mindo forest bird

Ecuador | Choco Andino Bird Photography Tour – 7 days

Areas to Explore

Our Choco Andino Bird Photography tour with main birding spots in Choco Andino de Pichincha & Antisana Ecological Reserve.
Available Yanacocha Reserve​ (optional)

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Choco Andino de Pichincha Reserves

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Antisana Ecological Reserve

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Zuro Loma Reserve or Yanacocha Reserve​ (optional)

Start Tour Location

Quito & airport. Other locations available upon request.

DEPARTURE TIME

10:00am. Estimated time based on pick up location. 6:00am if Yanacocha Reserve visit first day.

NOT INCLUDED

Include

ITINERARY

– DAY 1 – Hummingbirds Garden in Mindo (Optional: Zuro Loma Reserve or Yanacocha Reserve)

* Optional Tour Start

Starting 6:00am from your Quito hotel. Contact us for more information adding this visit since it has a extra cost.​

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1396997
E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L10223666

Key species Yanacocha Reserve:

Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Andean Guan, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager.

Morning

10:00am Pick up at your hotel in Quito or airport area.

Afternoon

1:00pm Arrival to Las Terrazas de Dana Lodge and lunch.

Afternoon

Visit to the Hummingbirds garden in Mindo Cloud Forest

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 2 – Silanche and Milpe Reserves

Key species:

Choco Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-whiskered Puffbird, Black-crowned Antshrike, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Club-winged Manakin, Green Thorntail, White Whiskered Hermit, Geen-Crowned Brilliant, Green-Crowned Woodnymph.

Early morning

Departure to Silanche Reserve. Breakfast box in the Silanche Reserve Tower.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1396974

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to Milpe Reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L493675

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 3 – Paz de las Aves and Alambi Reserve

– Key species: Paz de las Aves

Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Toucan Barbet.

– Key species: Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve

Western Emerald, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Brown Violetear, White-capped Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet, Red-faced Spinetail, Golden-olive Woodpecker

Early morning

Visit to Paz de las Aves Reserve (Located about 1.600m. / 5.250ft.). Breakfast box included and ecuadorian breakfast in the reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L674753

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to Alambi Hummingbirds Feeders in Tandayapa Valley.

E-bird Hotspots: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1019128

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 4 – Mashpi Road, Amagusa Reserve & San Tadeo Feeder

Key species:

Indigo Flowerpiercer, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Black Solitaire, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, White-tipped Sicklebill, Choco Vireo, Choco Parakeet, Glistening-green Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Black-striped Sparrow, Flame-faced Tanager, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Toucan Barbet.

Early morning

Visit to Mashpi Road and Amagusa Reserve (altitude rage is 1700m. to 750m.). Breakfast box in Amagusa Reserve feeders.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3175551

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to San Tadeo Feeder.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4992806

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 5 – Santa Rosa Feeder and Ruta San Lorenzo in Mindo Cloud Forest

Key species:

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Blue-capped Tanager, Hoary Puffleg, Crested Guan, Rose-faced Parrot, Bat Falcon.

Early morning

Departure to Santa Rosa Feeder with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6978567

Afternoon

Lunch and hike along San Lorenzo Road (On the way to Waterfalls sanctuary. Located about 1.400m. / 4.600ft.).

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L792571

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 6 – Umbrellabird reserve (Recinto 23 de Junio)

Key species:

Long-wattled Umbrellabird.

Early morning

Visit to Umbrellabird Reserve – Recinto 23 de Junio with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1741231

Afternoon

Lunch and birding in the higher area of Mindo.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L792571

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 7 – Antisana Ecological Reserve

Key species:

Andean condor, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar.

Early morning

Check-out from Las Terrazas de Dana and visit to Antisana Ecological Reserve with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L683386

Noon.

Lunch and transfer to your desired location.