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Birding & Photography

Ecuador

Oct. 2 to 18, 2021

This trip is for bird lovers, simple as that! Ecuador boasts an amazing number of birds, and our goal is to help you see and photograph as many species as possible on this Foto Verde Tours adventure. With a fantastic photographer, ecologist, and birder as your leader, a great local photographer/birding guide, and a lengthy and diverse all-inclusive itinerary, this trip offers amazing value for the quality.

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Date

Oct. 2 to 18, 2021

$

Price

$4,699

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Difficulty Level

Moderate

8

Available Spots

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View the itinerary below, read more about the tour, or sign up now!

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About the Workshop

Birding & Photography

About the Workshop

Birding & Photography

Leaders

Frank Pichardo

Frank Pichardo

Frank Pichardo is a Peruvian wildlife photographer and tour leader with a strong passion for nature, most of his experience in the field comes from his seven-year work as a naturalist guide for the prestigious lodges of Rainforest Expeditions leading people and teaching about the flora and fauna since 2009. Frank obtained his degree from the Tourism School in Lima, where he also became fluent in English and German. This was the beginning of a long term work in the ecotourism industry.

 

At the moment, he is part of Tropical Herping, contributing for the “Reptiles of Ecuador”, “Reptiles of Galapagos” and “Amphibians if Ecuador” books, joining also scientific expeditions into remote areas to understand better this group of animals, leading workshops and photo tours. Frank’s work has been featured in National Geographic and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

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Follow Frank on Instagram -- @frank_pichardo

Paulo Valerio

Paulo Valerio

Costa Rican born and raised, Paulo Valerio is an ecologist, tourism entrepreneur, and nature photographer. Paulo graduated as a tropical ecologist from the Biology School of the National University. During his graduate studies, he specialized in the development of sampling and research methods for high-flying bats in the rainforest canopy.

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Involved with ecotourism since 1992, Paulo has worked as a naturalist guide and field instructor for several companies, has developed and directed field study programs and taught tropical ecology at various universities in Costa Rica and the US.. He is also a nature photographer and birdwatcher. Paulo recently also decided to pursue a long time interest and passion and obtained his PhD in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

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You can see Paulo´s photography at his website.

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Gallery

Info

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Airport

You should arrive to and depart from Ecuador's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Our driver will be waiting to provide your private transfer to our capital city hotel.

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Electricity

Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.

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Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.

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Medical

Though Ecuador does not require any vaccinations, we suggest you stay up to date on routine travel shots. Some countries may require that you have proof of yellow fever vaccination upon departing from Ecuador.

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Internet Access

All of our hotels have free WIFI. We will also have cell data coverage for most of the trip.

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Certified

All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.

Camera Gear

Recommended gear

  • ​Tele lens 400 mm or longer

  • Binoculars

  • Camera body or bodies

  • Medium zoom lens, e.g., 70-200 mm, 100-400 mm

  • Macro lens

  • Wide angle lens

  • Cable release

  • Flash

  • Rain cover for camera

  • Small pack or shoulder bag for daily shooting/birding

View the full Itinerary +

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Day 1, Airport/Quito

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Arrivals to Quito at different times and transfer to our capital city hotel in the heart of Quito's business district.

 

Day 2, Quito Area

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Day visit to the Metropolitan Park and Pululahua Reserve for birdwatching. This day of birding will focus on the dry highland species, including the very much sought-after Green tailed Trainbearer. Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel or at local restaurant.

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Day 3, Sumaco Volcano

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Morning transfer to Sumaco Wildlife Refuge. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding on local trails. There are good chances of finding ground dwellers like the Spotted Nightingale Thrush and the Plain-backed Antpitta. On the late afternoon, we bird from the deck, waiting for the Guans and Toucanets to arrive.

 

Day 4, Sumaco Volcano

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All day for birding and bird photography in Wild Sumaco’s trails and feeders. The trails offer good opportunities for some of the region’s specialties, including the Golden Winged Manakin, and the Eastern Andean Cock of the Rock. From the deck and open areas is possible to observe the Lettered Aracari, Crimson Crested Woodpecker, Collared Toucanet and Chestnut Fronted Macaw, and hummingbirds like the Golden Tailed Sapphire, Booted Rackettail, Napo Sabrewing and Wire Crested Thorntail are frequent visitors to the feeders. Guided night walk after dinner, to search for the Band Bellied Owl.

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Day 5, Sumaco Volcano

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All day for birding and bird photography in Wild Sumaco’s trails and feeders.  Today morning we will bird along the road and trails, searching for more species like the Coppery Chested Jacamar and the Maroon Tailed Parakeet. On the afternoon, we will visit the woodland hummingbird feeders, where other species like the Goulds Jewelfront, Green Crowned Woodnymph and Many Spotted Hummingbird.

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Day 6, San Isidro

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Transfer to San Isidro area. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding and bird photography in local trails and feeders. Guided night walk top search for the famous San Isidro Owl.

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Day 7, San Isidro

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All day for birding and bird photography in San Isidro’s trails and feeders.  Birding at higher elevation we expect to find different species, including Grey Breasted Mountain Toucans, Blue and Black Tanagers, Blue Backed Conebills, and of course Spectacled Whitestarts. Guided night walk.

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Day 8, Guango Area

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Morning transfer for Guango Reserve. Arrival for lunch and Afternoon for birding and bird photography in local trails and feeders. The perfect location for the famous Swordbill Hummingbird, which visits the feeders regularly, along with the Collared Inca, Gorgeted Woodstar Long Tailed Sylph and Tourmaline Sunagel. Guided night walk.

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Day 9, Guango Area

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Morning birding in Guango. Along the trails we will look for the local specialties, like Andean Guan, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, and red Hooded Tanager, while keeping an eye on the sky for birds of prey like the Black and Chestnut Eagle. Afternoon visit to the Papallacta heights to look for highland species, including the Shining Sunbeam, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Glossy Flowerpiercer and Black Chested Buzzard Eagle. Afternoon visit to Papallacta Hot Springs before returning to the lodge for dinner.

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Day 10, Guango Area

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Day visit to the Antisana reserve to look for Andean Condors and paramo birds, like the Andean Gull, Carunculated Caracara, Ecuadortia Hillstar and Tawny Antpitta. Return to Guango for dinner.

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Day 11, Mindo Area

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Transfer to Sachatamia near Mindo. Lunch en route. Arrival in mid afternoon, followed by birding and bird photography in local trails and gardens. Guided night walk to look for Black and White Owls.

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Day 12, Mindo Area

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All day for birding in Sachatamia and surrounding areas. The local feeders are commonly visited by Velvet Purple Coronets, Violet Tailed Sylphs, and some of Ecuador’s most amazing Tanagers, like Beryl Spangled, Flame faced and Golden Naped, amongst others.

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Day 13, Mindo Area

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Early departure for day visit to Angel Paz’ Bird sanctuary for the well-known observations of up to five species of Antpittas and of course the western Cock of the Rock, as well as walking along the trails to look for Fruit Eaters, Tanagers and Toucanets. Breakfats and lunch at Angel Paz’. Afternoon return to the lodge for dinner.

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Day 14, Tandayapa Valley

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Transfer to Bella Vista. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding in the property’s feeders and surroundings. Optional nightwalk.

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Day 15, Tandayapa Valley

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All day for birdwatching and bird photopgraphy in Bella Vista. This location offers a great opportunity to observe birds such as Montane Woodcreeper, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Toucan Barbet, Blue-and-black Tanager. Also common are hummingbirds like Purple-throated Woodstar, Fawn Breasted brilliant, tawny Bellied Hermit and Gorgeted Sunangel.

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Day 16, Quito

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Mid-morning retun to Quito with lunch en route. Afternoon arrival to the hotel for final bird count. Farewell dinner.

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Day 17, Quito/Airport

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Transfers out to airport.

Itinerary includes

  • Lodging in DBL occupancy, taxes included

  • Meals as described, taxes included

  • Private transportation on A/C bus

  • Professional bilingual bird guides

  • Photo instructor throughout the trip

  • Entrances and fees to described activities

  • Private transfers to and from airport

Itinerary does not include

  • International airfare

  • Dinner the first night

  • Alcoholic Drinks

  • Tips

  • Non-mealtime snacks and drinks

  • Single room supplement - $tbd

Sign-up Form

Name *

Are you registering for one person or more? *

 

Please provide names of additional people signing up with you, and please indicate if the additional people are photographers or not. We offer discounts for non-photographers on some trips.

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Booking a tour with us is easy!

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1. Register for your tour using the form at the end of each workshop page.

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4. Send us your traveler info form.

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2. Send us your reserve deposit.

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5. We will send you your final invoice.

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3. Book your international air travel.

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6. We´ll send you everything you need to know before you hop on the plane!

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