Day 1: Quito

Your journey begins this evening in Quito, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to Puembo Birding Garden — a welcoming and cozy retreat just minutes away. Settle in, relax, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Antisana to Guango Lodge

Our first morning sets the tone for the trip with a truly spectacular experience: the open grasslands around the enormous Antisana Volcano. Often a highlight of the tour, this area offers some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll encounter — snow-capped peaks, dramatic rocky slopes, sweeping páramo grasslands, and shimmering Andean lakes dotted with high-altitude waterfowl.

Birdlife abounds here. We’ll see Carunculated Caracaras in striking numbers, watch Black-faced Ibis and Andean Lapwings patrol the plains, and enjoy large flocks of Andean Gulls. There’s also the thrilling possibility of encountering Spectacled Bear or soaring Andean Condors. Add to this the world’s largest hummingbird, the aptly named Giant Hummingbird, and it’s easy to see why this stop is unforgettable.

We’ll pause for a traditional lunch at Tambo Condor, a local favourite known for simple but delicious food, before continuing our journey. By late afternoon we arrive in Papallacta, where you can unwind at the famous hot springs resort.

Overnight at Termas de Papallacta. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Guango Lodge

This morning, we travel to Guango Lodge, set at a higher elevation of about 2,700m and just an hour from San Isidro. The lodge is nestled within a humid temperate forest — cooler, mistier, and distinctly different in character from San Isidro, with shorter trees, a dense canopy, and a unique bird community.

Here, species such as Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Viridian Metaltail, and Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager become possible highlights. Guango’s famous hummingbird feeders are a major attraction, offering unrivalled photographic opportunities with dazzling species like the Tourmaline Sunangel, the extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird, and the tiny White-bellied Woodstar.

We’ll enjoy both morning and afternoon sessions before returning to Termas de Papallacta to relax in the soothing hot springs.

Overnight at Termas de Papallacta. (B, BL, D)

Day 4: Papallacta

Weather permitting, we’ll head into the sweeping páramo grasslands around Papallacta Pass, where clear days reveal unforgettable views of several snow-capped volcanoes. The birdlife here is equally rewarding — Cinclodes scurrying comically across the open páramo, Tawny Antpittas hopping confidingly along the roadside, and, with luck and playback, secretive high-altitude specialists like canasteros and tit-spinetails may show themselves.

After lunch, the afternoon is yours to photograph hummingbirds at the lodge feeders, walk the lush forest trails, or scan the riverbanks for the elusive Torrent Duck. By mid-afternoon, we pack up and make our way back to Puembo Birding Garden, ready for the next stage of our adventure. (B, BL, D)

Days 5 - 8: Northwest Ecuador (Mindo Area)

Leaving Quito behind, we spend four nights at Sachatamia Lodge, a comfortable base nestled within lush subtropical forest on the west slope of the Andes. This region is world-famous for its extraordinary bird diversity, and nowhere is this more evident than in the lodge’s hummingbird community.

Here, thousands of hummingbirds dart among the feeders daily, with 10–20 species regularly present. The star of the show is the outrageous Booted Racket-tail, the male sporting its bizarre long tail tipped with paddle-like ornaments. Other dazzling visitors include the elegant Violet-tailed Sylph, the striking Purple-bibbed Whitetip, the jewel-like Western Emerald, the dainty Purple-throated Woodstar, and the shimmering Velvet-purple Coronet. For hummingbird photographers, this is paradise — with chances for both natural shots and multiflash photography sessions.

The fruit feeders draw in equally spectacular species such as Red-headed Barbet, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, and the charismatic Toucan Barbet, while night lights attract insects that in turn bring in flycatchers and woodcreepers.

While much of our time will be spent photographing right at the lodge, we’ll also explore nearby private reserves. The exact mix will depend on weather, feeder activity, and up-to-date local reports — ensuring we’re always in the best spots for action. Overnights at Sachatamia Lodge. (B, BL, D)

Day 9: Paz de las Aves to Quito

An early departure takes us to the famous Paz de las Aves Refuge, a magical reserve of mossy, bromeliad-laden subtropical forest. Just after dawn, we’ll witness the unforgettable Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where scarlet males gather for their dramatic courtship display.

But what makes this site world-renowned is the remarkable habituation of elusive forest-floor birds. Here, with a bit of patience, we stand a good chance of photographing antpittas — from the hefty Giant Antpitta to the rare Moustached, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, or Chestnut-crowned Antpittas. Usually at least two species perform on any given visit. Other possibilities include Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, and White-capped Dipper along the rushing streams.

Afterward, depending on conditions, we may make additional reserve stops or return briefly to Tandayapa before heading back to Quito. Overnight at Puembo Birding Garden. (B, BL, D)

Day 10: Departure

Transfer to Quito airport for your international flights home — with memory cards full of winged gems, Andean landscapes, and unforgettable moments. (B)