Discover the Magic of Butterflies with Our Exclusive Tours
Embark on a butterfly tour through some of the world’s most vibrant ecosystems, exploring the enchanting world of butterflies with our expert-led tours. We offer a medley of experiences tailored to unveil the hidden beauty of these delicate creatures in their natural habitats. Our tours take us to the United States, Colombia, and Honduras. Join us as we seek new adventures, continuously adding exhilarating new destinations to our itineraries.
Why Choose Our Butterfly Tours?
- Incredible Biodiversity: Visit areas renowned for their high biodiversity, where the flutter of wings paints the sky in a spectrum of colors.
- Personalized Services: Enjoy our personalized approach with small group sizes that guarantee an intimate and fulfilling experience.
- Knowledgeable Guides: Learn from our highly knowledgeable guides. We bring years of expertise and will deepen your understanding of the natural world.
Available Tours
- United States: Traverse through various sanctuaries and parks known for their butterfly populations.
- Colombia: Go on a grand adventure to photograph and witness the diversity of hundreds of butterfly species.
- Peru: Some of the best butterflying in the world.
- Honduras: Get up close and personal with unique butterfly species as you explore the tropical landscapes.
Are you ready to spread your wings on an unforgettable journey? Connect with the mosaic of color and life that awaits you in the delicate world of butterflies. Book your tour today and become a part of a vibrant community of nature lovers like yourself.
2025
HONDURAS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL
The event is timed to take place during the blooming cycle of the Blue Mistflower. Emerald Valley and Bio Parque Paradise have several gardens filled with these ‘magical’ plants whose aroma brings butterflies down from the surrounding canopy and other species that typically inhabit the forest interior. Festival participants are literally ‘overwhelmed’ at the sheer number of butterflies that are seen each day. Amidst the many common species are sightings of rare to uncommon ones.
Tour Dates:
January 9 –15, 2025, registration cutoff is December 2, 2025 at 10:00 pm EST
Tour Leaders:
Rob Gilson and Robert Gallardo
Tour Costs:
$3045 – Double Occupancy
$262.50 – Single Supplement
Optional Pre-tour – Pico Bonito Lodge January 6th-9th
$850.50 – Double or $1155 – Single
Optional Post-tour- Emerald Valley January 15th-18th
$1087.50 – Double or $1218.75 Single
COLOMBIA – Boyacá and Eastern Plains
We will depart Bogotá to head to the immense plains of eastern Colombia, Los Llanos Orientales. Los Llanos are one of the world’s most productive tropical grasslands containing a fantastic diversity of wildlife. Among the gallery forests of Los Llanos, we may even have the opportunity to photograph the elusive Morpho rethenor colombianus.
The second half of our trip will take us to the mountains at medium altitude (1200m) near Santa Maria, Boyacá. Santa María (800 masl) is one of the best places to see and photograph nature in the entire Eastern Cordillera (eastern slope). Researchers estimate that the Boyacá region is home to about 600 species of butterfly. During the following days, we will visit different locations well known as butterfly hotspots, where we can find species such as Morpho menelaus lecromi, Morpho teseus, Morpho peleides. In addition to unique species such as Prepona praeneste, Heliconius heurippa (ENDEMIC), three species of Epiphile, Doxocopa, Perisama, Leodonta, Catasticta, among many others.
Tour Dates:
February 3 –16, 2025, registration cutoff is January 2, 2025 at 10:00 pm EST
Tour Leaders:
Rob Gilson and Fredy Montero Abril
Tour Costs:
$6652 – Double Occupancy
$450 – Single Supplement
Peru – Manu Road
Simply put, the Manu Road is one of the world’s great butterflying areas. Crossing habitats from high Andean puna grassland to lowland Amazonian rainforest, traveling its length gives you a theoretical chance of seeing over 2,000 species of butterflies, along with thousands of moths, hundreds of beautiful bird species, several monkeys, and a huge variety of other wildlife. The recent paving of the road has been a mixed blessing – some traditional butterflying sites have been heavily altered, but travel on the road is much more comfortable, and it’s now easier to visit various excellent spots up and down the road.
On this tour, we’ll spend most of our time based at two famous lodges – Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge and Villa Carmen. The former is at mid-elevation and allows us to explore a variety of sites at different elevations in cloud-forest habitats; Villa Carmen is in the foothills and home to a seemingly endless diversity of lowland butterflies. Our last two nights will be spent at Wayqecha Biological Station near the treeline – a fascinating habitat home to many rarely-observed species.
Tour Dates:
October 17-November 02, 2025
Tour Leaders:
Rob Gilson and David Geale
Tour Costs:
$6775 – Double Occupancy
$1070 – Single Supplement
Available Itineraries
Explore Our Customizable Itineraries
Personalize Your Adventure
Discover the freedom to create a journey that fits your preferences perfectly with our range of available itineraries. Each designed with flexibility in mind, our itineraries serve as a starting point for your unique expedition.
Tailored to Your Desires
Whether you’re looking for a serene getaway or an exhilarating challenge, our trips are fully customizable. Alter the length, adjust the difficulty level, and choose the best time of year for you. Our travel experiences are as diverse as our travelers, and we are dedicated to personalizing every detail to your liking.
Initiate Your Journey
Most of our guests commence their adventure by expressing interest in one of our tailored itineraries. Your perfect trip awaits and can begin with just a simple request. The information provided here is just the tip of the iceberg—our team is excited to dive into all the possibilities with you.
Connect with Our Experts
Ready to uncover more about the itineraries that intrigue you? Contact us today and let’s explore the details together. Whether you dream of scaling mountain peaks or meandering through historic streets, your unparalleled private trip is only a conversation away.
Don’t simply travel—journey with intention. Customize your next adventure with us.
Colombia
Amazon Basin and Sierra de Santa Marta
Join us on an amazing butterfly tour of Colombia! This tour will take you to two different and distinct areas of the country, allowing you to see various butterflies.
We’ll start in Bogotá and venture into the Putumayo region to explore the Andean-Amazonian mountains. This area is home to many different species of butterflies, so you’re sure to see some incredible species.
Then, we’ll head to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the world’s largest coastal mountain ranges. This area is teeming with endemic species of butterflies, including the amazing Morpho rhodopteron. In addition to exploring the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, we’ll also visit the Caribbean Lowlands.
This tour begins and ends in Bogotá and is an absolute must for any butterfly enthusiast! So join us and witness the beauty and diversity of Colombian butterflies firsthand.
NO AVAILABILITY
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Boyacá
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is one of the world’s largest coastal mountain ranges, with the highest peak reaching 5700 meters. It is a center of endemism, especially in its highlands, where the endemic Morpho rhodopteron makes its home. In addition to exploring the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, we will visit the Caribbean Lowlands surrounding this compact and isolated coastal range.
Then delight in one of Colombia’s best-preserved areas on the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes with lush vegetation and towering waterfalls – perfect for witnessing six unique species of Morpho and endemic species such as Heliconius heurippa! Finally, conclude your journey in Villa de Leyva, where you can marvel at hundreds more stunning creatures, including beautiful Morpho Sulkowskyi – guaranteed to take your breath away!
NO AVAILABILITY
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Eastern Plains
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is one of the world’s largest coastal mountain ranges, with the highest peak reaching 5700 meters. It is a center of endemism, especially in its highlands, where the endemic Morpho rhodopteron makes its home. In addition to exploring the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, we will visit the Caribbean Lowlands surrounding this compact and isolated coastal range. The second half of our trip will take us to the immense plains of eastern Colombia, Los Llanos Orientales. Los Llanos are one of the world’s most productive tropical grasslands containing a fantastic diversity of wildlife…
NO AVAILABILITY
Amazon Basin and Boyacá
Come join us on an amazing butterfly tour of Colombia! This tour will take you to two very different and distinct areas of the country, allowing you to see a huge variety of different butterflies.
We’ll start in Bogotá and venture into the Putumayo region to explore the Andean-Amazonian mountains. Let us journey to the majestic Amazonian Foothills, where a wealth of gorgeous butterflies can be found. From Callicore ines and a few fantastic species of the genus Agrias (Prepona) – some so rare they’re almost impossible to see anywhere else – there is much for discovery among this diverse landscape. This area is home to many different species of butterflies, so you’re sure to see some incredible species.
Next, we’ll venture north of Bogotá to enjoy the exquisite beauty of Colombia’s unique Eastern Cordillera, where you’ll be treated to verdant landscapes and thunderous waterfalls. Discover six rare Morpho butterflies as well as a number of endemic species like Heliconius heurippa! Complete your adventure with an unforgettable visit to Villa de Leyva – home to hundreds of spectacular creatures, including the dazzlingly beautiful Morpho Sulkowskyi that will surely captivate all who behold it!
NO AVAILABILITY
Amazon and Amazon Basin Butterfly Tour
This trip is designed to explore two vastly different areas of the Amazon region of Colombia in order to maximize the diversity of butterflies seen. The trip will begin and end in Bogotá.
- From Bogotá, we will venture into the Amazon River Basin to explore sections of the Amazon river and its tributaries.
- The second half of the trip is devoted to exploring various altitudes of the Andean-Amazonian mountains in the vicinity of the town of Mocoa (Putumayo).
NO AVAILABILITY
Eastern Cordillera East and West Slopes
Going into the mountains of the eastern mountain range offers us the best chance to find one of the most representative faunas in the country. Endemic and colorful species, from the smallest Lycaenidae (blues) and the great Morpho will be the ones who accompany us during all the localities. We will stay in the towns of Santa Maria, Villa de Leyva, and Otanche (Boyacá).
NO AVAILABILITY
Honduras
Hairstreaks and Highlands
This tour focuses on two areas in Honduras: a private property called Bio Parque Paradise located at the species-rich Lake Yojoa basin and an area in the southwestern highlands called Opatoro-Guajiquiro. The trip provides an excellent combination of variable habitats and elevations to reveal a large diversity of hairstreaks, brushfoots, skippers, and the country’s first endemic species…
NO AVAILABILITY
BUTTERFLIES BY CANDLELIGHT
Standing out amidst the dazzling array of butterflies is a special group of skippers called ‘scarlet-eyes.’ Most of them are crepuscular in habit, with many considered as ‘rare’ within their respective ranges. A total of 30 species have been documented at both properties. One spot in particular, “Skipper Pass’ at Emerald Valley, harbors the highest diversity of these skippers and we will spend a total of up to five late afternoons there.
NO AVAILABILITY
United States
California – San Diego County – Hermes Copper & Hairstreak Expedition
Join us on an enthralling adventure through California’s enchanting landscapes, where the vibrant tapestry of flora welcomes a dazzling array of butterflies. Our expert-guided tour is designed for enthusiasts eager to witness the beauty of these delicate creatures up close and personal. Whether you’re a seasoned lepidopterist or a nature lover drawn to the dance of butterfly wings, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.
NO AVAILABILITY
Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley All Inclusive
Join us for a week-long trip to the fabled Lower Rio Grande Valley to experience what is probably the best butterflying in the United States. This special region of Texas has documented more than 300 species of butterflies, with almost half of those seen nowhere else in the United States. This trip is for all levels, whether you are a butterfly newbie or a practiced naturalist.
NO AVAILABILITY, 2025 DATES TBD
What Our Guests Are Saying
“An excellent experience with friendly and extremely knowledgeable guides. The lodges were comfortable, providing great birding and butterfly watching opportunities. I wouldn’t hesitate to return to Honduras with these folks,” – Deb Marsh.
“Warm and welcoming at all levels of experience. Appreciated the pre-trip recommendations, their knowledge, and their day and night efforts to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves. Their steady friendly attention puts everyone at ease,” – Elise Barry.
“Highlands and Hairstreaks tour was amazing, not only did we see a plethora of butterflies, the lodging and food were very good. A fantastic opportunity to meet others who share a passion for nature,” – Caydee Savinelli.
“My 24-day journey in Colombia was amazing, with more than 400 species of butterflies. All hotels were clean and decent, especially the ecological one in the rainforest. My guide Fredy was responsible, caring, and knew secret ways to find butterflies,” – Wanzhou Lei.
Experience the Flutter
Our selections of butterfly tours are perfect for admirers of all skill levels and interests. Whether you’re a seasoned lepidopterist, a photographer looking to capture the perfect wingbeat, or simply a nature enthusiast eager to embrace the outdoors, we have a tour that suits your needs.
Fauna Ventures promises you an entrancing exploration of the butterfly world. With our tailored tours, you will leave with not just photographs and memories, but with a deeper appreciation for these winged wonders and the ecosystems they inhabit.
