Due to the unpredictable nature of the bird species that we will be working with the exact itinerary will be subject to change, however the itinerary below will give you an idea of what we hope to achieve at each of our three eco-lodges. Rest assured that if one of our species is not photographable we will find something else to do instead - this is the beauty of this trip, we always have a plan B…and C… and D!!!

Here are the dates and rough itinerary for this expedition:

5th April 2027 - travel day from home, arrive Quito, pickup in air conditioned minibus and transfer to our first lodge near the Mindo Valley.

6th April 2027 - full day spent at the lodge - at this first eco-lodge we will be targeting the toucans that visit the lodge feeders looking for fruits, as well as the smaller tanagers and parrots. It’s an amazing place, surrounded by beautiful natural perches that are literally dripping with lichen.

7th April 2027 - today we head east to Tandayapa and a different cloud forest elevation for the second eco-lodge of our trip. On the way we hope to stop at a site known for the Plate Billed Mountain Toucan, an absolutely stunning species. Plus they have incredible hummingbirds in front of flowers and they fly VERY close!

8th April 2027 - a sunrise visit to a spectacular cock of the rock lek, followed by the rest of the day spent at the eco-lodge photographing the local species including trogans, toucanets, aracari, spectacular hummingbirds and hopefully the colourful toucan barbet.

9th April 2027- leaving early in the morning we stop at a very famous hummingbird garden known for its iconic resident - the Swordbill Hummingbird which is always superb. Beautiful tanagers and antpittas visit too. Once we have filled our cards here we will drive to a special site for the diminutive woodstar hummingbird which we will shoot backlit or on flowers. We may then visit Quito lodge for fighting violet eared hummingbirds or we may just head down into Quito and chill at the airport hotel (halfway point for the next day).

10th April 2027- another early start as we climb in elevation to 12,000 ft for the iconic Andean Condor. During this excursion we will be up on the cliffs so we can be eye level with the Condors as they take flight in front of us. There is also a good chance for the iconic Ecuador Hillstar here as well. Later in the day we will travel to our 3rd eco-lodge of the trip.

11th April 2027 - we will spend the morning in this area of the cloud forest as it will be our last in this stunning habitat. Local specialities include another cock of the rock lek, rarities like the smallest hummingbird in ecuador, mountain tanagers or the spectacular spangled coquette. After lunch we will head down to the 4th and final eco-lodge which is in the Amazon lowlands and we will start with a night walk.

12th April 2027 - full day visiting the lodge’s canopy towers. These towers allow us to be at canopy level and photograph the birds and mammals that use this as their home. There are two different towers, one in the forest and the second on the forest edge.

13th April 2027 - full day visiting the lodge’s canopy towers. These towers allow us to be at canopy level and photograph the birds and mammals that use this as their home. There are two different towers, one in the forest and the second on the forest edge.

14th April 2027 - a morning in the canopy tower before we drive back north returning to the lodge where we stayed on the 11th.

15th April 2027 - transfer to the airport via another special hummingbird garden ready for our afternoon flight from Quito airport (UK bound departures)

Whilst the above assumes that you are flying from the UK this itinerary does take into account arrivals by KLM and other airlines. There is a superb and safe airport hotel too.

All lodge transfers will be via a comfortable air conditioned minibus with professional driver.