as coffee tours, hiking, and photography, all set within the stunning Coffee Cultural Landscape.

Details:
  • Location: Córdoba, Quindío, Colombia
  • Altitude: 1500 - 2000 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Low - Medium
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • Web site: www.cafesonarte.com
Registrations
gyrola
trogon macho retrato
trogon hembra retrato

La Patasola Nature Reserve

This natural reserve covers 150 hectares of Andean forests and is the third location with the highest number of registered birds for Quindío on the Ebird platform, with 331 species. This tour will be conducted by walking along the road leading to the reserve, observing the birds that inhabit the cloud forest. This tour is recommended for birdwatchers with some experience or beginners with skills in handling binoculars since spotting birds in the thickness of the forest is not an easy task.

Details:

  • Location: 10 kilometers from the Boquia village
  • Altitude: 1850- 2250 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Medium - High
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations

Santa Rita Waterfalls

Located in the village of Boquía, just minutes from Salento, the Santa Rita Waterfalls offer a unique experience that combines birdwatching with the exploration of natural and historical landscapes. The trail to the waterfalls winds through humid forests and tunnels from the old railway, providing a journey rich in both history and biodiversity. Along the way, you may spot iconic species such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), the Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta), and the Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps), among many others.

Details:

  • Location: Boquía Village, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
  • Average Altitude: 1800 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations
pato de torrentes
orejiamarillo

Camino Nacional

This birdwatching tour takes place along the road that leads from Salento to Cajamarca, traversing areas where forests, crops, forest plantations, and pastures blend together, from midlands to highlands, achieving great potential for birdwatching. This road is the second destination with the highest number of bird species recorded for the department on the Ebird platform (359 to date) and is entirely conducted in the traditional Jeep Willys, making strategic stops throughout the ascent.

Details:

  • Location: Salento - Cajamarca Road
  • Altitude: 1900 - 3300 meters above sea level
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Recommendations: Comfortable clothing, binoculars, camera, drinking water, and sunscreen.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations
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