Suggested mainland itinerary · March–August
Ecuador
Photography Expedition
14 days from hummingbird havens
to the heights of the Andes.
Follow Ecuador’s birds from the eastern foothills at Wildsumaco to Antisana’s highlands and the cloud forests of Mashpi and Mindo. Photograph hummingbirds, antpittas, tanagers and mountain toucans, with time to work on light, backgrounds and composition.
- Suggested duration
- 14 days · 13 tour nights
- Start & finish
- Quito · UIO airport
- Recommended travel months
- March through August
- Suggested group
- 6–8 participants
Personalized pricing · TBC. Your price will be confirmed once we know the final group size and number of days. We can adapt this suggested route to your target species, available time and budget.
Arrival: Plan to arrive in Quito the day before Day 1; that extra hotel night and its meals are not included. Arrival arrangements can be specified in your quotation. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 1–13; breakfast on Day 14.
Eastern foothills · Andean highlands · Chocó cloud forests
Across the Andes.
Close to extraordinary birds.
A mainland circuit beginning and ending in Quito, with contrasting habitats and specialist photography sites along the way.
View full-size route map
- 01Quito · UIO airport & early departureArrive the day before Day 1
- 02Wildsumaco · Eastern foothillsDays 1–2 · Tamiaju photography stop on Day 1
- 03Cabañas Tamiaju · Cosanga regionDays 3–4
- 04Guango Lodge · Hummingbird gardensDays 4–5
- 05Antisana highlands · Chakana ReserveDays 5–6
- 06Zuro Loma ReserveDay 7
- 07Mashpi–Amagusa · Guatusa projectDays 7–9
- 08Mindo & nearby photography reservesDays 9–13 · Return to Quito on Day 13
Your suggested program
Day by day in Ecuador.
The 14 numbered days include the final departure day. Arrive in Quito the day before Day 1 for the early start. This is a guide to your journey: the number of days, sequence and pace can be personalized, with exact dates and services confirmed in your proposal.
Day 01From Quito to Wildsumaco Lodge
Depart Quito early, with breakfast en route and a photography stop at Cabañas Tamiaju before continuing to Wildsumaco Lodge. After lunch and check-in, spend the afternoon with the hummingbirds visiting the lodge’s feeders.
Possible species: Lazuline Sabrewing, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Napo Sabrewing, Wire-crested Thorntail, Gould’s Jewelfront, White-tipped Sicklebill, Gorgeted Woodstar and Violet-headed Hummingbird. Other targets include Yellow-throated Spadebill and Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater.
- Overnight
- Wildsumaco Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 02Cock-of-the-rock, antpittas & Wildsumaco
Make an early visit to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock site, with a box breakfast arranged for the morning session. Return to Wildsumaco for photography from the porch and lunch, then take a short walk to the antpitta photography area in the afternoon.
The day combines focused sessions at specialist sites with time to work on images around the lodge. Your leader will coordinate the sequence with bird activity and local access.
- Overnight
- Wildsumaco Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 03Cabañas Tamiaju & the Cosanga region
Travel back toward Cabañas Tamiaju in the Cosanga region, with a box lunch for the journey. Check in and spend the afternoon photographing the birds around the reserve.
Possible species: Black-throated Mango, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Red-crested Finch, Orange-billed Sparrow, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail and Gray-fronted Dove.
- Overnight
- Cabañas Tamiaju or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 04Tamiaju photography & Guango Lodge
Use the morning for antpitta and hummingbird photography at Tamiaju. After lunch, travel to Guango Lodge and spend the afternoon in its hummingbird gardens.
Possible species along this stage include Green Jay, Chestnut-bellied Thrush, Red-headed Barbet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Torrent Duck.
- Overnight
- Guango Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 05Guango & the Antisana highlands
Spend the morning at Guango, looking for Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan and returning to the gardens for more photography. Travel toward Antisana, stopping at Tambo Cóndor for lunch and hummingbird opportunities before continuing into the highlands.
Possible species: Andean Condor, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Giant Hummingbird, Andean Gull and Carunculated Caracara. Spectacled Bear is a possible additional wildlife encounter.
- Overnight
- Antisana area · property confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 06Chakana Reserve & Antisana National Park
Meet the reserve team for a morning at the Ecuadorian Hillstar and Andean Condor locations in Chakana Private Reserve. After lunch at Tambo Cóndor, continue with photography in the Antisana National Park area.
Watch for Andean Gull, Carunculated Caracara and other highland wildlife, including the possibility of Andean Fox. Highland light, visibility and bird activity will guide the day’s stops.
- Overnight
- Antisana area · property confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 07Zuro Loma Reserve to Mashpi–Amagusa
Leave early for Zuro Loma Reserve, allowing the morning for antpittas and the birds visiting its gardens and feeders. Enjoy a box lunch at the reserve before the afternoon drive to the Mashpi–Amagusa area.
Possible species: Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sapphire-vented Puffleg and Tyrian Metaltail.
- Overnight
- Mashpi–Amagusa area · property confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 08A full day at Mashpi–Amagusa
Begin at the moth-light photography area, then work the tanager and hummingbird viewpoints through the morning. After lunch, visit the Guatusa project for a different set of afternoon photography opportunities.
Possible species: Purple-throated Woodstar, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager and Flame-faced Tanager.
- Overnight
- Mashpi–Amagusa area · property confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 09Mashpi to Mindo & Séptimo Paraíso
Use the early morning for another session at the moth-light area before traveling to the Mindo region. Check in and have lunch at Séptimo Paraíso, then photograph around the lodge grounds through the afternoon.
The move to Mindo opens the next stage of the expedition, with several days to explore nearby cloud forest photography sites.
- Overnight
- Séptimo Paraíso Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10Birdwatcher’s House
Depart early with a box breakfast for Birdwatcher’s House, beginning at the moth-light area and spending the day at the project’s photography sites. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Possible species: Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Pale-eyed Thrush, Collared Inca and Masked Trogon.
- Overnight
- Mindo area · lodge confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11San Tadeo, Milpe & Birdwatcher’s House
Visit San Tadeo Birding in the morning, with lunch planned at Séptimo Paraíso. Continue to Birdwatcher’s House’s second photography site and Milpe during the afternoon.
The day offers hummingbirds and Chocó bird specialties. Possible targets include Club-winged Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, umbrellabird and Chocó Toucan, according to local activity.
- Overnight
- Mindo area · lodge confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12Pedro Vicente, Frutti Tour & Sachatamia
Travel to the Pedro Vicente area for a morning at Frutti Tour Birding. Work at a lower elevation for a different selection of tanagers, hummingbirds and woodpeckers.
After lunch at the hotel, spend the afternoon photographing at Sachatamia before returning for dinner.
- Overnight
- Mindo area · lodge confirmed in your quotation
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13Refugio Paz de las Aves & return to Quito
Check out after an early breakfast and visit Refugio Paz de las Aves for antpittas, hummingbirds and other forest birds. Continue toward Quito with a further birding stop if conditions allow, and lunch in the Mitad del Mundo area before reaching the airport hotel.
Possible species: Moustached Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Velvet-purple Coronet and Golden-headed Quetzal.
- Overnight
- Hotel near Quito International Airport · to be confirmed
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14Departure from Quito
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your organized transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) for your international flight or onward journey. Share your flight details in advance so we can coordinate the departure transfer.
- Overnight
- None on departure day
- Meals included
- Breakfast
Know what to expect
What your expedition covers.
Your final quotation will confirm the number of days, accommodation, room arrangements and services selected for your group.
Proposed inclusions
- 13 tour nights on Days 1–13, in shared double or twin accommodation unless otherwise arranged. Single rooms are available by quotation.
- Trip leadership by Freddy Madrigal, Certified International Tour Manager and birding photographer, or a designated expert trip leader.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 1–13, plus breakfast on Day 14.
- Private ground transportation throughout the mainland itinerary and the scheduled departure transfer to UIO.
- Entrance fees for the photography activities, reserves and national parks in the confirmed program.
- One bottle of drinking water per participant per day.
Items to budget separately
- International airfare to and from Ecuador, and any separately arranged onward or extension flights.
- The arrival night before Day 1, its meals, and extra accommodation after the tour.
- Any single-room supplement, travel insurance and personal expenses.
- Meals and drinks outside the program, including alcoholic beverages and soft drinks beyond the included drinking water.
- Gratuities for lodge staff, guides, drivers and the trip leader.
- Entry documentation costs and photography activities outside the confirmed itinerary.
- A Galápagos extension, which is available upon request and quoted separately.
Photography & field preparation
Warm foothills.
Cool forests. High Andes.
The suggested activity level is moderate. Most photography is from hides, platforms or close to the vehicle, with occasional walks of up to about one mile on potentially muddy or uneven paths.
The Antisana portion reaches approximately 4,000 meters. Tell us about your preferred pace and any mobility or altitude concerns during planning so we can assess the route together.
Bring camera rain protection, suitable footwear, warm layers for highland mornings, lighter clothing for humid areas, spare batteries and memory cards. Keep essential personal medication with you, particularly at remote lodges.
Your leader will help you make the most of each location, from selecting clean hummingbird backgrounds to working with the changing light in the cloud forest.
Recommended dates · March through August
Your group. Your time.
Your personalized quotation.
Tell us how many people will travel and how many days you have. We will shape the route and confirm your price.
- Price per person
- Personalized · TBC upon confirmation of group size and the number of days, in double occupancy unless otherwise arranged.
- Single-room supplement
- TBC if a private room is requested.
- Suggested group
- 6–8 participants, with the final group size and arrangements confirmed in your proposal.
- Deposit
- US$1,500 per person after acceptance of the itinerary, quotation and travel dates.
- Remaining balance
- Due 60 days before the expedition begins, as stated in your booking confirmation.
- Galápagos extension
- Available upon request as a separately planned and quoted extension.
- Scheduled mixed-group tours
- Departure dates and prices will be announced as each Ecuador tour is scheduled.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Unless different terms are specified in your confirmed quotation, the following refunds apply according to when cancellation is received before the expedition begins. Percentages are calculated on the amount paid.
| Before departure | Refund of amount paid |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | 100% less a 15% administration fee |
| 60–89 days | 75% |
| 30–59 days | 50% |
| 29 days or fewer | No refund |
Individual hotel cancellation policies also apply. The full terms for your selected hotels and services will be set out in your quotation before booking.
Travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical emergencies is strongly recommended.
Your expedition team
Experience in the field.
Attention to your photographs.
Freddy Madrigal brings 38 years of experience in birding, wildlife photography and expedition planning. A Certified International Tour Manager, he designs each journey around productive field time and personal attention.
Your expedition will be led by Freddy or a designated expert trip leader. Our team is personally trained by Freddy to uphold his standards of preparation, service and commitment to each traveler.
Meet our expedition teamLet’s plan your next experience
Tell us what you hope to discover.
Tell Freddy your Ecuador travel dates, target birds, group size and number of days. We will help personalize the route and prepare your quotation.