HUMMINGBIRD EXPEDITION + ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LEK

Begin your day exploring the western slopes of the Andes, where the cloud forest supports exceptional bird diversity and complex ecological interactions. Standard pickup is at 7:00 am, with the option of an Early Pickup from 4:00 am onwards (see Rates section for applicable fees), highly recommended for guests whose primary interest is bird observation.

Arriving in the cloud forest at dawn allows us to experience the peak of bird activity, including mixed-species flocks, understory movement, and vocal activity during the most productive hours of the day, while also providing optimal light conditions for photography and observation.

This expedition is based in the Mindo cloud forest and surrounding areas, and is designed to visit multiple reserves at different elevations rather than a single site. This approach increases habitat diversity within a single day and significantly enhances the number of species that can be observed. Several of these reserves offer well-developed trail systems, allowing for forest walks focused on bird behavior, ecology, and habitat use, in addition to feeder-based observation.

While hummingbirds are a key highlight of the region, the tour is not limited to hummingbirds. Feeders provide close-range views and photographic opportunities, but the main emphasis is on avian diversity, cloud forest ecology, and natural history. Species commonly encountered may include toucans, tanagers, trogons, antpittas, mixed-flock associates, and a wide variety of insects and plants that illustrate the complexity of this ecosystem.

On a typical day, it is possible to observe 15–20 species of hummingbirds, including regional endemics and specialties such as Velvet-purple Coronet, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Empress Brilliant.

All reserves visited are locally owned and community-managed, contributing directly to conservation and sustainable land use in the region. A lunch is included during the day, followed by continued exploration before returning to Quito in the afternoon. For the standard schedule, the full-day experience lasts approximately between 9-10 hours, with a return around 4:00 or 5:00 pm.

This expedition is ideal for travelers seeking a field-based, flexible, and in-depth introduction to cloud forest bird diversity and ecology, tailored to individual interests in birding, photography, and natural history.