Welcome to Ecuador—where cloud forests kiss the Andes and wildlife thrives in some of the most ecologically intact regions on Earth. This photographic journey takes you deep into mist-shrouded cloud forests, across high Andean páramo, and into conservation-focused reserves where rare birds and the elusive Spectacled Bear still roam wild.
Mindo Cloud Forest: Jewel of the Western Andes
We begin in the celebrated Mindo Cloud Forest, a global birding hotspot known for its remarkable density of species. Over 500 birds have been recorded in the area, making it one of the most photographically rewarding regions in South America. From iridescent hummingbirds hovering at feeders to the flamboyant Andean Cock-of-the-Rock displaying in mossy canyons, Mindo delivers endless avian drama. Our mornings will be filled with soft light filtering through bromeliad-laden branches—ideal conditions for capturing intimate wildlife portraits. Keep your lenses ready: this is also one of the few places in Ecuador where the endangered Spectacled Bear has been seen foraging in the wild.
High Andes: Antisana and Cotopaxi Reserves
Next, we ascend into the Andean highlands, where the landscape opens into wind-swept plateaus and glacial peaks. In the Antisana Reserve, we’ll search the cliffs and thermals for the mighty Andean Condor—South America’s largest bird with a wingspan up to 10 feet. Herds of wild horses and Andean foxes cross the tundra-like terrain, offering compelling subjects against a dramatic volcanic backdrop. In Cotopaxi National Park, we’ll photograph the symmetrical snow-capped volcano mirrored in Limpiopungo Lake, a refuge for Andean Gulls and migratory waterfowl.
Immersive Ecolodge Stays
Throughout the trip, we stay in locally run ecolodges that balance comfort with a deep commitment to conservation. These well-situated retreats place you within minutes of prime shooting locations and offer early access to bird blinds, feeders, and interpretive trails. Expect hearty Andean meals, fireside photo reviews, and nights under clear mountain skies.
Travel That Gives Back
Every element of this expedition supports Ecuadorian conservation. From entrance fees to guide partnerships and ecolodge operations, your presence directly contributes to preserving the fragile habitats we explore. You’ll also have the chance to meet local naturalists, community leaders, and indigenous guides—adding depth and meaning to the images you bring home.
An Expedition in a Compact Country
Few countries offer this much variety in such a compact space. In ten days, you’ll cross multiple ecosystems, photograph dozens of bird species, and possibly glimpse South America’s only native bear in its natural habitat. So pack your longest lens, prep your gear, and join us on a field-tested expedition built for serious photographers who crave both wildlife and wilderness.
September to November
10 Guests
Vans and AWD vehicles
Hotels, Haciendas and Eco-Lodges
Level 3 - Moderate
We, of course, would do whatever is necessary in case of medical emergency and evacuate to the closest hospital or clinic to make sure you receive medical care.
Touch down in the Andean capital of Quito, where the adventure begins at 9,350 feet above sea level. After clearing customs, you’ll be met by our local guide and transferred to our boutique hotel in the city’s vibrant north end—an ideal base for photographers seeking both comfort and culture.
In the afternoon, we head into Quito’s UNESCO-listed historic center for an introductory photo walk. Cobbled streets lead to sunlit plazas, ornate colonial facades, and churches that date back to the 16th century. We’ll photograph landmarks such as the neo-Gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional, the gold-leaf interior of La Compañía, and the sweeping city views from El Panecillo, crowned by the towering Virgin of Quito statue.
After checking gear and enjoying the last light over the city, we gather for a welcome dinner to go over the journey ahead—what to expect, how to prepare, and how best to capture the incredible variety of subjects we’ll encounter over the next ten days. This is a good time to meet your fellow travelers and get your first taste of Andean cuisine.
Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)
Meals Included: D
Note: Breakfast and lunch are not included on arrival day.
After an early breakfast, we depart Quito and descend the western slope of the Andes toward the lush and legendary Mindo Cloud Forest. Within two hours, the air turns moist, the canopy thickens, and the soundtrack shifts to a symphony of bird calls and cascading water.
Our first stop is a butterfly sanctuary, where iridescent wings flutter through shafts of morning light. Species like the Blue Morpho and Glasswing provide stunning close-up opportunities—perfect subjects for practicing macro techniques in soft, natural light. After lunch, we turn our lenses to one of Ecuador’s greatest treasures: its hummingbirds. Dozens of species zip between feeders and native blooms, including showstoppers like the Violet-tailed Sylph and Booted Racket-tail.
Later in the afternoon, we visit a small, family-run chocolate workshop to document the traditional cacao process—from bean to bar. This hands-on visit is not only photogenic but also delicious.
As night falls, we head out for our first nocturnal photography session. With headlamps and flashlights, we search for kinkajous, olinguitos, frogs, and insects—many of them found nowhere else on Earth. It’s a completely different world after dark, and we’ll use controlled lighting and guided tracking to help bring it to life.
Hotel: Terra Bambu Lodge
Meals Included: B, L, D
We rise early to catch the cloud forest at its most active. At 5:00 AM, we transfer by vehicle and then hike approximately 30 minutes into a private reserve where the sounds of the forest awaken with the dawn chorus. Our main photographic target this morning is the striking Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. With its fiery orange plumage and flamboyant mating displays, this iconic species is a must-capture for any serious bird photographer.
As the sun filters through the mist, the forest bursts into motion. Toucans, barbets, and tanagers flit from branch to branch, and hummingbirds shimmer in the morning light. We’ll position ourselves strategically along trails and at feeding stations to capture these birds in action with minimal disturbance.
By late morning, we return to the lodge for a well-earned breakfast, followed by some downtime to review images or photograph from the comfort of the lodge’s garden and balcony blinds.
In the afternoon, we hike to the photogenic Nambillo Waterfall—a scenic opportunity to practice long exposures and wide-angle compositions amidst tropical greenery. We return to the lodge before dusk, where more avian visitors may appear just beyond the dining terrace, offering a relaxed but rewarding end to the day.
Hotel: Terra Bambu Lodge
Meals Included: B, L, D
After breakfast, we leave Mindo behind and make our way to the Maquipucuna Reserve, a 6,000-hectare cloud forest sanctuary located about two hours away by road. This area is one of the last strongholds of the elusive Spectacled Bear—the only bear species native to South America and a rare subject for wildlife photography.
Upon arrival, we settle into our ecolodge nestled deep within the forest and head out on foot with local trackers to explore areas where bears are most frequently seen. The best chance of spotting them comes when wild avocado trees are fruiting—a key seasonal food source for these shy mammals. With patience and luck, we may photograph them foraging, climbing, or resting in the canopy.
Even without a bear sighting, the forest teems with photographic potential. We’ll keep our eyes out for high-value targets like the Golden-headed Quetzal, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, and Blue-banded Toucanet—each a prize for any birder’s life list.
After dinner, we venture into the forest once more for a guided night walk. With macro lenses and careful lighting, we’ll search for glass frogs, glow-in-the-dark fungi, bizarre insects, and nocturnal mammals, offering a glimpse into the secret life of the cloud forest after dark.
Hotel: Maquipucuna Lodge
Meals Included: B, L, D
We dedicate today to slow, immersive photography in one of Ecuador’s richest and least disturbed cloud forests. Maquipucuna’s network of trails winds through montane terrain blanketed in ferns, orchids, and moss-draped trees—ideal habitat for over 350 bird species and countless other forms of life.
Our morning begins early with a guided birding walk focused on high-value targets like toucanets, barbets, and hummingbirds in natural perches. The lodge’s strategically placed feeders also offer excellent opportunities for freeze-frame action shots of nectar-feeding species under natural light.
Midday light provides a chance to rest, review images, or photograph from the lodge garden. Short hikes near the lodge may reveal monkeys, tree frogs, or even the tracks of the elusive Spectacled Bear. We’ll be guided by experienced local naturalists who understand not only where to find wildlife, but how to approach it respectfully and unobtrusively.
This afternoon, we may revisit a Cock-of-the-Rock lek or head to a nearby ridge for scenic wide-angle shots of the forested slopes at golden hour. Every moment in Maquipucuna is an opportunity to discover something new, whether it’s a dazzling tanager or the rare flash of a mammal in the understory.
Hotel: Maquipucuna Lodge
Meals Included: B, L,
After breakfast, we leave the dense greenery of the Maquipucuna Cloud Forest and make our way back toward the highlands. Our destination is a family-owned nature reserve located precisely on the equator—an iconic geographical milestone that offers both scientific intrigue and cultural depth.
During our visit, we’ll meet local hosts who have spent decades researching this unique latitude and its influence on indigenous traditions, astronomy, and natural cycles. With hands-on demonstrations and photographic opportunities at the site’s equatorial sundial and ceremonial points, we capture both the physical and symbolic balance of this location.
Following a traditional home-cooked lunch, we continue to our next base: a historic hacienda that blends rustic elegance with wildlife-friendly surroundings. Nestled in the Andean foothills, the property features bird-rich gardens, forest trails, and sweeping mountain views. This is a chance to relax, review your portfolio, or photograph endemic species in a controlled yet natural setting.
As the light fades, we gather for a quiet dinner and prepare for the final leg of our journey—into the windswept páramo and condor country.
Hotel: Hacienda La Jimenita
Meals Included: B, L, D
This morning, we head deep into one of Ecuador’s most dramatic highland landscapes: the Antisana Ecological Reserve. After a two-hour drive, we arrive in the shadow of Volcán Antisana—an ice-capped stratovolcano surrounded by stark páramo, glacial rivers, and windswept cliffs. This is prime Andean Condor territory.
We’ll spend the day scanning the skies for these massive raptors, whose wingspans can reach up to 10 feet. With patience and the right conditions, we may capture their graceful flight as they ride the thermals against a backdrop of snow and stone.
Antisana is also a haven for high-altitude wildlife. The open terrain makes it easier to photograph ground-dwelling species like the Carunculated Caracara, Andean Lapwing, and the striking Black-faced Ibis. Herds of wild horses roam the grasslands, and if we’re lucky, we might spot a White-tailed Deer or Andean Fox in the distance.
As light softens in the afternoon, we transfer to our highland lodge near Cotopaxi National Park. Framed by volcanic peaks, this historic hacienda provides the perfect staging ground for the final chapter of our journey.
Hotel: Hacienda Tambopaxi
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we explore one of Ecuador’s most iconic landscapes: Cotopaxi National Park. Dominated by the snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi Volcano—one of the highest active volcanoes in the world—this protected area offers vast photographic opportunities, from sweeping highland vistas to intimate encounters with páramo wildlife.
We begin with sunrise views of the volcano, its perfect summit often bathed in golden light if skies are clear. Our morning session focuses on the Limpiopungo wetlands, where mirror-like reflections and moody skies provide striking compositions. This area is also home to Andean Gulls, ducks, and migratory shorebirds, as well as curious foxes and grazing wild horses that roam freely across the plains.
As we travel deeper into the park, we’ll stop at various viewpoints and ridgelines to photograph the dramatic topography—rugged lava fields, wide open valleys, and the stark beauty of Ecuador’s alpine tundra. With sharp eyes and long lenses, we may spot the Andean Deer (white-tailed deer) or even condors drifting high above the cliffs.
In the afternoon, we return to Hacienda Tambopaxi to relax, review images, and watch the light fade over the volcano from our panoramic perch. It’s an inspiring end to a powerful day of landscape and wildlife photography at altitude.
Hotel: Hacienda Tambopaxi
Meals Included: B, L, D
We begin the day with a final chance to photograph Cotopaxi in the early light, when the volcano often reveals its most photogenic side—snow-draped and glowing above the wide páramo plains. After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Quito, descending gradually from the high Andes to the capital over the course of two and a half hours.
En route, we stop for a traditional Andean lunch in a small countryside restaurant, offering a final taste of Ecuador’s regional flavors. By mid-afternoon, we arrive at our hotel in Quito, where you’ll have time to rest, pack, and prepare for departure.
In the evening, we gather one last time for a celebratory farewell dinner at a local restaurant. It’s a moment to reflect on the images captured, the wildlife encounters, and the friendships formed along the way. Expect plenty of storytelling, laughter, and perhaps a few early plans for the next adventure.
Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)
Meals Included: B, L, D
Our final morning begins with a relaxed breakfast and a last look at the Andean skyline. It’s a time to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared—ten days of photographing rare wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant ecosystems that make Ecuador one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.
Depending on your flight schedule, we’ll arrange airport transfers to ensure you arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport with ample time for check-in and security. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and our team will coordinate your departure time based on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally.
As you leave, we hope you carry not only a portfolio of memorable images but also a deeper connection to Ecuador’s natural beauty and the communities working to protect it.
Hotel: None
Meals Included: B (included with hotel reservation)
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. More guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure. Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis. All prices are in U$ Dollars.
Contact us for guidance on a quote for your group or private trip.
| Lowest Price | 7-10 travelers | $ 4,185 / per person |
| Average Price | 4-6 travelers | $ 4,565 / per person |
| Optimum Price | 2-3 travelers | $ 4,990 / per person |
| Highest Price | 1 solo traveler | $ 7,980 / for 1 solo traveler |
| Single Supplement Fee | per person / per tour | $ 875.00 / per single room |
Deposit & Terms (universal — identical on every tour. Custom tours have special terms, please contact us. ): A 30% deposit (minimum $1,000 per person) reserves your space. Of that, $1,000 per person is a non-refundable administrative fee — but it’s never lost: it’s always credited toward your trip, even if you change trips or dates, and it’s part of the total price, not an extra charge. Balance due 90 days before departure. Trip insurance (with a “cancel for any reason” rider) is required. See our Terms & Conditions for full details, or contact us for a custom or private quote.
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