Routes

Dare to walk with meaning.

Bird Photographed by @heilerunaturephotography

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

An ancestral experience for all the senses

Durante la Salento BirdFair 2025, el territorio se convierte en aula viva, en sendero sagrado donde las aves nos guían. Hemos preparado 8 rutas de avistamiento que recorren una amplia franja altitudinal —desde los 900 hasta los 3.300 metros sobre el nivel del mar— atravesando bosques de niebla, montañas verdes y valles de asombro. Son caminos donde el canto de las aves se entrelaza con la historia, la ciencia, la memoria y el presente.

Each day you can choose a different route to explore the countryside and experience a deep connection with nature. Whether it's your first time using binoculars or you've been following birds for years, everyone has a place here. Our team of specialized guides, guardians of the territory, will be with you to help you identify species, share knowledge, and open your heart to the air.

More than 487 recorded species make Salento a prime spot for birdwatching, but on these routes, we don't just seek out birds: we seek to see the world through fresh eyes, walk with respect, and let ourselves be transformed by what dwells among the branches, mist, and sky. The Salento BirdFair routes are an invitation to explore, learn, and experience the land that is also home to birds.

rutas-kiraikai-img

Reserva Natural Kiraikai

Kiraikai Ecolodge es una reserva natural privada ubicada en el Distrito de Conservación de Suelos Barbas–Bremen, en las estribaciones de la Cordillera Central cerca de Filandia, Quindío. Abarca más de 9 hectáreas de bosque andino y sub-andino bien conservado, con tres senderos de dificultad baja a media que atraviesan un mosaico ecológico ideal para el avistamiento de fauna.

En este santuario se entrelazan la riqueza del bosque nublado con la conservación activa, allí se han registrado más de 200 especies de aves, junto a mamíferos como monos aulladores y especies endémicas como la rana rubí (Andinobates bombetes). Cuenta con comederos y entornos naturales lo hacen un sitio privilegiado para capturar especies emblemáticas en el trópico alto andino.

Las visitas guiadas recorren senderos que permiten observar aves como la tangara multicolor, el cucarachero andino, una gran variedad de colibríes otras aves típicas del Bosque Secundario en los márgenes del cañón del Barbas-Bremen.

  • Ubicación:Filandia, Quindío (Barbas–Bremen).
  • Altitud aproximada:1 900 msnm (zona de bosque altoandino/subandino).
  • Dificultad:Baja a media.
  • Recomendaciones:Llevar ropa cómoda y camuflada, binoculares, cámara, agua y calzado adecuado.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
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, all set within the stunning Coffee Cultural Landscape.

Details:

  • Location: Córdoba, Quindío, Colombia
  • Altitud aproximada: 1800 – 2000 msnm
  • Dificultad: Baja – Media
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • Web site: www.cafesonarte.com
Registrations
gyrola
rutas-machangara-img1
rutas-machangara-img2
rutas-machangara-img3

Finca Turística Machangara

La Finca Turística Machángara, ubicada en el kilómetro 3 de la vía Montenegro–Quimbaya (Quindío), a unos 15 km de Armenia, combina alojamiento estilo hacienda cafetera con jardines, terraza, senderos agroecológicos y un entorno natural ideal para la observación de aves asociadas al paisaje cultural cafetero. Aunque no se anuncia como reserva de bosque primario, su entorno – rodeado de cafetales, árboles nativos y vegetación ornamental – atrae una buena cantidad de colibríes y aves típicas del bosque andino medio del eje cafetero, gracias al equilibrio entre naturaleza y áreas urbanas.

Entre las especies más frecuentes se encuentran diversos colibríes andinos, tangaras y aves pequeñas que visitan flores, frutales y comederos del jardín. El sitio también permite escuchar el canto de aves autóctonas mientras se reposan en terrazas o disfrutar de observación tranquila bajo techo, sin necesidad de caminatas agotadoras.

  • Ubicación:km 3 vía Montenegro–Quimbaya, Quimbaya (Quindío).
  • Altitud aproximada:1 300–1 500 msnm (zona de bosque andino medio).
  • Dificultad:Baja (accesible desde áreas comunes).
  • Recomendaciones:Usa ropa cómoda, trae binoculares y cámara; ideal para observación desde terraza o jardín. También se recomienda protector solar y agua potable.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • https://www.fincamachangara.com
Registrations

Alejandro Bayer Garden

A private garden located at the edge of the Monterrey condominium in Circasia, Quindío, just minutes north of Armenia. Adjacent to a preserved forest and surrounded by streams, this site has recorded more bird species than any other garden in the country in the last eight years. Thanks to its altitude (1,580 meters above sea level), privileged topography, proximity to water, and the constant use of feeders and waterers, it has become a true sanctuary for birdwatchers and photographers.

Among the notable species that can be seen—even from the roof of the house—are the Red-headed Toucanet (Eubucco bourcierii), the Red-tailed Toucan (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus), the Gray-headed Boboton (Malacoptila mystacalis), and the Turquoise Dacnis (Dacnis hartlaubi), as well as numerous parrots, woodpeckers, burrowing birds, mockingbirds, seedeaters, and birds of prey.

Details:

  • Location: Km 1 vía Armenia – Circasia
  • Altitud aproximada: 1580 msnm
  • Dificultad: Baja
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa discreta y repelente
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations
rutas-Jardin-de-Alejandro-Bayer
Ruta: Guayacal

Guayacan Natural Perserve

Located in the Quebrada Negra region, 20 minutes from Calarcá, Guayacán Natural Reserve is a biodiversity sanctuary in the heart of the Coffee Region. This natural paradise is home to a rich variety of bird species, including the Colombian Woodpecker and the White-naped Hummingbird; as well as the Red-headed Woodpecker (Eubucco bourcierii), the Royal Tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis), and the Dwarf Hermit Hummingbird (Phaethornis striigularis). This reserve, which recently opened to the public, offers ideal conditions for bird photography.

This reserve, which recently opened to the public, offers ideal conditions for bird photography.

Details:

  • Location: Quebrada Negra, cerca de Calarcá, Quindío, Colombia
  • Altitud aproximada: 1400 msnm
  • Dificultad: Baja – Media
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
  • Web site: https://guayacanpreserve.com/
Registrations

Cecropias Valley Nature Reserve

The Cecropias Valley Nature Reserve, with 85 hectares of forest, is located within the jurisdiction of Salento, Quindío, in an enclave between the Cocora Valley and the La Patasola Nature Reserve, 12 km from the municipal seat of Salento. It combines secondary montane forests with high Andean forests.

This site intertwines fragments of high Andean forest and secondary vegetation dominated by pioneer trees such as cecropias, which attract a rich diversity of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers, and guans. It has frequent records of the anteater, the Caucasus guan, the golden-headed quetzal, the trogon, the yellow-eared parrot, the mountain wren, and the royal woodpecker.

Details:

  • Location: A 12 km desde Salento por la vía de Boquía hacia la Reserva La Patasola.
  • Altitud aproximada: 2100.
  • Dificultad: Media – Baja.
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda para frío, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations
rutas-Reserva natural Valle-Cecropias
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 kilómetros de la vereda Boquia
  • Altitud aproximada: 1850 – 2250 msnm
  • Dificultad: Media-Alta
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica y agua potable.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations

National Road

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: Carretera Salento – Cajamarca
  • Altitud aproximada: 1900 – 3300 msnm
  • Dificultad: Media
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations
orejiamarillo
pato de torrentes

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: Vereda Boquía, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
  • Altitud aproximada: 1800 msnm
  • Dificultad: Media
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • Click here for the list of birds on eBird.
Registrations

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 vía rural el Roble – Morrazul
  • Altitud aproximada: 1950-2300 msnm
  • Dificultad: Baja – Media
  • Recomendaciones: Ropa cómoda, binoculares, cámara fotográfica, agua potable y protector solar.
  • 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
Do you want to collaborate?
Contact Us
Register Here
en_USEN
es_COES en_USEN