Explore the magic of the Ecuadorian Andes, a region that offers what some have called the finest birding in South America. Hummingbirds, condors, toucans, tanagers, and antpittas adorn this tour, replete with misty mountains, orchids, hot springs, and genuine interactions with locals. This is the perfect tour for the "relaxed birder." We will provide every opportunity to find and photograph your target birds while also baking in time for you to relax or explore areas on your own. Meet local birding guides and landowners who are passionate about protecting important habitats and hear their stories. It's not often you'll travel like this: get ready to be awed by magnificent landscapes and colorful creatures while sampling new culture and cuisine. Learn about Ecuador from Ecuadorians themselves and return to the States with new perspectives.   

Birding Man Wildlife Tours is passionate about supporting conservation through sustainable travel. Having spent two years in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer, Birding Man founder and guide Ryan Dibala has remained in close contact with several different communities in Ecuador. One of these communities, San Francisco de Borja, has spearheaded reforestation and birdwatching efforts as an alternative to unsustainable agriculture. By collaborating with Sandra Morocho, an activist, birder, and guide from San Francisco de Borja, Birding Man aims to dissolve language and cultural barriers through common ties and interests in nature. You can feel great about your dollars directly supporting a group of humble, landholding Ecuadorians who are working to preserve some of Ecuador's most treasured wildlife.     

The lodging used on this trip has been hand-picked for quality and uniqueness. In Quito, we will stay in what has been called an oasis of calm at Puembo Birding Garden only a half hour from the airport. We will transfer to the eastern Andean cloud forests in what is regularly referred to as a birdwatcher's paradise. There, we will stay at the beautiful Rio Quijos Eco Lodge , using this as a home base to explore several farms and reserves in the area. From there, we will transfer to the beautiful Papallacta hot springs, and stay at nearby at Guango Lodge.  Later, we will cross over to the western side of the Andes and stay at the beautiful Guaycapi Lodge. Finally, we will come full circle and spend our last night once again at Puembo Birding Garden. At each location, we will eat great food prepared with care while enjoying first class service and unrivaled natural beauty.    

Meet group at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Transfer to Puembo Birding Garden

Enjoy birds of the Inter-Andean scrub forests

Chakana Condor Reserve

Antisana Reserve

Transfer to the eastern slope cloud forests

Stay at Rio Quijos Eco Lodge

Visit conservation-minded landowners and hummingbird gardens

Birding the forested Borjas River valley

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek

Rio Quijos Eco Lodge

Birding the famous Guacamayos Ridge

Lunch at Cabañas Tamiaju and their hummingbird feeders

Return to Rio Quijos Eco Lodge

Transfer to Guango Lodge

Birding lodge grounds and forest edges

Stay at Guango Lodge

Explore the high paramo of Papallacta Pass

Coca-Cayambe National Park

Papallacta Hot Springs

Guango Lodge

Zuroloma Birding Reserve

Mindo-Nambillo Road

Guaycapi Lodge

Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve

Sacha Guatusa Reserve

Guaycapi Lodge

Morning birding at Guaycapi Lodge

Tsa'chila cultural presentation

Sendero Frutti Birding Reserve

Guaycapi Lodge

Paz de las Aves (Andean Cock-of-the-Rock & 5 species of Antpittas)

Maraksasha Reserve

Transfer to Puembo Birding Garden

Breakfast at Puembo Birding Garden

Transfer to airport

Departure