Tour Itinerary & Costs
Our Tour
Day O: Arrival and transport to our hotel/ eco lodge in the Tumbaco valley just 20 minutes from the airport.
Day 1: After breakfast, introductions and observing the many species on the hotel grounds, the adventure begins as we travel to the area of Tandayapa, Mindo and the Choco Andino, one of the most biodiverse hotspots on the planet. We will make a brief stop at the Equator for photos and to learn a bit about Ecuador at the Intinan museum. From there, we have three amazing birding stops along the way, each at a different altitude and each with unique species: Maraksacha, Armadillo (where we will have lunch in the company of hummers) and Alambi reserve. We end the day in Mindo, Ecuador´s birding capital.
Day 2: Today we will see the unique species and Choco endemics of the privately owned Amaguza Mashpi reserve, one of the last foothill forests, connecting to the subtropical western forests of the region. Target species include the rose faced parrot, glistening green and moss backed tanagers, indigo flower piercer and many more. In the afternoon, we will visit the caves of the elusive and mysterious Oil Birds before returning to our comfy hotel in Mindo.
Day 3: Birding at several lower elevation sites on the road to the coast. We begin in the area of Pedro Vicente Maldonado and Rio Silanche, visiting the first of two Mindo Cloudforest reserves and the farm of Don Marcelo converted to a private birding sanctuary. In the afternoon there will be the option to continue birding in Milpe, another of the Mindo Cloudforest reserves or returning to Mindo.
Day 4: Two options this morning….5 am departure to the famous Paz de las Aves Reserve, where Angel and Rodrigo Paz will show us elusive antipittas, cock of the rock and many other species. Or for those who want a change of pace, a chocolate tour to see the process of chocolate making or a visit to the butterfly farm. In the afternoon we head for the charming village of Nono, stopping for lunch and birding on the way.
Day 5: After breakfast we will head high above the Nono valley, to the Zuroloma reserve, looking for high altitude species, including the swordbill hummingbird, the white throated screech owl and additional antpittas. Continue on to Antisana, where we will stay on the Secas lagoon, in a beautiful hotel where you can watch condors fly outside your room.
Day 6: A morning of birding in the Antisana area, visiting the Jocotoco Antisanilla reserve to sight condors, search for the Ecuadorian Hillstar, Black faced Ibis and more. After lunch we will cross the continental divide, continuing on via the Papallacta pass and the western slope of the Andes, birding along the way. Late afternoon arrival to our lodge in Borja, where we will spend the next 2 nights.
Day 7: Birding in the transitional eastern slope zones of Quijos, Baeza, Cosanga and the Guacamayos pass. We will spend the morning on the Guacamayos ridge trail and special sites near Cosanga. In the afternoon we will bird along the Quijos river and visit the Concierto de las Aves reserve, seeing unique hummers, the Torrent duck and Quetzals.
Day 8: Today we descend to the Amazon, spending a full day birding in the transitional and eastern Amazon Basin . We will visit the private Wayra and Hollin reserves along with other stops on the Loreto road, and then continue on to our lodge near Tena.
Day 9: Early morning birding at the Paikawe lagoon to see exotic Amazon species, including the iconic Hoatzin, tropical screech owl, purple galinules, along with several species of monkeys. We will take a canoe ride on the Napo river, with more birding at different reserves and hotspots.
Day 10: We ascend the Andes to Quito, stopping to visit Wayra Reserve. After lunch we have the option of either soaking in the Papallacta hot springs or a last birding hike at the Guango Lodge.
Day 11: Our last day, we will tour Quito’s Old town, its famous churches and historic center. We will also make a visit to the Artisan market to buy last minute gifts. For those that would rather add a few more lifers on this last day, we will have the option of birding at Yanacocha Reserve or at a few parks in Quito. Tour ends.
Our 2023 Tour Pricing:
$2200 p.p. based on double occupancy.
Add $300 for single supplement
October 4-14, 2023
Our 2024 Tour Pricing:
$2500 p.p. based on double occupancy.
Add $300 for single supplement
January 17-27, 2024 (FULL)
January 24 - Feb 3, 2024
May 29-June 8, 2024 (FULL)
June 5 - 15, 2024
November 13-23, 2024
What is included:
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Airport pick up and transport to hotel.
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11 nights of lodging in our comfortable hotels and lodges
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Breakfast and lunch
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Transportation in a comfortable roomy bus
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Expert birding guide on the tour, with additional birding guides at certain spots.
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Additional Bilingual guide and tour facilitator
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Entrance fees to all the reserves
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Entrance to Intinan museum, hotsprings.
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Birding checklist to help you with identification.
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Daily ebird lists and post trip list of birds sighted and photos.
What is not included:
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Airfare to and from Ecuador
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Tips for guide and driver
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Dinner and snacks.We have left dinner open in order to provide flexibility and options for travelers.
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Personal expenses.
This is a sample itinerary which may vary due to weather, bird activity, group input and factors outside of our control.