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© Johnnier Arango

Cerro Montezuma (Tatamá NP)

5.23849 , -76.09217

Colombia

Camino Montezuma, Montezuma Road

The Montezuma Road is known to be one of the best birding areas in Colombia and should be on everybody's itinerary. It is located in the department of Risaralda at the edge of the Tatamá National Park, in the Western cordillera within the Chocó bioregion. Birding is done along a dirt road that starts at the Montezuma Ecolodge at 1350 meters and leads up to a military base and satellite station at the top of Montezuma Hill at more than 2500 meters. More than 600 species of birds have been recorded along this road, including specialties like Bicolored Antvireo, Munchique Wood-Wren, Dusky Starfrontlet, and Greater Scythebill. Tanagers are especially well represented with dozens of species recorded, including the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-Gold Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer.

Cerro Montezuma is characterized by well-preserved tropical cloud forests which are within the protected area of the Tatamá National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas of Colombia. Some of the lower areas around the Lodge are slightly more disturbed. Apart from birds, the diversity of orchids, butterflies, and other species groups is overwhelming.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Cerro Montezuma (Tatamá NP)" (2021-08-31 14:43:03 )

Site name was changed by Johnnier Arango into "Cerro Montezuma - Tatamá National Park" (2021-08-24 20:23:48 )

Coordinates were changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 5.2385/-76.0922 (2020-10-01 18:55:28 )

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 5.2494/-76.0987 (2018-06-03 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Cerro Montezuma" (2018-06-03 00:00:00 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-10-21 17:43:30
The Montezuma Road is known to be one of the best birding areas in Colombia and should be on everybody's itinerary. It is located in the department of Risaralda at the edge of the Tatamá National Park, in the Western cordillera within the Chocó bioregion. Birding is done along a dirt road that starts at the Montezuma Rainforest Lodge at Ecolodge at 1350 meters and leads up to a military base and satellite station at the top of Montezuma Hill at more than 2500 meters. More than 600 species of birds have been recorded along this road, including specialties like Bicolored Antvireo, Munchique Wood-Wren, Dusky Starfrontlet, and Greater Scythebill. Tanagers are especially well represented with dozens of species recorded, including the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-Gold Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer. Cerro Montezuma is characterized by well-preserved tropical cloud forests which are within the protected area of the Tatamá National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas of Colombia. Some of the lower areas around the Lodge are slightly more disturbed. Apart from birds, the diversity of orchids, butterflies, and other species groups is overwhelming.
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 20:27:36
The Montezuma Road is known to be one of the best birding areas in Colombia and should be on everybody's itinerary. It is located in the department of Risaralda at the edge of the Tatamá National Park, in the Western cordillera within the Chocó bioregion. Birding is done along a dirt road that starts at the Montezuma Rainforest Lodge at 1350 meters and leads up to a military base and satellite station at the top of Montezuma Hill at more than 2500 meters. More than 600 species of birds have been recorded along this road, including specialities specialties like Bicolored Antvireo, Munchique Wood-Wren, Dusky Starfrontlet Starfrontlet, and Greater Scythebill. Tanagers are especially well represented with dozens of species recorded, including the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-Gold Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager Ant-Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer. Cerro Montezuma is characterized by well-preserved tropical cloudforests. Some cloud forests which are within the protected area of the Tatamá National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas of Colombia. Some of the lower areas around the Lodge are slightly more disturbed. Since the hill is situated outside of the boundaries of Tatamá National park, it is not formally protected. Apart from birds, the diversity of orchids, butterflies butterflies, and other species groups is overwhelming.
Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2020-10-01 18:54:40
The Montezuma Road is known to be one of the best birding areas in Colombia and should be on everybody's itinerary. It is located in the department of Risaralda at the edge of the Tatamá National Park, in the Western cordillera within the Chocó bioregion. Birding is done along a dirt road that starts at the Montezuma Rainforest Lodge at 1350 meters and leads up to a military base and satellite station at the top of Montezuma Hill at more than 2500 meters. More than 600 species of birds have been recorded along this road, including specialities like Bicolored Antvireo, Munchique Wood-Wren, Dusky Starfrontlet and Greater Scythebill. Tanagers are especially well represented with dozens of species recorded, including the endemic Gold-ringed Tanager, Black-and-Gold Tanager, Multicolored Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer. Cerro Montezuma is characterized by well-preserved tropical cloudforests. Some of the lower areas around the Lodge are slightly more disturbed. Since the hill is situated outside of the boundaries of Tatamá National park, it is not formally protected. Apart from birds, the diversity of orchids, butterflies and other species groups is overwhelming.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Dusky Starfrontlet (Coeligena orina)
Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium nubicola)
Grayish Piculet (Picumnus granadensis)
Bicolored Antvireo (Dysithamnus occidentalis)
Yellow-breasted Antpitta (Grallaria flavotincta)
Greater Scythebill (Drymotoxeres pucheranii)
Fulvous-dotted Treerunner (Margarornis stellatus)
Orange-breasted Fruiteater (Pipreola jucunda)
Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri)
Beautiful Jay (Cyanolyca pulchra)
Munchique Wood-Wren (Henicorhina negreti)
Black Solitaire (Entomodestes coracinus)
Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis arremonops)
Black-and-gold Tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys)
Gold-ringed Tanager (Bangsia aureocincta)
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima)
Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglossa indigotica)

Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:19:03)

Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglossa indigotica) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:18:47)

Yellow-breasted Antpitta (Grallaria flavotincta) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:18:33)

Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium nubicola) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:18:10)

Fulvous-dotted Treerunner (Margarornis stellatus) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:17:49)

Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:17:30)

Orange-breasted Fruiteater (Pipreola jucunda) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:17:09)

Grayish Piculet (Picumnus granadensis) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:16:27)

Beautiful Jay (Cyanolyca pulchra) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:16:03)

Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:15:48)

Bicolored Antvireo (Dysithamnus occidentalis) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:15:27)

Black Solitaire (Entomodestes coracinus) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:13:09)

Dusky Starfrontlet (Coeligena orina) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:12:55)

Greater Scythebill (Drymotoxeres pucheranii) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:12:32)

Munchique Wood-Wren (Henicorhina negreti) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:12:17)

Black-and-gold Tanager (Bangsia melanochlamys) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:11:58)

Gold-ringed Tanager (Bangsia aureocincta) was added by Johnnier Arango (2021-08-24 20:11:15)

  • Timing and strategy

Visiting the Montezuma hill is possible every time of the year, although the rainiest season occurs between October - November, the latest weather global changes have made it impossible to predict them. 3 days are perfect for visiting the place and getting the most important targets of the area. If the main purpose is bird photography, allow at least 5 days due to the unexpected cloudy conditions of the forest.

A 4WD is completely necessary if the main purpose is to visit all the elevations of the hill (1350 m -2440 m). The road doesn't allow to use of any other kind of vehicle. The nearby town of Pueblo Rico is plenty of 4WD Toyota which have been modified for passenger transportation and have extra seats for up to 8 people. You can contact a local guide or the Montezuma Ecolodge for any help concerning this.

The Montezuma ecolodge offers lodging and meals service and can also help with local guides.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-10-21 17:41
Visiting the Montezuma hill is possible every time of the year, although the rainiest season occurs between October - November, the latest weather global changes have made it impossible to predict them. 3 days are perfect for visiting the place and getting the most important targets of the area. If the main purpose is bird photography, allow at least 5 days due to the unexpected cloudy conditions of the forest. A 4WD is completely necessary if the main purpose is to visit all the elevations of the hill (1350 m -2440 m). The road doesn't allow to use of any other kind of vehicle. The nearby town of Pueblo Rico is plenty of 4WD Toyota which have been modified for passenger transportation and have extra seats for up to 8 people. You can contact Johnnier Arango (+57-3127706889), a professional certified birding a local guide who lives in or the area, for Montezuma Ecolodge for any help concerning this. The Montezuma ecolodge offers lodging and meals service and can also help with local guides. Johnnier Arango and Viviana Largo, live next to the hill and both of them have years of birding experience in the area.
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 21:13
Visiting the Montezuma hill is possible every time of the year, although the rainiest season occurs between October - November, the latest weather global changes have made it impossible to predict them. 3 days are perfect for visiting the place and getting the most important targets of the area. If the main purpose is bird photography, allow at least 5 days due to the unexpected cloudy conditions of the forest. A 4WD is completely necessary if the main purpose is to visit all the elevations of the hill (1350 m -2440 m). The road doesn't allow to use of any other kind of vehicle. The nearby town of Pueblo Rico is plenty of 4WD Toyota which have been modified for passenger transportation and have extra seats for up to 8 people. You can contact Johnnier Arango (+57-3127706889), a professional certified birding guide who lives in the area, for any help concerning this. The Montezuma ecolodge offers lodging and meals service and can also help with local guides. Johnnier Arango and Viviana Largo, live next to the hill and both of them have years of birding experience in the area.
  • How to get there

Montezuma hill can be reached from the closest town of Pueblo Rico. Once per week (Sunday), public transportation gets there, in the morning and in the afternoon. As is mentioned above, the town has many 4WD vehicles that can be hired for the drive to the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge or for the entire duration of the visit including the ascend to the top part of the hill. Tuk-tuks and Motorcycles are also available for 1 or 2 people with light luggage (only to the lodge at the base of the hill).

Pueblo Rico is easily reachable from the city of Pereira, buses regularly depart from the only bus terminal in the city. The drive takes 2 hours.

When coming with private transportation just pass the town of Pueblo Rico in direction to Quibdó and take the next unpaved road to the left (5.252277, -76.050711). The drive is about 45 minutes.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 21:25
Montezuma hill can be reached from the closest town of Pueblo Rico. Once per week (Sunday), public transportation gets there, in the morning and in the afternoon. As is mentioned above, the town has many 4WD vehicles that can be hired for the drive to the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge or for the entire duration of the visit including the ascend to the top part of the hill. Tuk-tuks and Motorcycles are also available for 1 or 2 people with light luggage (only to the lodge at the base of the hill). Pueblo Rico is easily reachable from the city of Pereira, buses regularly depart from the only bus terminal in the city. The drive takes 2 hours. When coming with private transportation just pass the town of Pueblo Rico in direction to Quibdó and take the next unpaved road to the left (5.252277, -76.050711). The drive is about 45 minutes.

The Montezuma hill is located within the Tatamá National Park area and at the time of this information (August 2021), the access has only one requirement: to have a local guide and comply with the park rules. Personal information may be completed for the park's statistical purposes. New incoming restrictions may be established as the area is under a process of tourism regulation.

Access to the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is only possible if booking in advance. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-10-21 17:44
The Montezuma hill is located within the Tatamá National Park area and at the time of this information (August 2021), the access has only one requirement: to have a local guide and comply with the park rules. Personal information may be completed for the park's statistical purposes. New incoming restrictions may be established as the area is under a process of tourism regulation. Access to the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is only possible with the previous booking.if booking in advance. 
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 21:36
The Montezuma hill is located within the Tatamá National Park area and at the time of this information (August 2021), the access has only one requirement: to have a local guide and comply with the park rules. Personal information may be completed for the park's statistical purposes. New incoming restrictions may be established as the area is under a process of tourism regulation. Access to the Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is only possible with the previous booking. 
  • Other attractions

The Montezuma hill is a true paradise for orchid and butterfly lovers (download here a digital catalog of Montezuma's butterflies). Activities of nature interpretation are offered by some of the local guides. The views over the Tatamá massiff are another reason for going there. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 22:09
The Montezuma hill is a true paradise for orchid and butterfly lovers.lovers (download here a digital catalog of Montezuma's butterflies). Activities of nature interpretation are offered by some of the local guides. The views over the Tatamá massiff are another reason for going there. 
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 22:06
The Montezuma hill is a true paradise for orchid and butterfly lovers. Activities of nature interpretation are offered by some of the local guides. The views over the Tatamá massiff are another reason for going there. there. 
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 21:38
The Montezuma hill is a true paradise for orchid and butterfly lovers. Activities of nature interpretation are offered by some of the local guides. The views over the Tatamá massiff are another reason for going there.

The town of Pueblo Rico has one comfortable hotel: Hotel Don Pedro from where is possible to go every day to the Montezuma hill (see access section above)

The Montezuma Ecolodge is a very complete lodge focused on nature-watching tourism lying at the base of the Montezuma hill.

The road to the top of the hill has 6 stations for resting and shelter from the rain and one watching tower. 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2022-10-21 17:45
The town of Pueblo Rico has one comfortable hotel: Hotel Don Pedro from where is possible to go every day to the Montezuma hill (see access section above) The Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is a very complete lodge focused on nature-watching tourism lying at the base of the Montezuma hill. The road to the top of the hill has 6 stations for resting and shelter from the rain and one watching tower. 
Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 22:17
The town of Pueblo Rico has one comfortable hotel: Hotel Don Pedro from where is possible to go every day to the Montezuma hill (see access section above) The Montezuma Rainforest Ecolodge is a very complete lodge focused on nature-watching tourism lying at the base of the Montezuma hill. The road to the top of the hill has 6 stations for resting and shelter from the rain and one watching tower. 

The area has remained safe for more than 20 years. The military base at the top of the mountain provides security for the whole area. It's always advisable to ask locals about the current situation of roads, especially in the rainy season. A local guide is obligatory for entering the area of the hill.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Johnnier Arango on 2021-08-24 22:21
The area has remained safe for more than 20 years. The military base at the top of the mountain provides security for the whole area. It's always advisable to ask locals about the current situation of roads, especially in the rainy season. A local guide is obligatory for entering the area of the hill.
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Reports

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2018-08-23 to 2018-09-13 Colombia – western and central Andes and Caribbean coast Mathias Ritschard et al.
Cerro Montezuma (Tatamá NP) - Orniverse