This exclusive bird-watching expedition allows to explore the renowned birding area in Ecuador, known as the "Choco Andino". Located in the northwest of the country, this region is where the wet cloud forest meets the humid lowland forest. It is a prime location for birding enthusiasts due to its remarkable diversity and endemism. In fact, it boasts the highest number of restricted-range birds in any Endemic Bird Area (EBA) in the Americas, making it a truly exceptional experience. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a wide range of ecosystems, including montane cloud forest, Lowland Choco, Foothill Choco, and High Paramo grasslands. Accompanied by a knowledgeable birding guide, you will be taken to the best birding sites, where you can expect to encounter a vast array of bird species. Many of these species are unique to this region of Ecuador, adding to the excitement of the trip. It is not uncommon to spot over 300-400 bird species in just one week, including an impressive variety of 40 different hummingbirds.

To enrich your photography journey, we have organized exclusive tours to renowned bird sanctuaries, providing you with privileged entry to these highly sought-after destinations. Moreover, at select feeders in the area, we have set up multi-flash systems to guarantee extraordinary chances to capture the birds in their most captivating stances.

Every detail of your journey has been carefully organized, from the exclusive lodging and delightful cuisine to the flawless transportation and privileged entry to the most enchanting birdwatching spots. We have spared no effort in guaranteeing that your attention is solely devoted to capturing the breathtaking splendor of Ecuador's avian wildlife.

<strong>Highlights</strong>

* Discover and photograph Ecuador's cloud forest, which hosts over 550 of the country's estimated 1,660 bird species.

* Capture rare and stunning birds with the help of experienced wildlife photography professionals and knowledgeable local birding guides.

* Benefit from private access to renowned avian reserves and multi-flash setups at feeders for unparalleled photo opportunities.

* Stay at two of the most recommended lodges in the region, offering serene and exquisite accommodations amidst Ecuador's breathtaking natural beauty.

* Enjoy meticulously organized visits, featuring charming accommodations, delicious meals, seamless transportation, and exclusive access to prime birding locations at high-end eco-lodges.

Welcome to Quito! 

A city where colonial charm blends seamlessly with modern vibrancy. Upon arrival, a friendly guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel, approximately a 45-minute drive, traffic permitting. Depending on your arrival time, you could enjoy a captivating city tour, delving into Quito's rich history and cultural heritage. Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage site of the historic center, admire stunning colonial architecture, and immerse yourself in the tales these buildings tell. Visit iconic landmarks such as the Basilica del Voto Nacional, Plaza de la Independencia, and the San Francisco Church. After settling into your hotel, attend an evening briefing (6 PM) to receive essential trip information. We conclude the day with a welcome dinner.

Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)

Meals Included: D

*Breakfast and Lunch are not included.

This family reserve, established in 2005, is dedicated to birdwatching and forest conservation. Rodrigo and Angel Paz, two brothers who once exploited the forest in a harmful way, have transformed into ardent protectors of the forest. They are now committed to living harmoniously with nature, safeguarding it in its entirety. As passionate nature lovers, have patiently trained several typically shy Gralarias to emerge from the dense forest at the sound of their names, rewarding them with portions of worms. The reserve also features a lek of the Cock-of-the-rock and several fruit feeders, which attract species such as the Sickle-winged Guan, Toucan Barbet, Olivaceous Piha, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Red-rumped Toucanet, and the Red-headed Barbet. At the water troughs, we will find a variety of cherished hummingbirds, including the Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Booted Racket-tail, White-vented Plumeleteer, and many others.

Hotel: Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve & Lodge

Meals Included: B, L, D

On this day the activity begins at 5:30am. We´ll visit the lek of the Cock of the Rock. We continue driving up to a high point of the mountain, where we will observe up to 30 species of birds such as toucans, tanagers and other species. The car will be always nearby. San Tadeo Reserve is a haven for bird photographers and enthusiasts. This small reserve, owned by Rolando, is renowned for its stunning array of tanagers and hummingbirds. Over 20 species frequent the feeders, providing excellent opportunities for both photography and observation. The reserve is well-equipped with comfortable seating, toilets, coffee, and bananas, making it a popular attraction. The lush plants and breathtaking views add to the charm, making it a must-visit spot, especially for those using mobile phones for photography. Rolando, a dedicated member of the local community, has transformed this area into a birding hotspot through his hard work and passion. San Tadeo Reserve is conveniently located just half a kilometer from Mindo and features a main trail and five side trails, with over 400 bird species recorded.

<strong>Target Birds at San Tadeo:</strong> Crested Guan, Barred Hawk, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Collared Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Zeledon's Antbird, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Ochre-breasted Tanager.

Our second visit is to Las Cotingas, a private estate dedicated to the conservation of the flora and fauna of the northwest of Pichincha. This reserve is wilder, with ponds and tall trees that provide a natural habitat for raptors like Hook-billed Kites. The feeders and flowing water attract a variety of birds, making it a highly recommended spot for birdwatchers and photographers.

<strong>Target Birds at Los Cotingas:</strong> Club-winged Manakin, Golden-headed Quetzal, Gorgeted Sunangel, Violet-tailed Sylph, Nariño Tapaculo, South American Leaftosser, Streaked Tuftedcheek.

Hotel: Sachatamia Rainforest Reserve & Lodge

Meals Included: B, L, D

We leave early to reach the first bird sanctuary on this day. The Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary offers a rich and diverse birdwatching experience, with over 230 species, including many rare and endemic birds. The sanctuary features an ample trail system through hilly lowlands, a 50-foot-tall canopy observation tower, providing stunning views of the forest, and excellent birdwatching opportunities, as well hummingbird feeders. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained trails through primary and secondary forests, offering chances to see a variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers come to Rio Silanche to see Chocó endemic species like the Purple-chested Hummingbird, Chocó Trogon, Double-banded Graytail, Moustached Antwren, Stub-tailed Antbird, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Rufous-winged Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager and others. Additionally, the sanctuary plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike. We will have an on-route lunch and then continue during an hour drive to the next bird sanctuary visit.

Milpe Bird Sanctuary is home to the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, the sanctuary shelters many other Andean Chocó endemics like Plumbeous Forest Falcon, Rose-faced Parrot, Chocó Trogon, Chocó Toucan, Esmeraldas Antbird, Yellow-green Tanager, and many more. Visitors also enjoy seeing many colorful tanagers and hummingbirds. The Milpe Sanctuary amenities include hiking trails, birdwatching gardens, a gift shop, a cafe, and cabins for overnight guests. Centrally located, it provides access to many other birding hotspots in the region, including the Rio Silanche and Tandayapa Cluster. At the end of this afternoon´s adventure, our lodge is only 15 minutes’ drive away.

Hotel: Séptimo Paraiso Country Inn

Meals Included: B, L, D

After breakfast we depart for Santa Rosa. Situated at 1850 m (6070 ft) this small reserve, run by a bird photographer, offers great opportunities to photograph many normally rare species in complete tranquility. There is no shortage of activity here, from hummingbird feeders to tanagers and toucans. In the late afternoon we continue our journey to a strategic site called Punto Ornitológico within the Mindo Clourd Forest.

This project has set an example to many landowners in Mindo area, and it is living proof of a sustainable project without destroying the rainforest, now it is the best haven for amphibious in the northwest, and of course many extraordinary bird species some not easily found anywhere else.  It has a hide, feeders and waterers. Among the bird target in this place, Sunbitern, White-throated Crake, Scaly-breasted Wren, Little Cuckoo, Common Potoo, White-whiskered Hermit, White-booted Racket-tail, Great Antshrike, Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Olivaceous Piculet.

Hotel: Séptimo Paraiso Country Inn

Meals Included: B, L, D

The day starts with some of the most fabulous views over the western Andean slopes. We’ll head out to an area which is known among birders as the “Mashpi road”, the birding area includes a small side road that forks off and heads a few kilometers to the Mashpi Amagusa Reserve. Mashpi is a recently popularized site in the northwestern foothills that has gained notoriety for its impressive collection of Chocó endemic bird species. The wet mossy forest along the roads in the area boasts Moss-Backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and the very rare Choco Vireo. The owner has set fruit feeders with natural perches that offer great photography opportunities of many species that are difficult or rare elsewhere, like the astonishing Glistening-green Tanager. The reserve has some of the last well-preserved remnants of pristine cloud forest, in one of the world’s most renowned hot spots of biodiversity on the planet, the Andean Chocó Forest. Our full day visit will support the efforts to preserve this invaluable forest over time.

Hotel: Bellavista Cloud & Forest Lodge

Meals Included: B, L, D

Located 20 km from Mindo, Bellavista is one of the core areas of the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve and is also part of the Andean Bear Ecological Corridor. Bellavista has become a recognized international destination for birdwatching. It is an excellent alternative for the sustainable diversification of local ways of life, becoming an important place of learning through the living of unforgettable experiences.

Birds target: Plate-billed Mountain-toucan, Tanager Finch, Ocellated Tapaculo, White-faced Nunbird, Turquoise Jay, Flavescent Flycatcher, Masked Trogon, Strong-billed Woodcreeper.

Hotel: Bellavista Cloud & Forest Lodge

Meals Included: B, L, D

On this day we'll drive towards the Zuro Loma Reserve, located on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano, about an hour northwest of Quito along the famous Hummingbird Route on the old Nono-Mindo Road. This high Andean montane forest offers breathtaking views of the lush, evergreen cloud forest and snowcapped volcanoes stretching as far as the eye can see. We'll explore this unique ecosystem, characterized by its complex biodiversity, climate, and topography, making it an extraordinary ecological experience. Zuro Loma has become one of the best and most reliable locations to photograph the rare and elusive Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, the incomparable Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Blue-capped Tanager, and many others. Our visit also supports the local community by providing a sustainable alternative income for those running this conservation initiative, a crucial effort in resisting pressures for agricultural conversion and other forms of habitat degradation. At the end of our visit, we'll board our private transport to reach our lodge.

Hotel: Hacienda la Jimenita Wildlife Reserve

Meals Included: B, L, D

On this last day of adventure, we make our way to the Antisana National Park. We’ll explore one of the most important reserves so close to the city of Quito. Our bird targets among some other species are the Andean Condor, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar. There is a lookout point along the way specifically designed for spotting condors. The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador is classified as Critically Endangered. Birdlife categorizes Antisana as an Important Bird Area. This reserve has at least 4 different cliffs in which up to 35 Andean condors have been recorded perching and using these areas as their nesting sites, this is a large number considering an estimated population of just 150 wild individuals in the country. We may also spot many high altitude and local specialties including the unique and close to endemic Ecuadorian Hillstar visiting the Chuquiragua bushes, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spineatil, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga, Paramo Pipit, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch and Black-winged Ground-Dove. We’ll have the chance to see many Carunculated Caracaras, Andean Gulls, Andean Lapwings, and many other species that are absent or difficult at other sites such as the rare Andean Ibis.

At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Quito and check-in. In the evening, we will gather for a farewell dinner to share our experiences and reflect on the journey. This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty of nature and the camaraderie of our travel companions and the warmth hospitality of the people we met along the way. Overnight in Quito.

Hotel: Go Hotel Quito (5*)

Meals Included: B, L, D

At an appointed time, we will transfer you to the airport. Our departure schedule leaves the hotel three hours before your flight. The ride is just shy of an hour which should give you plenty of time to check into your international flight.

For domestic departures, it is recommended that we arrive at the airport 1.5 hours before your scheduled flight. For international departures, our goal is to arrive 2 hours before your flight to allow for necessary procedures.

Hotel: is NOT included for this evening

Included meals: B (included with hotel reservation)

This concludes our services, and we wish you safe travels and fond memories of your remarkable journey in Ecuador.