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This was a very well-planned and executed trip. We visited an good range of locations with differing altitudes and aspects, offering opportunities to see and photograph a very wide range of species. Many of these locations were well set-up for photography, both from the provision of feeders and perches, but also usually offering somewhere sheltered from which to photograph.
I. S. & P. S, Hertfordshire, Nov '25
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Ecuador: A Wildlife Photography Tour
Tour Code: ECU19A 10-day wildlife photography tour to the spectacularly biodiverse subtropical cloudforests of Ecuador.
10 days
from
£5,795
£5,795
Land only price
from
£4,895
£4,895
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Ecuador is a wildlife photographer’s utopia, a place where vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and morphological marvels converge to create a kaleidoscope of opportunity for the keen photographer. Ecuador boasts more bird species per square kilometre than any other country on Earth. An exciting catalogue of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and flora can also be found amongst photogenic moss- and epiphyte-endowed habitats. On this 10-day holiday we’ll join an Ecuadorian photography tour leader to guide us around his home-country’s finest opportunities for wildlife photography including feeders, blinds, hides, and snow-capped volcano-dotted landscapes.
- Discover hummingbird photography with use of multi-flash equipment included
- A network of local knowledge to provide up-to-date information on the best feeder activity at the time of your visit
- Superlative Neotropical birding. Tanagers and hummingbirds galore!
- Wonderful cloudforest and mountain scenery
- High altitude birds at Papallacta include Seedsnipe and Andean Condor
- Extend your holiday with a visit to the Galapagos Islands or the Amazon
Arriving in Quito, we can quickly settle into our first accommodation, just a 30-minute drive from the airport this hand-chosen hotel will already offer fantastic photographic opportunities. In the gardens, designed with photography in mind, we will find such delights as Scrub, Blue-grey and Blue-and-yellow Tanagers, Sparkling Violetear, Vermilion Flycatcher, Black-tailed Trainbearer and over 30 other species alongside a gallery of flowers.
The itinerary continues into the iconic cloudforest on the east slopes of Ecuador’s Andes for a 3-night stay. The route itself is planned to provide spectacular landscape photography opportunities and we will spend time in the foothills surrounding the enormous Antisana Volcano. We may even be lucky enough to have Giant Hummingbird, Carunculated Caracara or Andean Condor cut our frames!
Arriving in the enchanting montane cloudforests, we’ll enjoy Ecuador’s diminutive and diverse jewels: the hummingbirds. With effervescent energy fuelled by nectar, we’ll utilise specialist equipment providing participants the opportunity to capture stunning images using a multi-flash system compatible with Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras. Sword-billed Hummingbird, White-bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet-bellied, Lacrimose, Buff-breasted and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers are just some of the approximately 200 species of birds to be seen and photographed in this region.
The next part of the itinerary takes us to Mindo, which is a magnificent place to birdwatch. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded within the valley and and just a few of the tantalising possibilities are Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager; Golden, Black-capped and Summer Tanagers; Velvet-purple Coronet; Brown Inca; Violet-tailed Sylph and the spectacular Empress Brilliant. The endless list continues with Crimson-mantled and Powerful Woodpeckers, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Toucan Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Red-billed Parrot, Scaly-naped Amazon, Slate-throated Whitestart, Western Hemispingus, Beautiful Jay and many more!
Among the most striking of Ecuador's inhabitants is the resplendent Andean Cock-of-the-rock, a master of ceremonies in the rainforest theatre. The male’s fiery orange plumage, contrasted by jet-black wings and tail feathers performs flamboyant displays to attract the attention of the females and deter any potential rivals. On our final full day of this opportunity-packed itinerary we will enjoy an audience with this most special species in the renowned Paz de las Aves.
The diversity of avifauna in this South American paradise is simply staggering and this special itinerary provides chance to study and photograph some of the country’s most exciting and exquisite species across a fascinating range of biotopes.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Quito
Day 2/4
Mindo
Day 5
Quito
Day 6
Guango
Day 7/8
Oriente
Day 9/10
Depart Quito on inbound flights
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Four characterful birding lodges and a comfortable Quito hotel with birding garden on Day 1 and 5.
- Food:
All meals are included, except for evening meals in Quito (£30 should be more than enough for these).
Reviews
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The holiday extension into the Amazon was amazing. Excellent guide Pancho, could not have been better, very knowledgeable and helpful.
M. B, Staffordshire, Nov '25
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 19th Nov – Sat 28th Nov
4
£5,795
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Francisco Munoz
Tour Leader: Francisco Munoz
Francisco is an Ecuadorian photography and wildlife guide and has lived in his home country his entire life. Having completed photography and drone piloting courses in both the US and Ecuador, his experience as a guide and photographer already spans several South American countries including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Chile.
Francisco's greatest passion is to capture the importance of threatened species and their conservation, promoting love towards wildlife and aiding the fight against species extinction and habitat loss. He is constantly exploring new expedition opportunities for photographing wildlife and looks forward to helping Naturetrek clients with their photography projects.
Sat 5th Dec – Mon 14th Dec
6
£5,795
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Francisco Munoz
Tour Leader: Francisco Munoz
Francisco is an Ecuadorian photography and wildlife guide and has lived in his home country his entire life. Having completed photography and drone piloting courses in both the US and Ecuador, his experience as a guide and photographer already spans several South American countries including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Chile.
Francisco's greatest passion is to capture the importance of threatened species and their conservation, promoting love towards wildlife and aiding the fight against species extinction and habitat loss. He is constantly exploring new expedition opportunities for photographing wildlife and looks forward to helping Naturetrek clients with their photography projects.
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 5th Dec – Tue 14th Dec
6
£5,795
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,895
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Francisco Munoz
Tour Leader: Francisco Munoz
Francisco is an Ecuadorian photography and wildlife guide and has lived in his home country his entire life. Having completed photography and drone piloting courses in both the US and Ecuador, his experience as a guide and photographer already spans several South American countries including Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Chile.
Francisco's greatest passion is to capture the importance of threatened species and their conservation, promoting love towards wildlife and aiding the fight against species extinction and habitat loss. He is constantly exploring new expedition opportunities for photographing wildlife and looks forward to helping Naturetrek clients with their photography projects.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
