Day 1: Arrival to Quito Participants will fly to Quito (most flights arrive in the late evening). No matter your flight plans, we will have a representative meet you outside of customs gate and take you to the local hotel. Day 2: Antisana Reserve and Pappalachta Pass On this first morning of birding, we will have a brief orientation at breakfast before getting a get a good start early for the western entrance of Antisana Ecological Reserve for a great day of bird watching. Birdlife International categorizes Antisana as an Important Bird Area and the area is part of The Nature Conservancy's Condor Bioreserve. A mix of elfin forest below and grassland páramo above makes for a productive mix of new trip birds. The former yields many high elevation cloud-forest and treeline species such as Shining Sunbeam, Pearled Treerunner, White-throated Tyrannulet, Tufted Tit-tyrant, Unicolored (Blackish) Tapaculo, Plain-colored Seedeater, Cinereous Conebill among others. Beyond and above, the páramo proper yields Bar-winged Cinclodes, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Black- billed Shrike-Tyrant, Páramo Pipit and Plumbeous Sierra- Finch. Here we also see Ecuadorian Hillstar feeding on the orange thistle-shrubs (Chuquiraga) while Many- striped Canasteros and Andean Tit-Spinetails skulk in the bushes. Tawny Antpittas call all around. Higher up on the plateau, we scan for Andean Lapwings, Páramo Ground-Tyrant. We should find the local specialty, the Black-faced Ibis. This isolated population is at the northern extreme of the species range and is considered endangered in Ecuador. Black-winged Ground-Dove is abundant in flocks along with Eared Dove. Streak-backed Canasteros haunt the drier areas. Carunculated Caracaras are seen in large numbers often walking and scratching in the fields. Puna Hawks are also commonly seen soaring along the ridges and hovering. Given good visibility, we have a good chance of seeing Andean Condor, one of the largest populations found in Ecuador as well as Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. With more luck we might see the rare Cinereous Harrier and Aplomado Falcon (subspecies pichinchae). Also, large mammals which are notoriously shy in the tropics are often seen at the reserve such as the South American Fox and White-tailed Deer. At some point as we drive to our lodge for the night, we will find time for a productive stop at Like Mica (elevation at over 12,500 fee). We will likely find Andean Gulls and will scan the lake and look for Andean Coots, Andean Teal, Andean Ruddy Ducks, and Yellow-billed Pintails. This is also the best place in Ecuador to observe closely the Silvery Grebe. After much productive birding, we head to a beautiful high altitude with hot springs to wrap up the day. We will try to stop early so that we can have a good supper and take time for a complete trip orientation. Day 3: Pappalachta Hot Spring, Guango Reserve and Baeza-Cosanga Road Day 3 starts early, as we will look around the forested- area surrounding the Pappalachta Hots Springs lodge for Red-crested Cotinga, Spectacled Whitestart, Brown- bellied Swallow, Cinereous Conebill, Blue-backed Conebill, Black Flowerpiercer, Plain-collared Seedeater, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, and Hooded Siskin. We may also get better looks at Pearled Treerunner, White- crested Elaenia, White-banded Tyrannulet, Tufted Tit- Tyrant, Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant, Turquoise Jay, Mountain Wren, Citrine Warbler, Mountain Cacique, and Superciliaried Hemispingus. As time allows (and if we missed anything the day before), we will explore other areas around Papallacta Pass. The pass is the highest easily accessible point in Ecuador, and links Quito and the eastern lowlands. This area has an excellent selection of montane species. As we travel around and over the pass, we can access tundra-like páramo and scattered patches of Polylepis woodland. Lower down, elfin forest and montane cloudforest occur. These areas support interesting species, including Blue- and-yellow Tanager, Band-tailed Seedeater, Ash- breasted Sierra-Finch, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Curve- billed Tinamou, Caranculated Caracara, Black-chested Eagle, Puna Hawk, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Plain- breasted Hawk, Rufous-naped Brush-Finch, Brown- backed Chat-Tyrant, Andean Condor, Giant Conebill, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Andean Tit-Spinetail and others. Before the end of the day, we will have the opportunity to bird the feeders at Guango Lodge. The hummingbird feeders can be seen at anytime and include some world famous looks at Swordbill Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel, Glowing Puffleg, and Mountain Avocetbill. We may also find Mountain Velvetbreast, and Tyrian Metaltail hummingbirds in the area. We may take time to enjoy additional birding there. Once finished with Guango Lodge, we will try a few spots with great potential east of Guango as we head towards San Isidro lodge along the Baeza-Cosanga road. This busy road links Papallacta to the main birding areas of Alder forest, Polylepis and premontane cloudforest. The whole road has birding potential with stops anywhere between Papallacta and Cosanga being fruitful. On the 2007 trip, we found Blue-and-Black Tanager, Inca Jay and Olivaceous Siskin and then found a huge flock of 20 plus species, including Streaked Xenops, Golden-eared Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, and Fulvous-breated Flatbill. Day 4: San Isidro and Surrounding Areas Most of the fourth day will be spent at San Isidro. The montane cloudforest around this lodge supports similar species to the Cordillera de Huacamayos and the lodge is an ideal base from which to explore the area. Several features make the area attractive to birders immediately. Everyone will enjoy the hummingbird feeders and will likely add Bronzy Inca, adding to our burgeoning list of over hummingbirds. Another birding extra are opportunities to see several species of Antpitta, including stunning views of Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and White-bellied Antpitta. Birding the reserve often results in view of the stunning Highland Motmot and Andean Solitaire. Other potential trip birds likely to be added in the morning at San Isidro include White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Inca Jay, Black-billed Peppershrike, Saffron-crowned Tanager and hundreds of other species. A short walk from the cabins, the forest awaits, where mixed understory and canopy flocks seemingly drip from the foliage. One of our tip Ecuadorian bird guides will be along to help find Masked Trogon, Black-billed Mountain- Toucan, Streak-capped Treehunter, Striped Treehunter, Long-tailed Antbird, and Barred Antthrush. Marble-faced Bristle Tyrant, Variegated Bristle-Tyrants and Sulphur- bellied Tyrannulet are a few of the list of varied tyrannids to be found in the mixed species flocks. Also be on the look out for Black-chested Fruiteater, Dusky Piha, Pale- footed Swallow, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper. Also a wonderful selection of colorful tanager species can be found, including Red-hooded Tanager and White-capped Tanager. Also, the gregarious Northern Mountain Cacique and Subtropical Cacique should be found. All of these species, among many others, are residents here and are frequently seen by visiting birders. San Isidro birds include a few rarities, which may be found, including Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, Peruvian Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, White-rimmed Brush-Finch, and maybe the White-faced Nunbird. A few more hummingbirds may also be added to the trip list including Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph, Gorgeted Woodstar and likely a few more species. You will also have an opportunity for some great night birding at San Isidro where Andean Potoo (though rare) is sometimes staked-out and where Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is often found, along with Rufous-banded Owl, and Mottled Owls. In recent years, a large and beautiful species of owl (though similar in appearance to the Black- banded Owl, may be new to science) emerges in the early evening and then hunts right next to the cabins on a nightly basis. Day 5: Loreto Road: San Isidro to Wild Sumaco After a delicious breakfast at San Isidro, we will begin a fantastic day of birding along the Loreto Road. The Loreto Road is famous for its birding opportunities. Many Ecuadorian birds are found in relatively narrow altitudinal zones on one or both sides of the Andes, because of the dramatic changes in vegetation with altitude. The Loreto Road transects most of these altitudinal zones. Roadsides are excellent for birding along most of the road, so hiking is not necessary other than walking along the shoulder of the road. We will start in the morning birding the upper Loreto Road which traverses temperate forest and provides access to the Guacamayos Ridge trail. Notable target birds here include Dark-breasted Spinetail, Ash-browed Spinetail, Montane Foliage-gleaner, Lined Antshrike, Foothill Antwren, Olivaceous Greenlet, Yellow-whiskered Bush- Tanager, and Bronze-green Euphonia. The lower Loreto Road begins in the subtropical zone and descends into the tropical lowlands. Notable birds in the subtropical zone include Lafresnaye's Piculet, Lemon- browed Flycatcher, Olivaceous Siskin, Magpie Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Yellow-bellied Tanager, and Yellow-browed Sparrow. With good fortune, we will see an Amazonian Umbrellabird fly across and many other surprises. We will spend the night at a beautiful (and fairly new) eco- resort just outside the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve. Day 6: Birding Sumaco Biosphere Reserve We will spend a day birding at Wild Sumaco and surrounding areas. The Piha and FACE trails are a terrific birding walk and experience and one of the two will start the day. On Piha, we hope to find Gray-tailed Piha, Buff- fronted Tody-tyrant, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Black- streaked Puffbird, and Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail. Up to seventeen (17) species of hummingbird have been seen at the feeders at the end of the trail. Other trails in the area also offer additional birding. I personally hope for peaks and super skulkers like Plain-backed Antpitta and Rufous-breasted Anttrhush. We will also likely find time for the FACE trail. There we will look for Short-tailed Antthrush, White-tipped Sicklebill and White-capped Manakin. Other fantastic birds here Andean Laniisoma, Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater, Fiery- throated Fruiteater, and Yellow-throated Spadebill. At night, we will try for Bland-bellied Owl, Black-banded Owl, and Foothill Screech-owl. Other birds we ought to see here include Gould´s Jewelfront, Many-spotted HummingbirdChannel-billed Toucan, White Hawk, Wire-crested Thorntail, Northern White-crowned Tapaculo, White-backed Fire-eye, Musician Wren, Olive-chested Flycatcher, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet and Rufous-naped Greenlet. Other birds we can hope for include Red-billed Tyrannulet, Andean Laniisoma, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Military Macaw, and Blue-rumped Manakin. Day 7 to 10: Sani Lodge in Amazonia Basin After additional morning birding at Wild Sumaco at the start of the seventh day, we will arrive at Coco for a boat trip down the river to Sani Lodge. The lodge represents the best of ecotourism, as it is owned and run by the local Sani people and offers access to additional great birding. Arranging for one of the very good lodge-based guides will support your efforts in finding another 50 to 100 species for the trip. We will find some new species on the canoe trip down the river and get in some birding that day. Over the next two full days, we will have numerous options for bird watching together.
On Day 10: Transition Day We will start are journey home, but only after a little bird watching. After breakfast at the lodge, we will finalize our packing.We should have enough time for a little birding, before taking the boat back to Coca (usually about 10:30 AM) Flight Departing Coca at 12:00 PM and arriving Quito at 12:30 PM.The rest of the day will be spend resting up in Quito and completing final packing for the trip home. Flights can be taken home after 5 PM that night (and most overnight flights leave later) or you can spend the night in Quito (a hotel has been arranged), and fly back the next morning. |
Detailed Itinerary |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
The Best of Eastern Ecuador |
Pappalachta Pass, Antisana Reserve, Guango Reserve, Sani Isidro, Loretto Road, Wild Sumaco and More Trip includes Sani Lodge and Amazonian Basin Other Extensions: Galapagos Islands and/or Few Days in Mindo |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
For more information or to sign up for one of our trips, call Charles at 888-203-7464 or Charles directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com. |