8‑Day Hummingbird & Bird Photography Tour — Western Andes Slope, Ecuador
Ecuador is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, with more than 1,700 recorded bird species despite being about the size of Colorado. This 8‑day tour explores the rich habitats of the Chocó Biogeographic Region on the western slope of the Northern Andes. Your focus will be seeing and photographing a dazzling variety of hummingbirds and other bird species in cloud forests, ecological reserves, and strategic feeder locations.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Quito
Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito, and transfer to your eco‑lodge to check in. Most international flights arrive late in the evening.
Overnight: Quito Lodge.
Day 2 — Quito Eco‑Lodge Hummingbirds
Quito Eco-Lodge
Today we focus on hummingbirds of the high Andes, often called the hummingbird capital of the world. The feeders and gardens here attract more than 40 species of hummingbirds, set against spectacular scenery. After breakfast, we’ll begin photographing around the lodge and nearby trails. Species may include Green‑tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, White‑bellied Woodstar, Black‑tailed Trainbearer, and Purple‑backed Thornbill.
Overnight: Quito Lodge.
Day 3 — Yanacocha & Old Nono‑Mindo Road
Yanacocha and Old Nono-Mindo Road
This impressive ecological reserve, located on the western slope of the Guagua Pichincha Volcano, is home to an extraordinary diversity of high-altitude birds. At 11,400 feet above sea level, more than 21 species of hummingbirds inhabit the area, including the Black-breasted Puffleg. The Black-breasted Puffleg is rare and endangered. Your visit to this preserve helps to support the endeavor to protect this treasured habitat. We will leave early to start our tour of all the feeders where our extraordinary hummingbird photography begins. Species we may encounter today include the Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs,Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Sword-billed hummingbird.
We will take a break for our box lunch at the reserve. Then we’ll continue on down the old Nono-Mindo Road to Delicia Lodge valley, with its remarkable landscapes.
Overnight at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours Ecolodge
Days 4–5 — Tandayapa Cloud Forest Hummingbird Sanctuary
Hummingbird Paradise in the Heart of the Chocó
Nestled within the breathtaking cloud forests of Tandayapa lies one of the world’s most extraordinary hummingbird sanctuaries. With more than 60 recorded species, this lush Andean paradise offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe and photograph some of the most dazzling hummingbirds on Earth.
Just two hours from Quito, this privileged location allows you to step into a world of misty forests, vibrant flowers, and nonstop hummingbird activity. Every corner of the forest pulses with life, creating perfect moments for both birdwatchers and photographers.
During our exclusive experience, you may encounter iconic Chocó endemics and regional specialties such as the elegant Violet-tailed Sylph, the striking Purple-bibbed Whitetip, the brilliant Western Emerald, the tiny yet radiant Purple-throated Woodstar, the spectacular Booted Racket-tail, Collared Inca, Speckled Hummingbird, and many more.
Join Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours for an intimate, carefully curated journey into one of Ecuador’s most magical birding destinations — where every day feels like stepping into a living jewel box.
Overnight at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours Ecolodge
Day 6 — Cloud Forest of Mashpi & Amagusa Reserve
Today we will immerse ourselves in the renowned cloud forest of the Mashpi area, a recently highlighted destination in Ecuador’s northwest. We will visit the impressive Amagusa Reserve, carefully protected by a local family who has called this land home for generations. Thanks to their dedication, logging is strictly limited, helping to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the Chocó Region and the many endemic bird and hummingbird species that thrive here.
Among the remarkable hummingbirds we may encounter are the Tooth-billed hummingbird, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, and Velvet-purple Coronet.
Overnight at Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours Ecolodge
(Watch our hummingbirds videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCcYVZ-H1D0 )
Days 7–8 — Milpe Hummingbird Sanctuaries
Milpe Hummingbird Sanctuaries
These sanctuaries includes several remnants of existing forest in the vicinity of the of town of San Miguel de los Bancos, in the basins of the Pachijal and Tatalá rivers, west of Pichincha, with an elevation of 3300 to 3800 feet in altitude. The area extends to the edge of Esmeraldas. The level of deforestation in the area is high, making the small remnants of forest even more important for the protection of numerous threatened and endemic hummingbird species. These priority conservation areas are supported by several organizations and established reserves: Bosque Protector Milpe-Pachijal, Mindo
Cloudforest Foundation, Milpe Gardens, and San Jorge de Milpe. Tropical and subtropical rainforest and forest edges can be found. This area is well-regarded by ornithologists and bird watchers. We will stay here for two days as we observe even more species of hummingbirds like the Long-billed Starthroat, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Green-crowned Woodnymph, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Green-crowned Brilliant, and White-necked Jacobin. On the last day after lunch you will return by private transfer to your Quito hotel or to the airport in Quito.
One night at Milpe lodge
End Of Itinerary
Trip Information
Length: 8 days — Hummingbird & Bird Photography Tour (plus optional extensions)
Starting City: Quito
Ending City: Quito
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Focus: Hummingbird and Bird Photography
Group Size: Limited to 8 participants
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 all reserves and activities
All meals, plus water during transfers
nternational 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.