Week 2 - Montezuma Rainforest, Western Andes

A famous Birding, Butterfly and Orchid observation paradise, just three hours away from Pereira and located on the western slope of the western Andes. This hill is fully covered with pristine cloud forests and goes up to 2600 m. Being located in one of earth's wettest regions (The Chocó region), it is daily bathed by rains and clouds, thus creating a perfect habitat for a high diversity of orchids, ferns, aroids, mosses and many other interesting plants and creatures.

Highlights: More than 200 species of orchids can be observed here, just along the road margins. Showy species like Huntleya gustavi, Maxillaria speciosa, Miltoniopsis vexillaria, Phragmipedium lindenii, Brachionidium imperiale, Masdevallia hortensis, Polycycnis barbata, Porroglossum eduardi, Dracula carcinopsis and Dracula chestertonii can be seen, along with a huge variety of Elleanthus, Maxillaria, Masdevallia, Scaphosepalum, Lepanthes and many other Pleurothallids.

Dates and price:

• Aug 18 - 23, 2019. 10 pax. $2,350

Daily itinerary (Can be modified without notice, because of the frequent rains):

Aug 18. We will fly from Medellín to Pereira (1 stop in Bogotá), and then take a van or equivalent transport to Cerro Montezuma (approx. 4h). If we arrive early, we can make a short exploration around the lodge. (Middle elevation orchids like Erycina, Rodriguezia, Maxillaria, Sigmatostalix and Scaphosepalum). Overnight in Montezuma Rainforest Eco-lodge.

Aug 19. We get a 4-wheel drive and go to the Cerro Montezuma top for a nice view of the Tatamá Massif. From there we walk down the road and look for highland orchids on the roadsides all day long. There are many interesting orchids like: Otoglossum, Phragmipedium, Dracula, Porroglossum eduardi, Brachionidium imperiale and many Lepanthes, just to mention some of them. Overnight in Montezuma Rainforest Eco-lodge.

Aug 20. The area near the lodge is very biodiverse and is famous for watching birds and butterflies. In the morning we go along a pasture and forest trail near the lodge to see middle elevation orchids and get back to the lodge for lunch (Pleurothallis, Dichaea, Epidendrum, Lepanthes, Masdevallia, Sobralia, Elleanthus and Huntleya). It is possible to have a swim in the crystal clear river near the lodge and then go for a short exploration up the river (Polycycnis if blooming, variety of Pleurothallids, Elleanthus, Sobralia among others).

Aug 21. As one day is not enough, we get a 4-wheel drive and go to the Cerro Montezuma road to continue exploring at middle elevations. Enjoy the view of a variety of Masdevallia, Platystele, Lepanthes, Pleurtohallis, Scaphosepalum, Miltoniopsis vexillaria among many others.

Aug 22. The area near the lodge is very biodiverse and is famous for watching birds and butterflies. We will walk along the road near the lodge and enjoy a variety of orchids (Pleurothallis, Dichaea, Epidendrum, Lepanthes, Masdevallia, Platystele, Sobralia, Elleanthus among others). In the afternoon you can relax while watching the numerous hummingbirds coming to the lodge feeders.

Aug 23. Car transfer to Pereira (4h) and flight back to Medellín (please let us know if you need to fly to a different destination).