8 BEST Birding Tour Companies in Ecuador! (2025)
Are you looking to go on a birding adventure in Ecuador?
That’s wonderful news. But here’s the thing:
DECIDING to go on a bird-watching trip is an easy decision. The hardest part is finding a reputable company that you feel comfortable traveling with.
Below, I did my best to find highly-rated companies that offer birding trips in Ecuador.
Before picking a trip, make sure to pay attention to the itinerary! Some tours are for hardcore birders, where you can expect to be birding in Ecuador from sunrise to sunset. By comparison, other birding excursions are more relaxed and integrate other wildlife and cultural experiences. And lastly, some experiences are designed specifically for bird photography.
Each tour is unique, and none are better or worse. It depends on what YOU want (or what your traveling companion wants). 🙂
Lastly, please do your own independent research before selecting a birding trip in Ecuador!
My list is designed to point you in the right direction and narrow your choices. Before booking a trip, contact the companies directly to make sure they are a good fit for your travel needs. *Please note that the companies listed below appear in no particular order.*
#1. Birding Ecotours
Tell them Bird Watching HQ sent you and get $100 off your trip!
Birding Ecotours is one of the BEST birding tour companies that operate in Ecuador. They do a fantastic job of combining an incredible overall experience with a competitive price. Their typical birding tour focuses on small groups of between 6-8 people, along with staying at exceptional lodging.
You can see the upcoming trips that Birding Ecotours has planned to Ecuador HERE.
As you will notice, they offer multiple birding tours that each have their own itinerary. This variety should provide you with an option, no matter which birds you want to see or habitats you want to visit.
The number of birds that can be found in Ecuador is incredible. The small country has recorded an astounding 1,700 species of birds due to the diversity of habitats and location at the equator. Some impressive features include the high Andean mountains, páramos, volcanos including Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the Pacific rainforest (Chocó), the Amazon Rainforest, and the legendary Galapagos Islands.
And don’t hesitate to talk to them about creating a custom birding tour in Ecuador just for you or your group. Creating unique trips that mark everything off your wish list is a lot of fun for the staff at Birding Ecotours.
Many of these trips are incredibly popular, so if you are interested, please fill out the form below, and Birding Ecotours will contact you directly to answer questions, discuss pricing, etc.
You can also send Chris and his team a message HERE.
Make sure to use the link above to receive the Bird Watching HQ discount! 🙂
*Some exclusions apply*
#2. Rockjumper Birding Tours
Rockjumper is one of the best birding tour companies in Ecuador.
Their stellar reputation comes from their commitment to quality trips led by excellent guides. The average ratio of tour leaders to guests is excellent, with most trips having a maximum of eight participants.
Rockjumper has multiple birding tours that travel to Ecuador.
- Most of the trips focus on northern Ecuador and the Choco Cloud Forest. This bird-rich area is home to an incredible amount of species and habitats.
- You can also travel with Rockjumper to go to the famous Galápagos Islands!
Pay attention to the itinerary because some trips are designed to maximize the number of species observed, while others are more relaxed and allow time to enjoy other unique cultural aspects of a region. And if you can’t find anything that meets your needs, you can work with Rockjumper to design your own trip.
If you want to learn more about a specific tour in Ecuador, discuss pricing, or have other questions, it’s best to speak with Rockjumper Birding directly. They have a team of birding experts ready to help!
Lastly, Rockjumper donates a minimum of $50 per scheduled tour to a conservation fund to support bird projects worldwide.
#3. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
Founded in 1976, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) has been leading birding trips for almost 50 years. The company is not only one of the best birding tour companies in Ecuador but also one of the most respected.
VENT is committed to ensuring every part of your trip is a success. From quality, fun tour leaders to an efficient office staff that handles logistics, you are being held with experienced and helpful hands.
No matter what birds you see in Ecuador, VENT should have a trip that makes you happy.
- I’m especially intrigued by the hummingbird and tanager tours. Ecuador is known to have an incredible amount of these species.
In addition to world-class birding tours, VENT also offers cruises to the Galápagos Islands specially designed for birders!
One thing that sticks out to me with VENT is their willingness over the years to give back. The company is strongly committed to eco-tourism, and they use local guides, drivers, and tour operators whenever possible.
#4. WINGS Birding Tours
If you are a serious birder and want an unforgettable adventure in Ecuador, then going on a trip with Wings Birding Tours might be a perfect choice. Many other companies on this list try to accommodate people with different interests and physical levels and include things to do on their trips that don’t involve birding.
Wings Birding Tours makes no such promises. They know their target market and try to appeal to them as best as possible. In fact, If you have never been on a bird-watching tour before, they recommend that you contact them first before booking to make sure it’s a good fit.
Almost all of their trips are designed to see birds, regardless of where or when they are to appear. So prepare to be up early and spend your days having incredible adventures and doing a lot of walking. Your trip may take you onto uneven terrain, through lush vegetation, or up and down countless hills.
If you are ready for a hardcore birding adventure in Ecuador, then make sure to check out their trip list. They typically have multiple tours scheduled all over Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands.
#5. Naturalist Journeys
Founded over 20 years ago, Naturalist Journeys offers numerous nature and birding tours to Ecuador and many other places around the globe. On their website, you can see a calendar of their upcoming birding trips to Ecuador.
A typical trip by Naturalist Journeys tries to incorporate different aspects to your adventure. The guides are not obsessed with seeing a bird just to check it off a list. Instead, the goal is to savor each experience by immersing yourself in the local Ecuadorian culture while enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow travelers.
What’s neat is they also offer Independent Birding Ventures (IBVs), which are trips where YOU design the itinerary and pace yourself. You just tell Naturalist Journeys what you are looking for, and they plan the entire thing.
#6. Field Guides Birding Tours
I can almost guarantee you will find your dream bird watching trip to Ecuador with Field Guides Birding Tours. They have many adventures that go to Ecuador every year that explore almost every part of the country, including the Galápagos Islands!
I like that they have trips that cater to all interests, whether you are a hardcore birder who wants to see as many species as possible or someone who wants to do more than just birding. Pay close attention to each tour’s itinerary to make sure it’s a match for you.
#7. Adventures by Disney
Even though YOU may love birds and are excited to go on an Ecuadorian birding trip, your spouse, friends, kids, etc., may not want to look for birds from sunrise to sunset. 🙂
So that’s why I have included Adventures by Disney. They offer a few different FAMILY vacation packages that visit Ecuador.
- Or take a cruise to the Galápagos Islands (or combine both trips).
Using Adventures by Disney is perfect if you want an amazing adventure with your family in Ecuador that is safe and well-planned. You will definitely see a lot of birds and other animals, but the emphasis on the trip is not seeing as many species as possible, like many of the other birding tours on this list.
If you are interested in traveling to Ecuador with Disney, you should use an authorized travel agent.
First, you will get help from someone who has lots of experience planning these sorts of trips. Second, it doesn’t cost you anything. In fact, a Disney-authorized travel agent can usually find a better deal and save you hundreds of dollars!
- Are you looking to go to Disney World, Univeral Studios, or go on a Disney Cruise soon? If so, check out my list of AUTHORIZED Disney Vacation planners HERE. They will help save you time, headaches, and, best of all, MONEY. 🙂
Adventures by Disney is the best way to see birds in Ecuador if you want to take along kids or people that don’t want to go birding every day.
#8. Tropical Birding
Tropical Birding offers birding adventures in Ecuador for many different interest levels, from hardcore birders to someone looking for a more relaxed photography trip. Their logistics team can also organize a custom tour in Ecuador to satisfy everyone in your group’s interest.
A considerable part of what makes or breaks a birding trip is your guide. Tropical Birding prides itself on its full-time professional tour leaders. Their guides promise to bring as much joy as possible to every trip. They do this by seeing as many birds and wildlife as possible but also having fun in the process.
Tropical Birding almost always receives excellent reviews from those who have traveled with them.
Final Thoughts About Birding Tour Companies in Ecuador:
I hope today that you found a birding tour in Ecuador that intrigues you. I did my best to find a variety of companies that offer many different birding experiences, including many trips that cater to bird photography.
The next step is contacting the company directly and deciding the best option for your adventure!
- RELATED: 25 COMMON Birds Found in Ecuador!
I’d love your feedback below if you have gone on a birding trip before in Ecuador.
What company did you travel with, and where did you go?
