A small-group photographic journey from the Chocó cloud forest to the eastern Andes—built around exceptional birds, productive locations and time to make memorable images.
Solo booking locks the whole expedition for you: every remaining spot is held and no other guests join.
All fees includedEcuador compresses an extraordinary range of habitats into a remarkably compact route. This expedition links high-altitude hummingbird gardens, Chocó forest reserves, fruit feeders, carefully prepared perches and eastern-slope cloud forest into one coherent photographic experience.
The itinerary preserves the original west-to-east flow: Quito to the Chocó, four nights across Guaycapi and Sachatamia, then over Papallacta into San Isidro and Guango.
Departure from Quito into the western Andes. Begin with high-elevation hummingbirds and antpittas at Zuro Loma, descend through Tandayapa, and finish at Alambi Hummingbird Garden for fast-paced feeder photography.
A full day immersed in Chocó foothill habitat, working tanagers, hummingbirds and mixed flocks from productive photography stations and forest edges.
An early start with Ángel Paz for intimate forest encounters, followed by lunch at Sachatamia and an afternoon session at the feeders of Sachatamia or Milpe.
A purpose-built photography day: controlled perches and forest birds in the morning, then a fruit-feeder session focused on color, behavior and clean compositions.
Cross the continental divide through Papallacta Pass at approximately 4,000 meters, moving from high-Andean landscapes into the eastern cloud forest.
Morning photography around San Isidro, an afternoon at Las Brisas, and a dedicated session for the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
A final high-elevation session at Guango Lodge, with the Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan among the priority targets, before the airport transfer.
A selection of clearly identified birds represented in the expedition photography. Wildlife is never staged or guaranteed; the route is designed to maximize ethical opportunities.
The lodge sequence minimizes unnecessary transfers and keeps the group close to productive birding and photography areas on both Andean slopes.
A comfortable base for the first Chocó sessions, positioned for efficient early departures toward Amagusa, Sacha Guatusa and the Tandayapa corridor.
Two nights in the heart of the western cloud forest, allowing time for lodge feeders, Milpe and the specialized photography setups of the region.
A classic eastern-slope base surrounded by montane forest, ideally placed for the San Isidro grounds, Las Brisas and the final approach to Guango.
Warm timber interiors, panoramic dining spaces and mountain-view terraces create an easy base between early starts and evening image reviews.
Private forest cabins, warm timber rooms, relaxed common areas and full-service dining make Sachatamia a comfortable photographic base in the heart of the western cloud forest.
A classic cloud-forest lodge with generous rooms, relaxed social spaces and immediate access to the eastern-slope forest where the final photographic sessions unfold.
On the eastern slope, Cabañas San Isidro places us directly in Andean cloud forest, while Guango Lodge adds river-edge habitat, comfortable rooms and relaxed dining near the final photography circuit.
The confirmed VIVO tour leader works alongside an experienced Ecuadorian driver with extensive knowledge of the route, hides and photography locations, combining field coaching, logistics and personal support throughout the journey.
Born in La Fortuna and backed by more than fourteen years in naturalist guiding, Elías designs multi-day routes, coordinates lodges, transport and local specialists, and supports travelers before, during and after the expedition.
A collaborating photography leader for selected international departures, focused on practical bird and wildlife photography coaching in the field, including birds in flight, multi-flash work and challenging forest light.
A VIVO collaborating partner for conservation-minded field practice and photographic sessions, helping guests work patiently, ethically and creatively around wildlife.
Transportation is planned around passenger comfort, luggage and the photographic equipment carried on the expedition.
The vehicle shown is the planned unit for small groups of up to three or four travelers, subject to the final amount of luggage and photographic equipment.
This is not a checklist race. It is a photography-led expedition for participants who value light, behavior, clean backgrounds and repeatable opportunities.
Shutter strategy, autofocus behavior and composition for fast-moving hummingbirds.
Positioning, backgrounds and exposure choices in high-contrast cloud-forest conditions.
Reading feeding routes, posture and interaction to anticipate stronger moments.
Regional guidance and access to a carefully sequenced network of productive locations.
The lodges are comfortable bases for rest, breakfast and dinner. The expedition itself unfolds in the field, moving through reserves, hides and specialized photography locations to make the most of light, bird activity and each day.
After breakfast at the lodge, we depart for full-day photography sessions. Lunches are taken at carefully selected local restaurants or traditional local sodas near the field route, reducing unnecessary returns to the lodge and maximizing observation and photography time. Dinner is served back at the lodge.
Questions before confirming?
You may arrange a personal call with Elías to discuss equipment, physical considerations, travel documents or any aspect of the expedition.
Small-group guidance, practical support and time to work each photographic opportunity—whether from an open landscape, a forest trail or a dedicated hide.
Click any photograph to view it larger. Captions identify species only where the identification is sufficiently clear from the supplied material.
Open departures: February 1 – 7 or March 10 – 16, 2027 (the February 21 – March 1 departure is booked by a private group). A 50% non-refundable deposit holds your spots; the balance is due 60 days before departure. If payment is not received 30 days before departure, the service is not confirmed.
USD 5,600 for one traveler, or USD 3,000 per person plus taxes and fees (16%) for groups of two to five. Every participant receives a private single room. Maximum group size: five guests.
This expedition follows the booking framework published by VIVO Expeditions. The summary below is provided for convenience; the current official terms in force at the time of booking prevail.
A 50% non-refundable deposit secures the reservation and activates the expedition logistics. The remaining balance is due 60 days (2 months) before departure. Private or custom departures may carry their own deadline, always stated in your confirmation. If the balance is not received 30 days before the start date, the service is not confirmed and the deposit may be retained.
Payment may be arranged by card through Stripe or PayPal.
Travelers are responsible for arranging their own insurance before arrival, including medical care, trip interruption and loss or theft of equipment. VIVO Expeditions is not responsible for uninsured costs.
Unused accommodations, meals, transportation, guiding or activities are non-refundable.
If VIVO Expeditions cancels because minimum enrollment is not met, the amount paid is refunded. Operational changes may be made when safety, weather, wildlife or local conditions require them.
A respectful, collaborative environment is required. Disruptive conduct may result in removal from the expedition without compensation.
For the complete, current language, review the VIVO photography workshop policies and official terms and conditions.
Straight answers on price, dates, group size, gear and reservation terms for the 2027 Ecuador bird photography expedition.
USD 5,600 for a solo photographer travelling privately, or USD 3,000 per person plus taxes and fees (16%) for a group of two to five. Both rates include every fee, lodging with a private single room per guest, meals on route, private ground transport, reserve and hide access, and Quito airport transfers.
Open departures run February 1 – 7 and March 10 – 16, 2027 — the original February 21 – March 1 departure is already booked by a private group — seven days and six nights, starting and ending in Quito. Private departures on other dates can be arranged on request.
Five guests maximum. Small numbers are the point: at hummingbird gardens, antpitta feeders and hides everyone keeps a clean shooting angle and full time on the perch, instead of rotating behind a large birding group.
The route crosses the Choco Andino west of Quito — Mindo cloud forest, hummingbird gardens and the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek — then the eastern Andean slope through the Papallacta Pass for Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Sword-billed Hummingbird, antpittas, tanagers and high-Andes specialities.
No. The expedition suits intermediate and advanced photographers with any modern camera. Hides and feeder set-ups are built for controlled light, so a 100–400mm class lens is enough; the leader works with you on settings, light and composition throughout.
Yes. A VIVO photographer-leader runs the trip in fluent English or Spanish alongside Ecuadorian local guides who know each site, its light windows and its birds.
A 50% non-refundable deposit holds your place and activates the logistics. The balance is due 60 days before departure; if it is not received 30 days before departure, the service is not confirmed.
USD 5,600 for one traveler, or USD 3,000 per person plus taxes and fees for groups of two to five. Quito airport transfers and a private single room are included.
Reserve my spotMarch 10 – 16, 2027
We personally review each request to confirm availability, timing, and final details.
📱 Mobile number only (for WhatsApp)
We send the secure payment link for the USD 3,248 non-refundable deposit. Balance on January 9, 2027.
Small group · Limited availability · Personalized coordination
