What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Fantastic Birdwatching Experience in Mindo's Andean Chocó

  Guide28295102957,,Jan 13, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Excellent morning of birdwatching in the Andean Chocó near Mindo with guide Irman. His knowledge of the birds is truly impressive and his kindness makes all the difference: patient, passionate, and always making sure everyone gets great views. We spotted amazing species like Crested Quetzal, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and several endemic hummingbirds. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back!

  

• Good bird watching experience

  Yafi12345,,Jan 3, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  I found Irman on TA and booked a private tour with him based on the great reviews (I booked directly via WhatsApp). We had 2 tours (see below) - I'd give 4 stars for the 1st one and 5 for the 2nd (cock of the rock). Advance communication was prompt and clear. Irman has a great eye for the birds and also knows their songs, so he can tell when a particular bird is around before seeing it. His ability to spot the birds is really great, and he can also mimic their songs, so they can come closer. We could look at the birds though the birding scope or binoculars (he gave us a pair each). He took us to the private reserve owned by his brother where the birds are fed and we were able to see tanagers, colibris and toucans. The views from that place are beautiful, and we also were served some snacks and coffee. Other guides also bring their guests there, so we had a little ‘party’ of about 5 or 6 tourists in total. Things to note: Irman’s birding scope is older and a bit ‘wobblier’ – it is fine for looking at the birds but taking pictures/video through it with your phone is not easy. Also, while he mentions when is a good time to take a picture, you have to take a picture yourself, which kind of distracts from the viewing experience and take some fiddling with the scope. Luckily, there were other guides and Irman’s brother who helped us taking pictures through their scopes, so we also ended up with great pictures/videos and had time to enjoy the viewing. He tells you the name of the bird but doesn’t really share any additional information about the birds unless you ask, and then the answers are pretty concise, lol. We also left the viewing platform before other guides, and started walking back towards the village. I understand that the plan was to see some other types of birds (like toucanet) as we were walking but we didn’t see much else (one more toucan and some colibris). The birds of course have their own schedule, but as I really wanted to see toucans, so I wish we stayed at the platform for longer as more toucans came later (one of the other guests told me after). So, if you really want to see a particular type of bird, make it known, lol We also learned that seeing cock of the rock is a separate experience, as you need to go to a particular place, even earlier in the morning, lol. So we took a tour for the next morning with Irman (he picked us up at 5 am, lol) to go to the cock of the rock lek. That was an amazing experience, where we could see quite a few males getting together waiting for a female (who did not show up as it wasn’t mating season). This time Irman shared some interesting facts about the birds. My hubby graciously was taking pictures through the scope, so I could just enjoy the viewing. Thanks to Irman’s keen eye we were also able to see Quetzal (both male and female), which was awesome. We enjoyed both of our bird watching experience but I wanted to also share some additional details, especially if taking pictures is important to you (on all our other tours in Costa Rica or Ecuador guides always helped with pictures) - I find the name of this tour is somewhat misleading. If I were to do it again, I would probably waited until coming to Mindo and then booking a tour on a spot (at least in December it did not seem to be a problem).

  

  

  

  

  

• Visit Mindo and hire Irman as a birdwatching tour guide

  O5443DKcarlosg,,Dec 11, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Excellent tourist guide to take pictures of birds from the mindo Ecuador area. Irman has a lot of knowledge and experience in finding and describing birds

  

  

  

• Full Mindo Birdwatching Experience

  W9357HGmatthiasg,,Nov 26, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Was such a lovely experience to venture into the cloud forest of Mindo with Irman and his driver! We dropped of in the middle of the jungle, walked upwards and had the chance to see amazing birds like Toucans, Barranqueros and more! Afterwards we visited a famous spot for the cock of the rock - and what can I say! 6 awaited us in full sight and we stayed there to observe them and have a coffee afterwards. Thanks Irman!

  

  

  

• Amazing tour

  oscarvR7665WG,,Oct 4, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Amazing tour. Would recommend to everyone. One of the highlights in Ecuador. Saw many tucans and other nice birds. Thank you!

• Guided Birding in Mindo

  robertmR4990PY,,Oct 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Guided Birding Photography Experience Mindo Guided birdwatching in the Mindo Cloud Forrest 1033103012 Bird guide experience in Mindo with Irman Arias. I spent the morning starting at 6AM with Irman Arias. I was picked up at my resort and initially traveled to a private property with viewing platforms over an extensive ravine. There we saw an amazing array of birds including repeated viewing of 2 species of toucans that we observed at length and were able to photograph and video using my iPhone through a powerful telescope. We then continued birding on walks through the beautiful tropical forest (Cloud Forrest). Irman is an excellent guide with good English skills, and a deep knowledge of the local birds and their calls. I was able to accumulate 48 birds to my bird list including 14 of the 30 known local hummingbirds. We chased the call of the golden crowned quetzal but it alluded my viewing. The birds are varied and colorful and seen clearly for identification. The price was more than fair and I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves, or think they might like, birding.

• Wonder

  Trip58916707513,,Jul 24, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Walking in this breathtaking nature and seeing all kinds of birds so beautiful and what I especially liked a lot was the Tucans! I am amazed and I will have a hard time describing it in words, you really should come to Mindo to see with your own eyes and feel this nature that gives us great peace. The guide is really very professional and kind and it is for the customer's attention, exceptional Service and explanation, I recommend it without a doubt! Thank you Irman for this unique experience!

• Bird watching tour

  Rosti85,,Jul 22, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Very friendly and experienced guy. He was on time, the tour was planned very well and we saw many different birds. We totally recommend this tour.

  

  

• Great guide wonderful experience!

  K5867VHdbone,,Jul 6, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Irman was a great communicator starting months before our trip and everything went incredibly smoothly. We got to see some incredible birds. He was very knowledgeable,patient and made it such a fun experience. At the end of the tour, we were supposed to see quetzal , but that didn’t work out. Birds are birds. Irman at no charge made a plan to meet us again later in the day and spent hours trying to get us that bird. He really cares about the experience you’ll have. it’s not just a job to him. He knows the birds extremely well so he would be a good choice for beginners all the way through to experts who want to add to their life lists

  

  

  

• Wealth of knowledge and expertise

  Katie J,,May 27, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Irman is incredibly knowledgeable and took us to some great locations for some truly memorable birds. If you are serious about birds, Irman is your guy. His bird calls even fooled our Merlin app.

  

  

  

  

  

  
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