Ecuador Bird Photo Tour
DURATION :
LOCATION :
10 days and 9 nights
The Cloudforest Paradise
Tour Information
The Andes of western Ecuador have some of the best and most accessible birding locations in all of South America. The wet forests of Northwest Ecuador support an enormous variety of species found only here and in neighboring Colombia.
Although Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America, it boasts an incredible diversity of habitats which support a wonderful array of wildlife. With a list of more than 1500 species of birds, many of which are shared only with adjacent Columbia or Peru, it is difficult to imagine a more exciting birding destination. This amazing variety, together with an excellent network of national parks and naturalist lodges, ensure a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Ecuador offers a variety of options to our clients in one of the most biodiverse parts of the world.
Join us on a trip of your lifetime and come back with some of the most memorable images you will ever make!
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Airport
You should arrive to and depart from Ecuador’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Our representative will be waiting to provide your private transfer to a family run lodge nearby.
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 – 8 people per group.
Session 1: Mar 2 – Mar 11, 2024 (Sold out)
Session 2: Nov 1 – Nov 10, 2024 (8 Seats available)
Cost (In USD)
(2023) $5000 per person in sharing accommodations $5500 in single supplement.
Tour Motive
Our all-inclusive photography tour in Ecuador will focus on the forested areas that are home to an incredible diversity of Pacific slope birds including Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Toucan Barbet and Black-winged Saltator, Plate-billed mountain toucan and more. The convenient Ecuador birding tour offers photographers abundant opportunites to capture birds on feeders as well in their natural habitat, while experiencing the choco-endemic fauna experience.
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the Andean specialities like the Plate-billed mountain toucan, Masked trogon, Tanager, Crimson rumped Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, Toucan Barbet and more.
- Specialized photography sessions in hides.
- Technical photography experience like Multi-flash Hummingbird photography to capture the stunning Sword-billed hummingbird and more.
- Guided photography with expert guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
INCLUSION/EXCLUSION
- Lodging as specified.
- Meals as specified
- Stainless steel flask for water.
- Private transfers to and from hotels on first and last days.
- Professional driver/photo/nature guide and private transportation in spacious tour bus.
- Guide and Photography Skipper services
- Entrance fees for all described activities.
- Taxes on all services listed above.
- Non-mealtime snacks or meals not included.
- Non-mealtime soft drinks and bottled water.
- Visa fees
- International/personal airfare
- Insurance
- Phone calls
- Laundry
- Tips
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary
- Domestic flight from Campo Grande to Cuiaba and domestic flight from Cuiaba to Sao Paulo
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914 if you’d like to talk first.
Tour Information
The Andes of western Ecuador have some of the best and most accessible birding locations in all of South America. The wet forests of Northwest Ecuador support an enormous variety of species found only here and in neighboring Colombia.
Although Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America, it boasts an incredible diversity of habitats which support a wonderful array of wildlife. With a list of more than 1500 species of birds, many of which are shared only with adjacent Columbia or Peru, it is difficult to imagine a more exciting birding destination. This amazing variety, together with an excellent network of national parks and naturalist lodges, ensure a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Ecuador offers a variety of options to our clients in one of the most biodiverse parts of the world.
Join us on a trip of your lifetime and come back with some of the most memorable images you will ever make!
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Airport
You should arrive to and depart from Ecuador’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Our representative will be waiting to provide your private transfer to a family run lodge nearby.
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 – 8 people per group.
Session 1: Mar 2 – Mar 11, 2024 (Full)
Session 2: Nov 1 – Nov 10, 2024 (8 Seats available)
Tour Motive
Our all-inclusive photography tour in Ecuador will focus on the forested areas that are home to an incredible diversity of Pacific slope birds including Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Toucan Barbet and Black-winged Saltator, Plate-billed mountain toucan and more. The convenient Ecuador birding tour offers photographers abundant opportunites to capture birds on feeders as well in their natural habitat, while experiencing the choco-endemic fauna experience.
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the Andean specialities like the Plate-billed mountain toucan, Masked trogon, Tanager, Crimson rumped Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, Toucan Barbet and more.
- Specialized photography sessions in hides.
- Technical photography experience like Multi-flash Hummingbird photography to capture the stunning Sword-billed hummingbird and more.
- Guided photography with expert guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
Cost (In USD)
(2023) $5000 per person in sharing accommodations $5500 in single supplement.
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
- Meet our representative at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito.
- Transfer to a family-run lodge with sprawling gardens and visiting hummingbirds.
- Overnight at Puembo lodge (meals not included)
Day 2: Cloudforest Marvels
- Early breakfast and travel to a cloudforest town north of Quito
- Private feeder photography session for tanagers and more
- Possibility of photographing Black-capped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Dusky Chlorospinghus, and more
- Afternoon Multi-flash photography for sylphs and coronets
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 3: Antpittas and Cock-of-the-Rock
- Early start for full-day photography at a private reserve.
- Capture elusive antpittas, including Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, and Yellow-breasted Antpittas.
- Visit Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek for natural habitat shots.
- Overnight at eco-lodge.
Day 4: Cloudforest Treasures
- Head to a lush cloud forest lodge with observation towers
- Photograph Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Toucan Barbet, and more
- Afternoon photography session at Milpe area with Club-winged Manakin lek
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 5: Hidden Hides
- Full day at private lodge with specialized hides
- Capture Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Golden Tanager, and more
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 6: Mashpi Amagusa Reserve
- Photograph Glistening-green Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Black-chinned Mountain, and more
- Hummingbird feeders offer chances for Velvet-purple Coronet and Empress Brilliant
- Photograph odd nocturnal bird, Oilbird, on its daytime roost
- Overnight at Puembo lodge
Day 7: Papallacta Exploration
- Travel to Papallacta region, explore lodge with hummingbird feeders
- Multi-flash photography sessions for Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, and more
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 8: Insect Feeder Focus
- Photograph specialized insect feeder for Turquoise Jays and other species
- Continue Multi-flash photography for hummingbirds
- Target local species like Masked Flowerpiercer
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 9: Final Feathers
- Feeder photography of hummingbirds and local birds
- Travel to Quito lodge for departure preparations
- Overnight at Puembo lodge (meals not included)
Day 10: Departure
Transport to airport for international departures.
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
Tour Pace
Moderate. Some light hiking may be involved.
Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on to get to the hide and access the farms with Manakins and Cock of the Rock.
Suggested Equipments
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
Pack a ton of memory cards - Release cable
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo
An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S. Supreet’s work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
- Meet our representative at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito.
- Transfer to a family-run lodge with sprawling gardens and visiting hummingbirds.
- Overnight at Puembo lodge (meals not included)
Day 2: Cloudforest Marvels
- Early breakfast and travel to a cloudforest town north of Quito
- Private feeder photography session for tanagers and more
- Possibility of photographing Black-capped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Dusky Chlorospinghus, and more
- Afternoon Multi-flash photography for sylphs and coronets
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 3: Antpittas and Cock-of-the-Rock
- Early start for full-day photography at a private reserve.
- Capture elusive antpittas, including Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, and Yellow-breasted Antpittas.
- Visit Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek for natural habitat shots.
- Overnight at eco-lodge.
Day 4: Cloudforest Treasures
- Head to a lush cloud forest lodge with observation towers
- Photograph Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Toucan Barbet, and more
- Afternoon photography session at Milpe area with Club-winged Manakin lek
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 5: Hidden Hides
- Full day at private lodge with specialized hides
- Capture Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Golden Tanager, and more
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 6: Mashpi Amagusa Reserve
- Photograph Glistening-green Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Black-chinned Mountain, and more
- Hummingbird feeders offer chances for Velvet-purple Coronet and Empress Brilliant
- Photograph odd nocturnal bird, Oilbird, on its daytime roost
- Overnight at Puembo lodge
Day 7: Papallacta Exploration
- Travel to Papallacta region, explore lodge with hummingbird feeders
- Multi-flash photography sessions for Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, and more
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 8: Insect Feeder Focus
- Photograph specialized insect feeder for Turquoise Jays and other species
- Continue Multi-flash photography for hummingbirds
- Target local species like Masked Flowerpiercer
- Overnight at eco-lodge
Day 9: Final Feathers
- Feeder photography of hummingbirds and local birds
- Travel to Quito lodge for departure preparations
- Overnight at Puembo lodge (meals not included)
Day 10: Departure
Transport to airport for international departures.
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
Tour Pace
Moderate. Some light hiking may be involved.
Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on to get to the hide and access the farms with Manakins and Cock of the Rock.
Suggested Equipments
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
Pack a ton of memory cards - Release cable
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo
An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S. Supreet’s work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Reviews and Score Breakdown
7.0
Post A comment
Registration
- To register for the tour, fill out and submit the form below. A ‘NON-REFUNDABLE’ deposit of USD 1000 per person of the tour cost is required to confirm your spot.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person. Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in TOUR CANCELLATION.
Payment can be completed by credit card/PayPal or bank transfer. If you would like to mail a check, that option is available as well Please read all the Terms & Conditions for cancellation/refund policies and other important information.
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- A ‘non-refundable’ deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person.
- Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914 if you’d like to talk first.
Book Your Tour With Us In 6 Easy Steps
1.Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2.Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
Important Note
2.Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
3.All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
Frequently asked questions
• The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour. If you would like to pay the remaining balance in installments, please let us know.
• All figures in USD per person
• Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
• A deposit is your commitment to joining the workshop. These deposits don’t typically sit in an account, they are used to cover initial expenses for the workshop like hotel reservations, park permits/fees and guided tour deposits. Due to these expenses, deposits are non-refundable and tour payment made is subject to a cancellation fee.
- More than 60 days before the start of the tour: Refund of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $100 convenience fee.
- 60 – 45 days before the start of the tour: Refund of 50% of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $199 convenience fee.
- Less than 45 days before the start of the tour: No refunds will be given, and all payments will be forfeited. Full payment is required no later than 45 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by this date you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 3 business days, your spot will be forfeited and offered to participants on the waiting list.
Alternatively, we can also find a perfect roommate for you based on your gender, age, and interests. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Please note that we calculate the cost of the single supplement by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes).
• Your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
• A wide-angle lens if you are interested in capturing landscapes
• You can also bring your flash with a flash bracket
• Pack a ton of memory cards
• A macro lens is highly recommended
• A sturdy tripod or monopod is required
• Release cables
Other essentials: Good hiking boots, Laptop, memory card readers, bug spray, sunscreen, silica gel sachets to keep your camera dry. Since, it is likely that there might be rain and mosquitoes especially in dense rainforests, so you must pack your rain jacket and a bug jacket.
You can carry medicines that are for common illnesses like colds, cough, fever, diarrhea, altitude sickness, headaches, heartburn or severe acidity and sore throats to name a few. Those who take regular medication for hypertension, blood sugar, allergy, and asthma should carry an adequate supply of medicines.
We tend to travel to remote places, it is best you have your medicines handy. Though most of our trips require moderate stamina, it is best if you are high on energy and stay fit to get the most out of the experience.
Please note that this is a general information, it is recommended that you check with your physician and doctor to determine what medicines you need to carry.
Our team will get back to you with assistance.
