Ecuador
In the Northwest of South America, washed by the Pacific Ocean, sheltered by the freshness of the Andes and covered with a thousand colors with the Ecuador Amazon is a very small country with only 256,370 square km. But with a great biodiversity, so much so, that Ecuador was nominated as a mega diverse country. Keep in mind there are more than 1650 species of birds, which occupy multiple ecosystems or regions such as Choco region, Central Andes, Northern Amazonia, Amazonia south of Tumbes and Marañon region.
North Ecuador Photography
Cloud forests, Andean peaks, tropical lowlands, and more—capture Ecuador’s most iconic birds with your lens.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Settle in, check gear, and optionally visit nearby Jerusalem Reserve.
Targets: Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Scrub Tanager, Blue-black Grassquit (in arid zones).
Overnight: Quito
Day 2: Yanacocha Reserve
Explore high-elevation cloud forest at 3,500m with legendary hummingbird feeders.
Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing, Golden-breasted Puffleg.
Overnight: Mindo
Day 3: Tandayapa Valley (Bellavista or Tandayapa Lodge)
Feeder-rich cloud forest with tanagers and mixed flocks.
Targets: Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker.
Overnight: Mindo
Day 4: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Private reserve famous for antpittas and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek.
Targets: Giant, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, Yellow-breasted Antpittas, Cock-of-the-Rock.
Overnight: Mindo
Day 5: Amagusa Reserve / San Tadeo
Photography at Chocó-endemic feeders and forest trails.
Targets: Glistening-green Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, White-whiskered Hermit.
Overnight: Mindo
Day 6: Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Mid-elevation forest with excellent manakin and tanager activity.
Targets: Club-winged Manakin (lek), Moss-backed Tanager, Chocó Toucan.
Overnight: Mindo or San Miguel de los Bancos
Day 7: Chocó Foothills (Umbrella Bird Site)
Lower Chocó forest birding and feeders.
Targets: Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Moss-backed Tanager.
Overnight: Mindo
Day 8: Alambi Reserve to Quito
Morning at Alambi's famed hummingbird feeders.
Targets: Andean Emerald, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin.
Overnight: Quito
Day 9: Antisana Ecological Reserve
Spectacular high Andean landscape with key high-altitude birds.
Targets: Andean Condor, Giant Hummingbird, Carunculated Caracara.
Overnight: Papallacta
Day 10: Papallacta Pass & High Andes
Páramo birding with dramatic scenery. Optional hot springs visit.
Targets: Ecuadorian Hillstar, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Tawny Antpitta.
Overnight: Papallacta
Day 11: Borja (Eastern slope)
Visit riverside areas and feeders.
Targets: Torrent Duck, Gorgeted Woodstar, Cock-of-the-Rock.
Overnight: Borja
Day 12: Guacamayos Ridge & Misahualli
Birding and feeder setups in lush eastern Andean foothills.
Targets: Spangled Coquette, Rufous-bellied Woodquail, Wire-crested Thorntail.
Overnight: Misahualli
Day 13: Misahualli (Eastern lowlands)
Lake and forest birding in the Amazon basin.
Targets: Agami Heron, White-chinned Jacamar, Hoatzin.
Overnight: San Isidro
Day 14: Baeza & San Isidro
Riverside birding and excellent lodge feeders.
Targets: White-capped Dipper, Yellow-throated Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper.
Overnight: San Isidro
Day 15: Guango Lodge
Hummingbird haven with lodge feeders and riverside trails.
Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Torrent Duck.
Overnight: Guango
Day 16: Return to Quito / Departure
Optional morning shoot. Organize photos, shop, and transfer to the airport.
Bonus species (en route): Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Spectacled Whitestart.
Photographic Habitat Highlights
Habitat Signature Species
Cloud Forest Cock-of-the-Rock, Antpittas, Tanagers
Hummingbird Feeders 30+ species incl. Sylphs, Jacobins, Hillstars
Chocó Forest Glistening-green Tanager, Toucan Barbet
High Andes Seedsnipe, Hillstar, Andean Condor
Amazon Lowlands Jacamars, Kingfishers, Hoatzin, Manakins
_edited.jpg)
