A more productive birding trip for Ecuadorian and South American birders. Excellent Jocotoco Foundation lodges support bird conservation and lay the groundwork to another productive birding trip to South America. As many as 60 hummingbirds species can be seen plus both Umbrellabirds, difficult species (such as Jocotoco Antpitta and El Oro Parakeet), other fantastic species from Choco forest, Tumbesian endemics and specialities. Then off to the very birdy areas of Podocarpus National Park and the Tapichalaca Reserve. Most trips find 450 to 500 species with well-planned itineraries and top Ecuadorian guides. Nearly 2 weeks of birding from $2,990 and many excellent extension options and some trips continuing into Peru. Trips offered each month during dryer season from September to March with additional custom options. |
Day 1/Arrival: Arrival into Guayaquil and transfer to local hotel. Day 2: Buenaventura and Choco forest birding in area. Days 3 & 4: Bird forested hills in Buenaventura area, focusing on Choco and Tumbesian birds. Also, nice local hummingbird feeders and other bird feeders in area and at lodge. Day 5: Morning wrap up at Buenaventura and begin in afternoon focusing on additional Tumbesian species in Jorupe area. Day 6: Jorupe area birding. Day 7: AM transfer from Jorupe to Loja for birding in Cajanuma section of the Podacarpus National Park. Day 8: AM birding at Cajanuma area in Podocarpus National Park and search humid cloud forests in the area and later in day off to Zamora and the Rio Bombuscaro. Days 9 & 10: Spend two full days in the Bombuscaro area of the Podocarpus National Park birding the mosaic of primary, premontane cloud forest and secondary growth habitats. Days 11 & 12: Birding Jocotoco Foundation Reserve of Tapichalaca, including recently described Jocotoco Antpitta. Day 13: After some birding leave Tapichalaca and bird to Loja for flights home (or many extension possibilities). Highly Recommended Extension Option Below Day 14: Nice birding near Saraguro and the lower and higher elevations of Acacana Mountain. Day 15: Early morning birding Saraguro and then drive to and bird the highlands and temperate forest of Cajas National Park. Day 16: Morning Birding the Yunguilla Reserve and bird until late afternoon transfer to Gualaceo. Day 17: Full day birding the Gualaceo Limón Road and then late afternoon transfer to Cuenca. Day 18: Flights from Cuenca to either Quito or Guayaquil. |
Brief Itinerary |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
Silver-backed Tanager Photo by Lelis Navarrete |
Photo by Lelis Navarrete |
The Best of Southern Ecuador |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by John Drummond |
Photo by Lelis Navarrete |
Photo by Murray Cooper |
More Details on This Trip |
Brief Overview |
Trip Description |
Buenaventura, Choco Forest, Jorupe, Loja, Podocarpus National Park & Jocotoco Foundation Reserve Extension: Saraguro, Acacana Mountain, Cajas National Park, Yunguilla Reserve and Gualaceo Limón Road |
For more information or to register for this trip, call Charles in the United States or Ian in the United Kingdom. Charles can be reached at 888-203-7464 or directly at 720-320-1974. Ian can be reached at 07719-052820. Also feel free to e-mail at info@PIBird.com. |