Step into a world where light, color, and motion blend into pure life. The Hummingbird Extravaganza is a 14-day photographic journey through Ecuador’s most biodiverse regions — from the lush cloud forests of Northwest Pichincha to the golden dry valleys of the south.
Led by Dr. Juan Bahamón, an award-winning photographer and conservationist, this exclusive expedition combines comfort, adventure, and expert instruction.
Over 50 hummingbird species.
Only 5 participants.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
All sites are close with minimal walking.
At least 50 species of hummingbirds ARE GUARANTEED.
Or you will receive a full refund, with no questions asked.
Why Ecuador?
Ecuador is among the most biodiverse countries in the world, offering an extraordinary range of habitats within a compact area. Its geography spans tropical coasts, snow-capped volcanoes, Amazonian rainforests, and cloud forests, each supporting unique species found nowhere else.
For hummingbird enthusiasts and photographers, Ecuador provides unparalleled opportunities to observe over 50 species in close proximity, from the Sword-billed Hummingbird of the Andes to the Velvet-purple Coronet of the Chocó region. Short travel distances allow for more time dedicated to photography and less time in transit.
Ecuador’s high-quality lodges, knowledgeable local guides, and exceptional natural light create the ideal environment for the Hummingbird Extravaganza—an immersive experience in avian diversity and natural beauty.
Participants will photograph hummingbirds across a range of elevations, from high-altitude paramo to lowland areas near sea level. While recent news has highlighted security concerns in Ecuador, the tour itinerary avoids problematic regions, and participant safety is a top priority.
Day One, Nov. 2
Arrive in Quito. At 9,350 feet (2,850 meters) above sea level, it is the second-highest capital in the world and the closest city to the equator.
I will meet you at the airport and take you to your comfortable, single-occupancy room. We are staying in a lovely lodge very close to the airport in Tababela (www.quintalaconstanza.com).
Please plan to arrive by 3:00 p.m. if possible so that you can rest before our 6:00 p.m. welcome dinner. I will present an overall tour outline.
Day two, Nov. 3
After an early breakfast, we will travel on a private transportation van for approximately one and a half hours to Guango Lodge, a small, cozy eco-lodge located in the Andean cloud forests of Ecuador, near the Papallacta páramo. It is renowned as a premier destination for birdwatching, especially for its impressive variety of hummingbirds.
The target species there are the sword-billed hummingbird, the Tourmaline Sunangel, the Chestnut-Breasted Coronet, and the Collared Inca.
After lunch, we will travel to San Isidro Lodge, a highly regarded, family-run nature lodge in a large private cloud forest reserve on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. Known for its exceptional birding and extensive trail system, it offers a more intimate and varied experience than many single-focus lodges.
San Isidro, we will photograph the Bronzy Inca, the Long-tailed Sylph, and the Speckled Hummingbird.
We will stay overnight there.
Day three, Nov. 4
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Wild Sumaco Lodge, an acclaimed eco-lodge and nature sanctuary located on a forested ridge on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Established with a focus on birding and conservation, the lodge offers exceptional views and access to an incredibly biodiverse transitional rainforest environment. The available hummingbirds there are the Gould's Jewelfront, the Black-throated Brilliant, the Napo Sabrewing, the Wire-crested Thorntail, and the Forked-tail Woodnynmph.
After lunch, we will travel to La Brisa, a lovely birding spot near Baeza, Napo province. This small place is a family project dedicated to conserving the natural environment and birdwatching, especially hummingbirds.
The target birds are the White-tailed Hillstar, the Booted Rackettail peruanus, and the Gorgeted Woodstar. We will drive back to Quito for an Overnight stay at La Constanza.
Day four, Nov. 5
On this day, after an early breakfast, we will travel to Tambo Condor, where there will be plenty of opportunities to photograph the iconic Giant Hummingbird. Other hummingbirds include the shining sunbeam, the Black trainbearer, and the Great Sapphirewing.
After lunch, we will head to the Antisana Reserve to capture the Ecuadorian Hillstar.
We will drive back to Quito, overnight at La Constanza.
Day five, Nov 6
After an early breakfast, we will head to Zuro Loma, which is located on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano along the old Nono–Mindo road. Zuroloma Reserve sits around 3,000 m / 10,000 ft in high Andean montane forest. This lush and dramatic habitat is part of the Andean Chocó biodiversity hotspot, a region of exceptional species richness and endemism.
The target species will be the Mountain Velvetbreast, the Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs, the Lesser and Sparkling violetears, and the Tyrian Metaltail.
After lunch, we will travel to Los Arrayanes, and the target bird there will be the Green Trainbearer.
Will end up at the Guaycapi Lodge near Mindo.
Day six, Nov. 7
After an early breakfast, we will visit Los 2 Corazones Nature Reserve, a private, non-profit, family-run enterprise located in the cloud forest of Ecuador's Northwest Pichincha province, near Nanegalito. We will have a chance to photograph the Andean Emerald, the Velvet-purple Coronet, the Buff-tailed Coronet, the Fawn-breasted Brilliant, the Empress Brilliant, the Booted Racketail, the white-bellied Woodstar, the Brown Inca, the Green-fronted Lancebill, and the Purple-bibbed Whitetip.
There, we will practice multiflash and macro techniques.
After a typical Ecuadorian lunch, we will travel to Birdwatchers House & Lodge, a family-owned eco-lodge located in the cloud forests of Mindo, Ecuador. It was explicitly designed for birdwatching and photography, providing an intimate setting for visitors to experience the region's diverse birdlife.
The target species here is the Gorgeted sunangel; another possibility is the Hoary Puffleg.
Overnight at Guaycapi Lodge.
Day Seven, Nov. 8
After an early rise, we will visit nearby Alambi Lodge. Mr. Favian Luna, the owner of Alambi, has been feeding hummingbirds for more than 25 years. The density is excellent, and the facilities are conducive to close-range photography.
The available hummingbirds are the Crowned Woodnymph, the Brown Violetear, the Green-crowned Brilliant, the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, the White-necked Jacobin, and the Green Thorntail.
After lunch, we will travel to the nearby town of Gualea for the Western Emerald.
Day eight, Nov. 9
After an early breakfast, we will travel to the nearby town of Pedro Vicente Maldonado to visit the Sendero Frutti Tour, a unique birdwatching spot in Ecuador's Pichincha province. Unlike a traditional lodge, Frutti Tour is a family-run agro-ecotourism project focused on integrating bird observation with the enjoyment of local fruits and plants.
The target species here are the Black-throated Mango, the Long-billed starthroat, the Violet-bellied hummingbird, the Purple-eared Fairy, the Bronzy Hermit, the Little Woodstar, and the Purple-chested hummingbird. The altitude here is 650 feet above sea level.
We will stop at Milpe Garden for the White-wiskered Hermit on returning to Quito.
Overnight at Guaycapi Lodge.
Day nine, Nov 10
On this day, we will take a commercial plane to Guayaquil and then drive to the Umbrellabird Lodge, which sits in the lower reaches (≈ 500 m elevation) of the Buenaventura Reserve in El Oro province, on the western (Pacific) side of the Andes in southern Ecuador. The reserve hosts ~330 bird species, including many Chocó-Pacific and Andean foothill specialists.
The target species are the Baron's hermit and the violet-bellied hummingbird.
Overnight at the Umbrellabird Lodge.
Day ten, Nov 11
We will get up early and travel to The Simpson House, located on the east (Amazon) slope of the Andes in southeastern Ecuador. Tapichalaca Reserve spans altitudes from about 1,800 m to 3,400 m and covers rich cloud forests and páramo habitats.
The reserve was established in 1998 to protect the newly discovered Jocotoco Antpitta and its unique habitat.
With its cool, wet climate and remote beauty, Tapichalaca offers excellent opportunities to photograph species such as the Flame-throated and Amethyst-throated Sunangels.
After lunch, we will visit the Utuana Reserve, where our target species will be the Rainbow Starfrontlet and the Purple-throated Sunangel. We will stay overnight at the Urraca Lodge.
Day eleven, Nov 12
After an early breakfast, we will travel to Zamora to visit Copalinga Lodge, a conservation reserve and ecolodge located on the eastern slope of the Andes in southern Ecuador, adjacent to Podocarpus National Park.
In late 2017, the reserve and lodge were acquired by the Fundación Jocotoco, joining their network of protected reserves. The area is a biodiversity hotspot in the eastern Andean foothills, with high species richness and many endemics.
The mission will be to photograph the Spangled Coquette, the Many-spotted hummingbird, the Green hermit, and the White-tipped Sicklebill.
We will stay overnight at Copalinga Lodge
Day twelve, Nov 13
On this day will drive to Guayaquil and stay at the Park Hotel
Day thirteen, Nov 14
After an early flight back to Quito, we will visit PomasQuinde, a small but charming urban bird sanctuary where habitat restoration meets community passion. The target there will be Black Trainbearer.
After lunch in Mitad del Mundo, we will visit Maracasha Reserve for the Purple-throated Woodstar.
We will return to La Constanza for our farewell dinner, and you will receive a completion diploma.
Day fourteen, Nov. 15
Depending on your return flight time, we will provide breakfast and/or lunch and transportation back to the airport.
We sincerely hope that your hard drives and digital cards will be full of thousands of keeper-photos and that your hearts and minds will carry the memories of a beautiful Ecuadorian experience.
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