AMAZON
& ECUADOR CLOUD FOREST
PHOTO TOUR – November 9/18, 2023
Stunning landscapes, culture, creative and nature…
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ADVENTURE
* Amazing Amazon adventures.
* Beautiful hummingbird shoots.
* Targeting stunning forests & orchids.
* Targeting the best nature.
* Plus cultural shoots.
YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES
* Professional WPA Photo guide – your images come first!
* All accommodation.
* All land transport with professional driver.
* Meals as per itinerary.
* Local expert guide.
* Park fees as per itinerary.
WHAT’S THIS ADVENTURE ABOUT?
Our 4th tour to the Amazon and second into the cloud forest of Ecuador is guaranteed to offer you stunning nature images and outstanding adventures.
This unique photo adventure starts in Ecuador’s capital, Quito – then into the jungles of the cloud forests and into the Amazon where we enjoy lovely lodges and spectacular nature. Hummingbirds are a key target, but this is mixed with other jungle creatures from butterflies to orchids. Our unique itinerary continues after the cloud forest, targeting rarely photographed nature and jungle in the Amazon.
The dense Ecuador’s Cloud Forest, also known as “Yungas” is one of the most diverse habitats in South America, covering the most humid slopes of the Andes and being a transitional area between the high Andes and the Amazon. It is a paradise for birds, in special for a surprising diversity of shinning hummingbirds, plus parrots, macaws, umbrella birds and many other rarities. During this tour we will explore the East and West slopes of the Andes to photograph most endemic species of hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans and other species of birds and mammals that frequent the lodges’ feeders, and we will also visit other fascinating habitats, such as the Paramo or Andean moorlands with its Monk plants, habitat of Andean condors and other wildlife, with the view of the snow-capped volcanoes. We will spend our last part of the trip in a lodge at the Amazon rainforest with its lush vegetation, where we will have chances to photograph monkeys, caimans, macaws, butterflies, tropical tree frogs and other fascinating creatures.
WE INCLUDE…
A fantastic land package! All your accommodation, most meals and services as per itinerary. You simply need to organise flights and to get yourself to the start of the tour and for the departure. Julia is happy to help you.
PHOTO adventure …
In 2023, we invite you to photograph some of the best landscapes, culture and nature locations in the world! The diversity will blow you away!
2. Amazon & Educador
Join us for the holiday of a lifetime …
ITINERARY TO ADVENTURE…
DAY 1 – QUITO
November 9
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador’s capital! Transfer to your hotel. According to your arrival time, we can visit the colonial area of Quito, declared World Heritage Site and some of its colourful markets.
Accommodation hotel – (D)
Day 2: QUITO – TANDAYAPA – MINDO
(LAND OF HUMMINGBIRDS)
November 10
Very early in the morning you will travel northwest of Quito crossing the western slopes of the Andes heading towards Tandayapa valley. On route you will visit Yanacocha Reserve, home to the black-breasted puffleg, sword billed hummingbird, great sapphire-wing and purple backed thornbill, among many species; while you continue with your trip you will see other species of hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and colorful toucans, plus mammals such as the capuchin monkey and coatimundis. Box lunch in route and visit Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, where we will have the opportunity to walk along the trails where 250 species of birds have been recorded. This is one of the highest totals for a single private reserve in the region because Alambi covers a large range of altitudes (1450-2200 m.a.s.l.), with several different habitats, with chances to photograph waterfalls, orchids, bromeliads, tree frogs and Tamandua anteaters. Afternoon arrival at our Lodge & Reserve, located in a rich biodiverse habitat, where is possible to see the rare Andean bear. The lodge is dotted with hummingbird and bird feeders, that attract a wide variety of colourful species of birds and mammals, and several trails take you to waterfalls and a lake surrounded by the cloud forest.
Accommodation lodge – (B,L,D)
DAY 3: MINDO – MASHPI AREA – SAN TADEO RESERVE
November 11
After breakfast drive to Mashpi/Amagusa Reserve, this cloud forest is rich in plant species, from ferns and bromeliads to hundreds of orchid species. A staggering 500 species of birds (including some 36 endemics) as well as small mammals can be seen plus the rare Andean bear. Then you will continue to San Tadeo where a local family set up a blind with multiple feeders, easily you can get amazing photos of different tanagers, toucanets, barbets. Also, there is a hummingbird feeding station where you can see wonderful species, such as the Puff-legged and the Sword-billed hummingbirds. Return to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation lodge – (B,L,D)
Day 4: SACHATAMIA – QUITO
November 12
Early in the morning we will visit the famous Paz de las Aves Refuge, where we will have the opportunity to visit the cock of the rock lek, where, during the breeding season, the scarlet males produce a special sound and fly like real acrobats waiting for the female to choose one of them to mate. Then you will depart to San Miguel de los Bancos town where you will visit the Río Blanco lookout, a place that offers an incredible view of the valley and where you can find different species of birds and reptiles. Box lunch in route, and late afternoon return to Quito, overnight in a hotel.
(B,L,D)