Ecuador Bird Photography: Andes & Chocó
Join us for 12 days of stunning bird photography across Ecuador’s Andes and Chocó, targeting tanagers, hummingbirds, and rare endemics.
Ecuador Bird Photography: Andes & Chocó is a quiet, focused immersion in the country’s Andean cloud forests and the neighboring Chocó region. It moves at an easy pace, with groups capped at eight, and most days are spent working from hides, feeding stations, and lodge gardens rather than covering long distances. The emphasis is on patience and fieldcraft, with photography led throughout by our guide Tristan.
We begin near Quito at San Jorge Eco-lodge, where mornings are given to an antpitta feeding station and afternoons to the hummingbird feeders. A short transfer brings us to the Tandayapa sanctuary, where we photograph Andean Cock-of-the-rock at a traditional lek and visit feeding stations known for Empress Brilliant and Velvet-purple Coronet. Descending into the Chocó, we work the fruit feeders and canopy deck at San Jorge de Milpe, then visit Balcón Tumpiki for Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan and a lek of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird.
The itinerary then climbs to the high Andes. A full morning in Antisana National Park is devoted to Andean Condor and páramo species, followed by a quest for Rainbow-bearded Thornbill at Papallacta Pass and cloud forest photography in Cayambe-Coca. We close at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos, with more Cock-of-the-rock photography, eastern-slope hummingbirds, and the gardens at Narupayacu, before the transfer back to Quito Airport.
Unique Birding Experiences
This tour brings together Ecuador’s Andean cloud forest, high páramo and the Chocó region in one carefully paced route.
- Antpitta feeding stations and lodge gardens near Quito
- Hummingbird photography in Tandayapa
- Andean species around Antisana and Papallacta
- Fruit feeders and forest habitats in the Chocó
The focus is on time in productive locations rather than rushing between a long list of sites.
Why Ecuador for Bird Photography
Ecuador offers remarkable bird diversity within a compact country, with major changes in habitat over relatively short distances.
For photography, the combination of cloud-forest trails, lodge gardens, feeding stations and hides gives you repeated opportunities to work patiently with hummingbirds, tanagers, antpittas and other Andean specialties.
Expedition Highlights
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Seasonality
What to expect
- Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
- Transportation: Transport in a comfortable minivan with air conditioning
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 2 chapters.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Detailed itinerary
Quito
Arrive in Quito and meet your guide Tristan at the airport before transferring to San Jorge Eco-lodge. Check in, settle into your rooms and take a short break to relax. Join a tour orientation where Tristan covers the itinerary and shares tips for making the most of your trip. The evening closes with a welcome dinner, marking the start of your stay at San Jorge Eco-lodge near Quito.
Key activities
Quito
Begin with breakfast before a short drive to the Antpitta Feeding Station at San Jorge Eco-lodge, where Rufous, Chestnut-crowned, and possibly Chestnut-naped Antpittas may appear at close range. The gardens also attract hummingbirds and mountain tanagers. After lunch, photograph hummingbirds at the lodge feeders, including Sword-billed Hummingbird, trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, and Shining Sunbeam. Bird photography around the lodge gardens may reveal Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager before dinner and returning to Quito.
Key activities
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Antpitta Feeding Station at San Jorge Eco-lodge
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Humming bird feeders at San Jorge
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Bird Photography Around the Lodge Gardens
Quito
Transfer from San Jorge Eco-lodge to the Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary, where the afternoon is spent photographing hummingbirds from the lodge gardens. Feeders, flowering plants, and natural perches draw regular visitors such as Sword-billed Hummingbird, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph, alongside other Andean birds like Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager. Nearby cloud forest trails offer chances to look for Scaled Antpitta, Golden-headed Quetzal, and Immaculate Antbird. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included around the day’s photography sessions.
Key activities
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San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary
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Afternoon Hummingbird Photography Session at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa
Quito
Before sunrise, head to a traditional Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek to photograph males performing courtship displays from a well-positioned hide, with other cloud forest species possible nearby. After breakfast and free time at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary, the afternoon visits a hummingbird feeding station for close photography of the Empress Brilliant and Velvet-purple Coronet, with birds often approaching within a few meters in natural light.
Key activities
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Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek Photography
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Empress Brilliant & Velvet-purple Coronet Photography
San Miguel de los bancos – Quito
After an included breakfast and hotel check out, transfer from Tandayapa into the Chocó cloud forest, arriving at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe in about an hour. Check in, then photograph hummingbirds at the lodge feeders and gardens, including White-whiskered Hermit and Green Thorntail. Banana feeders attract Pale-mandibled Aracari, Chocó Toucan and tanagers. In the afternoon, shoot from the canopy observation deck overlooking the forest, watching for trogons, tanagers and the Long-wattled Umbrellabird.
Key activities
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Chocó Hummingbird Photography Session
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Banana Feeder Bird Photography
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Canopy Observation Deck Photography
Nanegalito – Tandayapa – San Miguel de los bancos
After breakfast, transfer from Tandayapa to Balcón Tumpiki, where cloud forest bird feeders attract Chocó and Andean species. Photograph the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan from a hide, alongside Sickle-winged Guan, Blue-capped Tanager, Dusky Bush Tanager and Black-chinned Mountain Tanager. Continue to Nanegalito for hummingbird photography featuring Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, Speckled Hummingbird and possibly Hoary Puffleg. Return to Tandayapa, then spend the afternoon at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe photographing gardens, feeders and forest, with the lodge’s hummingbird sanctuary nearby.
Key activities
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Balcón Tumpiki bird feeders
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Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Photography at Balcón Tumpiki
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Nanegalito Hummingbird Photography
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Afternoon Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe
San Miguel de los bancos – Quito
Start before sunrise at a Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek, photographing displaying males from a dedicated hide in the Chocó forest, where Gartered Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal and Rufescent Tiger-Heron may also appear. After breakfast, enjoy a final hummingbird photography session at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe before checking out and transferring to San Jorge Eco-lodge and on to Quito.
Key activities
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Long-wattled Umbrellabird Lek Photography
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Afternoon Hummingbird Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Day 3 PM
Cosanga – Quito
Start with breakfast before exploring the roads and viewpoints of Antisana National Park, watching for Andean Condors above the breeding cliffs alongside Ecuadorian Hillstar, Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Aplomado Falcon, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and Variable Hawk. Continue to a high-altitude Antisana lagoon for waterbirds such as Andean Ruddy Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Silvery Grebe and Cinereous Harrier against the Antisana Volcano. In the afternoon, visit a hummingbird feeding station for Giant Hummingbird and Great Sapphirewing photography, then enjoy a farewell dinner and return to San Jorge Eco-lodge in Quito.
Key activities
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Andean Condor & Páramo Bird Photography at Antisana National Park
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Antisana Lagoon Bird Photography
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Giant Hummingbird & Great Sapphirewing Photography
Papallacta – Quito – Baeza
After breakfast and hotel check out in Quito, transfer to Papallacta Pass for high-Andean bird photography, seeking Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill and Ecuadorian Hillstar. Continue to Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, exploring mossy temperate forest for Black-backed Bush Tanager, Masked Mountain Tanager and Golden-crowned Tanager. At El Quetzal Protected Forest near Cuyuja, photograph hummingbirds including Chestnut-breasted Coronet and Tourmaline Sunangel. A walk along the Cuyuja River targets Torrent Duck, with chances of Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Andean Potoo. Lunch, dinner, then check in at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
Key activities
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Rainbow-bearded Thornbill quest at Papallacta Pass
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Cayambe-Coca Cloud Forest Photography
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Hummingbird Photography at El Quetzal Protected Forest
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Torrent Duck at Cuyuja River Bird Photography
Sarayacu
Begin before sunrise at the lodge’s Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, photographing males as they call and display from a well-positioned hide in the eastern cloud forest. Later, capture eastern-slope hummingbirds such as Long-tailed Sylph and Greenish Puffleg at the feeders and flowering gardens, then continue from the balconies overlooking fruiting trees and forest edge, where tanagers, flowerpiercers and the Black-chested Fruiteater may come within easy range at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
Key activities
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Eastern Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek Photography
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Guacamayos Hummingbird Photography
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Cloud Forest Balcony Bird Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos
Sarayacu
Begin with breakfast before a morning at the lek for Andean Cock-of-the-rock photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos, where changing light and weather shape each visit. After lunch, continue to an eastern slope hummingbird feeding station, with possible Collared Inca, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-fronted Lancebill and Green-backed Hillstar. Before returning to the lodge, search clear mountain rivers for Torrent Duck and other riverine birds amid Ecuador’s eastern Andes scenery, then enjoy dinner.
Key activities
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Morning Cock-of-the-rock Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos
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Eastern Slope Hummingbird Photography San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos
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Torrent Duck Photography Along the Mountain Rivers
Sarayacu
Breakfast is followed by bird photography around the reserve, where forest edge and gardens attract Amazonian species such as Red-crested Finch, Silvery-beaked Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Spotted Tanager and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, with Military Macaw and Orange-breasted Falcon occasionally encountered. A short drive then reaches Narupayacu Hummingbirds Garden in the lower Guacamayos Valley, where flowering gardens draw Wire-crested Thorntail, Napo Sabrewing, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Black-throated Brilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Gould’s Jewelfront, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green Hermit, Many-spotted Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Piedtail and Pink-throated Brilliant, with the chance of Spangled Coquette. Lunch and dinner are included, and the night is spent at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
Key activities
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Bird Photography Around the Reserve
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Narupayacu Hummingbirds Garden
Quito Airport
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a free morning at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos, with time for souvenirs or a photo review and a session with Tristan. After checking out, transfer to Quito Airport for your departure. This relaxed final stretch wraps up your adventure with a quiet start and a smooth send-off.
Key activities
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Crowned Woodnymph
- San Jorge de Milpe Orchid and Bird Lodge, San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary
White-booted racket-tail
- Balcón Tumpiki, San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan
- Balcón Tumpiki, San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary
Hotels
San Jorge Eco-lodge – Quito
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Overnight at San Jorge Eco-lodge - Quito. Nestled in a private highland reserve, this eco-lodge offers immediate access to pristine cloud forest trails and active hummingbird feeders. Its quiet, natural setting is perfect for early morning starts, while spacious rooms provide ample space for organizing camera gear and recharging batteries. Relax in cozy comfort, surrounded by the sights and sounds of Ecuador's diverse mountain birdlife.
San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Overnight at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary in Ecuador, a tranquil cloud forest retreat designed for birders. Steps from your room, active feeders and lush gardens offer spectacular, close-up photography of dozens of hummingbird species in excellent natural light. Pristine reserve trails begin at your doorstep for effortless early-morning starts, while spacious rooms provide ample area for sorting camera gear. This quiet natural setting offers the perfect blend of immersive wilderness and cozy comfort to recharge after a full day in the field.
San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos
Altitude: 404m (1,325 ft)
Nestled in a pristine cloud forest reserve on Ecuador's eastern slopes, San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos is a premier base for birders and photographers. Active on-site feeders attract dazzling tanagers and hummingbirds just steps from your room, while private trails allow for effortless early morning starts. The lodge’s tranquil natural setting offers peace and quiet, and the comfortable, spacious rooms provide ample layout space for camera gear and recharging. It is the perfect, hassle-free retreat to rest and prep equipment after a rewarding day in the field.
Gallery
Price Details
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.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 8.595 USD (661 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 7.495 USD (577 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 5.995 USD (461 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 5.195 USD (400 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- San Jorge Eco-lodge – Quito — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van)
- Meals indicated in the program: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunchs, 11 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day, Dinner on day 5
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (1.799 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Second Participant Discount
- Travelling with a companion who isn't a photographer? Their per-person price is reduced by 350 USD.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
Services to Expect
Meals on the Tour
The published tour inclusions list 7 lunches and 17 dinners, together with water and one cocktail before dinner. Meals are taken during the route’s hotel and ecolodge stays and are planned around early birding departures and time in the field. The current tour record does not specify breakfast inclusion, so confirm the final meal schedule during trip preparation.
Transportation and Local Guides
Road transfers connect Quito, the Andean birding sites and the Chocó lodges. Travel times and road conditions vary, so a flexible attitude is helpful.
Local guides contribute essential knowledge of calls, feeding stations, leks and the best places to wait. Their advice also helps us adapt the pace to weather, bird activity and the group.
Practical Information
Altitude and Terrain Challenges
The main physical challenges are altitude and uneven ground. Some outings reach high Andean elevations, while cloud-forest trails may be steep, damp or muddy.
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking slowly on irregular paths, standing for photography and carrying your personal camera equipment. Your guide will set the pace and allow time for rests.
Weather and Light Conditions
Ecuador’s weather varies between the high Andes and the humid cloud forest. Rain can arrive quickly, so a waterproof layer and protection for your camera are useful in every season.
Early mornings usually offer the best combination of bird activity and soft light. Clouds and showers are part of the atmosphere, not an interruption to the experience.
Entry Requirements and Visas
Entry requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Before booking and again before departure, check the current Ecuadorian requirements with an official government or consular source.
Make sure your passport and travel documents remain valid for the full journey, and keep your return or onward-travel information accessible.
Health and Altitude
Please discuss your itinerary with a travel-health professional before departure, especially because parts of the route reach high elevations.
Plan to take the first days gently, stay hydrated and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Bring any regular medication and follow your doctor’s advice about altitude or other personal health concerns.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check that your policy covers medical care, emergency assistance, trip interruption and the activities included in your itinerary.
Review the conditions before travelling and keep the assistance details accessible during the tour.
Getting in Shape
This is a bird-photography tour rather than a demanding trek, but you will walk on uneven ground, sometimes at altitude, and spend time standing with your camera.
Regular walking, gentle hiking or cycling in the weeks before departure will help. If possible, practice with the daypack and camera equipment you expect to carry.
Field Etiquette and Hides
Bird photography works best when everyone moves quietly and gives the birds space. In hides and around feeders, follow your guide’s instructions, keep movements slow and avoid changing the setup.
Flash, playback and other equipment should only be used when your guide confirms that they are appropriate. Patience protects the birds and gives the group better photographic opportunities.
Camera Gear and Protection
A camera body, a telephoto lens, spare batteries and plenty of memory are the basic requirements. A beanbag or stable support can be useful around hides and feeding stations.
Bring a rain cover or dry bag, lens cloths and a simple way to protect equipment from cloud-forest moisture. Your guide can advise on the most practical setup for each location.
Clothing and Footwear
Pack layers for cool Andean mornings, warmer forest conditions and changing weather. A waterproof jacket, quick-drying trousers and long sleeves are useful throughout the route.
Choose comfortable, broken-in footwear with good grip for damp or uneven trails. A sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent are also sensible additions to your daypack.
Detailed Trip Notes, including practical tips, cultural insights, and a complete packing list will be sent to you 60 days before departure.
Booking this tour means you agree to our full Terms and Conditions. Below is a summary of the key points. As life is unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.
- Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable for 7 days (less transaction fees), after which it becomes a non-refundable credit, transferable to a future tour offered by Remote Expeditions within 4 years of the cancellation date, less any non-recoverable costs already paid on your behalf.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour begins.
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: You will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the 30% deposit. Your deposit will be converted into a travel credit valid for 4 years on a future tour Remote Expeditions.
- Cancellation within 90 days of departure: 100% of the tour price is forfeited. There are no refunds or credits.
* This is a summary only. Please read our complete
Terms and Conditions
for full details before booking.
** We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Your Tour Guide
Tristan Quevilly
Tristan has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked all Guatemala, trekked alone across the Triglav in Slovenia, travelled through all the Amazon by boat. He also has worked and leaded tours in Senegal, Morroco, Croatia, Greece, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and many more. Remote Expeditions is the fruit of his love for people and travel.
- Nationality: French
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
- Guiding since: 2003
- Specialties: Photography, Trekking, Indigenous Communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
