Hand-Fed Hummingbirds in Mindo: Up to 12 Species

Hummingbirds land in the palm of your hand. Something most people only see in documentaries.

Hand-feed hummingbirds at Chaquimallana Reserve in Mindo's cloud forest, where up to 12 species will perch on your hand while you photograph them from inches away. The experience includes an hour at the reserve (extendable as long as you want), hiking on your own or with a guide, and coffee or tea while you watch. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language, and children from age one are welcome.

The experience

The core of this activity is feeding hummingbirds with special nectar water from your hand. Instead of watching them dart past at a distance, you stand still while they approach and land on your palm: the white-necked jacobin, green-crowned brilliant, brown inca, fawn-breasted brilliant, white-booted racket tail, and eight other species that live in the reserve. You get to feel the literal weight and movement of the bird, take photographs from a proximity no zoom lens can match, and watch their metabolism and survival tactics up close.

The reserve sits away from Mindo's main crowds, in a peaceful setting where you can move at your own pace. Beyond the hummingbird feeding, you can hike the trails solo or hire a guide to accompany you, sip coffee or tea while birds move through the canopy around you, and spend as long as you want on the property. The base visit runs one hour, but the reserve welcomes you to stay longer, and camping is available for an additional fee.

A live guide in your language is included and can walk you through the birds' behaviors, the reserve's ecosystem, and photography tips for capturing the moment. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of the other languages offered, so language is not a barrier.

What’s included

• Hummingbird hand-feeding with special nectar water.
• hiking on reserve trails (self-guided or with a hired guide).
• coffee or tea while you watch the birds.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day20 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Agencia Llona

Is this one for you?Small groups and families with children from age one work well here, since the intimate setting and hand-feeding experience don't require physical exertion or hiking experience. If you want to spend a full morning or afternoon in one place without rushing between multiple stops, the reserve's open-ended timing lets you stay as long as you want.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

How many different hummingbird species will I actually see at Chaquimallana?

Up to 12 species live in the reserve, including the white-necked jacobin, green-crowned brilliant, brown inca, fawn-breasted brilliant, white-booted racket tail, rufous-tailed hummingbird, white-whiskered hermit, brown violet, violet-tailed sylph, purple-bibbed whitetip, purple-throated woodstar, velvet purple coronet, tawny-bellied hermit, crowned woodnymph, and Andean emerald. Not every species appears every day, but the reserve is home to all of them.

What's included in the price, and can I stay longer than an hour?

Hummingbird hand-feeding, hiking on the reserve's trails, and coffee or tea are included. The base visit is one hour, but you can stay as long as you want at no extra charge. Camping on the property is available for an additional surcharge if you want to extend your time overnight.

Do I need to hire a guide to walk the trails, or can I explore on my own?

You can hike the trails solo at your own pace, or you can hire a guide to accompany you and share knowledge about the forest and its wildlife. Either way, the trails are part of your visit.

Is this experience good for photography?

Yes, the hummingbirds landing on your hand offer close-up shots that are impossible to capture from a distance. No zoom lens can replicate the proximity you get when the birds perch on your palm, making this a photographer's opportunity.