PHOTO EXPEDITIONS

COLOMBIA BIRDWATCH AND COLOMBIA PHOTO EXPEDITIONS

When we met in person for the first time in 2016, after talking on the phone only a few days earlier, an instant friendship was struck. Thus began the collaboration to bring you the photographic opportunity of a lifetime. The result of this synergy is this unique itinerary, first of its kind, in which our local access and expertise plays a major factor. The first thing we agreed upon was that local community would be key in expedition logistics. Second, that we would design, operate and lead one-of-a-kind photo expeditions based on sustainable travel, and constantly work with Colombian scientists and organizations to join efforts towards peace, conservation and a better global understanding of the country.

Christopher Calonje and Kike Calvo

CHRISTOPHER CALONJE

Christopher was born and raised in Colombia, and after studies and a career in environmental science in the US, returned to his native country to launch his eco-tourism company Colombia BIrdwatch. He has been leading tour groups in all regions of Colombia since 2008, and devotes time to various non-profit conservation groups and local communities that promote bird tourism as a conservation tool in Colombia’s post-conflict era. Sustainability is one of the core principles at Colombia Birdwatch and this is evidenced by his work to promote conservation in Colombia.

KIKE CALVO

Kike (pronounced key-keh) is an award-winning National Geographic photographer, bilingual journalist and author with many years of experience as a Photography Expert for National Geographic Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions, with Latin America as his main focus. Kike has spent years exploring Colombia extensively, acquiring ground experience that has eventually led to the creation of the boutique travel agency Colombia Photo Expeditions. His work has been published in National Geographic, New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair, among others. Kike teaches photography workshops and has been a guest lecturer at leading institutions like the School of Visual Arts and Yale University. He is a regular contributor to National Geographic blog Voices. Kike has made a strong emphasis in imprinting his conservation efforts within his work in Colombia, and is excited to show you around a country he has learned to love through the years.

WHERE THE BIRDS DANCE

BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
The Best Bird Feeder Sites in Colombia

The KM 18 and San Antonio Cloud Forest provides an excellent introduction to bird photography in the Colombian Andes. Some of the best bird feeder set ups in Colombia are found within one hour of the Araucana lodge, each with its unique perches and variety of birds. In addition, for those who enjoy photographing in natural environments this portion of the western Andes offers some very well-preserved habitat. At feeder sites, this tour targets species such as the endemics Multicolored Tanager and Colombian Chachalaca and near endemics such as Scrub, Flame-rumped, Golden-naped, Saffron-crowned, Rufous-throated tanagers. In terms of hummingbirds , more than 20 species occur at the feeders including Blue-headed Saphire, Purple-throated Woodstar, Long-billed Starthroat, Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Rackettail and Black-throated Mango.

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UNCOVER DIVERSE COLOMBIA

Cartagena, Barranquilla Carnaval and Santa Mart Mountains and Caribbean Coast

This tour is designed to highlight Colombia’s astounding natural and cultural diversity, and we believe we have struck the perfect balance with this exhilarating itinerary: From exploring the streets rich in history of colonial Cartagena and learning about Gabriel Garcia’s Magical Realism, to the folkloric celebrations of of the second biggest carnival in the world in Barranquilla, to photographing the landscapes, mammals and birds that live in the planet’s most irreplaceable nature reserve. This trip is of epic proportions, complete with white-sand beaches and a visit to the Wayuu communities of the Guajira peninsula.

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UNCOVER DIVERSE COLOMBIA

Feria de Las Flores, Cali and Pacific Coast

This tour is designed to highlight Colombia’s astounding natural and cultural diversity, and we believe we have struck the perfect balance with this exhilarating itinerary: From exploring the Feria de Las Fores in Medellin in the Andes mountains, to the Latin rhythms of the salsa capital of the world, to riding motorcycle-powered carts through luscious rainforest, to visiting the beaches and mangroves of one of the most bio diverse regions on the planet in search of Humpback Whales. This trip is of epic proportions, complete with beaches, city life, flowers, and incredible hospitality.

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Join us in a land where everyday life is very real but visitors can easily escape into a magical world as they explore the culture and natural richness the country has to offer.

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