Ecuador Bird Photography: Andes & Chocó

Arrival

Reception at the airport and meeting with your guide

Transfer Quito Airport –> San Jorge Eco-lodge

Hotel Check-In

Tour Orientation

Welcome Dinner

Breakfast

Antpitta Feeding Station at San Jorge Eco-lodge

A short drive brings us to one of the Andean foothills' renowned antpitta feeding stations, where patient fieldcraft offers exceptional photographic opportunities. Rufous, Chestnut-crowned, and, with some luck, Chestnut-naped Antpittas may appear at close range, revealing these famously elusive birds. The surrounding gardens are equally rewarding, attracting colorful hummingbirds, mountain tanagers, and other cloud forest specialties throughout the morning.

Lunch

Humming bird feeders at San Jorge

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the comfort of the lodge, where feeders and thoughtfully placed natural perches provide excellent opportunities for close-up images. Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar are among the regular visitors, with changing light offering a variety of creative photographic possibilities.

Bird Photography Around the Lodge Gardens

The lodge gardens attract far more than hummingbirds. Between photography sessions, keep an eye out for species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, all of which may offer rewarding photographic opportunities.

Dinner

Breakfast

Transfer San Jorge Eco-lodge –> San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary

San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the lodge's gardens, where feeders, flowering plants, and carefully selected natural perches create excellent opportunities for clean, intimate images. Regular visitors include Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar, with activity often increasing as the afternoon light softens. The gardens are equally rewarding for other Andean birds. Between hummingbird sessions, you may photograph species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant as they move through the surrounding vegetation.

Lunch

Afternoon Hummingbird Photography Session at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from carefully prepared natural perches around the lodge, where flowering plants and feeders attract a remarkable diversity of species. Western Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph are among the regular visitors, offering a wide variety of colors, behaviors, and photographic opportunities. Those who wish can also explore the nearby forest trails, where the cloud forest may reveal species such as Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-winged Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive White-faced Nunbird.

Dinner

Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek Photography

Before sunrise, we head to a traditional Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where males gather to perform their remarkable courtship displays. From a well-positioned hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these brilliant orange birds as they call, display, and occasionally chase one another through the forest. Along with one of Ecuador's most iconic birds, the surrounding forest may also reveal a variety of cloud forest species.

Breakfast

Free Time

Lunch

Empress Brilliant & Velvet-purple Coronet Photography

In the afternoon, we visit a hummingbird feeding station renowned for close photographic opportunities. This site is especially known for two Andean specialties: the dazzling Empress Brilliant and the iridescent Velvet-purple Coronet, often regarded as one of Ecuador's most spectacular hummingbirds. With birds frequently approaching just a few meters away, there is plenty of time to experiment with different compositions and capture intimate portraits in natural light.

Dinner

Breakfast

Hotel Check Out

Transfer Tandayapa –> San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe

After breakfast, we leave the Andes behind and descend into the Chocó cloud forest, reaching San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe in about an hour. This transition into one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots brings an entirely new set of birds and photographic opportunities, with many species found only in the Chocó region.

Hotel Check-In

Chocó Hummingbird Photography Session

The lodge's feeders and flowering gardens offer excellent opportunities to photograph a remarkable diversity of Chocó hummingbirds. Regular visitors include White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-necked Jacobin, and, at times, Long-billed Starthroat and Tooth-billed Hummingbird. Natural perches and soft forest light create ideal conditions for intimate portraits and behavioral images.

Banana Feeder Bird Photography

The fruit feeders attract a colorful mix of Chocó specialties throughout the day. Pale-mandibled Aracari, Chocó Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Rufous Motmot, Emerald Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Thick-billed and Orange-crowned Euphonias, Buff-throated and Black-winged Saltators are among the regular visitors, while the elusive Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove occasionally appears beneath the feeders.

Lunch

Canopy Observation Deck Photography

In the afternoon, photograph birds from the lodge's multi-level observation deck overlooking the surrounding forest canopy. This elevated perspective offers opportunities to capture species such as Broad-billed Motmot, Collared and White-tailed Trogons, Blue-necked and Bay-headed Tanagers, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and, with some luck, the remarkable Long-wattled Umbrellabird moving through the treetops.

Breakfast

Transfer Tandayapa –> Balcón Tumpiki

Balcón Tumpiki bird feeders

We visit the bird feeders at Balcón Tumpiki, a rewarding stop on the western slope of the Andes. Set against the cloud forest, these feeders attract a variety of Chocó and Andean species, providing excellent opportunities for close, natural-looking photographs.

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan Photography at Balcón Tumpiki

One of the highlights of the morning is the chance to photograph the striking Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan from a well-positioned hide. The feeders also attract species such as Sickle-winged Guan, Blue-capped Tanager, Dusky Bush Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, and, with a bit of luck, Beryl-spangled Tanager.

Lunch

Nanegalito Hummingbird Photography

The hummingbird feeders offer a different collection of western Andean specialties. Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, and Speckled Hummingbird are regular visitors, while the localized Hoary Puffleg occasionally makes an appearance. The combination of natural perches and soft cloud forest light creates excellent conditions for intimate portraits.

Transfer Balcón Tumpiki –> Tandayapa

Afternoon Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe

After returning to the lodge, the afternoon is free to continue photographing the gardens and feeders at your own pace. The hummingbird stations, fruit feeders, and surrounding forest provide another opportunity to work with Chocó specialties or simply enjoy a relaxed session as activity builds toward the late afternoon.

Dinner

Long-wattled Umbrellabird Lek Photography

Before sunrise, we head to a traditional lek of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, one of the Chocó's most distinctive endemic birds. From a dedicated hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph displaying males as they perch, call, and move through the canopy. The surrounding forest may also produce species such as Gartered Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, and, with some luck, Ornate Hawk-Eagle.

Breakfast

Lunch

Afternoon Hummingbird Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Day 3 PM

After lunch, enjoy one final photography session from the lodge's restaurant and gardens. The feeders remain active throughout the afternoon, offering another chance to photograph Chocó hummingbirds and refine compositions.

Hotel Check Out

Dinner

Hotel Check-In

Transfer San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe –> San Jorge Eco-lodge

Breakfast

Andean Condor & Páramo Bird Photography at Antisana National Park

We spend the morning exploring the roads and viewpoints of Antisana in search of Andean Condors soaring above the breeding cliffs. Along the way, we also look for Ecuadorian Hillstar, Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Aplomado Falcon, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and Variable Hawk, adapting our route to the day's weather and bird activity.

Antisana Lagoon Bird Photography

A stop at one of Antisana's high-altitude lagoons provides opportunities to photograph waterbirds and other páramo specialists. Depending on the season and conditions, species may include Andean Ruddy Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Silvery Grebe, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, and Cinereous Harrier, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Antisana Volcano.

Lunch

Giant Hummingbird & Great Sapphirewing Photography

In the afternoon, we visit a small hummingbird feeding station overlooking the surrounding Andes. Giant Hummingbird—the world's largest hummingbird—and the impressive Great Sapphirewing are regular visitors, offering a fitting finale to our journey through Ecuador's remarkable diversity of birdlife.

Farewell Dinner

Breakfast

Hotel Check Out

Transfer Quito –> Papallacta Pass

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill quest at Papallacta Pass

At nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, Papallacta Pass offers exceptional opportunities to photograph some of Ecuador's most specialized high-Andean birds. Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, and Ecuadorian Hillstar are among the highlights, while Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Giant Conebill, Many-striped Canastero, and Andean Tit-Spinetail may also be encountered. The dramatic páramo landscape provides a striking backdrop for both bird and landscape photography.

Transfer Papallacta Pass –> San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos

Lunch

Cayambe-Coca Cloud Forest Photography

Descending into Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, we explore moss-covered temperate forest rich in localized Andean species. Our focus is on birds such as Black-backed Bush Tanager, Masked Mountain Tanager, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Pluscap, and the vibrant Golden-crowned Tanager, all of which thrive in this cool, humid habitat.

Hummingbird Photography at El Quetzal Protected Forest

The gardens and feeders around Cuyuja attract a new suite of Amazonian-slope hummingbirds. Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Tourmaline Sunangel, and Glowing Puffleg are regular visitors, often allowing prolonged photography from carefully positioned natural perches in soft mountain light.

Torrent Duck at Cuyuja River Bird Photography

Easy walk along the clear waters of the Cuyuja River, where fast-flowing streams create ideal habitat for Torrent Duck. Depending on conditions, the surrounding forest may also reveal Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Red-hooded Tanager, and, with some luck, the remarkable Andean Potoo before we continue toward our lodge.

Hotel Check-In

Dinner

Eastern Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek Photography

Before sunrise, we visit the lodge's Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where males gather to perform their remarkable courtship displays. From a well-positioned hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these brilliant birds as they call, display, and interact against the backdrop of the eastern cloud forest.

Guacamayos Hummingbird Photography

The lodge's feeders and flowering gardens attract a diverse collection of eastern-slope hummingbirds. Long-tailed Sylph, Greenish Puffleg, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Speckled Hummingbird, Bronzy Inca, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, and Gorgeted Woodstar are among the regular visitors, providing excellent opportunities for close portraits and behavioral photography.

Breakfast

Lunch

Cloud Forest Balcony Bird Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos

The lodge's balconies overlook fruiting trees and forest edge, attracting a colorful mix of cloud forest birds throughout the day. White-capped Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Vermilion Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Deep-blue Flowerpiercer, and Black-chested Fruiteater are among the species that may visit within easy photographic range.

Dinner

Breakfast

Morning Cock-of-the-rock Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos

A second morning at the lek provides another opportunity to photograph displaying Andean Cock-of-the-rocks under different weather and lighting conditions. Each visit offers a unique combination of behavior, perch selection, and forest atmosphere.

Lunch

Eastern Slope Hummingbird Photography San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos

In the afternoon, we visit another hummingbird feeding station featuring a different assemblage of eastern Andean species. Highlights may include Collared Inca, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-fronted Lancebill, and Green-backed Hillstar, each offering fresh photographic opportunities in a new setting.

Torrent Duck Photography Along the Mountain Rivers

Before returning to the lodge, we spend time along one of the clear mountain rivers in search of Torrent Duck. These fast-flowing streams also provide opportunities to photograph other riverine birds while enjoying the rugged scenery of Ecuador's eastern Andes.

Dinner

Breakfast

Bird Photography Around the Reserve

Beyond the hummingbirds, the reserve's forest edge and gardens attract a rich variety of Amazonian birds. Opportunities may include Red-crested Finch, Silvery-beaked Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Spotted Tanager, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. More elusive species such as Military Macaw and Orange-breasted Falcon are occasionally encountered.

Lunch

Narupayacu Hummingbirds Garden

A short drive brings us to a hummingbird reserve in the lower Guacamayos Valley, where flowering gardens attract an impressive diversity of eastern Andean species. Regular visitors include 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 some luck, the dazzling Spangled Coquette may also make an appearance.

Dinner

Breakfast

Free Morning / Photo review or last photo session

Hotel Check Out

Transfer San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos –> Quito Airport

End of the Adventure