Ecuador: A Wildlife Photography Tour

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.