Gallito de Roca Preserve
Gallito de Roca Preserve
4.5
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
25
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Mr. Fisher
Tampa, FL482 contributions
Dec 2019
Nowhere in the world will you be able to witness this kind of experience so close to your hotel. It takes only 5 to 10 minutes walking from the center of town. Usually these exotic birds can be found deep in the andean cloud forest but for some reason they love Jardin. Recently, the area is open for visitors from 3pm until dark. It is a private farm and you need to ring the bell to be let in. The owner is very friendly and if you have connections you could probably visit in the morning. If you are into birding look for the green jay which is another beautiful bird that is easily seen here. We have it in Texas but the south american variation sports a crest.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becca_G8
Santa Barbara, CA77 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This reserve is very close to the city of Jardin, a short (but steep) walk. The easiest way to see one of the most beautiful birds in South America. It’s a “must” for bird watchers, but anyone would enjoy seeing this crazy large vermillion bird. Best time is around 4PM.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stork90
Mount Juliet, TN1,403 contributions
Jan 2022
We had visited a lek in a Peruvian cloud forest, but didn't get nearly as close, or saw as many birds as here. So easy to get to - definitely walk from town (there's no parking) and the steep dirt road would be nearly impossible to drive down. It is only open from 3 -5 pm currently, and the birds definitely got more active and raucous the later it got. We were there from 4- 5 pm, and left with full camera cards and smiles on our faces. I had read a recommendation to wear insect repellent, so I did and had no issue with bites.
Definitely recommended activity in Jardin if you are interested in wildlife at all.
Definitely recommended activity in Jardin if you are interested in wildlife at all.
Written 29 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTNP
Detroit, MI252 contributions
Feb 2021
We spent an hour wandering around this private bird preserve. It was so interesting to see the strange and colorful birds. The path to the entrance is the path that is directly in front of the yellow gate. There are no signs so ask someone if you're not sure. Be sure to wear insect repellent as you will probably get bit and the bites are very itchy!
Written 1 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AZTraveller
Tucson, AZ165 contributions
Dec 2021
An easy walk from town, turn right before the bridge, and go down the dirt path. I couldn't believe how many of these exotic birds we could see (and hear!). We saw at least 15 in the trees. You will never see these birds in a more accessible place than this. Enjoy.
Written 13 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingrid P
Los Angeles, CA334 contributions
Mar 2023
Lovely place to spend an hour observing these beautiful birds while sipping a hibiscus and pineapple tea or coffee. Plenty of viewing platforms. Ticked away at the edge of the pueblo, which makes it even more delightful. The proprietress is lovely.
Written 12 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sa-i44
San Diego, CA5,515 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We were spending the weekend in Jardin. One of the sights not to be missed in Jardin is the Gallito de Roca Preserve. And what is the Gallito de Roca? The Gallito de Roca is a bird, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (thus named because they use rocks to make their nests). It is a large bird, and is in the passerine family (meaning that it is distinguished by feet that are adapted for perching). They grow to be about a foot long, weighing almost a pound. It is the national bird of Peru and is almost unique to the Andes, but here we were in Columbia, in Jardin to be exact, and we would get to see them.
So, in the afternoon, we began our hike to find them. We walked to the end of the street where there was a bright yellow bridge. The path to the lek was right before the bridge, but I had to cross it and look at the view. There was a young French couple there and I took their picture for them. I told them about the birds and they followed us down.
Wait. What is a lek? A lek is a communal courtship site, or in other words, a communal area where two or more males perform courtship displays. The Gallito de Roca live in this lek and it is one of the only places one can see them. They fly in at dawn and at dusk so that is when you have to try to see them. So that was where we were headed.
We hiked down the mountain, first on a semi-paved road, then on a dirt road, then back to a semi-paved road. At the bottom was a bamboo gate which was locked. This was the Gallito de Roca Preserve. We thought it was open from 4-6 in the evening and got there at 430. The sign however said it would open at 5:00. We were getting ready to find a rock to sit on and wait, as we were not going to climb back up the hill and then back down again. But Olga came over and unlocked the gate for us. She and her husband, a researcher of the birds, live here and the open the Preserve for visitors every morning and every evening. After paying the entrance fee (which was only about $2.00 for locals and $3.00 for visitors), she led us down some stone steps to the edge of the forest.
And there they were. They were magnificent and like nothing I had ever seen before. The upper half of their body was an orange-red, the wings black and there was a gray patch on their backs. But it is their heads that were so fascinating. They look like a rooster (and that is their nicknames), with a big, disc-like crest on top of their heads. And a yellow beak. And they were big. They were jumping up and down on the branches, displaying for the females (who we did not see). And they were making low, guttural croaks sounding like “tank, tank, tank.”
So, in the afternoon, we began our hike to find them. We walked to the end of the street where there was a bright yellow bridge. The path to the lek was right before the bridge, but I had to cross it and look at the view. There was a young French couple there and I took their picture for them. I told them about the birds and they followed us down.
Wait. What is a lek? A lek is a communal courtship site, or in other words, a communal area where two or more males perform courtship displays. The Gallito de Roca live in this lek and it is one of the only places one can see them. They fly in at dawn and at dusk so that is when you have to try to see them. So that was where we were headed.
We hiked down the mountain, first on a semi-paved road, then on a dirt road, then back to a semi-paved road. At the bottom was a bamboo gate which was locked. This was the Gallito de Roca Preserve. We thought it was open from 4-6 in the evening and got there at 430. The sign however said it would open at 5:00. We were getting ready to find a rock to sit on and wait, as we were not going to climb back up the hill and then back down again. But Olga came over and unlocked the gate for us. She and her husband, a researcher of the birds, live here and the open the Preserve for visitors every morning and every evening. After paying the entrance fee (which was only about $2.00 for locals and $3.00 for visitors), she led us down some stone steps to the edge of the forest.
And there they were. They were magnificent and like nothing I had ever seen before. The upper half of their body was an orange-red, the wings black and there was a gray patch on their backs. But it is their heads that were so fascinating. They look like a rooster (and that is their nicknames), with a big, disc-like crest on top of their heads. And a yellow beak. And they were big. They were jumping up and down on the branches, displaying for the females (who we did not see). And they were making low, guttural croaks sounding like “tank, tank, tank.”
Written 24 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigator683893
44 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
If you go there between 3-5:30pm you will 100% see the Gallitos de la Roca! This is a very rare bird and at this place there are not only various of them, they can also be seen very close. Perfect for pictures! Take mosquitospray with you and enjoy nature at this magical place. Entry is 10000 Pesos.
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blanic
Warsaw, Poland135 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We got up early and were at the gate before 6AM, lovely lady opend it up for us and showed us around (no english). Then we heard the birds and next we sow them :)
Written 25 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LightPacker284926
16 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
I went with my tour guide at the crack of dawn to watch and photograph these birds, Cock-of-the-rock. They were amazing to watch. The owner of the reserve was very friendly. It was a very worthy experience.
Written 21 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you tell me how far it is to walk from where a car can drop you please. Also how many steps there might be.
We are coming from the UK and my brother is disabled, but REALLY want to see the cock of the rock birds. Any information would be usefull, as we would only come to Jardin to see these birds.
Many thanks Hilary
Written 18 November 2022
Dear Hilary
The car (4x4) can drop you at the entrance, 25mts with no problem, then we have aprox 12 stairs easy to handle and that might take no more than 5mins with the proper help, if you have a wheelchair you can reach the main platform and enjoy the cock of the rock
If you require additional information or support don´t hesitate to contact us, we can provide you any assistance visiting our Rupicola peruvianus
Greetings and happy new year from Jardín Antioquia
Looking forward to see you soon in Colombia to enjoy our biodiversity
Best Regards
Alejandro
Written 31 December 2022
rdavidmurphy
Medellin, Colombia
Hola, mi espanol soy mas o menos.
Que es horario para la visualización.
¿Se necesita una reserva?
Dave Murphy
Written 11 April 2019
There are fixed hours, both in the am early and 4pm to 5:30 pm (hours have been changed) and its 10000 COP. Excellent viewing..5 males going nuts today for over an hour. Head to the yellow,bridge at the end of Calle 9, turn right on the unpaved path just after the bar and before the bridge. There is a gate with a sign after the path curves to the right. There is a shelter/hide for viewing and banana feeders.
Written 12 May 2018
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