Expedition Highlights
Itinerary At a Glance
Quito
Click to see on map
Quito - Cosanga
Papallacta - Quito
Baeza - Cosanga
Sarayacu
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Detailed Itinerary
Quito
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Arrival
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Reception at the airport and meeting with your guide
Meeting with Tristan at the airport. -
Hotel Check-In
Upon arrival, check in and get settled in your rooms. Take a short break to relax before we move on to the next activity. -
Tour Orientation
First meeting to get acquainted. Tristan will cover the key points of the itinerary and give you some initial tips on how to make the most of your trip. -
Welcome Dinner
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Hacienda Jimenita
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Quito - Cosanga
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Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay. -
Hacienda Jimenita
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft) -
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.
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Tambo Condor condor-watching and feeders
Scan Antisana cliffs for Andean Condor; on the restaurant balcony photograph Black-tailed Trainbearers, Giant Hummingbirds, Sparkling Violetears, Shining Sunbeams and Tyrian Metaltails at feeders.
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Condor viewing at Chakana Reserve
From a cliff-side platform scan for Andean Condor gliding over Antisanilla; sometimes Spectacled Bear forages below. Combine with Tambo Condor lunch stop.
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La Mica High-Andean Wetlands (La Mica Lake / Antisana)
Hike around Laguna Mica – Easy walk along the lake shore to photograph Silvery Grebe, Andean Coot and Andean Teal.
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Lunch at Tambo Condor (Enjoy fresh trout and photograph Black‑tailed Trainbearer, Giant Hummingbird and Sparkling Violetear at feeders)
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Guango Lodge
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Papallacta - Quito
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Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay. -
Guango Lodge hummingbird deck
Photograph Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden-breasted and Glowing Pufflegs, Mountain Avocetbill and tiny Gorgeted Woodstar at feeders. Walk the river trail for Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper.
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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.
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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.
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Guango Lodge
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Baeza - Cosanga
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Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay. -
Lunch
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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.
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San Isidro hummingbird garden
At first light the group reaches the lodge's lower hide to try to observe and photograph additional species, staying a large part of the morning and taking time around the hummingbird feeders afterwards.
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Farewell Dinner
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San Isidro Lodge
Altitude: 1,917m (6,289 ft)Two nights at San Isidro Lodge, set in cloud forest on the eastern slope of the Andes, with its hide and feeders at hand.
Sarayacu
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Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay. -
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.
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Hotel Check Out
Take a little time to relax and gather your things as we get ready to check out. -
End of the Adventure
We’ll drop you off at the airport for your flight back home. We hope you had an incredible adventure with us!
Hotels
Hacienda Jimenita
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Nestled within a private ecological reserve near Quito, Hacienda Jimenita offers an exceptional base for birders. Its lush gardens and active feeders attract dozens of colorful hummingbird species, allowing for superb close-up photography right on the property. Comfortable, spacious rooms provide ample area for organizing heavy camera gear, while the quiet natural setting ensures a restful night before early morning departures. This peaceful haven perfectly combines immediate habitat access with the seamless logistics required for a successful Ecuadorian tour.
Guango Lodge
Altitude: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
Overnight at Guango Lodge, Ecuador. Nestled in a quiet temperate forest, this cozy lodge is a premier base for bird photographers, renowned for active hummingbird feeders that offer superb light and close-up shots. Immediate access to on-site trails ensures easy early-morning starts to target high-altitude specialists. After a full day, comfortable heated rooms provide ample space for managing camera gear, offering a peaceful retreat to rest before another day in the field.
San Isidro Lodge
Altitude: 1,917m (6,289 ft)
Overnight at San Isidro Lodge, Ecuador, a premier cloud forest haven perfectly suited for birders and photographers. Nestled in a quiet private reserve, the lodge offers immediate trail access and active feeders attracting rare species right outside your door. Spacious rooms provide ample space for managing camera gear, while the peaceful natural setting ensures a restful night before our early morning starts. After a productive day in the field, enjoy cozy comforts and warm hospitality just steps from the canopy.
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 1 person: 1.695 EUR (339 EUR / day)
- Price for 2 people: 995 EUR (199 EUR / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 795 EUR (159 EUR / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 595 EUR (119 EUR / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 595 EUR (119 EUR / 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- Hacienda Jimenita — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Guango Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- San Isidro Lodge — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Meals indicated in the program: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunchs, 3 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles
- 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 2
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (209 EUR approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
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 ↗
Where does your investment go?
A transparent look at how your bespoke itinerary is funded.
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.
