Day 1, Airport/Quito

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Arrivals to Quito at different times and transfer to our capital city hotel in the heart of Quito's business district.

 

Day 2, Quito Area

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Day visit to the Metropolitan Park and Pululahua Reserve for birdwatching. This day of birding will focus on the dry highland species, including the very much sought-after Green tailed Trainbearer. Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel or at local restaurant.

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Day 3, Sumaco Volcano

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Morning transfer to Sumaco Wildlife Refuge. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding on local trails. There are good chances of finding ground dwellers like the Spotted Nightingale Thrush and the Plain-backed Antpitta. On the late afternoon, we bird from the deck, waiting for the Guans and Toucanets to arrive.

 

Day 4, Sumaco Volcano

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All day for birding and bird photography in Wild Sumaco’s trails and feeders. The trails offer good opportunities for some of the region’s specialties, including the Golden Winged Manakin, and the Eastern Andean Cock of the Rock. From the deck and open areas is possible to observe the Lettered Aracari, Crimson Crested Woodpecker, Collared Toucanet and Chestnut Fronted Macaw, and hummingbirds like the Golden Tailed Sapphire, Booted Rackettail, Napo Sabrewing and Wire Crested Thorntail are frequent visitors to the feeders. Guided night walk after dinner, to search for the Band Bellied Owl.

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Day 5, Sumaco Volcano

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All day for birding and bird photography in Wild Sumaco’s trails and feeders.  Today morning we will bird along the road and trails, searching for more species like the Coppery Chested Jacamar and the Maroon Tailed Parakeet. On the afternoon, we will visit the woodland hummingbird feeders, where other species like the Goulds Jewelfront, Green Crowned Woodnymph and Many Spotted Hummingbird.

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Day 6, San Isidro

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Transfer to San Isidro area. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding and bird photography in local trails and feeders. Guided night walk top search for the famous San Isidro Owl.

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Day 7, San Isidro

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All day for birding and bird photography in San Isidro’s trails and feeders.  Birding at higher elevation we expect to find different species, including Grey Breasted Mountain Toucans, Blue and Black Tanagers, Blue Backed Conebills, and of course Spectacled Whitestarts. Guided night walk.

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Day 8, Guango Area

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Morning transfer for Guango Reserve. Arrival for lunch and Afternoon for birding and bird photography in local trails and feeders. The perfect location for the famous Swordbill Hummingbird, which visits the feeders regularly, along with the Collared Inca, Gorgeted Woodstar Long Tailed Sylph and Tourmaline Sunagel. Guided night walk.

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Day 9, Guango Area

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Morning birding in Guango. Along the trails we will look for the local specialties, like Andean Guan, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, and red Hooded Tanager, while keeping an eye on the sky for birds of prey like the Black and Chestnut Eagle. Afternoon visit to the Papallacta heights to look for highland species, including the Shining Sunbeam, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Glossy Flowerpiercer and Black Chested Buzzard Eagle. Afternoon visit to Papallacta Hot Springs before returning to the lodge for dinner.

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Day 10, Guango Area

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Day visit to the Antisana reserve to look for Andean Condors and paramo birds, like the Andean Gull, Carunculated Caracara, Ecuadortia Hillstar and Tawny Antpitta. Return to Guango for dinner.

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Day 11, Mindo Area

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Transfer to Sachatamia near Mindo. Lunch en route. Arrival in mid afternoon, followed by birding and bird photography in local trails and gardens. Guided night walk to look for Black and White Owls.

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Day 12, Mindo Area

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All day for birding in Sachatamia and surrounding areas. The local feeders are commonly visited by Velvet Purple Coronets, Violet Tailed Sylphs, and some of Ecuador’s most amazing Tanagers, like Beryl Spangled, Flame faced and Golden Naped, amongst others.

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Day 13, Mindo Area

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Early departure for day visit to Angel Paz’ Bird sanctuary for the well-known observations of up to five species of Antpittas and of course the western Cock of the Rock, as well as walking along the trails to look for Fruit Eaters, Tanagers and Toucanets. Breakfats and lunch at Angel Paz’. Afternoon return to the lodge for dinner.

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Day 14, Tandayapa Valley

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Transfer to Bella Vista. Arrival for lunch and afternoon birding in the property’s feeders and surroundings. Optional nightwalk.

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Day 15, Tandayapa Valley

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All day for birdwatching and bird photopgraphy in Bella Vista. This location offers a great opportunity to observe birds such as Montane Woodcreeper, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Toucan Barbet, Blue-and-black Tanager. Also common are hummingbirds like Purple-throated Woodstar, Fawn Breasted brilliant, tawny Bellied Hermit and Gorgeted Sunangel.

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Day 16, Quito

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Mid-morning retun to Quito with lunch en route. Afternoon arrival to the hotel for final bird count. Farewell dinner.

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Day 17, Quito/Airport

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Transfers out to airport.