OVERVIEW
Five glorious days to photograph the most spectacular and iconic bird species in Ecuador's imposing Andean valleys, mystical could forests, and, deep-green tropical forests. 
Be prepared to delve into Ecuador's most biologically-diverse bird photo reserves and eco-lodges to photograph the most vivid tanagers, exotic toucans, and, an absurd amount of hummingbird species. We will setup our multi-flash for high-speed hummingbird photography at three unique habitats with distinctive hummingbird species at each place.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
Pick-up from Quito airport or any hotel in Quito area and transfer to San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
DAY 2
Bird Photo Antpitta feeding Station & San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito:
Our journey begins with a hot cup of Ecuadorian coffee in the festive "Cucayo" breakfast room at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. 
After breakfast, we drive for 45 minutes to the first Antipitta feeding Station of the trip. Similar to other antpitta feeding stations, the caretaker of the place will feed worms to up to 3 antpitta species including the Rufous Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, and, the rare, Chestnut-naped Antpitta. After the antpittas, we do hummingbird photography 
of several unique species including the Great Sapphirewing, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Mountain Velvetbreast, Collared Inca, Golden-breasted Puffleg, and, the Sapphire-vented Puffleg. We will also vist the banana bird feeding station for the Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Andean Guan, Masked Flowerpiercer, White-browed Brush-Finch, and with a bit of luck, the, magnificient Golden-crowned Tanager. We return to San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito for lunch.
The Sword-billed Hummingbird at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. © Luis Alcivar
After lunch we walk to do hummingbird photography by our patio. We set-up our first hummingbird multi-flash station. The hummingbird feeders at the lodge are visited by the Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, the bizarre-looking Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and, the tiny White-bellied Woodstar. Optional 0.5 mile trail photography around the lodge to look out for the Tufted Tit-tyrant, Rufous-naped Brush-Finch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and, the Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
DAY 3
Bird Photo San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary:
After breakfast at our Quito lodge we drive for 1 hour to San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary located in the heart of Tandayapa Cloud Forest Reserve. 
Upon arrival, we begin shooting from the 4 observation decks overlooking our prime cloud forest reserve and the bird feeders around the lodge which will provide an incredible amount of birds species. The bird feeders in front of the main patio are visited by multicolored bird species like the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Streak-capped Treehunter, Three-striped Warbler, White-winged Becard, Metallic-green Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Silver-throated Tanagers, and, many, more. Additionally, we will do hummingbird photography as our place is visited by abounding hummingbird species including the iconic Booted Racket-tail and the Violet-tailed Sylph. The banana feeders at this place are also seasonally visited by the iconic Toucan Barbet, and, the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.
The exotic Booted Racket-tails are commonly seen at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. © Luis Alcivar
After lunch at our open-air restaurant overlooking the impressive valley of Tandayapa, we set-up our second hummingbird multi-flash station to get flight shots of the following hummingbirds: Western Emerald, 
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Green-crowned Woodnymph, and, the much sought-after Booted Racket-tail and Violet-tailed Sylph. In the late afternoon, optional 1 mile trail photography to look for the Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Masked Trogon, White-winged Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Ringed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Uniform Antshrike, Russet-crowned Warbler, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Bat Falcon, White-throated Quail-Dove, Golden-headed Quetzal, and, with some luck, the enchanted White-faced Nunbird.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary.
DAY 4
Bird Photo Andean Cock-of-the-rock LEK & Upper Tandayapa Hummingbird Feeders:
Early in the morning, we drive for 35 minutes to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock LEK (LEK: gathering of male birds that engage in competitive display).
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is without-a-doubt the most iconic and stunning bird species of Ecuador, and we'll take you to best location to capture this bird's beauty. Birds in this hide will be displaying and loudly calling at a distance of roughly 50 feet with birds occasionally flying much closer. After this unforgettable show, we'll go back to the lodge to rest and for lunch. After lunch we'll visit a fabulous hummingbird feeding station located in the upper part of the valley. The place is perhaps the best place in Ecuador to photograph two iconic species, the Empress Brilliant and, the Velvet-purple Coronet (also known as seven-colored hummingbird). Optionally, bring a macro lens with you because the hummingbirds at this place allow you to get freaky close!
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa.
We will visit the leading hide to photograph the iconic Andean Cock-of-the-rock © Luis Alcivar
DAY 5
Bird Phot San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Bird Sanctuary:
After breakfast we drive for one hour to our Milpe eco-lodge located in the heart of the endemic Chocoan Corridor. We start the morning with our thirth hummingbird multi-flash station. Our Milpe lodge will have a surprising amount of new species including the Green-crowned Woodnymph, 
White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-necked Jacobin, and, casually, the Long-billed Starthroat and Tooth-billed Hummingbird. After our multiflash session, we will photograph birds visiting the banana feeders including the
Pale-mandibled Aracari, Choco Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Rufous Motmot, Green Honeycreeper, Silver-throated Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Black-winged Saltator, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-crowned Euphonia, Orange-billed Sparrow, and casually, the, rare Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove. After lunch, we will photograph birds from the second and third floor of our observation deck. With the help of our playback, we will summon fantastic bird species including the Broad-billed Motmot, Collared Trogon, White-tailed Trogon, Blue-necked Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and, with some luck the Long-wattled Umbrellabird.
4:00 PM transfer to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe for participants continuing with our 8 DAY TOUR.
TO CONTINUE WITH OUR 8 DAY TOUR CLICK HERE!
END OF ITINERARY
Read more about this lodge
Read more about this lodge
