Photography in the Highlands of Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met at the International Arrival Hall and transferred to Hotel Sheraton in Quito for overnight.

Today begins with an early breakfast and transfer to the Quito Botanical Garden, located in Parque La Carolina. Our goal is take advantage of the optimal morning light in the garden. The garden showcases plants from the country's different ecosystems; of particular note are the two large Orchidariums, housing nearly 2,000 orchids. We will then visit Mercado Iñaquito for a look at the great variety of fruits and vegetables grown in the country, as well as the many natural products used for fiber, oils, resins, and medicine. Return to our hotel for regroup and free time until meeting up again for an early dinner at Quitu; a true culinary treat to celebrate our first full day in Ecuador.

Depart early this morning toward Mindo via the Yanacocha and Quinde Ecoroute. Arrive to Yanacocha, a moss-clad temperate forest and Polylepis woodland on the side of Volcán Pichincha situated at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. This protected area was established to safeguard the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg, a type of hummingbird. Other high-altitude bird species seen here include Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing, and Sword-billed Hummingbird. Enjoy lunch at the reserve and continue through the ecoroute. There will be several stops to look for birds like the Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Beautiful Jay. While driving down to the lower altitudes of the subtropical forest region, be on the lookout for Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and White-winged Brushfinch. Continue to Mindo for check-in, an orientation, and dinner.

Rise before dawn to take advantage of the blind on the property. Following breakfast, depart with a packed breakfast toward Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve, which is the last foothill forest that directly connects to the lower subtropical western forest of Ecuador. Its unique location makes it particularly attractive for birders looking for the highest biodiversity regions with Chocó-endemic birds. The altitude range is 2,450 to 5,600 feet. Chocó endemics that can be seen in the reserve or along the road include Rose-faced Parrot, Orange-fronted Barbet, Toucan Barbet, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Moss-backed Tanager, Choco Vireo, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, and brightly colored passerines like Indigo Flowerpiercer. Enjoy a boxed lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon, return to the lodge for free time with photography opportunities on the property.

Early in the morning, at 7:30 am, depart toward Refugio Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito (12 miles northeast of Mindo). Ángel Paz is the owner of this magical place; he is a resident of the Nanegalito area who decided to protect his property and convert it into a sanctuary for antpittas and Andean Cocks-of-the-rock. In the last four years, this place has become renowned as a spot to easily see at least three species of antpittas: Great, Yellow-breasted, and Mustached. Other birds seen in the area are the Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Milpe Cloud Forest Reserve and Milpe Garden, a Chocó-Andean foothills reserve. This bird sanctuary covers an altitudinal range from 3,350-3,770 feet. Birding guides consider this area one of the finest birding sites in Ecuador, and many of the most spectacular Chocó endemics occur here: Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Glistening-green Tanager, Chocó Trogon, Club-winged Manakin, and Long-wattled Umbrellabird, to name just a few. This site is also known for having the rare Moss-backed Tanager. Enjoy a boxed lunch during the excursion. In the early afternoon, return to the lodge for free time with photography opportunities on the property.

After another early morning at the blind on property, have breakfast and check out. Then, depart for Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve for hummingbird observation. The reserve sits over two major valleys and covers a large range of altitudes (4,750 to 7,210 feet) with several different habitats. Alambi has a recorded list of 250 species of birds and 32 hummingbirds seen either at the feeders or in the reserve. Continue to Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, declared the first private ecological reserve of Ecuador within the National System of Protected Areas. This reserve protects an area of 858 acres, a magical place of clouds and endemic vegetation, with one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Upon arrival at Bellavista Lodge, have lunch, check in, and then have free time to explore the grounds for photo opportunities.

Today visit the feeders at the family-run San Tadeo Birdwatching, where you can easily observe more than a dozen different types of birds, including hummingbirds, tanagers, aracaris, toucanets, and barbets. Continue to Alambi and explore a plant nursery that is at the heart of a community project meant to save Ecuador's critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Walk through the nursery and garden with a community member to learn more about the project and the various species of flowering plants being cultivated to restore the hummingbird's habitat. Next, visit a butterfly farm with an exhibition of 25 species of butterflies. After lunch at the lodge, this afternoon we will visit another reserve for birding photography.

After a morning of last photography opportunities on property, check out and start the journey to the quaint town of Puembo, located approximately 25 minutes from both the Quito International Airport and the city of Quito. En route, visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, have some time for photos, lunch, and then continue on to Rincón de Puembo. An early farewell dinner has been planned for those who will be departing tonight or tomorrow morning (airport transfer included). Those who are continuing their adventures in the Galápagos Islands begin their post-trip extension tomorrow morning.

This morning you will be transferred to the Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.