Hummingbirds in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador March 18-March 26, 2023
Join us in Ecuador...
Join us for 8 days and 7 nights to explore the beauty of Ecuador. We will start and end our excursion in Quito and establish our base camp about an hour and a half outside the city in the Cloud forest at the Tandayapa Bird Lodge. From base camp we will photograph a multitude of varieties of hummingbirds from the deck of the lodge as well as taking day trips into the Andes to explore and photograph other birds, flowers, landscapes, and wildlife. This photography safari is geared for photographers of all skill levels from beginner to expert. We will work with all of the participants and have the flash set ups to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to capture amazing images.
Tour Size & Description
Our tour will have a minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 12 with 4 instructors/leaders. We must have a minimum of 8 participants for the tour to be able to take place, so it is recommended to not book flights until we are certain that the tour will take place.
This photography tour is open to participants of all skill levels. The small group allows us to give each participant more one-on-one attention.
We rate the activity level for this tour as relatively easy. Participants will need to be ambulatory, able to walk up steps, and carry their own equipment down trails.
Tour leaders will be on hand if you need help or instruction with any of the following:
- How to photograph hummingbirds and other varieties of birds in natural light
- How to set up a multiple flash system to photograph hummingbirds and freeze their high-speed motion.
- How to determine and set proper exposure
- How to read a histogram
- Focusing techniques
- How and when to use Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes
- Composition techniques
General Itinerary (tentative)
- fly into Quito, meet with the group, and stay the night in the hotel in Quito
- morning at street market, afternoon in old town Quito, group dinner
-depart hotel mid-morning, transfer to Tandayapa Lodge via old road, photo stops along the way, box lunches provided by lodge, flash setups in the afternoon at the lodge
- early morning photo excursions, box lunches provided by lodge, return to lodge mid-afternoons, flash setups optional in the late afternoons
-depart lodge mid-morning, stops at equator exhibits en-route to Quito, lunch at Mitad Del Mundo, group dinner in Quito
-morning in old-town Quito, late afternoon transfer to airport
Tour Cost & What It Includes:
The total cost of the tour is $3999 per person based on double occupancy.
Included in the Cost of the Tour:
- 7 nights accommodation in Quito and at the Tandayapa Lodge
- Transportation to and from the airport in Quito
- All transportation in country
- All tips and gratuities
- All meals during the tour
- the use of multi-flash setups containing flashes, radio triggers, light stands, and backgrounds
- Instruction in the field with your photography guide with a max of 4 photographers per guide
- A planning package that includes recommendations on the proper gear and clothing
- We take care of all the logistics once you reach Quito!
Not Included in the Cost of the Tour:
- Transportation to and from Quito, Ecuador
- alcoholic drinks
- travel/cancellation/emergency evacuation insurance
- personal items
A deposit of $500 is due upon registering. The deposit may be paid by credit card or online and is non-refundable. The balance of the cost of the tour is due by December 1, 2022. There are no refunds available for cancellations after December 1, 2022. The balance of the cost of the tour must be paid by check or bank transfer. It may be paid by credit card with a 3% convenience fee added.
We understand that things happen that are beyond your control or ours and that is why we recommend the purchase of travel insurance. There are policies available that provide medical insurance outside of the US if your health insurance policy does not. They also provide trip cancellation insurance for certain situations as well as evacuation coverage.
In the event that we should have to cancel the entire trip due to Covid or related public health conditions, we would provide a full refund to participants.
Marking the Yes checkbox on the Registration Form that you have agreed to the Acknowledgment of Risks and Terms & Conditions contained in this document will serve as a signature.
Terms, Conditions, & Acknowledgement of Risk
In consideration of the services of, f/32 Photo, LLC, their officers, agents, employees, and all other entities associated with those businesses hereinafter collectively referred to as “f/32 Photo”, I agree as follows:
Although f/32 Photo has taken reasonable steps to provide me with appropriate equipment and skilled guides so I can enjoy an activity for which I may not be skilled, f/32 Photo has informed me that this activity is not without risk. Certain risks are inherent in each activity and cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the activity. These inherent risks are some of the same elements that contribute to the unique character of the activity and can be the cause of loss or damage to my equipment, or accidental injury, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma death. f/32 Photo does not want to frighten me or reduce my enthusiasm for this activity, but believes it is important for me to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of the inherent risks. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks.
(Description of some, but not all, risks): There is a possibility of an accident or illness occurring in remote places and that food related illnesses could occur without access to immediate or timely medical treatment or facilities. There is a possibility for personal injury or property damage by wildlife or forces of nature during the workshop or while traveling to and from during the workshop by bus, train, airplane, or other vehicles.
I am aware that the Ecuador Photo Safari, produced by f/32 Photo, entails risks of injury or death to any participant. I understand the description of these inherent risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated inherent risks may result in injury or death. I agree to assume and accept full responsibility for the inherent risks identified herein and those inherent risks not specifically identified. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, no one is forcing me to participate, and I elect to participate in spite of and with full knowledge of the inherent risks.
I acknowledge that engaging in this activity may require a degree of skill and knowledge different than other activities and that I have responsibilities as a participant. I acknowledge that the staff of f/32 Photo has been available to fully explain to me the nature and physical demands of this activity and the inherent risks, hazards, and dangers associated with this activity.
Brett Wells
Brett has a love of adventure, travel, photography, craft beer, the Smoky Mountains, woodworking, and teaching, just to name a few things. He is currently a technical representative with Sigma Photo and travels the country working with photo dealers and teaching through trade shows, vendor events, and workshops. Brett graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Samford University and has a Masters in Photographic Studies from the University of Westminster in London, England. Brett was an instructor at the Atlanta Art Institute for seven years before going into business for himself as an independent sales representative for a variety of different photographic lines and products. During his time at the Atlanta Art Institute, Brett had the opportunity to take groups of students on tours to China and Italy. For the past ten years, he has worked in conjunction with f/32 Photo in leading photography workshops in the Great Smoky Mountains twice a year. The ability to combine his passion for travel, photography, and teaching is an incredible blessing.
Ken Jenkins
Ken Jenkins is a nationally known natural history photographer, writer, lecturer, and outdoor adventurer. For more than 30 years his photographs and articles have appeared in publications from National Geographic to Southern Living. Galleries across the country have exhibited his work including the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the Sarasota Arts Center in Florida.
One of Ken's favorite things to photograph is birds, so he is extremely excited about this trip! If you have ever done anything with Ken then you know it will always be a good time and a barrel of laughs, no matter what adventure you are part of with him! Add to that, he is a master storyteller!
Frank Wells
In case you were wondering, yes, Frank is Brett's brother. He isn't a photo guide, but he is our translator, travel coordinator, Sherpa, and anything else we can come up with to assign him!
In his own words...
"Frank Wells is the real-life inspiration for Dos Equis "Most Interesting Man in the World". His Spanish is mediocre, but his ability to find a good drink in a foreign city is unparalleled. We are bringing him along for many reasons, but mostly because he is a lot of fun (and mostly harmless) we promise!
April Love
April is the owner/operator of f/32 Photo, LLC, a camera store and full service print lab in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is originally from Knoxville and never saw any good reason to leave, other than to go exploring that is. But the Smoky Mountains always call her home (usually after about two weeks max...). Prior to the experience of running f/32 Photo, she was a portrait photographer (among other things) with her favorite subject matter being fresh babies and kiddos. She still loves photographing the little ones even if she doesn't get the chance to do it as much these days. In 2007, she had the opportunity to spend more time in the nature that is practically her own backyard and fell in love with a whole new genre of photography...specifically water, wildflowers, and wildlife. That is what she enjoys photographing for herself these days and is fortunate to be able to organize and administer workshops and tours for other people who share those same passions. She has been in charge of the Great Smoky Mountains Photography Summit since 2015 at its inception as well as other Spring and Fall workshops that f/32 Photo holds annually.
She is excited to add international photo tours to the mix! Most of all, she is thankful to work in an industry full of passionate, talented, giving individuals who delight in what they do, but also in sharing that with others who want to learn!