This small rural community has situated itself for various years now, in terms of a sustainable bird conservation alternative, as a regional hot-spot. Here, the star of the show is the rare and coveted Long-wattled Umbrellabird, while at the same time, more than 330 bird species have been recorded within the reserve.

Target species: Long-Wattled Umbrellabird, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Laughing Falcon, Barred Forest-Falcon, Black-Chinned Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager.

This excursion is focused on photography and bird watching.

Located 62 kms from Mindo and at 400 masl, this reserve is the best option in the region for birding humid tropical forest. Its canopy tower offers an unparalleled view of the forest canopy to observe toucans and a multitude of tanagers. Over 300 bird species have been recorded within this reserve and along the main access road.

Target species: Berlepsch’s Tinamou, Plumbeous Kite, Purple-chested Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Orange-fronted Barbet, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper.

This excursion is focused on photography (from the canopy tower)  and bird watching.

Located within the Mashpi Conservation Zone, 64 km from Mindo and at 1.200 masl, this family-run endeavor was initiated in 2012 by Sergio Basantes to develop sustainable tourism; this is a very special place where visitors will enjoy close contact with many birds—22 Chocó bioregional endemic species, a definite record for Ecuador.

Target species: Glistening-green Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moss-backed Tanager, Black Solitaire, Dark-backed Woodquail, White-throated Quail-dove, Rose-faced Parrot, Esmeraldas Antbird, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Uniform Treehunter, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Golden-collared Honeycreeper.

This excursion is focused on photography and bird watching. 

Located within the Mashpi Conservation Zone halfway between Pacto and Mashpi, this new private nature reserve project is part of the Quito Without Mining Collective. Various typical lowland Chocó endemic species can be encountered here, some of which are rare in other locations.

Target species: Barred Puffbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Purple- chested Hummingbird, Rufous-fronted Woodquail, White-bearded Manakin, Orange-fronted Barbet,

This excursion is most focused on bird watching.

The zone located around the village of Mashpi has become a very desirable destination for world birders. Of easy access, with well-preserved patches of tropical Chocóan forest, the valley of Mashpi offers good birding alternatives that support local conservation initiatives.

This excursion is most focused on photography.

This day trip offers the opportunity to visit two very interesting birding sites, especially for photographers. In the morning you can enter an Oilbird colony and in the afternoon enjoy the unforgettable spectacle of an Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek. Many more species will also be possible here.

Target species: Oilbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Black-crowned Antshrike, Pacific Antwren, White-browed Gnatcatcher, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Chocó Toucan, Collared Trogon, Collared Araçari, Scaled Antpitta.

This excursion is focused on photography and bird watching.

Yanacocha, located about 45 minutes from the city of Quito, on the west flank of Pichincha Volcano, was created with the goal of protecting the endemic and critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis). The 1.079 hectares of high Andean forest is home to an impressive number of bird species along with a very diversified floral community.

Target species: Black-breasted Puffleg, Imperial Snipe, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Hooded Mountain-tanager, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Andean Pygmy-Owl.

This excursion is focused on photography and bird watching.

At 25 km from Mindo and in an altitudinal range of 1.780 to 2100 masl, this reserve has a long forest trail that offers birding opportunuities along an altitudinal gradient, but for those who do not wish to undertake a long hike, there are also shorter trails. Necter feeders for hummingbirds and plantain feeders for tanagers, etc. are great for photography.

Target species: Sickle-winged Guan, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Velvet-purple Coronet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Powerful Woodpecker, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Giant Antpitta, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Sharpe’s Wren.

This excursion is focused on bird watching, and also photography.