Tailored bird photography tours
We organize bird photography trips in Mindo and the Andean Chocó for small groups of up to 8 photographers. Every trip is built around specialized hides and feeders that attract hummingbirds, tanagers and other emblematic birds, with natural perches and clean backgrounds for professional-quality images.
For amateurs and professionals
Mindo is considered one of the top birding destinations in Ecuador. With the guidance of expert birding professionals, your group photographs a wide variety of species in the best conditions, with access to hides, hummingbird feeders and private reserves in the Andean Chocó that are ideal for capturing iconic species in their natural habitat.
We take care of the complete logistics: expert birding guides, a minivan with a support vehicle and a schedule designed around sunrise and sunset, so your group can focus on the pictures.
Hide and shoot
Who it is for
A private program for your group, with the number of days, the reserves and the pace you choose, and rooms at our lodge between sessions.
Bring your students and teach; we handle the hides, feeders, transport, guides, meals and accommodation, and adapt the schedule to your workshop.
Send your target list. We plan the days around the species, the set-ups and the light you need, and we tell you honestly what is realistic in your dates.
Not everyone in your group shoots? Birders, partners and friends can join the same trip with their own guide on our birdwatching tours or our Mindo Cloud Forest programs.
A typical day
Our lodge has a simple hummingbird feeder in the garden, nice for a relaxed moment, but every photography day is spent out at the feeders, hides and private reserves of the Chocó Andino.
Prefer to join a group? · Scheduled departure 2027
12 days from Quito, easy pace, maximum 6 photographers. US$3,600 per person sharing a double room, single supplement US$720.
Photographed around Mindo and Ecuador by David Brito
Our guides
Julia PatiñoBirding guide
Nelson ApoloBirding guide
Natalia EscobarBirding guide
Anthony DíazBirding guide
Antony DuránBirding guide
David LaraBirding guideWhat our guests say
“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…
Questions
Up to 8 photographers per group, so everyone has space at the hides and feeders. Larger groups can be split into two teams with their own guide and vehicle.
Yes. Partners and friends can bird with their own guide or enjoy Mindo’s waterfalls, chocolate and butterfly farms while the group photographs. Adding a Galápagos cruise? Compare cruises: every cruise booked with us includes complimentary nights at our lodge.
A 400–600 mm telephoto or a 100–400 mm zoom, a tripod or monopod, rain covers, and spare batteries and cards. The support vehicle carries the heavy gear between locations.
The best hides and private reserves have limited space, so we recommend contacting us as early as possible, especially for groups.
Pay a 20% deposit to book; the remaining 80% is paid on arrival at Las Terrazas de Dana. Full conditions in our terms.
Dates, number of photographers and target species: we will send you a tailored program with hides, feeders, guides and accommodation.
Or write to us at [email protected]
