Birdwatching in Salento: Spot tanagers, hummingbirds & motmots

Walk Salento's countryside with a guide who knows where the birds are

A 5-hour birdwatching tour in Salento introduces you to the region's bird species (tanagers, hummingbirds, toucanets, parrots and the elusive Andean Motmot) on a guided walk through countryside, cloud forest and wax palm groves. Your guide provides binoculars, tips for beginners and a coffee or tea back in town. Available in English or Spanish. Children from age 8 are welcome.

The experience

The tour starts at the church in Salento's main square. If you're new to birdwatching, your guide gives you a short introduction and shows you how to use binoculars before you head out. From there you walk into the surrounding countryside (past coffee plantations and tropical fruit trees) looking for the birds that live in the region's cloud forests, towering wax palms and the foothills below the snow-capped mountains.

Your guide helps you spot and identify woodpeckers, hummingbirds and tanagers as you go. The Andean Motmot and Sparkling Violetear are harder to find, but they're out there in the lush forest canopy. You follow the Camino Nacional back into town, where the tour ends with a coffee or a drink of your choice and a chance to talk through what you saw.

Binoculars are provided, along with breakfast and snacks during the walk. The guide speaks English or Spanish and can answer questions about the birds and the landscape throughout the day.

What’s included

• Binoculars.
• breakfast.
• coffee or tea.
• snacks.
• expert guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 13 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Avistando Aves Andinas - Andean Birdwatching Tours

Is this one for you?The 5-hour walk leaves the rest of your day free if you start early, but it's long enough to reach the cloud forest where the harder-to-spot species live. Choose this tour if you want a real introduction to Salento's birdlife, not a quick stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (8 to 13 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What bird species can I expect to see on this Salento birdwatching tour?

Tanagers, hummingbirds, toucanets and parrots are common sightings. The Andean Motmot and Sparkling Violetear are present in the cloud forests but harder to spot. Your guide will help you identify each species as you walk.

Is this birdwatching tour suitable if I've never done it before?

Yes. Your guide gives beginners a short introduction to birdwatching and teaches you how to use binoculars before the walk starts, so no prior experience is needed.

What's included in the 5-hour tour?

Binoculars, breakfast, coffee or tea, and snacks are all included. Your expert guide is with you the whole time to spot birds and answer questions.

Does the tour go through Salento town or out into the countryside?

You meet at the church in Salento's main square, then walk out into the countryside, cloud forests and wax palm groves. You return to town along the Camino Nacional to finish with a coffee.