Bird Photography in the Choco-Andes

A vibrant hummingbird perched on a green leaf against a soft, blurred background. — Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini)

A vibrant red and black bird perched on a tree branch. — Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

A small green-headed hummingbird perched on a thin branch. — Fawn-breasted Brilliant Hummingbird (Heliodoxa rubinoides) in Ecuador

A small bird singing perched on a branch. — Golden-crowned Flycatcher (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) in Ecuador

A colorful bird with red, white, and black feathers perched on wood. — Toucan Barbet (Semnornis Ramphastinus) in Ecuador near Mindo

A vibrant green bird perched on a branch in a lush environment. — Glistening-Green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) in Ecuador

Bright yellow and black bird perched on a thin branch in nature. — Southern Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster) in Ecuador

A majestic Andean condor soaring with wings spread wide under a clear sky. — Aldean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador

A lush forest path surrounded by dense green foliage. — Path running through a cloudforest nature reserve on the Pacific slopes of the Andes in Ecuador

About this Trip

Location: Choco-Andes, Ecuador
Dates: October 15th - 24th, 2026
Days: 9 Days
Limited to: 10 participants - this trip is fully booked
Cost: $3,640/per person
Single Room Supplement: $425
Balance Due: July 12th, 2026
Policies: All workshops are non-smoking

Trip Registration

Registration for this trip is through Holbrook Travel, Stan’s partner company.

Join naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela on an incredible photography trip through Ecuador’s eastern and western Andes; explore some of the country’s most biodiverse and scenic regions. Visit highland reserves like Yanacocha, where hummingbirds like the Sword-billed and Great Sapphire-wing are regular visitors. Enter the cloud forests of San Isidro and the lush lowlands of Sarapiquí, you may have the chance to photograph species such as the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, colorful tanagers, and possibly even the elusive Spectacled Bear. With expert local guides and access to prime habitats, this trip is designed to help you capture stunning images of Ecuador’s wildlife, landscapes, and rich ecosystems.

Trip Details

Airport transfers and additional services
Transfers between the airport and the program hotel are included in the trip cost
Ground Transportation throughout the trip
Photo instruction for the best camera settings from Stan, suggestions on composition, lighting, and backgrounds
Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in the itinerary
Private vehicle transportation, unless otherwise noted in the itinerary
Non-alcoholic beverages with meals
Local guides in each region for the duration of the program
Bottled water on the bus
Departure tax

A passport is required for international travel, and many countries require that passports be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. Certain destinations may require a visa for entry.

U.S. citizens can check requirements at travel.state.gov. Citizens of other nationalities should check with the appropriate embassy.

Wildlife photography can be physically demanding. It may include extreme terrain, long hikes at high altitude, damp forests with uneven roots, sandy beaches that sink beneath your boots, deep snow, and frigid temperatures, or boats swaying under your feet while your lens tracks a moving animal. Conditions may vary by destination, or even by day. This is why participants must be in good general physical condition and health.

You must be able to walk for multiple hours and carry your own camera gear. There are no exceptions to these physical requirements.

All trips may not be suitable for every traveler. If you have questions about the physical requirements of this trip, contact Stan at stan@naturesmart.com.