01

Expertise

Your guides are local specialists who know where birds feed, nest and display. They read behavior, carefully position you for the best light and angle, and adapt the plan daily to weather and bird activity. You spend less time searching and more time photographing, whatever your experience level, and whether you want common Andean species or rare endemics.

02

Access

Tours use private nature reserves and feeder setups, giving close, unhurried views of species that are hard to photograph from public trails. Many setups allow eye-level angles, so you get cleaner backgrounds and more natural portraits. Sites are chosen for reliable bird activity, and access often depends on partner families, so each stop also supports the people who protect the land.

03

Ethics

Fieldcraft comes first. Retorno keeps a respectful distance from nests and sensitive species, avoids stressing birds, and keeps groups small to limit disturbance. Guides explain the field rules before each session, so everyone knows what is acceptable. You leave with strong images and the confidence that your visit helped, rather than harmed, the birds and the places you visited.

04

Community

Retorno was founded on the belief that photo tours can empower rural communities. Peasant, Indigenous and Afro-descendant families host you, guide you and protect the habitat, and tourism supports them directly. You meet the people behind each reserve. Expect real restoration stories alongside the birds, plus a link to conservation work such as harpy eagle protection in the Serranía de la Macarena.

05

Variety

Colombia has more than 1,950 bird species, and Retorno's routes cover the Coffee Region, Santa Marta and La Guajira, the Chocó, the Eastern Andes, the south and the Macarena. Expect hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans and endemics, plus wildlife such as Andean bears, monkeys and frogs on selected tours. Choose a scheduled departure or ask for a custom itinerary.

06

Planning

Prices are quoted for a group of six photographers; private tours cost more. Reserve with a 50% deposit and pay the balance 30 days before departure, and ask about early booking discounts. Itineraries list lodging and meals day by day, so you know what to expect before you commit. dcasas@retornobirding.com to request dates or a custom plan.

Certified Professional Guides

24/7 Support Services

Safety Protocols