All exclusive travel Ecuador
 

I am interested in an all-inclusive birding trip, meaning lodge stays, guides, & transportation for 7-8 days, (Galapagos NOT included).
Appreciate travel company names that could accommodate these items. We would like to include Mindo, probably fly from USA to Quito.
Also interested in visiting the historic part of Quito. My husband is hesitant to visit for he read Ecuador is dangerous due to drug trafficking.
I think any country has its risks, you just need to be vigilant. If I find a good birding travel company that does all the planning, he may go with me!

Though we have spent a lot of time travelling around Ecuador over the years, I can't help with suggestions for birding tour operators partly because it isn't something we do, but mainly because we travel independently and rarely use any sort of tour operator. we did have some friends travelling with us for a while on one of our trips who wanted to do a bit of birdwatching. We just had a word with our accommodation and they were able to source a guide via our accommodation on the spot. That was in Vilcabamba but I am sure a lot of the accommodation options in Mindo will do the same as it is a main centre for birdwatching in the cloud forest.

This forum doesn't get a lot of traffic so you may be better asking on the Tripadvisor , Ecuador forum where there are some very knowledgeble people. An inclusive tour is one option but it may be more flexible and certainly cheaper, to organise your accommodation and a driver separately.

As far as safety is concerned, Ecuador does have its problems and I think some places, including Quito, are still subject to curfew though the situation is nowhere near as bad as it was a year or so ago. I was chatting to our friends Ecuadorian housekeeper a few weeks ago who had recently come back from visiting her father and even she was shocked at how bad things still were. We were in Quito for a few months , years ago and were always warned by the locals not to go out after dark in the Old Town! A friend was there last year, and he got mugged whilst walking to the tram @ 07:00am. I have had several attempts to pick my pocket over the years (one by a sweet little old Cholita lady!). I have travelled extensively in South America and Ecuador is arguably the least safe country in the world have been to there. You do need to be extra , extra vigilant ALL the time.

Last year, we took a similar birding trip, and it was wonderful. Mindo is one of the premier birding hotspots in Ecuador - loads of hummingbirds and tanagers, plus cloud forest hikes - and you can find all-inclusive tours that provide lodging, guides, meals, and transport from Quito.

A week is a good amount of time to combine Mindo with a little bit of the historic part of Quito to start or end the trip. The city is wonderful and safe enough to see if you remain alert to your surroundings and use guided transfers. Traveling with a reputable birding company is very helpful in terms of logistics and safety. They will take care of everything, and you can just relax and enjoy the birds.