Hummingbird Observatory | BnB Colombia Tours

## Hummingbirds Observatory (Observatorio de Colibríes), La Calera: what to know before you go

If you want a high-probability hummingbird encounter near Bogotá—without committing to a multi-day birding itinerary—the Observatorio de Colibríes in La Calera is designed for exactly that: controlled visitor numbers, feeders positioned for close viewing, and a setting in the High Andean Forest at serious elevation.

### Quick facts (from the listing data + official site)
– Name: Hummingbirds Observatory (Observatorio de Colibríes)
– Type: Tourist attraction (hummingbird sanctuary/observatory)
– Where: Variante Frailejonal, vereda Frailejonal, municipality of La Calera (near Bogotá)
– Coordinates: 4.664389, -73.964395 (from your dataset)
– Altitude: ~3,000 meters (9,800 ft)
– Hours (official): Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm; Sunday, Monday, and holidays closed
– Visitor policy: Entry is limited; plan ahead and contact to book
– Pets: Not allowed (sanctuary policy; other animals onsite)
– Rating: 4.7 (from your dataset; not independently verified here)

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## What this place actually is (and why it works for hummingbird sightings)

The observatory describes itself as a sanctuary created by planting flowers/trees and setting up feeders to attract and support hummingbirds—then opening the property to visitors (they note they opened to the public in June 2013).

Two details matter for your experience:

– Limited entry: They explicitly cap the number of visitors for hummingbird wellbeing, which usually means fewer crowds and less chaos at feeders.
– High-elevation conditions: At roughly 3,000 m, hummingbirds may use feeders more frequently during cold/rainy spells because they need more energy—so “bad weather” can improve viewing.

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## What you’ll see: hummingbirds, plus a short list of species they highlight

The official site says visitors can see more than 14 species of hummingbirds on a visit.

They also highlight several species/IDs on their “Hummingbirds” page (names as presented on the site), including:
– Greenvioletear
– Sword-billed hummingbird (shown as “Picoespada,” described as having the longest beak relative to body)
– Woodstar (shown as “Wodstart,” noted as the smallest hummingbird on their page)
– Black-tailed sylph (shown as “Silfo Colinegro,” described as having a tail twice as long as its body)

Expect the core experience to revolve around feeders + garden edges, where hummingbirds cycle in rapidly. If your goal is photography, the site framing (feeders, perches, predictable flight paths) is the main advantage.

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## How to plan your visit (schedule, booking, and rules)

### Hours you can rely on (official)
– Tue–Sat: 9:00–16:00
– Sun, Mon, holidays: Closed

### Booking and capacity
They explicitly ask visitors to plan in advance and contact them because entry and the number of visitors is limited. Their published contact includes:
– Phone: +57 315 683-3060
– Email: [email protected]

### Pets
Pets are not allowed, and they explain it’s because the place is a sanctuary and animals need time to acclimate to other animals onsite.

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## What to wear and bring (High Andean Forest reality check)

At ~3,000 m, Bogotá’s “I’ll be fine in a hoodie” logic often fails once you hit wind, fog, and shade.

The observatory describes:
– High precipitation in rainy months, with weather changing from sunny to rainy multiple times a day (fog is common).
– Daytime temperature ranges they cite of 45–60°F (7–16°C) and nighttime 35–40°F (2–4°C) during some windy periods.

Practical packing list based on those conditions:
– Waterproof outer layer (not “water-resistant”)
– Warm mid-layer + breathable base layer (you’ll overheat in the sun, then freeze in fog)
– Grippy shoes for wet paths and mud
– Lens cloth + rain cover if you’re shooting (mist + drizzle is the norm they describe)

If you’re visiting Colombia during wetter windows, RealJourneyTravels’ rainy-season packing guide is useful context for layering and keeping gear dry: https://www.realjourneytravels.com/rainy-season-travel-packing-colombia/ Journey Tours & Travels

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## Getting there (what’s factual vs. what’s variable)

What the official site states clearly:
– The observatory is 11.1 miles from Bogotá in the vereda Frailejonal area of La Calera.

What will vary by your exact starting point in Bogotá:
– Drive time (traffic + mountain road conditions)
– Whether you can get a taxi/driver to wait and bring you back

If you’re budgeting the broader Bogotá/Colombia leg of your trip (and deciding whether this is a “quick add-on” day), RealJourneyTravels’ Colombia cost breakdown can help frame transport and day-trip spending expectations: https://www.realjourneytravels.com/colombia-trip-cost/ Journey Tours & Travels

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## Photography and viewing strategy (small tweaks that matter)

A few practical points that improve results without stressing the birds or other visitors:

– Arrive early in your time window. You want slack for fog/rain bursts and for hummingbirds to settle after any group arrives. (This is experience-based logic, not a published rule.)
– Shoot with faster shutter speeds than you think for wing motion; if light drops with fog, prioritize sharpness on the head/eye over perfect wing freeze.
– Don’t camp directly on a single feeder opening. Give others access and reduce pressure around the birds’ primary energy source.
– Keep movements slow near feeders—hummingbirds are tolerant, but abrupt motion changes behavior, which matters if you want natural perching shots.

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## Inclusivity + accessibility notes (what we can say with certainty)

From the sources above, we can confirm:
– It’s a private sanctuary with limited entry, and pets aren’t allowed.
– It’s at high elevation (~3,000 m) with cold, wet, and variable weather.

What we cannot confirm from the provided sources:
– Step-free access, trail surfacing, restroom accessibility, or whether the viewing balcony is wheelchair-friendly. (If accessibility is a priority, contact them directly using the phone/email above.)

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## Outdated-data flags (so you don’t get burned)
– Hours/closures: The schedule is explicitly listed on their official site (Tue–Sat 9–4; closed Sun/Mon/holidays), but holiday closures can be situational—confirm if you’re visiting around Colombian public holidays.
– Species expectations: “More than 14 species” is their claim; what you personally see can shift with weather and time of day.

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## Address for your post (as provided)
Observatorio de Colibríes, variante Frailejonal, La Calera, El Cerrito, La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia

If you’re building this into a Bogotá-area itinerary, treat it as a high-signal nature stop: short travel distance (on paper), but with mountain variables—weather, roads, and the fact that they limit visitors and expect advance contact.