Ecuador Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour  14 Days/13 Nights

Ecuador is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, in fact it is the most biologically diverse country on the planet, relative to its size.

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The numbers are truly spectacular and speak for themselves: around 1,600 species of birds, 4,500 species of butterflies, 405 species of reptiles, 440 species of amphibians and 382 species of mammals among others… Ecuadorian flora reach 20,000 species of vascular plants which account for 1.6% of all known species in the planet, over 2,500 species of terrestrial vertebrates which account 11.5% of total worldwide, 11.5% of which are endemic species, meaning that it can only be found in this part of the world. With such a huge wildlife variety, within a small size country, it is not surprising Ecuador has been considered by the United Nations Environment Program, as one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the planet.

ITINERARY

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The following itinerary will take you to some of the best natural spaces and reserves in Ecuador for wildlife watching, where we'll try to observe the widest range and number of species.

We'll head into the countries mist shrouded Cloud Forest’s to observe Toucans, Toucanets, Barbets, Tanagers, Hummingbirds, Trogons, Antpitas, Jacamars, Motmots, Woodpeckers…, We’ll then explore the Andean mountains and volcanic valleys (with good chances of sighting Andean Condor, the colourful Andean Cock of the rock and more...) and the Amazon Rainforest (Guacamayos, Parrots, Hawks, Kingfishers, Sloths, Tapir, Monkeys, Giant otter...) We hope to see many of these species and much more!!

DAY 1

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Arrive at Mariscal Sucre Airport and transfer to our Hotel, Sachatamia Lodge.

Birding en-route in Tandayapa Valley.

DAYS 2, 3

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We’ll spend three days in Mindo area, where we are going to visit the following areas and reserves:

- Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve (Tandayapa Valley)

- Milpe Bird Sanctuary (Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation)

- Refugio Paz de las Aves Reserve

- The Río Blanco riversides

We hope to see: Giant, Moustached, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, and Chestnut-crowned Antpittas, 25+ species of Hummingbirds, Choco Toucan, Toucan barbet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, White-capped Dipper, Andean Cock of the Rock, Torrent duck, Long-wattled Umbrellabird

DAYS 4, 5

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Transfer to Antisana National Park where we’ll spend two days in the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains called Andean Paramos or Highlands. Hotel Hacienda Hostería Guáytara

Birding en-route. We’ll visit Mashpi Amagusa Reserve and Cueva de los Tayos (Oilbird Cave)

We hope to see: Oilbird, Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, Black-faced (Andean) Ibis, Andean Gull, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes (Bar-winged) and Stout-billed Cinclodes, Streak-backed Canastero, Plain-capped (Paramo) Ground-Tyrant, Paramo Pipit, Black-winged Ground-Dove, Andean Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Ruddy (Andean Duck), Silvery Grebe, Spotted Paca, Greyheaded Tyra…

DAYS 6 - 9

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Transfer to Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito

Internal Flight Quito – Coca.

We’ll take a motorized canoe for a 2 hour, 50 mile (80 km) trip down the Napo river, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia

We’ll spend 4 days in the Amazon Forest in Yasuní National Park.

DAY 10

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We’ll departure from our lodge in the Amazon Forest early in the morning.

Transfer to our lodge in the Cloud Forest. Full day birding.

DAY 11, 12

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We’ll spend two days in San Isidro Cloud Forest Reserve and Guango Reserve. Accommodation at Cabinas San Isidro.

We hope to see: Black-mantled Tamarin, Mountain Tapir, Swordbilled Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Turquoise Jay, Masked Trogon, San Isidro’s Black & White Owl…

DAY 13

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We’ll spent two days in Papallacta area in search of the Spectacle Bear, also known as the Andean Bear. Accommodation at Termas Papallacta

DAY 14

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End of the Tour. Departure home

Observations

Accommodation: Good quality Lodges & Hotels – Mix of Half-board with packed lunches and Full board

Difficulty: Mostly easy. The birdwatching areas and nature reserves varies from wide open tracks and open forest trails, to some slightly steeper sometime slippery narrow enclosed forest trails. There are some longer walks in the Amazon, but the terrain there is relatively flat. Two mornings of the tour will be spent at high elevations from between 3400 – 4200 m.

Climate: Cold when around Antisana NP and Papallacta. Otherwise warm & humid with rain possible at anytime.

Meeting Point: Quito, Mariscal Sucre Airport, Ecuador

Note: This is a flexible itinerary which may need to be adjusted in relation to arrival and departure times, weather conditions and other related factors.

Price includes

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*13 Nights accommodation in twin en-suite rooms

*Internal Flight Quito – Coca (one way)

*Ground transport (Minibus)

*All boat trips

*Full time guiding services of leaders

*All meals, bottled water

*Airport transfers

Price does not include

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*International airfare

* Any airport/visa fees

*Extra food/drink to normal meal times

*Drinks others than water

*Travel & contents insurance

*Item of personal nature

* Tips/gratuities

* Price based on sharing a twin/double room.

* €460 single supplement

* Contact us if you need an extra night in Quito

GROUP SIZE:

Minimum group size: 6 people

Maximum group size: 12 people

DATES: 27th October – 9th November 2018