12-Day Amazon & Northwestern Ecuador Tour with Macro Photography
Explore Ecuador, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, on a 12-day tour covering the Andean highlands, cloud forests, upper tropical forests, and the lower Amazon. Enjoy birdwatching and insect photography, including macro photography, in ecological reserves and around eco-lodges.
This tour is perfect for photographers of all levels, from beginners to experts, offering unforgettable wildlife and nature experiences.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito, or pick-up from any hotel in the Quito area. Travel to Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours Ecolodge in the La Delicia community, Nanegal, where you will get your first glimpse of the tropical cloud forest of Northwestern Ecuador.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours Ecolodge.
Days 2-6
Welcome to the Nanegal area, a little-explored natural universe. One of its most surprisingly diverse attractions is macro photography. Here, we will spend four beautiful days photographing countless amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Thanks to the high level of detail and modern techniques, macro photography has gained increasing popularity in nature photography.
Join us as we capture the wonders that nature offers in the Eastern Nanegal tropical forest and cloud forest.
Some of the fascinating “tiger insects” you may encounter include
Guayaquila xiphias (treehopper) Guayaquila gracilicornis
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours Ecolodge.
Days 7-9
Chocó Insects in the Milpe Area
This tour includes several forest remnants around San Miguel de los Bancos, in the basins of the Pachijal and Tatalá rivers, west of Pichincha and near the border with Esmeraldas. Although deforestation in the area is high, the remaining forest patches are critical for numerous threatened and endemic species, making it a priority conservation area.
The only officially protected area in the region is the Milpe-Pachijal Protective Forest, covering 150 hectares. Here, you will find tropical and subtropical humid forests, providing rich opportunities for insect and biodiversity photography.
It is unclear whether research or conservation projects are ongoing, but the area is
occasionally visited by ornithologists and bird watchers, such as during environmental studies associated with the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP).
We will visit parts of the area at elevations ranging from 1020 to 1150 meters (3,350–3,770 ft). One of the sites is a private reserve located just before San Miguel de los Bancos, at kilometer 91, approximately 700 m from the road. The Milpe area is located along the main road to Los Bancos and covers 62 hectares of primary and secondary forest. The reserve features two well-maintained and clearly marked trails, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the beautiful landscape, hummingbird feeders, and a visitor information center where you can purchase local crafts from the Milpe community. The Milpe Sanctuary is protected by the Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation, representing a significant effort to preserve vulnerable habitats home to unique species.
On Day 9, after lunch, we will cross to the other side of the Andes to reach the lower Amazon. In Ecuador, it is uniquely possible to cross this ecosystem in just four hours, providing an incredible contrast between cloud forest and Amazonian biodiversity.
Overnight at milpe Ecolodge.
Days 10-12
Tena, the capital of Napo Province and its largest city, is located in the north-central Amazon region of Ecuador. Nestled on the external flanks of the eastern Andes, the city is crossed by the Tena and Pano Rivers, at an altitude of 510 meters (1,673 ft) above sea level, and enjoys a tropical rainy climate with an average temperature of 22.7°C (73°F).
Within this region is Anaconda Lodge, where guests can experience authentic Amazon Rainforest adventures with a focus on cultural and environmental conservation. The lodge is located on a magical island between the Napo and Arajuno Rivers, surrounded by primary and secondary jungle.
At Anaconda Lodge, you can enjoy birdwatching, butterfly and insect photography,
including macro photography, while immersing yourself in the richness of the rainforest. Discover why this jungle—often called the “lungs of the planet”—is sacred to the Kichwa people and vital to the health of the world. Our goal is to make your Amazon Rainforest experience truly unforgettable, through authenticity, passion, hospitality, and close contact with the nature and culture you love.
On Day 12, after lunch, we will return to the airport or any hotel in Quito, with an approximate travel time of 3 hours.
Overnight: Anaconda Lodge
End of Itinerary
Trip Information
Length: 12 days BIRD and BUGS PHOTO TOUR plus any pre- and post-tour extensions
Starting city: Quito
Ending city: Quito
Physical difficulty: Moderate
Focus: Bird , bugs Photography
Group size: All groups will be limited to 5 participants.
Experienced Bird Guide: All of our guides have over 20 years of experience as birdwatching and bird , bugs photo guides in Ecuador.
Your guide’s equipment:Binoculars, spotting scope, laser pointer & field-guide
-Specialized English-speaking Naturalist guide
-Private transportation
-All accommodations
-Entrance fees to all the reserves and activities
-All meals plus water on the route
-International airfare
-Alcoholic beverages
-Tips
-Laundry services
All eco-lodges are located in the country’s most important and biologically diverse areas for butterfly and bird watching. They are built with local materials and offer Wi-Fi, hot water, standard double or single rooms, and panoramic views.