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Photography Expeditions in MindoEC
The Mindo-Tandayapa cloud forest in the Choco Andino biosphere reserve northwest of Quito: the hummingbird photography capital of the world, 90 minutes from an international airport.
Why here
The Tandayapa Valley holds the record of 43 hummingbird species photographed in a single year, and the infrastructure matches the birds: multi-flash rigs, fruit-feeder blinds, and lek hides for the Andean cock-of-the-rock, all inside the UNESCO-listed Choco Andino biosphere. Refugio Paz de las Aves pioneered antpitta feeding here, putting one of the world's most skulking bird families in front of a lens, and the elevation ladder from 1,200 to 3,500 meters swaps out the entire species list within an hour's drive. The clincher is access: dawn in a world-class cloud forest, 90 minutes from Quito's international airport.
Best months
October through May is peak bird activity, with December to April the core and quetzals breeding February to May. June through September is drier underfoot with quieter forest but still excellent feeder photography. Mist and drizzle are the medium, not the enemy; bring cover for the glass.
Getting there & around
Fly to Quito (UIO), then 90 minutes to two hours by road; lodges arrange transfers. December-April rooms and set-departure photo tours book three to twelve months ahead.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
San Jorge Eco-Lodges
OutfitterA lodge circuit including the San Jorge de Tandayapa hummingbird sanctuary, running dedicated bird-photography tours from Quito.
Tandayapa Bird Lodge
OutfitterThe Tandayapa Valley's dedicated bird lodge, run by Quito-based Tropical Birding Tours, with purpose-built photography feeder setups and pro photo-guide-led tours.