Otun Quimbaya Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers around five hundred hectares on the Otun river between roughly 1,800 and 2,400 metres, and part of its history is unusual: much of the land was planted with introduced species, including eucalyptus and urapan, before protection, so the forest is a mix of regenerating native cover and old plantation, which the reserve is progressively converting. Red howler monkeys are present, and so are red brocket deer that have become habituated and are seen along the tracks. The bird list is substantial, with the cauca guan - a species once thought extinct and rediscovered in this valley - among the notable ones. It is quieter and cheaper than the better-known birding lodges, run with government accommodation on site.

What you actually see

• A mix of native forest and old plantation - being converted back.
• Habituated brocket deer - seen along the tracks.
• The cauca guan - once thought extinct, rediscovered in this valley.
• Red howler monkeys - heard more often than seen.

When to go

December to March and July to August. A full day.

Honest expectations

Part of the forest is plantation, not native, and it looks it. Accommodation is basic government-run lodging. Rain is frequent. The road up the valley is narrow.

Nearby

Pereira is west; Los Nevados is east up the valley.