Discovering your Authentic Nature, Colombia...

Birds and Wildlife photo tours

Photo Tours

Discovering your Authentic NATURE


Colombia

Photo Tours

Discovering your Authentic NATURE


Colombia


Photo Tours

Colombia

Activities

Unique Offering

Travel Schedule

Join Bird and Wildlife Photo Tours

Date Bird and Wildlife Photo Tours Location Number of Days From USD Tours Available
Jun. 26; 2025. Emblematic Birds Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. 13 days $3850 SOLD
Sep. 06; 2025. Jaguars from Pantanal Pantanal; Mato Grosso - Brasil. 9 days $3450 SOLD
Nov. 16; 2025. Emblematic Birds Antioquia 7 Days $3450 SOLD
Dec. 1; 2025. Emblematic Birds Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Tolima and Valle del Cauca. 14 Days $3950 SOLD
Jan. 12; 2026. Blue-bearded Helmet Crest Expedition Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; Caribe. 5 days $1600
Feb. 16; 2026. Chiribiquete Emerald Expedition and overfligth Chiribiquete NP. Araracuara; Amazonia. 5 days $4950
Mar. 02; 2026. Iconic Birds Huila, cauca and Putumayo. Colombian Massif. 12 days $3450
Apr. 06; 2026. Emblematic Birds Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. 13 days $3850

Doing Private

Top Tour Packages

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Vermilion Cardinal

Colourful


Departure from: 

Santa Marta.

Season: December to February.

Type: Bird Photography.

14 Days - 14 Nights.


More Info
A small yellow and black bird perched on a branch

Majestic


Departur from: 

Pereira or Cali.

Season: Year around

Type: Bird Photography

15 Days - 15 Nights



More Info
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A hummingbird is flying in the air with its wings spread

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

A green and blue hummingbird is flying in the air
A red bird with a red crest is perched on a branch.
A colorful bird is hanging upside down from a tree branch.
A brown and white bird with a blue beak is perched on a branch.
A map of colombia with birds on it

Destinations

Birds by Region

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A colorful bird perched on a branch with the words putumayo iconic birds above it
A colorful bird is perched on a tree branch.

If you are booking

What to expect?

01

Lodging

RETORNO offers two accommodation types: Basic and Comfort, both with private bathrooms and excellent cleanliness. Each varies in style, reflecting the unique beauty, charm, and architecture of the regions you’ll explore.

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 bird photography in Colombia, bring a camera with a 400mm+ lens, extra memory cards, backup storage, a laptop, rain cover, and silica gel to protect gear from humidity. Versatile equipment ensures you're ready for every photo opportunity.

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. Some times it is necesary Rubber Boots.

05

Transport

Depending on the group size, if there are one to three photographers, we will use 4x4 trucks. For larger groups, transportation will be provided in vans or buses. Cleanliness and comfort are always guaranteed.

06

Security

Travel with confidence in Colombia. Our photography tours are led by trusted guides, follow secure and well-planned routes, and prioritize your safety at every step. With expert coordination and attention to detail, we ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free experience as you explore the country’s natural beauty.

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!

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Guides

Depending on the tour you book and your requirements, you can select from a local guide, biologist, herpetologist, to a photography tour leader.

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Taylormade tours

You can select a standard tour or create the tour of your dreams.

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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.
About Us
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A blue background with a tree and people holding hands

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.

Team

Experts and Professionals

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David Casas L.

Bird Photographer

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Miguel Angel Muñoz

Birdwacther Guide 

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Sebastian Didomenico

Wildlife Photographer

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Testimonials

What Photographers say About Us

A hummingbird is perched on a branch in sierra nevada

Gilberto López Espina

From: Cuba/USA

Tour: Emblematic

February 2025

ING: @glopezespina


"Except for those times I was guiding tours, I’ve spent my entire professional career photographing by myself. However, the logistics of traveling through the Colombian Andes created immense challenges since the best photographic locations are very remote and extremely difficult to find. Luckily, a friend gave me information about David Casas, from Retorno Photo Tours. What a pleasure to work with another human being whose sole interest is to get wonderful images. The custom tour he created was spectacular and focused on the emblematic birds of Colombia. Along with his incredible knowledge of the species and where to find them, the joint venture was a truly unforgettable experience. Highly recommendable to any serious photographer who is searching for an expert and a very accommodating guide."

A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a building.

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!

A man and a woman are posing for a picture in front of trees

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".


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".


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".


Anita Treasurer

From: USA

Multiple Tours

April 2025

ING: @anitatreasurer


My husband and I went on our first bird photography tour this past July with Retorno Birding. Our guide was a trained biologist, and his knowledge was invaluable in spotting different species and educating us about them. We liked working with Retorno and our guide so much that my husband booked a second tour with them a few months later.

Gilberto López Espina

From: Cuba/USA

Tour: Emblematic

February 2025

ING: @glopezespina


"Except for those times I was guiding tours, I’ve spent my entire professional career photographing by myself. However, the logistics of traveling through the Colombian Andes created immense challenges since the best photographic locations are very remote and extremely difficult to find. Luckily, a friend gave me information about David Casas, from Retorno Photo Tours. What a pleasure to work with another human being whose sole interest is to get wonderful images. The custom tour he created was spectacular and focused on the emblematic birds of Colombia. Along with his incredible knowledge of the species and where to find them, the joint venture was a truly unforgettable experience. Highly recommendable to any serious photographer who is searching for an expert and a very accommodating guide."

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!

Fulfill Your Dreams

"Photographing the Golden-Headed Quetzal in Colombia"

Fulfill Your Dreams

Witness the Andean Cock-of-the-rock in Action!