Bird photography in Ecuador
First-class, highly personalized private bird photography tours in Mindo and all of Ecuador. Hummingbird feeders with natural flowers, banana feeders with clean backgrounds, hides in private reserves, with guides who know where the light falls, all from our own lodge in the Chocó Andino.
Which explorer level defines you best?
3 days to 2 weeks, or tailor-made
Based at our lodge, two hours from Quito’s airport. Every program is private and can be adapted to your group, your lenses and your target species.
3 days
A short, intense photo trip to the best feeders and hides around Mindo.
From US$1,100 per person
4 days
Mindo’s hummingbird gardens plus the high-altitude feeders of the Andes.
From US$1,400 per person
5 days
Banana feeders, hides and lekking birds across the Chocó Andino.
From US$1,800 per person
6 days
More time at the best set-ups, including the Cock-of-the-rock lek.
From US$2,100 per person
7 days
Our most complete photo week, with Antisana and the Andean Condor.
From US$2,550 per person
12 days
Both slopes of the Andes, from cloud forest feeders to the Amazon foothills.
From US$4,600 per person
14 days
The endemic-rich south for photographers with a target list.
From US$4,650 per person
Custom
Your dates, your group and your desired species, with hides and feeders booked for you.
From US$700 per person
Hide and shoot!
We organize bird photography in Mindo and the Chocó Andino for small groups of up to 8 photographers, designed around specialized hides and feeders that attract hummingbirds, tanagers and other emblematic species, with natural perches and clean backgrounds.
Scheduled group departure 2027 · Max. 6 photographers
Ecuador has one of the highest bird diversities per square kilometer on Earth and some of the best birding infrastructure in South America: short drives, excellent lodges, hummingbird feeders with natural flowers, banana feeders with clean backgrounds for toucans, trogons, woodpeckers, tanagers and the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and hides in private reserves. It is fast becoming the top bird photography destination in South America, and this small-group tour is designed around its best set-ups.
US$4,200 per person
Sharing a double room · Single supplement US$840 · Dates: 2027
| Length | 12 days |
|---|---|
| Start / end | Quito |
| Pace | Easy |
| Physical difficulty | Easy |
| Focus | Bird photography |
| Max. group size | 6 photographers |
Target species include: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Andean Condor, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Chocó Toucan, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Glistening-green Tanager, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Paradise Tanager, Golden-headed Quetzal, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Toucan Barbet, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Green Jay, Gorgeted Woodstar, Booted Racket-tail, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, Carunculated Caracara, Flame-faced Tanager, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Red-headed Barbet, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Brown Violetear, Wire-crested Thorntail, Barred Fruiteater, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Blue-gray Tanager, Torrent Duck and Yellow-throated Toucan.
We are the owners of Las Terrazas de Dana
Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa is one of the top-rated lodges in Mindo on Tripadvisor and Booking.com, with hummingbirds and tanagers around the gardens from first light. Our programs combine the best photography with deluxe accommodation and personal service, and we can build a custom Mindo Cloud Forest program for your group. Read our Tripadvisor reviews or learn more about us.
Our unbeatable reservation policy. Pay a 20% deposit to book a photography tour in the Andean Chocó; the remaining 80% is paid on arrival at Las Terrazas de Dana. No need to tie up your money 60 days in advance. Full conditions in our terms.
Photographed around Mindo and Ecuador by David Brito
Our bird photography professional guides
Julia PatiñoBirding guide
Nelson ApoloBirding guide
Natalia EscobarBirding guide
Anthony DíazBirding guide
Antony DuránBirding guide
David LaraBirding guideWhat our clients say about us
“Special thanks to Julia for her phenomenal guiding and viewing of so many incredible species that only a local guide would know.”
cyclegirl · Tripadvisor
We have just returned from a 6 night stay at Las Terrazas de Dana and every accolade that is bestowed on them is so deserved !!! The beautiful immaculate room with incredible views, the balcony that puts you one with nature, the staff – caring, helpful and attentive to the max, delicious food (thank you Alejandro) and of course the superb owners David and Ana who are 'hands on 'in every way. As avid birdwatchers, this is our second trip to the area and we truly vouch for the superiority of this establishment. If you are thinking of coming to Ecuador, do not leave Mindo off your list, book at Las Terrazas de Dana and let David plan your perfect stay! David has the best connections to superb established guides and is up on all the best suggestions for your ideal holiday !!! Also, David is a fantastic communicator, all emails were answered promptly as I worked to put a perfect package together for us. Special thanks to Julia for her phenomenal guiding and viewing of so many incredible species that only a local guide would know and to Franklin for his perfect driving! Being with you both was a highlight and we have had many guides over the years of birding !!! The Mindo area offers an array of activities for many different tastes and you will love your stay at this caring beautiful property and will be planning your return !!!
“We mainly came here to see the birds and enjoy the local sights. Beautiful, surrounded by cloud forests and tons of colorful birds.”
Nisarga M · Tripadvisor
My husband and I stayed here for 2 nights on our travel to Ecuador this summer. We mainly came here to see the birds & enjoy the local sights. From the beginning David was excellent in correspondence and he sent a nice driver to pick us up and drop us back to Quito. We even stopped at Mitad del Mundo on the way back. Coming to the hotel itself: it was unbelievable. Beautiful, surrounded by cloud forests and tons of colorful birds in the vicinity. Anna gave us directions to all the spots we could see and arranged all the tours for us. We did a night walk, chocolate tour, bird walking tour and a waterfall hike and we were quite pleased. We went to the town every day we were there, and we would try to walk but Anna or David would be happy to drop us off if they were on their way. Mindo town is really cute and has good restaurants. We tried an italian & arabian spot, they were really good. Breakfast was included in the package and it was the best. I could eat the granola and fresh strawberry yogurt with fruits all day of my life. Overall I would not think twice before booking this place again. I am already planning my next trip 😉
“It was especially nice that the hotel provides thermoses full of your chosen beverage plus some basic breakfast the night before.”
VRS0101 · Tripadvisor
This family-run hotel is a gem right outside Mindo. The cabins are great — well kept and clean and each room's verandah has a wonderful view. Both David and Ana provided wonderful service and a friendly welcome. David was very helpful over email with helping us make decisions about what to do during our stay in Mindo and booking birding guides that are kid-friendly. Ana was wonderful during our stay — helping with suggestions and even driving us into town when she could. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the center of town and is an easy walk but we mostly took taxis to/from town since they were cheap and we were only staying for a couple of days. Since we went birding two of the days we were there (which meant getting up very early in the morning), it was especially nice that the hotel provides thermoses full of your chosen beverage plus some basic breakfast the night before to get you going, and then provides a full breakfast when you come back — whether that is at 10am or noon.
“We could watch toucans in the trees from our porch and the hummingbird feeders are constantly filled with amazing birds.”
Christopher G · Tripadvisor
We stayed here as a family of three adult couples so each couple had its own bungalow and this worked out perfectly for us. David and Ana were warm and friendly and extremely easy to deal with before and during our three day stay. The hotel is spotless, the rooms had everything we could possibly need, the food excellent and there is great attention to detail which made our stay effortless. We could watch toucans in the trees from our porch and the hummingbird feeders are constantly filled with amazing birds and Ana arranged for us to have a bird-watching tour as well as zip line experience and in-room massages. They arranged transport for us to and from Quito which I recommend doing. It is a little ways away from the bustle of Mindo center but it was very inexpensive to take a taxi to town. This made our experience even better since it was quiet and rooms have great views of the surrounding nature. We had the best of both worlds there.
“If you want to experience excellent customer service, an exquisite and beautifully natural location, don’t miss this place.”
ljc707 · Tripadvisor
Stayed here for one night only, as a treat at the end of a very fast and busy trip to Ecuador to visit my daughter. I have to say – if you want to experience excellent customer service, an exquisite and beautifully natural location, outstanding food and wonderful relaxation, don’t miss this place. We didn’t have time to do any birding but a hike at the waterfalls (via the tarabita) and some zip lining let us experience enough of Mindo to see that it’s a very special place to visit. Ana, one of the owners, is so charming and hardworking – she clearly knows how to make a place like this work and the attention to detail was fabulous. Nothing was too much bother and all the staff displayed a similar attitude – clearly very well trained. Particular mention must be made about the trout in garlic sauce, grilled shrimps and passion fruit juice. Also the fruit, yoghurt and granola! All were delicious and served on our balcony while we watched the butterflies and humming birds flutter about – what a special experience. (There isn’t a huge menu if you were staying for several nights but I’d much rather have a few dishes done really well than a wide range of average food.) Thank-you Ana for a wonderful stay and for arranging super safe taxis for our onward journey. My guess is that it will be very hard to get…
Help me find
Choose your type of photography and the time you have. If nothing fits, tell us and we design it with you.
Book your Galápagos cruise with us and your nights in Mindo Cloud Forest are complimentary, with meals and private transfers from Quito. The islands are a dream for photographers: fearless wildlife, endemic birds and seabird colonies.
Bird photography in Ecuador
Ecuador has one of the highest densities of bird species in the world and probably the best birding options in South America. Distances are short, the lodges are excellent, and a network of reserves has built hummingbird feeders, banana stations and hides designed with photographers in mind.
The best set-ups place natural flowers next to the feeders, so you can photograph hummingbirds such as the Velvet-purple Coronet, the Booted Racket-tail or the Sword-billed Hummingbird on a real flower instead of a plastic feeder.
Fruit stations with mossy perches and soft green backgrounds bring toucans, barbets, trogons, woodpeckers, tanagers and the famous Andean Cock-of-the-rock within easy range of a long lens.
Quiet hides at private reserves let you photograph shy forest birds at close range without disturbing them, with local guides who know each bird’s habits.
In the cloud forest the soft, overcast light is a gift for photography. Mornings are the most active; rain usually comes in the afternoon, and the late-afternoon light brings a second peak of activity at the reserve feeders.
Questions
A telephoto in the 400–600 mm range covers most birds; a 100–400 mm zoom is very versatile at the feeders. A tripod or monopod helps in the dim forest, and a rain cover for camera and lens is essential. Bring spare batteries and memory cards: the feeders are busy.
Yes. Feeders and hides make it easy to get great images from the first day, and the guide helps you with positions, light and bird behavior. Professionals can ask for a program built around specific species and set-ups.
Our programs are private. Tailored photo trips are for groups of up to 8 photographers, and the scheduled 2027 departure is limited to 6.
All year round. Around Mindo, June to December is usually a little drier, while January to May brings more afternoon rain and many birds are breeding. Early mornings and late afternoons give the best light and activity in any season.
Yes. Every Galápagos cruise booked with us includes complimentary nights at our lodge in Mindo Cloud Forest. Compare Galápagos cruises.
Tell us your dates, your group and your target species, and we will send you a private itinerary with the best hides and feeders.
Or write to us at [email protected]
