Spend three unforgettable days discovering birds and insects in Ecuador’s breathtaking Andean cloud forests and lush tropical lowlands. Explore some of the country’s most biologically diverse reserves and eco-lodges, home to an incredible variety of iconic bird species, colorful hummingbirds, and fascinating bugs. Experience Ecuador’s mega-biodiversity alongside the nation’s leading bird and insect photography guides for an immersive and rewarding nature adventure.

Bird and bugs photography at Anden cloud forest bird’s paradise

5:30 AM Pick-up from Quito airport or any hotel in Quito area. Our trip begins in the Quito forests. Only thirty minutes from Quito, you are already starting to see some fantastic bird species

Targets birds: Rufous-naped Brush finch, Azara’s Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant.  At hummingbird feeders: Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar, and Sword-billed Hummingbird.

After a great morning we continued to the rainforest where our lodge is located in the Nanegal rainforest. Welcome to Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours-Ecolodge in the heart of the Nanegal rainforest.

13:30 – Lunch at our open-air restaurant, offering beautiful views and surrounded by hummingbirds and active bird feeders. After lunch, we will explore one of the community trails to photograph a variety of insects and fascinating tropical forest bugs.

Night targets (with luck): Black-and-white Owl, Mottled Owl and Common Potoo.

Overnight: at Butterfly & Bird Julio Tours Eco-lodge

Bird and bugs Photography at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours Eco-Lodge

We will get up early to watch birds around to Ecolodge before breakfast. Surprising new species include the Green-crowned Woodnymph, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-necked Jacobin, Long-billed Starthroat, Rufous tailed hummingbird, Rufous Motmot, and Blue-necked Tanager, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Choco Toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Black-winged Saltator, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-crowned Euphonia, and Orange-billed Sparrow. 

After breakfast we will go out one of the pre-Inca trails to photograph birds and bugs. Targerts bugs: Samička Acentrella turbida, Ricolla pallidinervis, Cyphonia clavata, Graphocephala fennahi and many more. After lunch we will summon fantastic bird species including the Broad-billed Motmot, Collared Trogon, Bay-headed Tanager, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and Black-cheeked Woodpecker.

After dark, we venture along a community forest trail to discover an incredible variety of insects, frogs, and other nocturnal wildlife, immersed in the magical sounds of the rainforest at night.

Overnight: at Butterfly & Bird Julio Tours Eco-lodge

Cloud Forest Bird Photography & Transfer to Hotel or Airport

Depending on your departure time, we will take an early morning 20-minute drive from the lodge to observe and photograph endemic cloud forest birds. Target species may include Golden-napped Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Glistening-green Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, and many others.

After a brief breakfast, we will return to the lodge to pack and then transfer to your hotel or the airport in Quito.