Private 9-Day Mindo and Amazon Foothills Birding Expedition
Connect Mindo’s Choco cloud forest, high-Andean habitat and the eastern Amazon foothills on a private nine-day birding and photography journey.
About this tour
Use nine days to cross a broad Andean elevation gradient, beginning with the misty Choco cloud forest around Mindo. Forest trails, feeders and selected photography settings here can produce hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers and antpittas, with Andean Cock-of-the-rock among the better-known possibilities.
The route then climbs into high-Andean country, where open paramo and mountain landscapes support a different specialist community. Andean Condor and other high-elevation birds become priorities, subject to weather and wild activity. From the upper slopes, the journey turns east and descends through the Andean–Amazon transition.
Guango provides forest and feeder opportunities for Sword-billed Hummingbird and a wider range of eastern-slope hummingbirds. Farther down, Wildsumaco introduces Amazon-foothill forest and species such as Red-headed Barbet. These regional blocks show the supported progression of the trip; they are not a claim that every intervening day follows a fixed stop sequence.
The route is privately paced for birdwatching and photography, with exact sites adapted to access, conditions and target priorities. Dates and price remain on request. Accommodation, meals, transport, group arrangement, pickup, inclusions and the complete day-by-day programme are confirmed only in the final written proposal. No species or photographic result is guaranteed.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Ecuador.
Birds you can spot
Rupicola peruvianus
target
Vultur gryphus
target
Grallaria gigantea
target
Andigena laminirostris
target
Eubucco bourcierii
target
Ensifera ensifera
target
Semnornis ramphastinus
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Mindo and the Choco cloud forest
Begin around Mindo with privately paced birding and photography on forest trails and at selected feeders or hide settings. The guide chooses sites for current hummingbird, toucan, tanager, antpitta and cock-of-the-rock activity.
Day 4
High-Andean specialists
Move into high-elevation habitat and open mountain landscapes for Andean specialists, including a possible search for Andean Condor. Route and session length depend on weather, visibility, access and recent activity.
Day 6
Guango and the eastern slope
Descend towards Guango in the Andean–Amazon transition, using forest and feeder settings for Sword-billed Hummingbird and other eastern-slope birds. The precise timing within the nine-day programme remains part of the final proposal.
Day 8
Wildsumaco and the Amazon foothills
Continue to lower eastern-slope forest around Wildsumaco for Amazon-foothill specialties, including a possible Red-headed Barbet. Adapt the field plan to weather, access, photography priorities and remaining targets before the confirmed departure arrangements.
Locations & map
- Mindo - Pichincha Ecuador
- High Andes - Andes Ecuador
- Guango - Napo Ecuador
- Wildsumaco - Napo Ecuador
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Private departures on request.
Price: Price on request
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Is this a private departure?
Yes. The official program describes a private nine-day expedition; current dates, group size and the final route are confirmed after inquiry.
Is the tour focused on both birding and photography?
Yes. The route is designed around bird observation and photography across cloud forest, high-Andean habitat and the Amazon foothills.
Are specific sightings guaranteed?
No. Wild-bird encounters depend on season, weather and current conditions at each site.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.