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We are a Colombian bird watching and wildlife company with extensive knowledge of Colombia and Latin America, and we are 100% committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of our customers. Our main goal is to provide the highest quality service and to ensure that the experience of watching birds and nature in the most biologically diverse areas in the world is enjoyable, memorable and successful.

We have a variety of scheduled itineraries, but we always strive to personalize our trips according to the needs and scope of each customer. We offer the best transportation, accommodation and food options that can be found in every country we operate. We work with professional Latin American tour guides, they are all young, friendly, fun, and passionate about birds and nature. Our guide knew every area we visited and had good connections with the locals. When you travel with us, and when you are considered our most important customer, we hope that you become a good friend in the future.

Colombia is home to at least 1950 species of birds, 3274 species of butterflies, 4270 species of orchids, 492 species of mammals, 803 species of amphibians, 537 species of reptiles, 2000 species of marine fish, 1435 species of freshwater fish, etc. These figures speak for themselves and make Colombia become the radar of any wildlife observer or photographer. Colombia not only has incredible biodiversity, but its diverse landscapes, habitats, ecosystems and cultural wealth mean an incredible experience for anyone. From the Andean ecosystem, the rainiest Pacific jungle on earth, or the most remote part of the Amazon. Colombia is considered to be the second most diverse country in the world, and it is undoubtedly the country you should explore.

Colombia Endemic Part 1 Birding Tour

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10-Day Birding Trip with Incredible... - Manakin Nature Tours

• South America    
• Colombia    
• Boyaca Department    
• Tunja    
• Tunja - Things to Do    
• Manakin Nature Tours

10-Day Birding Trip with Incredible Guide!

Manuel Espejo was our guide on a 10 day trip birding the central Andes. He was intimately familiar with all of the areas we visited, which helped us find our targets. He was clearly passionate about his work – finding birds was always the top priority. Our group had a wide range of birding abilities, and Manuel almost always got everyone on the bird. Often, he knew where we needed to look before the bird was even there. There was one instance when I caught a glimpse of a new bird, and just by describing it to him he was able to tell me what it was. When there were no birds around, we looked at orchids, frogs, spiders, monkeys – whatever else was visible, he taught us about. (In fact he’s still teaching us, a month later, through our WhatsApp group!) He kept our group very safe – we made a few stops at shops as we passed through Manizales and Pereira, and they were all perfect for accessibility and selection. His English was excellent, in many ways better than ours. It was impressive to watch him translate a menu, then take our food and drink orders, and pass them along to the wait staff. Everyone always got exactly what they ordered. He was willing to answer any question, bird related or otherwise, always with patience and integrity. Manuel has endless energy, regardless of the early mornings or packed days. His sense of humor was an added bonus – he was more formal in the beginning, but once we all got to know each other we enjoyed his many stories and quips. Some of these qualities can be learned, but being an enchanting leader is something you either have or you don’t – Manuel has it. We could not have asked for a better guide, and if we come to Colombia again we will definitely be requesting Manuel.

Manakin Nature Tours

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Manakin Nature Tours - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Manakin Nature Tours, the best birdwatching and wildlife photography tours in Colombia and Latin America.

Enjoy nature with us! Is not just Birding, are amazing nature holidays!

Enjoy nature with us!

Is not just Birding, are amazing nature holidays

PROFESSIONALS ONLY

JOHANA ANDREA BORRAS Founder and General Manager

Andrea is a biologist from the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia. She is the founder and co-owner of MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.  She loves birds, orchids and nature in general, having more than 5 years of experience in ornithology. Andrea has worked on scientific investigations of 4 species of important birds in danger of extinction; Blue-billed Curassow, Recurved-billed Bushbird, Perija Parakeet and the Yellow-eared Parrot, which have provided important information related to their biology and conservation. She also has experience in Managerial Management in Tourism.

LUIS EDUARDO URUEÑA Founder and Product Manager

Luis is a biologist from the Universidad de Tolima with 19 years of experience in the observation of birds and scientific investigation of species at risk of extinction. He is the co-owner and founder of MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.  For 12 years, Luis has worked intensively in the area of birdwatching tourism for foreigners as a co-leader and local guide for ornithology tours for the most recognized companies in the world.  He has worked as a guide with famous leaders such as Steven Hilty (author of the book “Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia – 1986), Barry Walker, Nick Athanas, Richard Webster and Frank Lambert, from whom he has received experiences and skills. Additionally, he won an “observer’s prize” from the BP Conservation Program when working as director of an important project with the enigmatic Blue-billed Curassow in 2004.  Luis holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Barcelona. He is an expert in the logistics of birding tours in Colombia and is able to organize, direct and carry out birding tours in any of the destinations or routes operated by MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.

IVÁN ROCHA Sales Manager

Iván was born in 1991 in Bogotá, D.C.. He is a Tourism and hospitality manager and a Chef. Iván is passionate about nature, local communities and photography. He has traveled to many Colombian regions knowing, learning, working and falling in love with all the natural and cultural diversity of the country. His curiosity for birds began in 2019 when he saw a couple of torrent ducks swimming against the currents of the Otún River, since then he has wanted to learn and photograph the birds that can be found in Colombia “the country of the birds”.

SINDY LAVACUDE Logistics Director

I am Sindy Lavacude, born in the municipality of Chita, Boyacá. I am a tourism and hotel management professional, and I earned my degree with pride from the renowned Juan de Castellanos University Foundation, located in the charming city of Tunja, Boyacá. I’ve forged my experience in the public sector, being part of the team at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, and contributing to the dynamic Boyacá Tourism Department, where I’ve focused on the exciting task of planning and developing tourism. But this is more than just a job, it’s my passion! I’m passionate about all aspects of this profession, especially those that have a social and sustainable impact. I’m ready to continue creating wonderful tourism experiences!

JESSICA AMORTEGUI Marketing Manager

Jessica is a “caleruna,” hailing from the welcoming hamlet of Frailejonal, located in La Calera, Cundinamarca. She is an adventurous, outgoing, and nature-loving person. Since the age of 12, her love for the countryside led her to explore and interact with mountains, fostering a heightened sensitivity and deep appreciation for understanding all aspects of a landscape.

As she ventured forth, her curiosity grew, driving her to seek closer connections with communities and individuals from diverse cultures, aiming to comprehend how they perceived their surroundings. This curiosity led her to focus her studies on Modern Languages with an emphasis on digital communication at the EAN University, where she discovered the importance of interculturality within her profession.

Over the past two and a half years, Jessica has directed her personal and professional knowledge towards the environmental and tourism sector. She has worked with Suasie and Andareguiando, community agencies dedicated to ecotourism and environmental education in the Chingaza National Natural Park and its surrounding areas. In this capacity, she has served as a guide and interpreter, advocating for the conservation of natural and cultural values in the region. Through her active involvement, she has contributed to strengthening the corporate identity of the companies involved, integrating all the knowledge she has gained throughout her journey.

LILIANA TAVERA Operations Coordinator

Angela Liliana Tavera is a professional in tourism and hotel management, graduated from the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia. She has over 8 years of experience in the hotel industry and travel agencies. She loves walks, connecting with nature, and spending time with herself; she enjoys the company of friends and family, accompanied by the sound of a guitar, the warmth of a campfire, and a delicious glass of wine.

ANA BARAJAS Accounting and Administrative Assistant

I am Ana Barajas, I live in Tunja-Boyacá for several years, I am an accounting and administrative technician, with experience for more than 18 years, providing support in legalizing accounting and financial documentation that allows control of the overall management of the Company, based on in accounting principles generally accepted in Colombia and in accordance with current tax regulations.

SANTIAGO ANGEL Graphic Designer

Santiago Angel is a graphic designer from the Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina in Pereira, focused on audiovisual production and digital content layout. His natural ability for photography is also his main tool to develop content and marketing for different natural reserves in the country. With more than 7 years of experience focused on tourism of nature, he has been part of the work team in different community associations like Yarumo Blanco and Soledad de Montaña (among others) dedicated to ecotourism in National Protected Areas like the Santuario de Fauna y Flora del Otún, el Parque Regional Natural Ucumari y el Parque Nacional Natural los Nevados.

ALEJANDRO PINTO Birding and Wildlife Guide

Biologist from the National University, member of the ornithology group of the same university since 2011 and coordinator between 2012 and 2013. Developed a research project: implications of seed dispersal by birds and its implication in natural restoration in the Colombian eastern plain to get his BSc. Worked during a year developing a database of morphology of birds of high Andean and Paramo ecosystems for Alexander von Humboldt research institute, also one year collecting information of birds of the upper Bogotá river basin for international conservation NGO, has worked in different project proposing new areas for conservation in the transitional area between the eastern plains and the Amazon forest, developed two projects to obtain information of two migratory warblers (Cerulean Wabler and Golden-winged Warbler), and have collaborate in books: “Colibries en Colombia” (Cap. Orinoquia and Amazonia)  and “Aves de Casanare” (ed. Villegas) and co-author of the book “Tesoros alados” (ed. Alas de Cristal), Scientific articles published: “Aves de la Orinoquia Colombiana” (Birds of the Colombian Orinoquia – Diversidad Biótica) and “a morphological database for 606 species of birds of Colombia ”(Ecogology). part of the coordination committee for the Ornithology national meeting in 2013 (Guaviare – Colombia) and 2017 (Mocoa – Colombia) Freelance guide since 2012. Since 2017 full-time guide and Chief operations officer for Manakin Nature Tours.

CRISTIAN DAZA Birding and Wildlife Guide

Cristian was born in 1990 and grew-up in Pereira, specifically in the Otún river basin.  He studied in a school for agricultural tourism in a rural area. Between 2001 and 2013 he was introduced to the birding world as part of the “Aguilas” birding group.  He has been a birding guide in the Otún area for 4 years and has worked as a guide of nature and mountains in the Parque Nacional de Nevados and in the Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary. He has participated as an assistant investigator on behalf of the Yarumo Blanco Community Association of which he is a member, helping to strengthen community initiatives to offer ecotourism and birding.  Currently he is studying a diploma in Tourist Guidance to obtain his professional license.  He is one of the most experienced members of the birding guide team at MANAKIN and one of the best in Colombia.

ALEJANDRO NAGI Birding and Wildlife Guide

Alejandro is a French-Venezuelan empiric ornithologist since 8 years old when his fascination for nature and wildlife began at El Parque Nacional Ávila, in Caracas (Venezuela), his hometown. Currently, he has acquired 18-years of experience in ornithology. It all started in 2001 when he participated as a field assistant on a survey about the ethnobiological knowledge of a Yanomami ethnic subgroup called the Shirian. After this experience, he worked for many years as a bird guide and natural historian within the worldwide acclaimed “Hato El Cedral” and “Hato Piñero” in the Venezuelan Plains. Alejandro also performed guided visits for bird watching companies from America, the United Kingdom, and Europe with Chris Sharpe at Birding Venezuela, and Ascanio Birding Tours (David Ascanio). His research fieldwork and birding training, have taken him all across Venezuela. For decades, he spent time at the Parque Nacional Tama, which is shared with Colombia at the last trail from the Eastern range on the Andes, searching for unregistered species such as the Tachira Antpitta and having the privilege to be among the pioneers who rediscovered the locally restricted Orinoco Softtail. After birdwatching at the six largest avifauna places on the planet and being overwhelmed by the massive diversity of his neighboring country, Alejandro arrived in Colombia in 2016 and is now part of the guide’s team at MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.

MANUEL ESPEJO Birding and Wildlife Guide

Manuel is a certified guide with 13 years of experience in trekking and self-supported expeditions. He has great expertise in logistics and planning expeditions into remote and wild places. His playgrounds are the high Andes. 7 years ago a domestic accident fractured his heel and took him out of the mountains, anxiety and depression took over. So as therapy he started birding and learning about the cloud forest. Now he’s a fully certified birding guide with the Colombia Technical Institute SENA. Two Surgeries with a bone transplant later Manuel is again tackling mountains a become an avid cyclist and bike-packer, with a passion for birds, plants and wildlife he is becoming a recognized naturalist, discovering a new population of Yellow-eared parrots during a bicycle ride in the Central Andean Range. In the last years Covid-19 and Death seriously impact his life forcing him to take a job as park ranger, as response he become a Zen Buddhist and forge a stronger relationship with the forest, now is back in birding practicing compassion as a way of life. His heart and soul is always looking for the wild spirit of nature.

LUIS GÁRCIA Birding and Wildlife Guide

Luis is a Bogotá resident for most of his life, he moved to the countryside of the city back in 2019 trying to find peace in the mountain and with one of his siblings started their own nature touristic company Mutar, in fact, that is the company that provides solutions for Manakin once we are on the route to Sumapaz paramo birding spot. Luis has started bird watching as an enthusiast showing a great passion about it after working in the field with many birding agencies interpreting the experience at Mutar´s Chiguaza Reserve by being host of the place since 2019, hiking and learning the diversity from the paramos of Usme and the Tunjuelo river basin running bird watching science and citizen participation programs with his company, AJAC, local environmental actors and national authorities and then, he became a local birding support guide at Sumapaz paramo and nearby Bogota birdwatching spots for Manakin as freelancer. Now he is part of the team from 2022 after one of those super nice birding sessions at Sumapaz paramo, around Bogotá and central Andes birding spots. Luis and his company have also worked with the local communities of Usme, supporting and making possible AJAC Foundation, a group of youth conservationists that also we at Manakin helps with our donation program.

FREDY CARDONA Birding and Wildlife Guide

Fredy is a 39-year-old biologist, experienced mountain guide and avid cyclist, who has dedicated much of his life to guiding large and small groups through the Colombian wilderness.

He is currently based in the city of Manizales, capital of the emblematic Colombian coffee region. In addition, to his great passion for nature, over the years. Fredy has found a great interest in the biogeography and ecology of high mountain ecosystems in Colombia, and since 2019 he began to enter the amazing world of birding with different agencies in the region.

For him, a new stage has begun on a personal and professional level since he is currently proudly part of the Manakin guides team, which is an important opportunity and a great space to show the importance and beauty of Colombian nature and the significance of its conservation.

DAVID JARA Birding and Wildlife Guide

David Jara is a 25 year old young man from the Eastern Plains. He has devoted part of his life to ecotourism. At the age of 14, he began leading nature tours with visitors from other countries. He is a certified adventure sports guide, with qualifications in rafting, kayaking, rappelling, and canyoning. In 2018, he delved into the world of birdwatching in the Meta department. Since then, his life took a turn. He began to see the world through different eyes, transitioning from being a birdwatching enthusiast to becoming a leading guide, trained by instructor Sergio Ocampo, who has over 25 years of experience in training birdwatching guides. His hobby involves traveling to new locations, seeking out birds in indigenous, rural, and farming communities, aiming to promote birdwatching as an environmental and economic solution while strengthening socio-cultural development, believing in the transformation of the region.

LUZ AIDE OSORIO Birding and Wildlife Guide

Luz Aide is 27 years old and was born in the beautiful city of Manizales. She is a Psychologist graduated from the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios and has a license in Clinical and Organizational Psychology. However, Luz Aide always worked as a professional tour guide for the SENA academic institution. She has ample experience managing groups of young people as an environmental group coordinator and for 15 years, she has been a birdwatcher and an environmental interpreter, especially on the Coffee Belt in the south of Colombia, the Eastern Llanos, and the Pacific Coast. Luz is certified in local tourism awareness, management of regional touristic information, evaluation of the environmental impact of productive activities, management on bird observation tours, and first aid. In addition to bird-related activities, Luz enjoys reading, exercising, traveling to new places, food, walking (better in a natural space), and share time with her family.

DANIEL FERNANDO LOPEZ Birding and Wildlife Guide

Daniel was born in 1987 in Manizales and is still living there. He got an Electronic Engineer degree in 2011, but some years ago, he found his passion for birdwatching and began to work on bird’s conservation at the SCO (Sociedad Caldense de Ornitología). There he was on charge of the coordination of some programs like, The Counts that are carried out during the year, and other programs in which we seek to publicize the wonderful world of birds to different actors in the community. Now, He is working as a Birdwatching Guide in Tinamú Birding Nature Reserve and Río Blanco Protected Forest Reserve since 2016, when he started studying Touristic Guidance, and now he is part of our team as the main guide for the Andean area.

DIEGO CUEVA Birding and Wildlife Guide

Diego is a biologist from the Universidad Nacional of Colombia with a master’s degree in sciences from the Universidad de São Paulo, Brazil. He was the coordinator of the GOUN (Ornithology Group of the Universidad Nacional) and taught ornithology at the university where he visited many different areas of Colombia, such as Villavicencio, San José del Guaviare, and Tumaco among others developing a great experience in bird research since 2013. His research focused on the plumage, molting, taxonomy, and systematics of Neotropical songbirds. He has been working as a professional tour guide since 2014 after acquiring his degree in Biology and his primary research focused on areas surrounding Bogotá, the Andes, and the Plains. Currently, He is our main tour guide for the groups at Field Guides Inc, and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours in the Mid-Magdalena, Llanos and the Colombian Andes.

FREDY MONTERO Butterflying Guide

Thanks to his passion for knowledge of Colombian daytime butterflies, Fredy has traveled along the country (Caribbean coast, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Magdalena Valley, Orinoquía, Amazonia, and the Bogotá Savannah) to carry out different research on ecosystems conservation and the populations of rare and endemic species. He studied Biology at the Universidad del Atlántico where he wrote his first scientific article and by now, more than 10 of his articles have been published in different specialized journals. He has participated in many library publications, where the most relevant books have been published, offering photographs and video footage of Lepidoptera species in their natural habitat. He is a founding member of ACOLEP (Colombian Lepidopterology Association) and ACZ (Colombian Zoological Association). Over the last few years, he has carried out research in the south of the country, especially in the Putumayo forest, a zone that contains perhaps the most diverse fauna in Colombia. He has produced photography catalogs at different altitudes in the country and managed to photograph more than 900 species in this area of the country alone. Since 2012, he has been in charge of different butterfly’s research and photography trips in different national ecosystems. Fredy is probably one of the most important experts in butterflies in the country and is the new specialized guide for MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.

JOVANI FLOREZ Transport Coordinator

Jovani was born in La Calera, Cundinamarca, and he is one of the most experienced drivers in the field of birding in Colombia. He has been involved in this line of work for more than 10 years and is in charge of transport logistics throughout Colombia. He’s a very kind, friendly person who always tries to innovate with his service. He has a large fleet of automobiles that include Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen SUVs, and 4×4 vehicles across the country. In Jovani we place all of our trust with the transport because he is considered the best transport coordinator for birding excursions in the country.

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Manakin Nature Tours

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MANAKIN NATURE TOURS (Tunja) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Manakin Nature Tours, the best birdwatching and wildlife photography tours in Colombia and Latin America.

Enjoy nature with us! Is not just Birding, are amazing nature holidays!

Enjoy nature with us!

Is not just Birding, are amazing nature holidays

Amazon & Llanos

• Information

The east of Colombia is a vast, wild territory. Leaving behind the eastern Andes, the huge plain stretches out to the horizon, towards the borders with Venezuela, towards the Orinoco River to the East, and Peru and Brazil to the South and the South East. This plain is barely interrupted to the south, just on rare occasions by steep elevations or mountain ranges associated with Guyana rock formations, while to the north the immense savannas and floodplains are interrupted by gallery and riparian forests that run along the watercourses.

Orinoquia and Amazonia are also home to an incredible number of birds, including colorful Tanagers, mysterious antbirds, iridescent hummingbirds, silent flycatchers and incredible singing wrens, all of which may be seen during this trip. The Orinoquia region is dominated by ecosystems of savannas, flooded savannas, riparian and gallery forests, and is home to at least 600 species of birds. Here the main feature will be the large flocks of herons, egrets, Jabirus and Ibis that congregate in huge groups while foraging for their food, creating a colorful and surreal image. In Inírida, we will have the opportunity to explore the Orinoco-Amazon transition, with trails in firm-ground forests and gallery forests associated with black-water rivers, which create an excellent combination resulting in an incredible diversity. In Mitú, we will be immersed in megadiverse and little-known Amazon rainforest, where there is an almost uninterrupted green mantle that will enable us to explore the forests associated with the Guyana Shield, white sand forests, varzea forests and the mainland.

Each visit to these places gives us new and unexpected records and even new species of birds are being discovered and described, attesting that these new destinations’ promise to be a favorite for any birder. Here we will be amazed by the singing of the capuchin bird, colorful manakins and a large number of antbirds, antwrens and antshrikes. The green color of the jungle is broken up by the colorful Cotingas, tityras, toucans and aracaris, while the puffbirds and jacamar hunt silently in the forest. Many trails are possible here and all are full of birds. The Orinoquia and the Colombian Amazon promise to be an unforgettable experience!

Ecosystems Covered

Humid tropical and very humid forests in the Amazon and plains, white sand, verzea, “Cachiveras”, gallery forest and black water rivers (300 – 600 meters)

Expected Climate

Very hot and humid

Maximum Group Size

10 Pax + 1 Manakin Guide

Tour Difficulty

Easy to Walk to Moderate

Ease of Birding

Easy to Moderate

Photo Opportunities

Good, especially in the savannah and savannah forest

Key Species

We will observe birds in the indigenous Tukano communities.

We will visit the Mavacure hills, a sacred place for the Amazonian indigenous communities around Inírida.

We will observe the pink dolphins (Boto) in the Guainía, Guaviare and Inírida rivers.

We will be in contact with the plains culture of eastern Colombia in Hato La Aurora and its beautiful sunsets.

• Destination Colombian Amazon
• Departure / Return Location Bogota DC IATA: BOG / Bogota DC IATA: BOG
• Tour Code This is a fairly standard birding tour with early morning starts and evening finishes to each day. One some days we may take picnic lunches in order to no waste time during the middle of the day or having to leave site. The weather can be unpredictable with rain and sunshine both likely. At higher altitudes it can be chilly. We have an amazing photo opportunity for many species of hummingbirds and other species coming to feeders, we will also be looking for a good number of species that are very rare and seldom seen, but we will be going to areas that hold these sought-after species.
• Included Accomodation in Double Room All 4x4 vehicules or boats All domestic flights All ground private transportation All meals B-L-D Entrances to all natural reserves Hot drinks Private transfer Airport - hotel - aiport Professional Private Birding Guide Professional Private Driver Single room - adicional pay Snaks and water Soda or juice with each meal Vegan and Vegetarian menus
• Not Included Activities not included in the itinerary Alcoholic drinks Colombian Event Insurance Extensions of a trip due to circumstances beyond our control International flights and taxes International phone calls Laundry service Medical expenses (not covered for evet insurance) Room service Tips or gratuity Toiletries

From our gallery

Day 1. Arrival to Bogota EL Dorado International Airport / Bogota Day 2. Flight to Mitú (Amazon Forest), Bocatoma White Sand Forest / Brasilia Day 3. Santa Cruz and MCH Path, Cock of the Rock / Brasilia Day 4. Pueblo Nuevo Terra Firme Forest / Brasilia Day 5. Bocatoma Terra Firme Forest / Brasilia Day 6. Mitu-Cachivera Forest / Brasilia Day 7. Urania Secondary Forest, flight from Mitú to Bogota, Day 8. Flight to Inírida, Caño Culebra Path / Fuentes del Guainia Day 9. Caño Carbon & Sabanitas Trail / Fuentes del Guainia Day 10. Matraca Trail & Laguna Negra / Fuentes del Guainia Day 11. Paujil Trail & Caño Cunuben / Fuentes del Guainia Day 12. Cerros de Mavecure & El Remanso Community / Fuentes del Guainia Day 13. Caño Vitina, fly to Villavicencio / Hacienda Camana Day 14. Bavaria Forest & Hacienda Camana / Hacienda Camana Day 15. Camino Monfortiano, transfer to Yopal / Yopal Day 16. Transfer to Hato La Aurora Nature reserve, birding on the road Day 17- 18. Birding in Hato La Aurora Reserve (Eastern Plains) / Juan Solito Day 19. Flight to Bogota from Yopal / Bogota Day 20. International flight from Bogota

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Manakin Nature Tours

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Tunja, COLOMBIA

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MANAKIN NATURE TOURS is a specialized birding and wildlife tours company with base in Colombia that operate professional tour from 2009. With more than 40 routes in Colombia and more than 20 in 12 countries of Latin America MANAKIN, is the perfect choice for your nature travels in the heart of world biodiverse. Contact us, [email protected]

• Joined September 2013
• Occupation Birding and Wildlife Tour Company
• Hometown Tunja, Boyaca
• Current city Tunja
• Country COLOMBIA
• Email [email protected]
• Website http://www.manakinnaturetours.com
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Watch CBS News

Colombia police arrest 73-year-old American for giving "cannabis tours" in his home

By Cara Tabachnick

April 10, 2024 / 2:46 PM EDT / CBS News

In a new type of "travel high," an American was arrested on Tuesday by Colombian police for allegedly offering $30 "cannabis tours" to tourists in his home. 

The 73-year-old man advertised on social media and a website for foreigners to visit his house in Sabaneta, a town south of the city of Medellín  in the northwestern part of the country, Colombian national police said in a statement. 

He also distributed flyers advertising "Cannabis Farm Tours" given by "Cannabis Jimmy." The materials said "free samples" would be distributed during the tours. Approximately 2-8 people were on each tour, and reservations were required.

The tours lasted 2-3 hours during which the man taught visitors "the process of planting, caring for, harvesting, and maintaining this plant," police said. He also sold tour-takers marijuana for $20 a gram. 

Police said they confiscated 1,380 grams of marijuana during the arrest. They did not identify the man, only saying he is an American.

Colombia has long struggled to control the trafficking, manufacturing and/or possession of narcotics within its borders.

Late last year, the Colombian Navy intercepted a shipwrecked boat carrying 33 kilograms of cocaine and 744 kilograms of marijuana.

The South American nation is the world's largest exporter of cocaine – almost 90% of the cocaine sold in the United States each year arrives from Colombia.

Cara Tabachnick is a news editor and journalist at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at [email protected]

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From CNN's Jillian Sykes

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology issued a statement Monday regarding tents on its campus.

"MIT officials are aware of the tents, and are determining next steps with a focus on ensuring campus is physically safe and fully functioning. MIT Police were on scene throughout the night and will continue to be present."

Robert Kraft says he is willing to support The Kraft Center at the university

From CNN's Chandelis Duster

Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and backer of Columbia University, on Monday said he is still willing to support The Kraft Center at the school that supports Jewish students, calling it “a haven of safety.”

Kraft, an alumnus of the university, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” that he loves the school and “we have to have accountability.”

“There are both professors and students within the university who say things that I think cross the line and there should be accountability. I believe in free speech. Say whatever you want but pay the consequences. And don't have your face covered. I don't think that should be allowed,” he said.  

“I can’t believe in New York City at Columbia University Jewish students are afraid to go to classes in the United States of America in 2024. It’s amazing to me and horrible,” Kraft also said.

Asked where he drew the line at Columbia University regarding both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests and what he finds objectionable, he said “there is a lack of education on the situation” happening in the Middle East. 

“I’m concerned about America and what’s going on in this country. And to keep it open and free for all people of all backgrounds to do as they wish,” he said.

Asked if he has confidence in Columbia University’s president, Minouche Shafik, he said he thinks she is “very well intentioned” and said “we have to look at what goes on with faculty.”

Columbia faculty stage walk-out in solidarity with students

From CNN's John Towfighi

Hundreds of people gathered on Low Plaza Monday afternoon as Columbia University faculty delivered speeches in support of the student protesters who were suspended and arrested Thursday.

Faculty who spoke denounced university president Minouche Shafik’s decision to authorize the New York Police Department to remove protesters from campus and demanded all legal and disciplinary charges be dismissed and expunged from students' records.

Faculty held signs that read, “Hands off our students,” and “End student suspensions now.” Some faculty donned their academic regalia and wore sashes that read, “We support students.”

Speeches were met with cheers and claps from the crowd, as well as chants for Shafik to resign.

Christopher Brown, a professor of history, said, “I’m here because I am so concerned about what is happening at this university, with where we are now and with where we are going. Thursday April 18, 2024, will be remembered as a shameful day in Columbia history.”

“The president’s decision to send riot police to pick up peaceful protesters on our campus was unprecedented, unjustified, disproportionate, divisive and dangerous,” Brown said.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose daughter Isra Hirsi was among the protesters arrested Thursday , posted on X that while she’s glad to see faculty demonstrate in solidarity with students, she wants the protests to focus on Gaza.

"On Thursday, Columbia arrested and suspended its students who were peacefully protesting and have now ignited a nationwide Gaza Solidarity movement. This is more than the students hoped for and I am glad to see this type of solidarity. But to be clear, this about the genocide in Gaza and the attention has to remain on that," Omar wrote.

NYC Mayor condemns "vile" and "disgusting" rhetoric at college campuses

From CNN's Alicia Wallace

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday condemned “vile” and “disgusting” rhetoric being used at campuses such as Columbia University, where students are holding protests over the Israel-Hamas War.

Adams told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he supports First Amendment rights but said law enforcement officials are on the ready if any of that speech goes too far or if there’s an imminent threat to people or property.

"That is one of the fundamental rights we hold dear as Americans: The right to protest," Adams said on CNN's "The Lead." "What we have seen playing out on many of our college campuses, and particularly Columbia University, is hate. We’re seeing vile language being used."

Adams noted that he can feel the "duality of this moment" and how the events of the past six months are weighing heavily on Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers. He added that the police escorts of Jewish students through campus were reminiscent of the Army soldiers who escorted nine Black students into a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, nearly 67 years ago.

"There is no place for hate in this city," he said.

New York Police Department officers have a “large presence” surrounding Columbia but have remained off the campus grounds at the request of the school’s administration, NYPD deputy commissioners said earlier on Monday.

Adams told Tapper that the NYPD’s commissioner of legal matter is monitoring the protests for any speech that violates law. Additionally, police officers will take "appropriate action" and go on private property if there’s an "imminent threat."

Protesters gather at The New School in New York City

From CNN's Elisabeth Buchwald

Protesters have gathered at The New School, located near the Chelsea area of the New York City borough of Manhattan.

An encampment of four tents was set up in the lobby of the building that houses auditoriums, a cafeteria and a library. Roughly 75 students, and other people who have The New School IDs, gathered inside the building.

"Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not stop, we will not rest," was repeatedly chanted. 

Outside the building, protesters from the school, as well as outsiders, joined in chants from the sidewalk.

There is a stark difference between the inside and outside of Columbia University's campus

From CNN's Ramishah Maruf

There’s a stark difference between the inside of Columbia University's campus and the outside, where there are protesters gathered on the street. 

The encampment is only open to those affiliated with campus. Only those with a Columbia ID can enter the campus gates. Inside the encampment, programs include teach-ins, poetry readings and film screenings. Some students are quietly finishing assignments, while others are painting posters.

Elsewhere around campus, students are eating and completing assignments. Many students take graduation pictures at this time, and some are in graduation gowns walking down Broadway. Risers are set up for an upcoming commencement ceremony.

Other students are holding large American flags underneath Butler Library.

But the students can still hear the tension that is taking place yards away at the university gates. There is a gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters, who in the early afternoon were chanting “I believe that we will win” and “Long Live the Intifada.” There was a smaller group of pro-Israeli protesters, who chanted back “Down with Hamas” and “Victory to Israel.” A line of New York Police officers were monitoring the street.

What it's like inside the Columbia University encampment

The inside of the encampment is quiet – most of the noise comes from protestors outside the gates of Columbia University's campus, who are chanting “I believe that we will win” and “Long live the Intifada."

It was a sunny day on campus, and in one corner, students were painting posters. One person strummed a stringed instrument, and other students are reading books or on their laptops finishing assignments. Others have donated provisions, ranging from a table of snacks to hygiene products. There was also a pile of blankets.

“We’ve just been trying to keep students mobilized and keep pushing for divestment,” Dalia, a first-year student at Columbia College, told CNN. “We are a very mobilized student body and a very unified student body. Hundreds of people have been in and out of the encampment.”

CNN agreed not to publish her surname due to safety concerns.

She said the students at the campus “refuse to be complicit in the genocide, the apartheid, and the occupation of Palestine.”

There are strict community guidelines for the encampment. One rule says not to share names or details of anyone met in camp, and asking for permission before photographing or taking video.

The encampment is filled with dozens and dozens of tents, from students to neighboring Barnard College staff. Today’s encampment program included an Earth Day performance, poetry reading and a Dabka lesson, a traditional dance from the Arab region. Prior program events included dance performances from different cultures.

Democratic House members tour Columbia campus

Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Dan Goldman of New York and Kathy Manning of North Carolina, who are all Jewish, spoke at a news conference Monday after touring Columbia University’s campus. 

"We saw it firsthand as we walked past the encampments on the university's main lawn full of protesters spewing incendiary antisemitic hate and vitriol. Many aren't even Columbia students I've been told. Their campaign of intimidation is sickening and shocking and as the White House said yesterday, ‘echoes the rhetoric of Hamas terrorists,'" Gottheimer said. 

He also criticized Columbia University leadership, saying, “toothless combinations from administrators aren't going to stop the anarchy we’re seeing.”

“The only way to do it is with deeds, not words,” Gottheimer said. “Colleges have a legal obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to provide students, including Jews and Muslims, a school environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race color or national origin. Yet just feet from here, Jewish students are being verbally and even physically assaulted.”

Gottheimer continued, “To the administrators of Columbia and beyond, here are our demands: Stop the double talk and start acting now. Discipline harassers, restore civility on this campus, encourage peaceful constructive dialogue.”

He also gave a message for students: “While the leadership of Columbia may be failing you, we will not. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe and do everything in Washington we can to make sure that you feel welcome at this university or any university across the United States of America. And Columbia University, if they don't follow through, will pay the price.”

Goldman said he was "encouraged" the Columbia University president issued guidelines about additional security, calling it a "very important first step" and criticized what is happening on campus.

"That is unacceptable for a university, that is unacceptable for an academic institution. There is no question that everyone has a First Amendment right to speak out in this country and that must be preserved," Goldman said. "But a university and all universities have an obligation to maintain the safety and security of their students from all backgrounds."

Manning said university leadership should "do more to keep Jewish students safe and to re-establish an atmosphere in which all students can learn, study and participate safely in campus life."

"Columbia must also move forward with its promised efforts to teach its students and its faculty about the nature and history and dangers of antisemitism. It must ensure that Columbia professors are not encouraging and spreading antisemitism," Manning said.

"I call on the US Department of Education and the US Department of Justice to work with the White House to ensure that all universities take steps necessary to keep Jewish students and faculty safe. I also call on Congress to enact legislation to implement the steps outlined in the US national strategy to counter antisemitism, to address the scourge of antisemitism which is a threat to the foundations of our democracy," she said.

President Joe Biden condemns antisemitism on campus

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

President Joe Biden decried antisemitic protests around college campuses Monday and said his administration was working to combat anti-Jewish hatred.

"I condemn the antisemitic protests, that’s why I’ve set up a program to deal with that," Biden said when questioned about the events at Columbia University in New York.

"I also condemn those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians," he said, without expanding upon what he meant.

Biden was speaking after an Earth Day event in Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia.

When asked whether Columbia's president should resign, Biden appeared to mishear: "I didn’t know that. I'll have to find out more," he said.

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