Activities
Unique Offering
This tour offers customizable wildlife photography at your pace, with guided or unguided options and more.
Destinations
Birds by Region
Why choose Colombia
Country with the Highest Bird Biodiversity in the World!
Bird photography in Colombia offers an incredible variety of biodiversity, with over 1,950 bird species, making it one of the top destinations in the world for this activity. Colombia's unique landscapes, ranging from lush rainforests to arid savannas, provide diverse habitats that make bird photography an unforgettable adventure. The varying elevations across the country allow for a multitude of bird species, including toucans, more than 170 species of hummingbirds, tanagers, manakins, antpittas, and raptors such as the Harpy Eagle and the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, among many others.
Endemic birds
Most Renown
Top Tour Packages
If you are booking
What to expect?
01
Souvenirs
Colombia offers unique souvenirs like Wayúu and Zenú weavings, Ráquira ceramics, Pasto barniz, San Jacinto hammocks, and hats from Sandoná, Aguadas, and Sausa, reflecting its rich heritage.
02
Colombians
Colombians are warm and welcoming, embracing a rich cultural mix of Indigenous, African, and Spanish heritage. Their vibrant festivals feature music, dance, and colorful parades year-round.
03
Equipment
For photography in Colombia, pack a camera with versatile lenses: 400mm+ for birds, macro for flora, and wide-angle for landscapes. Bring extra memory, a laptop, backup storage, rain cover, and silica gel for humidity protection.
04
Clothes
Wear light, quick-drying green or brown clothing for camouflage. Equip yourself with a wide-brimmed hat, waterproof jacket, long pants, hiking boots, sunscreen, and, most importantly, insect repellent.
05
Coffee
On our tours, you can enjoy Arabica specialty Colombian coffee with exquisite flavors, floral notes, balanced acidity, and a rich aroma—handpicked from Colombia’s fertile mountains. House Coffee.
06
Security
Feel safe on our tours with trusted guides, secure routes, and careful planning to ensure a worry-free, enjoyable experience in Colombia.
Why Choose US
Get The Best Nature Tour
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in Colombia? As a Colombian company specializing in bird photography, we’re dedicated to crafting exceptional and personalized experiences in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Imagine exploring stunning landscapes with itineraries tailored just for you!
We ensure that every aspect of your journey is top-notch, from transportation to accommodation and meals. Our enthusiastic guides are here to make your exploration smooth and enjoyable, turning your trip into a truly memorable experience.
With our deep knowledge of the territory and strong connections with locals, you’ll feel secure and have countless opportunities to capture breathtaking bird photography. Join us for an adventure where your interests take center stage, and let us make your trip to Colombia truly unique! We can’t wait to share this beautiful journey with you!
Guides
Depending on the tour you book and your requirements, you can select from a local guide, biologist, herpetologist, to a photography tour leader.
Taylormade tours
You can select a standard tour or create the tour of your dreams.
Assistance
From your dreams to the actual tour, RETORNO will be with you to give the best experience
About Us
Our backbone of NATURE in Colombia
RETORNO began with the simple mission of exploring an undiscovered Colombia through nature tourism. As we ventured into remote regions, we found that opportunities were as scarce as the roads that led us there. Local communities faced challenges—limited access to education, services, and decent living conditions—and the rich landscapes they called home were starting to deteriorate. Deforestation, pollution, and hidden forces damaged not only the environment but also the families who depended on it. Today, these threats remain, intensified by the loss of traditions and ecosystems. RETORNO believes the only way forward is to empower those who have long cared for these lands—peasants, indigenous people, Afro-descendants—to restore and protect them. We believe that through photo tours, we can empower communities to build a consciousness of building together a future of hope rooted in unity, tradition, and protectors of the Land.
- We know where the birds are
- We conserve, sustain and regenerate territories
- We know the territory
- We know the locas and work with them
At Retorno Photo Tours, we offer more than just a bird photography trip—we provide an exclusive, expertly curated experience that guarantees stunning shots while making a real impact. With over 150 alliances with local guides, communities, private reserves, and institutions, we grant you unparalleled access to Colombia’s most breathtaking and bird-rich locations. Our meticulously designed tours maximize photographic potential, ensuring you capture rare and vibrant species in the best possible conditions. Beyond photography, we are deeply committed to conservation and community well-being, directly supporting those who protect these ecosystems. By choosing Retorno, you’re not only getting an exceptional bird photography adventure—you’re also contributing to a sustainable future for Colombia’s biodiversity and local communities.
Testimonial
What Photographers say About Us
Akhil Vinayak Menon
From: India
Emblematic 14 Days Tour.
November 2024
ING @akhilvinayakmenon
“I recently joined Retorno Photo Tours on a bird photography trip to Colombia, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. As one of a small group of six, I was impressed by how well-planned and executed the entire trip was. The guide arranged by Retorno was not only highly knowledgeable about the incredible variety of birds in Colombia but also had an excellent rapport with the group, making every moment enjoyable and insightful.
The attention to detail, seamless organization, and commitment to providing a memorable experience truly stood out. I would wholeheartedly recommend Retorno Photo Tours to anyone looking to combine their passion for photography with unforgettable travel. I’m already looking forward to joining another trip in the future to uncover new destinations and capture more incredible bird species! Highly recommend!
Carlos Pache
From: España
Emblematic 14 Days Tour.
March 2024.
ING @carlospache1974
"Mi primera experiencia con David,de RETORNO, fue simplemente espectacular.
Nos dirigió en un fantástico tour geográfico por las mejores localizaciones de aves que se conocen en Colombia para ello empleo toda su experiencia para que mi compañero y yo nos trajimos más de cien especies de aves difíciles de localizar y fotografiar, sin lugar a dudas recomiendo encarecidamente a este guía en Colombia para mi próximo viaje".
Emil and Lily Vacek
From: Canada
Emblematic 11 Days Tour.
November 2024
ING @emilv_photography, @lily.vacek
"We love birds. Bird photography is our passion. We have watched a lot of YouTube videos about Colombia's nature and birds and wished we could go there. We were a bit worried about the safety since a lot of people in Canada do not think Colombia is a safe place to go to. Emil (emilv_photography) and I (@lily.vacek) decided to book a private bird photography tour with David Casas of Retorno.phototours and hoped for the best.
David made us feel very safe. He was a most wonderful host and we felt like we have always known him. He introduced us to his country, culture, people and of course all those wonderful birds he promised he would. He was very professional, knowledgeable about the birds, locations and worked very hard to find us all the birds that were listed on the Emblematic photo tour. All locations that we visited with David offered lots of birds and we had plenty of time to photograph each and every one of them numerous times.
The icing on the cake was the photo opportunity at La Florida Bosque when Ornate Hawk Eagle showed up in the tree looking for food. David and Emil climbed to the top of the very steep hill to be closer to the bird and got the photos and videos that were out of this world. Thank you David.
We would love to go back to Colombia and join David on another photo tour soon. David truly knows how to take care of his guests that are looking for unique bird photography experience".
Cielo Millán Álvarez
From: Colombia
Multiple tours
Octubre 2024
ING @el.cielo.fotografia
"Llevo más de tres años realizando viajes icónicos por Colombia haciendo Tours Fotográficos de Aves y naturaleza con Retorno lo que me ha llevado a conocer excelentes lugares del País donde ha cumplido con todas las expectativas propuestas en las especies que hemos ido a buscar para fotografiar.
Conociendo regiones maravillosas del país con viajes seguros e inolvidables.
Además cabe resaltar el conocimiento que tiene de las reservas que se visitarán, de la planeación de las especies locales que posiblemente se pueden avistar y fotografiar la utilización de servicios locales y guías de la zona. Lo que hace que Viajar con el Retorno sea una de las mejores experiencias y opciones de fotografiar la exuberante Avifauna Colombiana".
Fulfill Your Dreams
"Photographing the Golden-Headed Quetzal in Colombia"
Fomeque, Colombia.