Birding Photo Hotspots: 10 Days in Ecuador’s Andean Slopes

Private Transfer in to our Birding Lodge, Hacienda Jimenita, located 15 minutes from the airport. No meals included.

Morning birding at Penas Blancas Birding Road near Papallacta Pass, a special location for High Andean Species and Hummingbirds. Other specialties like the elusive Spectacled Bear can be observed. In the afternoon visit Jimenita Reserve to explore the main feeders and viewing point for local specialities. Rest of the afternoon relax in our natural paradise.

Targets: Black-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Western Emerald, Saffron Finch, Vermillion Flycatcher, Hooded Siskin, White-bellied Woodstar, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Harris Hawk, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Purple-backed Thornbill, Giant Conebill, Tawny Antpitta and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Welcome Dinner

Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Suite with chimney

Pick up from our lodge at 5:30 am and drive towards the Upper Andean Valleys near Antisana Volcano. The Antisana Condor Observatory is the most impressive Andean Mount near Quito and Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor. Upon arrival to the reserve we will observe the Condors from our Tower and other Hawks, Flowerpiercers, and Hummingbirds with an splendid view to the Waterfall. Continue to Antisana National Park making strategic stops to observe different bird species. We will have lunch viewing Secas Lagoon. After lunch, return to our Lodge surrounded with nature and birding reserve.

Targets: Andean Condor, Shining Sunbeam, Red-Crested Cotinga, Spectacled Redstart, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Caranculated Cara-Cara, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Variable Hawk, Black Flowerpiercer, Andean Ibis, Andean Lapwing, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Giant Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Andean Duck and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Suite with chimney

Early pick up at 530am from our lodge. Drive towards Zuro Loma Reserve located in the Pichincha Foothills. We will visit the Antpitta Hides and Sword-billed Hummingbird in Zuro Loma Feeders. Continue birding in Old-Nono Mindo Road towards Tandayapa Valley and lunch at Alambi Hummingbird Paradise. Late afternoon arrival to our lodge in Upper Tandayapa Valley and possible Plate-billed Mountain Toucans at the feeders.

Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Blue-backed Conebill, Burrowing Owl, White-throated Screech Owl, Cloud-Forest Pigmy Owl, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guaycapi Lodge, Double Room with Balcony

Early morning pick up around 530am to visit the Refugio Paz de las Aves Andean Cock of the Rock Lek and photography hides of Antpittas, Tanagers, Toucan-Barbets, Quails, Hawks, and other exotic choco endemic bird species. Continue for Lunch in our Lodge and afternoon explore the Choco Toucan Hides. Afternoon visit La Victoria Cock of the Rock Photo Hide for better light and photos of this specie. Return to our lodge.

Targets: Andean Cock of the Rock, Masked Trogon, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-Purple Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, Golden Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Sunbittern, Beryl-spangled Tanager and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guaycapi Lodge, Double Room with Balcony

Early start at 5:00 am for a full-day birding adventure at Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, one of the world’s premier hotspots for biodiversity. This reserve protects one of the last remaining foothill forests seamlessly connected to the lower subtropical western forests of Ecuador, making it an essential destination for birders seeking Chocó endemics. After lunch continue to Sachaguatusa Feeders for colorful Tanagers of the lowlands. In the afternoon return to Quito.

Targets: Glistening-green tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rose-faced Parrot, Spinetails, Chlorophonias, Rufous- throated Tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Oil Birds and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

Pick up at 7:00 am for the East Slope Cloud Forest, passing through dry valleys, agricultural lands, and native polylepis forests before ascending into the high páramo, where we may spot a Spectacled Bear. At Papallacta Pass, a key transition zone, we’ll search for mixed flocks and high-altitude hummingbirds if the weather permits. Continuing to Guango Reserve, we’ll explore temperate forest trails and possible Torrent Duck and Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan. After lunch continue to San Isidro Reserve. Possible Night Owl Observation and Mountain Tapir. 

Targets: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Mountain Cacique, Inca Jay, Torrent Duck, Turquoise Jay and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Rio Quijos Lodge, Double Room

Early morning transfer to Cotundo Valley towards the Upper Amazon Basin to observe new species at Ayahuayco Birding Reserve of Hummingbirds, Jacamars, Antpittas, Rails and Toucans. Around noon return to Cosanga Valley for lunch at Quetzal Feeders. Opportunity to observe several species of hummers, owls and quetzals. Continue to San Isidro Reserve, a special place surrounded by lush cloud forest and vibrant mixed-species flocks. Night Owl Observation and possible Mountain Tapir.

Targets: Andean Motmot, White-lored Antpitta, Spangled Coquette, Montane and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-billed Peppershrike, Inca Jay, Subtropical Cacique, White-bellied Antpitta, Long-tailed Antbirds, Plain-tailed Wrens and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Andean Potoo and Black-banded Owl.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Cabanas San Isidro Lodge, Double Room

Morning birding at the Moth Feeders and White-bellied Antpitta Feeder. San Isidro Reserve is nestled in the heart of Ecuador’s lush cloud forest, offering exceptional birding opportunities. The reserve’s diverse habitats, from moss-covered forests to high-altitude ridges, attract vibrant mixed-species flocks. Continue to Concierto de Aves Feeders for possible Andean Motmot and Blue-throated Hillstar. Return to our Jimenita Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Targets: Southern Emerald Toucanet, Yellow-throated Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike, Masked Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, White-tailed Antpitta, Azara’s Spinetail, Inca Jay, Spotted Barbtail, Speckled-faced Parrot and others.

Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, Double Room

24/7 Transfer out to Quito Airport after breakfast. End of Services or request an EXTENSION to Galapagos Islands either Galapagos Cruises or Galapagos Island Hopping.