Grand Ecuador Reviews

5 Rating 4 Reviews

Mar 30 - Apr 15, 2026 | We explore some of the most famous birding sites in the country on our Grand Ecuador Birding Tour: Mindo and Yanacocha; the windswept Paramo grassland of the high Andes at Papallacta Pass; mid-elevation communities at Guango Lodge, San Isidro, the marvelous Wildsumaco Lodge, and the incredible bird-rich Western Amazonia—quite a trip! The variety of birds we have the potential to see is remarkable!

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“A comprehensive tour to say the least. I had high expectations for this tour and it went far beyond that. There was no wasted time and little down time. Ernesto and Paz kept us going and found almost 500 bird species in addition to primates, amphibians, a spectacled bear and more. We even had a huge bonus with a Harpy Eagle sighting from the canopy tower at Sani Lodge. The hummingbirds alone made the trip worthwhile - more than 60 species. Highly recommended.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

Thank you so much for your outstanding review, Lou! We're thrilled to hear that the tour surpassed your high expectations and that you had such an exciting experience with Ernesto and Paz. Finding almost 500 bird species, plus all the other amazing wildlife, is truly remarkable! The range of hummingbirds is simply breathtaking, and we’re glad it made your trip worthwhile. We love your photos- thanks for sharing them with us! Your enthusiastic recommendation means a lot to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for more incredible adventures in the future!

Posted 4 months ago

“I do not write short reviews when there is so much to be said. I will try to stay on subject. First and foremost, the two guides are the best in the field, in my opinion. The two guides are both 5-Star caliber individuals. There was a third but not classified as a tour guide. This was Jose the bus driver. I do apologize not recalling his last name. Jose is a native of Ecuador and is a 5-Star caliber guide/host to his country. What made this tour a 5-Star rating was the selection of the guides and bus driver. Ernesto Carman and Paz A. Irola are two of the most qualified people available in any organization for this area. They are both so dedicated and knowledgeable about their profession that if you miss something or do not see what they are sharing, you only have yourself to blame. They went so far out of their way to ensure that everyone got to view anything they found not matter how difficult it was to focus each participant on each subject. They would not stop until you acknowledged the view. It was endless and I have no idea where their energy comes from to keep that pace. Their vast experiences in this world of birding is amazing to listen to. They have so many adventures and so much research work under their belts, that no one could come up with a question they did not answer. If they were not sure about anything, they would research it and later that day would provide an answer to satisfy anyone. If you don't get a chance to tour with these two, it is your fault and loss. Their focus is ensuring everyone of on their tour gets everything they expected and more. What made the bus driver special was his dedication to his country and everyone on this tour. He spotted the spectacled bear, carried chairs and other items to ensure your comfort and even assisted me climb up very long trails just to view some of the birds of his country. He was non-stop is assisting anyone and everyone on this tour. He would assist the guides in pointing out birds and animals to all of the participants so no one missed out of a view. That is why I have added him to this statement. I have been on a tour where the guide was more concerned about getting his photographs first, then maybe you and then rushing on to another spot before everyone ever seen the subjects. These two guides made it a point to check with everyone to confirm you saw the subject before moving on. Their efforts to make sure all were satisfied and comfortable was priceless and will always be appreciated by me. They did not use calls to bring in everything, just nature, your own ears and eyes to see and appreciate it all. They could locate and show us every bird out there without unnecessary devices. They knew as much about the plants, flowers, trees and other animals as the birds which was outstanding. The tour is a fast paced birding tour but they accomondated us all. I got thousands of photographs as well as sightings. I don't count birds and do not compete on knowing all the names of the birds, I just love the beauty and lifelong memories my photos provide me. The guides provided access for all of us, counters as well as photographers. If you miss a tour with these two guides, you have missed more than I can ever express. We got the added advantage of a native bus driver who spotted the rare spectacled bear and so many other birds which made this an exceptional tour. I would recommend this tour as a required for folks. You will get memories that will last your entire life. Thank you for listening,”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

Thank you so much for your detailed and glowing review, Joe! We're thrilled to hear that you found Ernesto and Paz to be such outstanding guides, and we truly appreciate you highlighting their dedication and expertise. It's wonderful that you felt supported throughout the tour, and their passion for birding really shines through in the way they ensure every participant has the best experience possible. Jose, our dedicated bus driver, will be so pleased to hear your kind words. It's fantastic that he was able to enhance your journey with his keen eye and support. We’re overjoyed that you captured so many beautiful memories and that the pace of the tour worked well for everyone! Your recommendation means the world to us and we look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable adventure. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Posted 4 months ago

“This tour exceeded my expectations. The birding was wonderful. Even though this was the rainy season for Ecuador the birding was fantastic. Our guides work hard to make sure everyone saw the birds and those that were taking photos got the shot. The birding is easy, you didn't have to hike to see birds, they were at the lodges and at the locations where the birds had been reported to have been seen. No wild goose chase. A win all the way. We had a few bonuses on this trip like the Speckle Bear, and the Harpy Eagle, no guarantees that will happen again but you never know.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

Thank you so much for your amazing review, Kathy! We're absolutely delighted that your tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the fantastic birding experience, even during the rainy season. It's great to hear our guides were able to ensure everyone got to see the birds and capture those perfect shots without any wild goose chases! Those special sightings, like the Speckle Bear and Harpy Eagle, truly are the cherry on top. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another incredible adventure in the future!

Posted 4 months ago

“After reading tour discription, our expectations were high to see over 400 new species of birds! Doing this tour met and really did go over our expectation with amazing experiences in seeing cock of rock male lek, seeing a parrot clay lick, and the experience of seeing 8 different species of Antpitta being coached out of forest floor with calling and feeding! This tour allowed us to see at least 63 species of hummingbirds (including sword-billed and Giant hummingbirds), let alone getting a chance to see a Harpy Eagle, Horned Screamer, Great Potoo, and an Andean Condor. This is truly a must do tour!! Paul”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

Thank you so much for your incredible review, Paul! We’re thrilled that your expectations were not only met but exceeded on this birding adventure. Seeing such a variety of species, especially that stunning male cock-of-the-rock and the incredible Antpittas, truly showcases the wonders of our tour. It’s fantastic to hear that you enjoyed the experience of spotting the Harpy Eagle and other remarkable birds as well! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable birdwatching journey in the future!

Posted 4 months ago