CONTINUATION of OUR 14-DAY TOUR:
14‑Day East Slope Bird Photo Tour – Ecuador
Ecuador’s eastern slope and Amazon foothills host some of the most biodiverse birding habitats on Earth. This 14‑day bird photography tour takes you through high‑elevation cloud forests, humid montane forests, lush Amazon foothills, and spectacular birding hotspots, offering outstanding photo opportunities for both beginners and experienced photographers.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 9 – Papallacta Pass & Upper Amazon Birds
Bird Photography at Papallacta Pass and Papallacta Village
Now we will embark on a journey to a new environment, the upper Amazon basin. After breakfast we will drive to the famous Papallacta Pass to seek Ecuador’s amazing hummingbird species, the Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. Traveling by vehicle allows us the flexibility to explore several territorries where males tend to respond actively to audio playback. We will also look for the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-chinned Thistletail, Many-striped Canastero, Viridian Metaltail, Giant Conebill, Páramo Seedeater, Bar-winged Cinclodes, Buff-
breasted Mountain-Tanager, and Blue-mantled Thornbill. Once we have explored the higher elevation, we will drive directly to the beautiful valley of Papallacta, where more surprising and colorful birds await us. In Papallacta village, we will explore the area in and around the river for the Torrent Tyrannulet, Cinammon Flycatcher, White-capped Dipper, Red-Hooded Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquise Jay, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, and the Mountain Cacique.
Overnight at Quijos ecolodge.
Days 10–13 – Quijos Area & Cloud Forest Birding
Bird Photography at Quijos Area and Cloud forest
Welcome to the Quijos area, where we will enjoy photographing incredible birds for the next four days. On the first day around our ecolodge, we will have the opportunity to photograph the surprising Torrent Duck. As it dives and swims below the surface of the river and stands on rocks mid-stream to feed, the torrent duck may provide you with never-before photo opportunities. Also here, we hope to encounter the Squirrel Cuckoo, Green Jay (Inca Jay), Andean Solitaire, Swainson’s Thrush, Black-billed Thrush, Russet-backed Oropendola, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Flame-face Tanager, Mountane Foliage-gleaner, Long-tailed Tapaculo, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, and Sunbittern. Hummingbird photography is especially bountiful here with the Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, Booted Racket-tail, White-tailed Hillstar, Violet-fronted Brilliant and many more hummingbirds to be found in this area. We will also use
flowers to attract the hummingbirds for close-up photos. On our second day in the Quijos area, we will ride to the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock viewing site. We will get up very early (5:30am) to go to the lek of the roosters. The lek is a strategic meeting site where the male birds participate in competitive exhibitions. We will enjoy a nice box breakfast in the dense high forest and spend a half-day of immersive bird photography here. Birds to watch: Speckle-Faced Parrot, Crimson-Mantled Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Azara´s Spinetail, Striped Treehunter, Olive-backed Woodcreeper, and Bicolored Antvireo. Booted Racket-Tail (East Slope) We will have lunch today at the restaurant at Rio Quijos Ecolodge. In the afternoon, the birds we will find around the lodge will be the Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Andean Motmot, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Long-tailed Tapaculo, Torrent Tyrannulet, Streak-necked Flycatcher, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Variegated Bristle-Tyrant, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Smoke-colored Pewee, Black Phoebe (White-winged), Red-breasted Meadowlark (Red Breasted Blackbird), Russet-Backed Oropendola, Slaty Brush-Finch, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Barred Becard, White-winged Becard, Brown-capped Vireo, Green Jay (Inca Jay), Blue- and-white Swallow, House Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, and Black-billed Thrush. As we continue photographing the birds of the immense cloudforest, we encounter further species like the Montane Woodcreeper, Montane Foliage-gleaner, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Sulfur-bellied Tyrannulet, Masked Trogon, Golden-Headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal, Cinammon Flycatcher, White-capped Dipper, Red-Hooded Tanager, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, and Torrent Tyrannulet. We will also photograph hummingbirds at a feeding station, where we can see new species like the Collared Inca and the Chestnut-Breasted Coronet.
Overnights: Quijos Ecolodge on Days 10–13.
Day 14 – Toucan Feeders & Return to Quito
Bird Photography at Toucan Fedeers
On the final day we depart Quijos and stop to photograph toucan feeders. Target species include Andean Guan, Gray‑breasted Mountain‑Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet‑bellied Mountain‑Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain‑Tanager, Buff‑breasted Mountain‑Tanager, Hooded Mountain‑Tanager, Gray‑hooded Bush‑Tanager, Black‑headed Hemispingus, Black‑capped Hemispingus, Black‑eared Hemispingus, Slaty Brush‑Finch, Slaty‑backed Chat‑Tyrant, and Mountain Cacique.Hummingbirds may include Tourmaline Sunangel, Glowing Puffleg, Collared Inca, Long‑tailed Sylph, and the iconic Sword‑billed Hummingbird.
We arrive at Quito International Airport or any hotel in the Quito area by approximately 6:00 PM.
IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH OUR 25 DAY TOUR CLICK HERE
End Of Itinerary
Trip Informations
Length: 14 days – Bird Photo Tour, with optional extensions
Starting City: Quito
Ending City: Quito
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Focus: Birding and Bird Photography
Group Size: Limited to 5 participants per group
Experienced Bird Guide
All of our guides have over 20 years of experience as birdwatching and bird photography guides in Ecuador.
Your Guide’s Equipment
Binoculars
Spotting scope
Laser pointer
Field guide
Specialized English‑speaking birding and photography guide
Private transportation
All accommodations
Entrance fees to reserves and activities
All meals, plus water during transfers
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.