Ecuador
Unforgetable Experience
North Ecuador is a great area for bird Photography, and it is one of the principal destinations for birdwatchers in Latin America.
In this trip, we have the opportunity to visit different areas or Biomass, by this reason, it is one of the most important trips, we will visit the Andes, Inter Andean valleys, Foothills of both slops, and Lowlands.
After arriving in airport of capital of Ecuador Quito, we will drive to Mindo area with the stop visit the important reserve call Yanacocha were is the home of the emblematic bird of Quito and one of the more important endemics, Black-breasted Puffleg.
After that continue dawn in altitude and arrive in the Mindo area were we will see more than 400 species of the temperate forest, cloud forest and evergreen forest.
We will visit the place of the bizarre bird call, Long-wattled Umbrella Bird. In addition, the other area very important call Choco Andino.
Back to the east we will visit, beautiful area this is Antisana reserve were we have the opportunity to see the emblematic bird of Ecuador Andean Condor.
Continuing to the east, we will have opportunity to visit the foothills in east slopes there is a wonderful lodges like San Isidro and Wild Sumaco, after that we will finish our trip in the amazon.
In this trip we have opportunity to see more than 600 species of birds.
North
Day 1 – Arrival in Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! Upon arrival in Quito, settle into your hotel and prepare your gear. Optional birding at Jerusalem Reserve offers a gentle warm-up with local dry-forest species.
Overnight: Quito
Day 2 – Yanacocha Reserve (3,500m)
Begin your photo journey in the high-elevation cloud forest. This reserve is renowned for its feeders that attract rare mountain hummingbirds.
Photo Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing, Golden-breasted Puffleg
Overnight: Bellavista Lodge
Day 3 – Tandayapa Valley
Spend the day immersed in rich cloud forest biodiversity, photographing at renowned feeder setups.
Photo Targets: Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan
Overnight: Septimo Paraiso
Day 4 – Refugio Paz de las Aves
This private reserve offers intimate encounters with rare forest birds, including antpittas fed at close range.
Photo Targets: Giant, Moustached, Yellow-breasted & Ochre-breasted Antpittas, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (lek)
Overnight: Septimo Paraiso
Day 5 – Chocó Highlights: Amagusa & San Tadeo
A full day in the biodiversity-rich Chocó region. Perfectly placed feeders and canopy hides ensure stunning photos.
Photo Targets: Glistening-green Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, White-whiskered Hermit
Overnight: Septimo Paraiso
Day 6 – Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Capture mid-elevation species in dramatic light. Known for its manakin leks and active feeders.
Photo Targets: Club-winged Manakin, Moss-backed Tanager, Choco Toucan
Overnight: Septimo Paraiso
Day 7 – Lower Chocó Foothills
Photograph rare lowland specialties in carefully selected private locations.
Photo Targets: Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Moss-backed Tanager
Overnight: Septimo Paraiso
Day 8 – Alambi Reserve & Return to Quito
Stop at the Alambi feeders en route to Quito, offering close-range photography of vivid hummingbirds.
Photo Targets: White-necked Jacobin, Buff-tailed Coronet, Andean Emerald
Overnight: Quito
Day 9 – Antisana Ecological Reserve
A scenic day in the high Andes, with excellent views and photography from a restaurant with feeders.
Photo Targets: Giant Hummingbird, Andean Condor, Andean Ibis
Overnight: Papallacta
Day 10 – Papallacta Pass & Thermal Springs
Explore the páramo, photographing high-altitude specialists. Optional soak in natural hot springs.
Photo Targets: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Carunculated Caracara
Overnight: Papallacta
Day 11 – Borja (Eastern Slope)
Photograph at forest-edge feeders and scout nearby rivers for aquatic species.
Photo Targets: Cock-of-the-Rock, Torrent Duck, Gorgetted Woodstar
Overnight: Borja
Day 12 – Guacamayos Ridge
A lush and misty region, perfect for elusive eastern foothill species.
Photo Targets: Rufous-bellied Woodquail, Spangled Coquette, Wire-crested Thorntail
Overnight: Ama Lodge
Day 13 – Misahualli Lowlands
Lush Amazonian foothill habitats offer a dramatic change in scenery and subjects.
Photo Targets: Masked-crimson Tanager, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Short-billed Honeycreeper
Overnight: Ama Lodge
Day 14 – Misahualli Wetlands & Lagoons
Visit a scenic lake for a different habitat and stunning Amazonian waterbirds.
Photo Targets: Agami Heron, White-chinned Jacamar, Hoatzin
Overnight: San Isidro
Day 15 – Baeza & River Valleys
Explore feeder-rich areas near Andean rivers.
Photo Targets: Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Yellow-throated Tanager, White-capped Dipper
Overnight: San Isidro
Day 16 – Guango Lodge
Final photography sessions at one of Ecuador’s premier highland hummingbird lodges.
Photo Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Torrent Duck
Overnight: Guango Lodge
Day 17 – Return to Quito & Departure
Optional morning photo shoot or stop
