Ecuador’s Chocó-Andean Bird Photography – 10 days

Your journey begins with arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, located at 9,350 feet (2,850 m) in Ecuador’s inter-Andean highlands. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, our local team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel—an approximate 45-minute drive depending on traffic conditions.

If your flight arrives early enough, you’ll have the opportunity to join an optional afternoon walk through Quito’s beautifully preserved historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photograph colonial-era facades, baroque domes, and local street scenes as golden afternoon light warms the old city’s narrow cobblestone streets. Sites may include the imposing Basilica del Voto Nacional, Plaza de la Independencia, and the iconic San Francisco Church.

At 6:00 p.m., we’ll gather in the hotel for a trip briefing led by your birding guide and photo leader. We’ll go over logistics, shooting conditions, and what to expect in the coming days. Afterwards, we’ll share a welcome dinner at a local restaurant—a relaxed way to settle in, meet your fellow travelers, and begin our Chocó-Andean adventure.

Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)
Meals included: D
Breakfast and lunch not included today.

We depart early this morning for the renowned Paz de las Aves Reserve, a private family-run refuge in the cloud forests west of Quito. Founded by brothers Ángel and Rodrigo Paz—former hunters turned conservationists—this small sanctuary has earned global attention for its groundbreaking work with notoriously elusive bird species.

The reserve’s stars are the grallarias (antpittas), which the Paz brothers have spent years patiently habituating to human presence. Today, you’ll have rare opportunities to photograph these shy ground-dwelling species as they emerge from the forest understory—often in response to their own names being called. Depending on conditions, we may encounter the Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, or Ochre-breasted Antpitta.

Also on the property is a Cock-of-the-rock lek—where males gather to perform their vivid, wing-fanning courtship displays. We’ll photograph from a respectful distance as their scarlet-orange plumage ignites against the mossy green backdrop.

A series of fruit feeders will keep the action coming throughout the morning, attracting charismatic species such as the Toucan Barbet, Sickle-winged Guan, Red-headed Barbet, and several striking tanagers. Meanwhile, hummingbird feeders and natural water troughs bring in high-speed regulars like the Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Brown Inca, and White-vented Plumeleteer.

After lunch in the area, we make our way to our rainforest lodge, tucked into the cloud forest and surrounded by wildlife-rich habitat. You’ll have time to rest, review images, or photograph hummingbirds on the grounds before dinner.

Hotel: Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve & Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D

We start the day before sunrise with a special visit to a nearby Cock-of-the-rock lek. In the dim morning light, male Andean Cock-of-the-rocks gather to perform their extraordinary mating displays—vocalizing, fluttering, and posturing for nearby females. Their blazing scarlet plumage and animated behavior make this a bucket-list experience for both birders and photographers.

Afterward, we ascend to higher elevations in the Mindo Valley for a full day exploring two privately managed hotspots: San Tadeo and Las Cotingas—each offering rich photographic potential and a diverse mix of species.

San Tadeo is a small, community-run reserve where you can photograph over 20 bird species at close range from comfortable benches and a well-set series of feeders. Rolando, the owner and a committed birder himself, has built a vibrant micro-habitat that attracts an impressive variety of tanagers, motmots, toucans, and hummingbirds. This is also an excellent location for handheld or mobile photography given the density of activity and accessibility.

Target species at San Tadeo include Crested Guan, Rufous and Broad-billed Motmots, Collared Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Zeledon’s Antbird, and the vibrant Yellow-collared Chlorophonia.

In the afternoon, we continue to Las Cotingas, a wilder, less-manicured reserve where taller trees, natural ponds, and flowing water attract a different cast of birds, including raptors and more elusive forest specialists. You’ll have time to explore a few short trails or shoot from the feeders and water stations.

Notable species include Club-winged Manakin, Golden-headed Quetzal, Violet-tailed Sylph, Nariño Tapaculo, Gorgeted Sunangel, South American Leaftosser, and Streaked Tuftedcheek.

We return to our lodge by late afternoon to rest, download, and review images before dinner.

Hotel: Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve & Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D

We leave early this morning for a two-reserve day that showcases the remarkable biodiversity gradient between Ecuador’s humid lowlands and the Chocó-Andean foothills.

Our first stop is the Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, a lush lowland reserve managed by the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation. This is one of the best locations in Ecuador to photograph Chocó endemic species in tropical forest habitat. The reserve features well-maintained trails, hummingbird feeders, and a 50-foot canopy observation tower—ideal for photographing birds at eye level in the early light.

Target species include Purple-chested Hummingbird, Chocó Trogon, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Blue-whiskered Tanager, and multiple antbird species such as the Moustached Antwren and Stub-tailed Antbird. The diversity here is staggering, with over 230 species recorded within the sanctuary boundaries.

After a field lunch en route, we continue to the nearby Milpe Bird Sanctuary, where the habitat shifts to mid-elevation cloud forest. This reserve is home to many sought-after species like the Long-wattled Umbrellabird and Esmeraldas Antbird, as well as Chocó endemics such as Rose-faced Parrot, Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Chocó Trogon, and Yellow-green Tanager.

Colorful tanagers and a range of hummingbirds also frequent the feeders and forest edges. Well-groomed trails and observation decks allow for both wide-lens habitat shots and long-lens closeups.

By late afternoon, we make the short 15-minute drive to our comfortable lodge, surrounded by forest and perfect for unwinding or continuing photography on the grounds before dinner.

Hotel: Séptimo Paraíso Country Inn
Meals included: B, L, D

After breakfast, we drive to the small community of Santa Rosa de Mindo, perched at 6,070 feet (1,850 m) in the cloud forests above Mindo. Our morning is dedicated to the Birdwatcher’s House, a private reserve managed by a local bird photographer who has turned this peaceful site into a magnet for rare and colorful species.

With hummingbird feeders, fruit tables, and natural perches carefully placed for clean backgrounds, this location is ideal for controlled photographic setups. Expect close-range encounters with multiple species of tanagers, toucans, and hummingbirds—often at eye level and in beautiful, diffused forest light. Activity here is steady, offering plenty of time to fine-tune compositions and experiment with flash or high-speed shooting.

After lunch, we head deeper into the cloud forest to a unique conservation site known as Punto Ornitológico. This property is an excellent case study in sustainable land use—providing critical habitat for birds and amphibians while serving as a model for responsible ecotourism in the region.

Here, we’ll work from a photography blind, feeders, and natural water features. Target species include the elusive Sunbittern, White-throated Crake, Common Potoo, Little Cuckoo, and multiple hummingbird species such as the White-whiskered Hermit and White-booted Racket-tail. You may also encounter forest specialties like the Great Antshrike, Olivaceous Piculet, and Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant.

This is a productive afternoon for low-angle shooting, motion blur experiments, and wildlife behavior photography in a semi-wild setting.

We return to our lodge by early evening for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Séptimo Paraíso Country Inn
Meals included: B, L, D

Today we venture into one of the most biologically rich corners of the Chocó foothills—the Mashpi–Amagusa Reserve, located along a remote side road known to birders worldwide as the “Mashpi Road.” This region, drenched in moisture and cloaked in emerald green, is home to some of the most sought-after Chocó endemics in Ecuador.

The Mashpi–Amagusa Reserve itself is a grassroots conservation success story, privately protected by a local family committed to preserving one of the last tracts of intact foothill forest in the area. The reserve’s feeders and trails offer rare photographic access to difficult species typically found only in fleeting glimpses.

Target species include Glistening-green Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Moss-backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Black Solitaire, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and the extremely rare Chocó Vireo. Several species come in close to fruit feeders rigged with clean, natural perches—perfect for full-frame portraits in soft, diffuse forest light.

The wet, mossy terrain and dramatic cloud forest backdrops offer a chance to shoot both classic bird portraits and environmental compositions. With patience, you’ll be able to capture fleeting moments of behavior—feeding, vocalizing, or territorial displays—at close range.

Beyond birding, your visit supports ongoing local conservation efforts, helping the reserve resist mounting pressure from agriculture and development. This is a full day in the field, so be sure to bring extra batteries, cards, and rain protection for your gear.

We return to a new lodge tonight, perched in the upper cloud forest and immersed in nature’s soundtrack.

Hotel: Bellavista Cloud & Forest Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D

Today we explore the heart of the Chocó-Andean cloud forest, beginning at Bellavista Reserve—one of Ecuador’s most established and respected private birding areas. Located roughly 20 km from Mindo, Bellavista sits within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve and forms part of the Andean Bear Ecological Corridor, protecting a vital swath of mid-elevation forest.

This reserve is a haven for both birders and photographers, offering a blend of forest trails, canopy overlooks, and active feeders—all nestled within a shroud of misty forest alive with sound. Bellavista’s varied elevations and microclimates allow for exceptional bird diversity and high chances of spotting rare or behaviorally interesting species.

Target species include the charismatic Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, White-faced Nunbird, Ocellated Tapaculo, Tanager Finch, Turquoise Jay, and Masked Trogon. Mixed flocks are common, creating fast-paced moments where quick reflexes and long lenses are rewarded.

In the afternoon, we continue to Pacha Quindi, a nature refuge built with deep ecological intent. The property is set in a quiet section of the cloud forest and offers a more intimate birding experience, with natural light, rustic perches, and dense undergrowth attracting species like the Flavescent Flycatcher and Strong-billed Woodcreeper.

The slower pace and fewer visitors here allow you to focus on refining your compositions or working species you’ve missed earlier in the trip. Whether shooting action at the feeders or waiting for movement along the trails, this day blends immersion and intention—both in your photography and in the forest itself.

We return to our lodge at Bellavista for the night.

Hotel: Bellavista Cloud & Forest Lodge
Meals included: B, L, D

This morning we travel along the legendary old Nono-Mindo Road—also known as the “Hummingbird Route”—to reach Zuro Loma Reserve, located on the upper slopes of the Pichincha Volcano. Sitting at higher elevation than most sites we’ve visited, Zuro Loma offers access to a unique mix of high-Andean bird species, many of which are extremely difficult to find elsewhere.

The star of the reserve is the Sword-billed Hummingbird, an otherworldly species with a bill longer than its body, often seen visiting bright flowers or hovering at custom feeders. Alongside it, we may encounter Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Blue-capped Tanager, Barred Fruiteater, and the beautifully iridescent Shining Sunbeam.

Zuro Loma is also one of the most reliable places to photograph antpittas at close range, thanks to a dedicated local team that has carefully habituated species like the Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, and even the Tawny Antpitta to emerge for food presentations. Photography here can be intimate, moody, and highly rewarding—especially under the cool, mist-filtered light typical of the region.

We’ll spend several hours on-site exploring trails, working the feeders, and using natural light or flash as needed for clean shots. The surrounding forest is lush and photogenic, perfect for environmental compositions or perched portraits.

In the afternoon, we make our way to Hacienda La Jimenita, a quiet nature reserve on the outskirts of Quito that blends rustic elegance with bird-friendly habitat. It’s the perfect base to relax and recharge ahead of our final high-altitude outing tomorrow.

Hotel: Hacienda La Jimenita Wildlife Reserve
Meals included: B, L, D

Our last day in the field takes us into the rugged high Andes east of Quito to Antisana Ecological Reserve, one of Ecuador’s premier locations for photographing Andean highland species—and one of the most accessible places in the country to spot the Critically Endangered Andean Condor.

As we ascend toward the páramo, the landscape changes dramatically. The terrain opens into wide, windswept grasslands dotted with volcanic rock, trailing mist, and scattered chuquiragua shrubs—habitat favored by high-altitude specialists.

We’ll spend the morning scanning known cliffs and thermal ridges for Andean Condors, often seen soaring overhead or perched on distant ledges. With an estimated wild population of only 150 individuals in Ecuador, seeing even one of these massive birds is a highlight. Antisana’s protected cliffs have hosted as many as 35 condors at once—an extraordinary concentration.

Other target species include Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Stout-billed Cinclodes, and Tawny Antpitta. The Red-crested Cotinga, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Many-striped Canastero, and Paramo Pipit are also possible, along with the striking Carunculated Caracara, Andean Ibis, and highland shorebirds like Andean Lapwing and Andean Gull.

We’ll work from a mix of roadside pullouts, observation points, and short trails, allowing for tripod setups and slow shooting at your own pace. The vistas here are grand, making this a perfect opportunity for wider environmental frames to complement your close-ups from the cloud forest.

After a field lunch, we begin our return to Quito. Upon arrival, we check back into our hotel and gather in the evening for a celebratory farewell dinner, sharing stories, highlights, and favorite images from the journey.

Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)
Meals included: B, L, D

After breakfast, we’ll coordinate your transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport based on your individual flight schedule. Our team will ensure you leave the hotel with ample time to complete airport check-in and security procedures.

For international departures, we aim to leave the hotel approximately 3 hours before flight time to accommodate longer processing times. For domestic flights, a 1.5-hour pre-departure window is sufficient. Drive time to the airport is typically around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Though the photography ends here, we hope you leave with memory cards full of vivid images and a deeper appreciation for the birds, people, and conservation efforts of Ecuador’s Chocó-Andean corridor.

Safe travels and we hope to see you again on another photographic journey!

Hotel: Not included this evening
Meals included: B (included with hotel stay)

This concludes your Ecuador: Birds of the Chocó-Andean Region photo expedition.