Harpy Eagle Photo Tour

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About the Tour

This photography trip in Colombia offers a unique experience to capture the majesty of the harpy eagle, one of the most impressive and iconic raptors in the world.

Participants will have the opportunity to photograph this species up close in its natural habitat during the nesting process, in one of the most biodiverse areas of the region.

Date

January 31 – February 7, 2026 (8 days)

Activity level

Medium

Available spaces

Sold out

Itinerary

Day 1, January 31 – Arrival in Bogotá and transfer to the hotel

Upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport (BOG), a representative from our team will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. It is recommended to arrive in the morning to have enough time to rest properly before the adventure begins. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatize.

Accommodation: Sonesta Hotel Bogotá or similar

Day 2, February 1 – Bogotá to Vista Hermosa, Alto Guapaya

Early in the morning, around 4:00 a.m., we will begin our overland transfer to Vista Hermosa, a journey of approximately 7 hours.

Then we will take a 4×4 vehicle for another hour.

Upon arrival, we will take a 2–3 hour hike along a forest trail to reach the glamping site located in Alto Guapaya village. Luggage will be transported by porters and mules, so participants only need to carry their personal hand gear.
The hike is relatively easy but requires moderate effort due to the natural terrain.

Accommodation: Glamping

Days 3–6, February 2–5 – Harpy Eagle Nest Photography

The glamping site is located just 50 meters from the nesting area, making it possible to observe the bird even from the rooms.
Each morning, very early, we will head to the hides to wait and enjoy the activity of the Harpy Eagle. During these days, from the first light of dawn, we will focus on observing and photographing the eagle at its nest, taking advantage of the best lighting conditions to capture unique and unforgettable images.

The rules are very strict: silence, patience, and respect for the animal are essential to ensure an ethical and safe experience for both participants and the species.

Accommodation: Glamping

Day 7, February 6 – Return to Bogotá

After breakfast and our final hide photography session, we will begin our journey back to Bogotá.
The return includes a 1–2 hour hike along the trail to the meeting point, followed by approximately 6 hours of overland travel, similar to the route taken on the first day.

Upon arrival in Bogotá, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and a relaxing evening at the hotel, preparing for the journey home.

Accommodation: Sonesta Hotel Bogotá or similar

Day 8, February 7 – Departure Home

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will be ready to begin your journey back home.

Important Note: Please check your flight departure times to plan your transfer to the airport with sufficient time in advance.

Departure Airport: El Dorado International Airport (BOG)

Jungle Glamping – Luxury Safari Tents

The reserve offers accommodations designed for minimal environmental impact and maximum immersion in nature, combining comfort with a deep connection to the surrounding environment.

Each tent accommodates a maximum of two guests and includes a private bathroom with shower and spacious interiors for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Services and amenities:

Electricity powered by solar panels
Private deck with a view of the natural surroundings
Satellite internet service
Elegant finishes featuring local craftsmanship
Natural ventilation
Hammocks for rest and relaxation
No cellular phone service
Laundry service available upon prior request, during the first days of stay
Snacks and additional beverages available at the reserve for an extra cost

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

It is important to know that Harpy Eagle nests are usually located in remote and difficult-to-access areas, which is why a very meticulous logistical plan has been designed for this site. The only way to reach the nesting area is on foot, following the forest trail.

The hike takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on each person’s pace. The trail is generally easy to walk, though it requires moderate effort due to the natural terrain. Luggage will be transported by mules and porters, so visitors will only need to carry their personal gear.

Duration of the hike: between 2 hour 30 minutes and 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on personal interest and physical condition.

Note: The trail covers a total distance of 3.3 km from the starting point (Alto Guapaya) and is mostly flat and easy to traverse. There are only two short sections with a 45-degree slope, each about 200 meters long. The rest of the path is flat and winds through the forest.

Keep in mind that the area typically experiences high temperatures and humidity, so it is recommended to bring enough water, a hat, sunscreen, and lightweight clothing.

Meals are prepared in the rural settlement of Vereda Alto Guapaya by a local family or within the reserve, under the care of the forest ranger’s wife, who is an active member of the community.

Visitors must follow the rules and regulations of the nature reserve, whose main goal is to ensure the conservation and nesting of the Harpy Eagle as well as the protection of other wildlife and plant species that inhabit the area.

Featured sightings

Hummingbirds

Harpy Eagle

USD: 2,300

Included

Double shared accommodation.
All meals included (except dinner on Day 1 and Day 7 in Bogotá).
Expert photography guide.
Private ground transportation.
Entrance fees to reserves included.
Single supplement applies for individual accommodation.
Single supplement: +USD 250

Not included

National and international air tickets and airport fees.
Additional nights.
Alcoholic beverages, snacks, and drinks not part of the meals.
Laundry service.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance (recommended).
Tips.
Any other service not specified in the document.
If instead of walking the approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to the lodge you prefer not to hike, there is an option to travel on horseback or mule for an additional cost of USD 100.

General tips

To ensure a better experience, it is essential to consider some important factors that will make your stay in Colombia more enjoyable:

If you like to bring souvenirs back home, we recommend carrying some extra cash to purchase items in the different localities we will visit (the local currency is the Colombian peso). We suggest exchanging around USD 200, or the equivalent in your local currency, at the airport. For any other expenses, we recommend using credit cards.
Mosquito repellent.
Sunscreen.
Hat or cap.
Flashlight (preferably a headlamp).
Cloth bag for wet clothes.
Water bottle.
Trekking shoes.
Warm clothing for the Andean region.

Photographic equipment

As photographers, we understand how challenging it can be to decide how much gear to bring on trips, as we always want to pack everything to make the most of the experience. Below is our recommendation on what type of equipment to bring:

Wide-angle lens.
Zoom lens, ranging from 400 to 600mm.
Rain gear for your equipment.
Tripod.
Batteries.
Battery chargers.
Cleaning kit.
Plug adapter, in case you use international chargers.

Clothing

For this destination, La Meta – Sector Los Llanos, we will experience warm weather. Depending on the day, whether cloudy or clear, we might encounter high temperatures, occasionally accompanied by a humid sensation.

Recommendations:

Bring long pants and long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts made from lightweight, breathable fabrics.
Don’t forget a raincoat or waterproof layer, just in case the weather requires it.

Daniel Mideros

tour leader

He graduated in advertising career at the San Francisco de Quito University.

He worked on his career until 2017, since then he made the decision to live from his passion, nature photography. In the same year he started his own business, Photo Wildlife Tours, in which it is dedicated to wildlife photography tours, and conservation. In addition to other audiovisual projects.

In the year 2022 he became the first Ecuadorian to win a category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, “Animals in their environment”.

Do you need more information?

"One amazing experience, Jaime and Daniel are exceptional teachers, they take care of all details and make the time so enjoyable.  I was travel from another country and even when was my responsibility before the workshop all the logistic, Daniel took care of recommendations and all information worthy for the staying.  They create this immediate atmosphere of friendship that I appreciate a lot.  The places they choose where to show us, are awesome, the people they work with stick to their mission of conservation, teaching and sustainable development.  I can’t wait to take another adventure with them."

Ana Loáiciga Costa Rica

"I first met Jaime when he guided my group in the Amazon in 2015. The experience and the amount we learned was phenomenal. Jaime’s knowledge and enthusiasm when it comes to conservation shows in every part of the experience. He is able to display the perfect balance between education and adventure. I would recommend his services and I hope to be able to experience his unique way of showing you South America again."

Blake Freeman Canada

"While co-leading a personalized trip to Yasuni, Jaime was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, enhancing the trip with his attitude almost as much as by all the snakes (and occasional caimans) he found for me, despite less than ideal weather. We’ve remained friends for the three years, and I’m keen to join Jaime on future adventures and take even more advantage of his knowledge of Ecuador’s species and his skills as a photography teacher, as the Yasuni trip allowed me to take some of the best reptile and amphibian photos I’d obtained in over a decade as both a herpetologist and a photographer."

Phil Bowles England

"Jaime you were the best field guide we could ever have asked for and you made the experience very memorable, comedic and insightful. We learned many things about the reptiles and amphibians of the jungle. You were great!! "

Gioby Suero USA

"Photo wildlife tours transformed my trip to Ecuador from a cool trip to an unforgettable photography experience. I spent my first few days in Ecuador with various other tour guides and companies, and while I got good pictures with them, it was not until meant Daniel for my photo wildlife tour that I realized how incredible his tours were. I was able to get up close and personal with birds and other animals in ways that I could have only dreamed of previously. I was no longer shooting through tree canopy’s for washed out pictures of birds, instead I was taking the most gorgeous pictures I have taken in my entire life! The accommodations were well above my expectations, and the food was fantastic! I do not think I will ever book a photography trip with any other company if possible. Daniel not only helped me improve my wildlife photography technique, but he spotted for me so I never missed a shot, and helped me gain a better understanding of how to capture the best pictures possible. I cannot recommend his tours enough. He was able to tailor my experience to exactly what I wanted out of my time in Ecuador."

David Baydush USA

"Daniel from Photo Wildlife Tours plans the perfect trips, with incredible attention to detail offering the best services available. Searching for the top local guides for maximizing the opportunities of great photos, as well as offering the best lodging and meal options. The trip couldn’t have been better, if you’re an avid photographer searching for intense days packed with activity this is your best choice (bring plenty of storage 😂)"

Lior Berman Costa Rica

"Amazing with amazing people. I love this trip, everything was wonderful."

Sebastian Valverde Ecuador

"Very enjoyable trip photographing stunning birds in Colombia. Our guide Daniel was superb. He made great efforts to get me in the right place to get the pictures I wanted. He 'focussed' on me, not his own photography.He was also very helpful with my wife who is not a photographer. I am sure that I will travel with him again. 5star!"

Philip Marazzi UK

"This trip was amazing. So much wildlife and a extremely knowledgeable and fun loving guide! Can't wait to book our next tour with Jaime!"

Matthew Kirby USA

"I had a good time. The lodging was great as well as all of the food provided. Javier was knowledgeable and very helpful. He was able to provide us with plenty of locations to photograph a great number of birds. I would recommend this trip for anyone interested in bird photography."

Ona G USA

"We were very happy to work with Carlos as our guide. He is a highly competent guide and adapted to our needs, helping us get the best possible photos. We truly appreciate his willingness to adjust the plan to suit us, and I would certainly be happy to work with him again. The driver, Louis, is excellent — he prioritizes safety and drives very carefully on difficult roads. We never had any incidents. Carlos and Louis make a great team, and we had a lot of fun at the end of the day."

Teng Ma China

"Overall it was a great trip and we all got some great photos at the end and also learnt a lot from the trip, that will make our next trip better."

Junan Chen USA

"Very knowledgeable tour guide and great driver too. We saw everything we wanted including watching the condors from above which was awesome."

Xu Liqing USA

"Overall, the tour met the stated goals of finding and photographing birds, reptiles, and mammals in Ecuador. Our guide, Daniel, is an expert on Ecuadorian wildlife and knew the answers to any questions we asked. He is also very knowledgeable about the photographic aspect of the tour, including equipment, setup, and preparing guests for animal behavior, angles, and settings to achieve the best shots. My main desire was to create beautiful images, not just documentary photos, and Daniel proved to be an excellent teacher with great personal talent. He is also a very nice person with a great personality, sense of humor, and deep knowledge of his subjects. Safety was always paramount throughout the tour, whether photographing a viper or standing on a cliff to photograph the condor. Daniel did an excellent job tying together all the elements of a great photographic wildlife tour, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a wildlife photography adventure in Ecuador."

Carl Waxman USA

"If it is a very memorable trip to shoot birds in Ecuador, I hope the next arrangement will be better! The bird guide Carlos is very professional and patient, thank you very much!"

Yuying Zhu China

"Very knowledgeable tour guide and great driver too. We saw everything we wanted including watching the condors from above which was awesome."

Wang Jun China

"Sebas really taught me a lot about photographing animals. It was very obvious from the beginning that he knew he wanted me to get better at shooting in full manual mode and he was very good at explaining the different aspects of photography. As a teacher myself I was very impressed with how he didn’t just tell me what to do to improve my photos, he guided me to figure it out for myself how to get more impressive photos."

Bert Austin UK

"I was on a 12 nights herping tour with herpetologist Jaime Culebras. I enjoyed every single part of the trip. Ecuador is an amazing biodiverse country. Jaime was a very respectful guide for both me and all the reptiles and amphibians we found. The food was so tasty. I visited Yasuni NP, Mindo and Canandé Reserve - all of this places were beyond my expectations. After that tour I can highly recommend Photo Wildlife Tours. I booked a new tour already. Can‘t wait to go…"

Daniel Doll Germany

"I traveled to Ecuador and saw more birds than I expected with photowildlifetours and Diche Mideros. Highly recommended."

Lenny Ferguson USA

"I had a wonderful photography tour to Chile and Brazil organized by Photo Wildlife Tours, led by Daniel Mideros. Every aspect of the trip was very thoughtfully planned and executed to optimize my time there. Daniel worked extra hard to ensure that I got the best sighting and great photographic opportunities. He also gives immense support on the field on both technical side of photography as well as post processing and presentation. I got a lot out of this tour, which will help me in my own journey of photography."

Kriti Waila Dubái