
Ecuador is one of the most important bird watching destinations in the world. Go to the Galápagos Islands to see birds that you can’t find anywhere else. Ecuador’s subtropical forests and alpine mountains have their fair share of hard-to-find species. Start practicing your bird calls now — you’ll want to be ready.
BIRDWATCHING VACATIONS IN ECUADOR
Choose your Galápagos cruise based on which bird watching tour piques your interest the most. Hiking and horseback riding tours on the mainland can take you into the highlands of Ecuador’s sierras, where you can find many rare species of bird.
Browse some of our favorite itineraries
Get excited and browse our selection of our favorite hand made tours from around the world. From romantic honeymoons to family-fun; these are completely flexible and arranged to your needs.
Birding tours
Mindo's cloud forest from Quito and island tours from Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal in the Galápagos. See all Ecuador bird watching tours.
South Plaza Island
From $357This tour will take you to South Plaza Island, which is the smallest island of the Galápagos. Despite its small size, this island still has a wealth of interesting wildlife.
Espanola Island Tour
From $400Located two hours from San Cristóbal, Española is the southernmost island and one of the oldest in the Galápagos archipelago. The island's flat profile is extremely dry with only a few inches of rain per year. Despite the dry climate the island is one of the world's only known nesting sites for the Waved Albatross.
Santa Fe Island Tour
From $267Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It only covers about 9 square miles (23 sq m), but offers an incredible proliferation of wildlife, both on land and in its surrounding waters. You’ll have plenty of time to observe the animals that live here – this tour begins at 8:00 AM, and lasts around 7 hours, returning to Puerto Ayora at 3:00 PM. It includes a break for lunch on board the yacht.

San Cristobal Highlands Tour
From $713Venture into the highlands of San Cristóbal on this tour. You’ll get to see some of the most interesting plants in the Galápagos and the only freshwater lagoon in the Galápagos. Your guide will provide snorkeling gear for your visits to the beaches.

Mindo Full-Day Tour
From $97During this full-day tour, you'll explore the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and the Mindo-Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve. In Mindo, you'll visit waterfalls and a butterfly farm, and take a cable car over the forest.
FC Millennium Cruise Galápagos Islands
From $4,056The Millennium is a modern, 16-passenger yacht that offers cruises through the Galápagos Islands. The accommodations are comfortable and nicely equipped, and there are ample social areas on the ship. Cruises range from 5 to 8 days.
ONLY IN THE GALAPAGOS
Set sail for the Galápagos birds that do not live anywhere else in the world, including Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and many species of finch. Some species, like flightless cormorants, live only in the Galápagos because there are no predators to take advantage of their lack of flight. There are some birds that only live on one particular island, like the Floreana mockingbird, found only on Floreana Island. Santa Cruz Island has salt water lagoons where you can admire flamingos as they hunt for shrimp. During your trip you’ll get to choose from comfortable accommodations on on Santa Cruz Island and Isabela Island.
HIKES, CANOPY TOURS, AND HORSEBACK RIDING
You can see national parks on a horseback riding tour. Visit the Cotopaxi National Park to see condors and hawks flying far overhead, in the shadow of the immense Cotopaxi Volcano. See the subtropical canopies of Mindo (a town with more birds than residents) for the the chance to spot rare birds like cock-of-the-rocks, scaled fruiteaters, and chestnut-mandibled toucans.
LET’S MAKE A PLAN
Tell us what species you most want to check off your list, and which environments you most want to see. Then tell us about your budget and your timeline, and we’ll help you find the right destinations. We’re ready when you are!
Recommended for bird-watching trips
Adventure Destinations
Ecuador is well suited to adventurous travelers. This landscape rewards intrepid hikers...

















