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)
Choco Andino de Pichincha Reserves
Antisana Ecological Reserve
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
- Tips
- Extra beverages
- Travel and health insurance
Include
- Accommodation in Las Terrazas de Dana Lodge
- All meals described in the tours
- English speaking licensed Birding guide from day 2 untill day 7
- All entrance tickets
- All transportation
- Water refill, coffee, tea
- Laundry Service INCLUDED
ITINERARY
– DAY 1 – Hummingbirds Garden in Mindo (Optional: Yanacocha Reserve)
* Optional tour start with Yanacocha Reserve
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
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
* Santa Rosa Feeder is probably the best location in the Choco Andino to take photos. We will use our MULTI-FLASH SYSTEM in this location. Photo by Vinicio Perez.
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.
