Colombia Photo Tour
Birds, Flowers, Culture, & More
January 9 - 22, 2026 w/pre-tour option
Colombia is a bucket list destination for birders and bird photographers due to its incredible avian diversity - home to over one-fifth (over 1900) of all the world's bird species. Jackie will be partnering with local experts Niky and Mauricio (Mauro) Ossa to ensure that you have plenty of photographic opportunities in birding hotspots located in the Western and Central Andes. We will travel northward from Cali through the coffee region to Armenia to the Manizales area, experiencing a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems along the way. Additionally, no trip to Colombia would be complete without a taste of Colombian culture, food, and coffee. For a more immersive experience into the culture, you will want to join the two day pre-tour, "Culture, Flavor, & Rhythm."
You will feel a warm welcome from locals who demonstrate the highest level of stewardship and happy to share their lands with you!
At a Glance
Dates: January 9 - 22, 2026 (arrive on or before noon on January 9th)
Pre-Tour Dates: January 7 - 8th
Cost: $7299 double occupancy ($900 single supplement) $2000 deposit (balance due by September 30, 2025)
Location - Arrival: Fly into Cali (CLO) on or before noon on Jan 9, 2026 or on or before Jan 6, 2026 for the pre-tour.
Location - Arrival: Fly out of Pereira (PEI) on Jan 22, 2026
Included:
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Expert birding guides
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Ground transportation while in Colombia
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All lodging and meals
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Photographic guidance/assistance in the field
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Online Zoom orientation before & post-conference Zoom session
Not included:
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Airfare to Colombia
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Gratuity for lodge staff & guides
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Visa fees
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Travel insurance
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Beverages, snacks, & personal items purchased during tour
Group size: 5 (min) - 8 (max)
Physical Level: Easy to moderate. Elevation range from approx 3600' to 13,500'
Weather: Temperatures will range from warm to hot in the lower elevations. Higher elevations will likely be much cooler and possibly windy. Layers will be essential.
Image Gallery
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Click to open or advance slides to view full itinerary:
One of the highlights of this adventure will be the people - starting with our knowledgeable, friendly, and highly recognized guides, Niky & Mauro. Niky & Mauro conducted the first big year in 2021 in which they traveled throughout every corner of Colombia, recording 1,471 species in 365 days!
You will feel the energy and excitement the moment you arrive!
Suggested Gear...
Camera: Participants are expected to know how to operate their equipment. If you have any new gear, it is important to become acquainted with it BEFOREHAND to get the most from the workshop.
Lenses: Telephoto zoom (100 - 500mm equivalent) will allow you to photograph the birds from a distance to a fairly close range. Macro lenses for floral photography and a wide angle zoom (24 - 70mm) (or iphone) for landscape or wider scenic images.
Tripods/Monopods: A sturdy tripod with a gimbal head or a monopod with a monogimbal will be helpful if you need assistance holding your camera for a long period of time.
Software: All post-processing will be done using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Jackie will share editing techniques ranging from basic image adjustments to more advanced Photoshop techniques with emphasis on removing distractions and cleaning up images. We will focus on obtaining a variety of compositions so that you have some images which incorporate the environment in a scenic manner.
Pre & Post-workshop Zooms: An overview and orientation will be held online prior to the workshop. Post-workshop Zoom will consist of image reviews of fully edited images, although feedback will be shared in the field and in review sessions during the workshop.
About Jackie
Jackie lives in St. Augustine and has been photographing the natural world since high school in Sarasota, FL. She is known for her rich colors and for infusion of personality in her floral and wildlife images. Jackie has received international acclaim for her images and has been published in several noteworthy magazines. Jackie also maintains an active group, Phlorography - Artistic Floral Photography, with thousands of passionate floral photographers from around the world. Phlorography is a community in which everyone and their photographic expression is valued.
