Top Birding Photography with Craig Hedlund...where to go and what to observe! 

If you're a birder or photographer looking for the ultimate South American adventure, Ecuador is a destination that never disappoints with more than 1,640 bird species. In just a few weeks, you can travel from the misty cloud forests of the Andes to the lush Amazon Basin, all while spotting iconic bird species. One of the best ways to experience this richness is with our Tailor-made Birding and Wildlife Photography Tours that takes you deep into the heart of one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.

Why Choose Birding in Ecuador?

From left to right: Military Macaw and Andean Condor.

Ecuador has more than 1,640 bird species into a country smaller than the U.S. state of Colorado. Its unique geography—including the Andes Mountains, Chocó cloud forests, Amazon rainforest, and tropical foothills—creates a wide variety of habitats for different ecosystems. This makes it possible to see an incredible diversity of birds in a relatively short amount of time.

Even more appealing: many species are regional endemics, meaning you won’t see them anywhere else on Earth. And with our Top Birding Guides in Ecuador, Top Birding Lodges with Private Birding Reserves, and personalized itineraries, your trip with Ecuador Birds Tours will be unforgettable.

Our friends Craig and Theresa Hedlund booked a 25 Days PRIVATE Birding Tour from the Andes to the Amazon and observed over 380 bird photography! Here are some of his photos.

Craig Hedlund Photography Website – more of his artwork www.craighedlund.com

Where You’ll Stay: Top Birding Lodges

This tour included our Top Birding Lodges known not only for their comfort but also for their proximity to key birding hotspots:

• Jimenita Birding Lodge: located only 15 minutes from Quito Airport, features 24/7 airport transfers, Panoramic Suites with chimney, private birding reserve, extensive birding trails, delicious meals catered to your preferences and top staff! Its ideal for your first days near Quito, between West and East Slope and last night in Ecuador.
• Guaycapi Toucan Lodge: Nestled in the northwest Andes, our lodge features comfortable rooms with private balcony and plate-billed mountain toucan feeders.
• Sachatamia Lodge: is another of our featured lodges with extensive trails, long-wattled umbrella bird hide, excellent cabins with views to the cloud forest, waterfall and observation tower.
• WildSumaco Lodge: A jewel on the eastern Andean slope with access to rare foothill specialties, private birding trails with comfortable rooms.
• Cabañas San Isidro: Famous for its black-banded owl and mountain tapir feeder.
• Sacha Lodge: A luxurious rainforest lodge in the Amazon Basin, accessible only by canoe, offering canopy towers, canopy bridge, lake pool, giant otters observation, top service and incredible wildlife in Yasuni’s unmatched bird diversity.

From left to right: Sachatamia Lodge, Jimenita Lodge, Sacha Lodge and San Isidro Lodge.

• Link: Top Birding Lodges

Top Bird Species in this Birding Tour

On this 25-day itinerary, we recorded over 500 species, including:

• Andean Condor: iconic specie observed from our New Antisana Condor Observatory
• Andean Cock-of-the-rock: A stunning, bright-red lekking bird.
• Sword-billed Hummingbird: With a beak longer than its body, this is a must-see!
• Toucan Barbet & Plate-billed Mountain Toucan: Vibrant and photogenic Andean species.
• Long-wattled Umbrellabird: An elusive cloud forest giant with a bizarre appearance.
• Amazonian Umbrellabird & Hoatzin: Stars of the lowland rainforest.
• Oilbird: A nocturnal frugivore often seen roosting in caves.
• Wire-crested Thorntail, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph: Hummingbird highlights.
• Rufous-headed Woodpecker: Observed in Sacha Lodge Amazon Basin, impressive colors and rare

•  Link: Our Birding Reserve 

Expert Local Guides Make the Difference

Ecuador Birds Tours prides itself on working with some of the country’s top birding guides with more than 30 years of experience in the field and English speaking locals— they will find your target bird species in each region!

Many of the guides are also skilled photographers themselves and can help guests optimize their camera settings, anticipate bird behavior, and make the most of each day with wildlife encounters. Their passion and deep knowledge add a truly immersive dimension to every outing.

• Link: Meet our Birding Team 

Customer Review

Wonderful, amazing, lifetime experience filled with amazing people, places, food and memories!

"Ecuador was amazing and it was all made possible by Ecuador Bird Tours and in particular Diego Cruz, in charge of Planning, Sales, Logistics and seamless execution of enchanting memories! We were looking for a private, guided photography/birding tour for my wife and I. Our initial inquiry was answered by Diego, and he exceeded our expectations. He met with us at the beginning of our trip and at the completion of this incredible journey. Our trip began and ended in Quito at the Hacienda Jimenita Birding Lodge which has been in the Cruz family for 5 generations! It was converted into a luxurious lodge and 15 Hectare wildlife reserve. An amazing part of history and Insite into life in an Ecuadorian Hacienda. The Cruz family is active in preserving Ecuadorian land and Resouces and are to be commended for their work! The first two days we had the honor of having Diego's father, Daniel as, our private guide. They have purchased a piece of land in the Antisana Condor Reserve and constructed an Observation Tower where Andean Condors can be observed. Daniel was charming, knowledgeable and very attendant to our wellbeing as this location is well above 13,000 feet in elevation!

The next phase of the journey was with Miguel Hipo. He is an amazing guide with 25 years of experience which was demonstrated for the next 17 days of travel. He knew every bird call and found each bird demonstrating great skill and familiarity with the environment and wildlife! He was the ideal guide, driver and friend during this phase of our journey. He allowed us to photograph 380 different species of birds while under his guidance. In an effort to keep this short we stayed in the following lodges:

• West Slope Cloud Forest : Guaycapi Lodge. Beautiful property, charming Owner, food and lots of opportunity for birding! Sachatamia Lodge. Gorgeous, historic lodge, accommodations and food.
• East Slope Cloud Forest: Quijos Lodge. 1 night stay. Great accommodations and food
  San Isidro Lodge. Excellent suites, food, Tapir feeder, bird feeders and service.
• Mishualli Amazon Basin: AMA Eco Lodge. Wonderful rooms, food and birding opportunities including an observation tower and a chance to see the "Fiery Topaz" Hummingbird, off site, at a special site just for these rare birds!
• Upper Amazon Basin: Wild Sumaco Lodge. Wonderful accommodations, birding, food and staff!
• Limoncocha Lower Amazon Basin: Grand Hotel Lago, Shushufindi. Large Modern Hotel, No lodging available close to Limoncocha Reserve. Auca Hotel, Coca. Historic Hotel in Coca where we prepared for our transfer to Sache Lodge in Yasuni National Park.
• Yasuni National Park, Amazon River: Sacha Luxury Lodge. As the name infers, Luxury in the middle of the Amazon Jungle! After a 2.5-hour speed boat ride, 30-minute walk and 30-minute paddle canoe ride we arrived at the luxurious Sacha Lodge. Words cannot describe the wonders of this location. Staff, food, lodging, observation towers, and two guides!

In conclusion, this trip/tour was seamless, expertly planned and executed by Diego and the entire Ecuador Birds Tours staff! The Ecuadorian food is wonderful. The people are friendly and HAPPY. The country is beautiful. We felt welcome and absolutely safe at all times. We plan to return to Ecuador to explore southern Ecuador and would not use anyone other than Diego Cruz and Ecuador Birds Tours”.

— Craig and Theresa Hedlund, Pennsylvania, USA

• Link: Other Customer Experiences - 5 Star Customer Satisfaction

What kind of Meals will you have?

Once you book a tour with Ecuador Birds Tours you will fill in your registration form which includes your meal preferences, restrictions and any allergies. Our chef from each lodge will prepare delicious meals based on your preferences including local dishes like:  Locro (potato soup), Quinua Soup, Fresh Vegetable Soup, Estofado de Pollo, Camarones Apanados (seafood), Pollo Apanado and more…all combined with fresh produce from our organic gardens.

 Next Steps? 

1. Request your Birding Tour
2. Book one of our Tailor-made Birding and Wildlife Tours in Ecuador 

How can I contact my Tour Manager?

• You can reach Diego Cruz, our tour manager and organizer, 24/7 via WhatsApp at +593 993732879 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will be in constant communication with our guides and staff to run a smooth birding tour for you.

We look forward to have you with us and thanks for Choosing Ecuador Birds Tours. If you have any questions please let us know.