DAY 1: Arrive in Quito

We will welcome and transfer you to our hotel selected. Night in Quito

DAY 2: Birding through Yanacocha - Bellavista

Early start to the north-western flanks of the Pichincha Volcano, climbing to an altitude of approximately 3,500 m (11,000 ft). we will spend some hours of the morning watching for hummingbirds, including the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rainbow-bearded and the scarce, Purple-Mantled Thornbills, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Puffleg if we are lucky, the endemic, and critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Other possible species we may find as the Andean Pygmy Owl, Hooded and Black-chested Mountain Tanagers, Golden-crowned Tanager. Andean Guan, Superciliaried Hemispingus, White-chinned Thistletail, Blue-backed Conebill, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Barred Fruiteater, and several other ones. Then we will stop at Zuro Loma Reserve for Chestnut-naped and Ecuatorial Antpittas, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and several other species at the feeders. Afternoon birding drive along the old road to Tandayapa. Night in Tandayapa Bird Lodge

DAY 3: Morning birding to Mindo

We will start early today with the insect trap for several species arriving to feed on some of the moths and other insects at the first light of the day. After breakfast, we will drive up to the cloud forest for some mixed-species flocks and then we will visit Alambi and the Cafe Restaurant Guaycapi feeders for more species for the end of the day Mindo. We will arrive late afternoon at our place to stay for a few days with the chance to watch the feeders by the lodge. Night in Sachatamia Lodge

DAY 4: Birding day along the Mindo area

Early watch the Insect Trap at the lodge and the hummingbird feeders and for the rest of the day we will visit Rio Blanco and San Tadeo feeders for the Collared Toucanet, Crimson Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, and more species. Night in Sachatamia Lodge

DAY 5: Birding day Rio Silanche & Millpe Reserve

Today we will be exploring the lower areas of the Chocó region (500m / 1,600ft). The canopy tower in the Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary (Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation) provides good views of the forest canopy and we will spend some time through the canopy for mixed-species flocks. Targets in these flocks include Scarlet-breasted and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Blue-whiskered, Grey-and-gold, Golden-hooded, Bay-headed, Rufous-winged and Scarlet-browed Tanagers, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Brown-capped Tyrannulet and Yellow-margined Flatbill, White-tailed, Black-throated and Collared Trogons, Cinnamon, Black-cheeked, Guayaquil and Crimson-bellied Woodpeckers, Dusky Pigeon, Chocó Toucan, Pale-mandible Aracari, White-whiskered Puffbird, Orange-fronted Barbet, Black-striped and Northern Barred Woodcreepers, Purple-chested and Blue-chested Hummingbirds, White-whiskered Hermit, and Band-tailed Barbthroat. The understory flocks often hold goodies like Checker-throated, Dot-winged, and White-flanked Antwren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Black-crowned Antshrike, Chestnut-backed and Bicolored Antbirds, Black-headed Antthrush and Southern Nightingale-Wren. 

After Silanche we will visit Millpe for the Chocó endemic Club-winged Manakin. Along the trails, we have good chances of running into large mixed-species flocks that contain Chocó Warbler, Chocó Tyrannulet, Slaty Antwren, Spotted and Wedge-billed Woodcreepers, Brown-billed Scythebill, Buff-fronted, Ruddy and Scaly throated Foliage-gleaners, Western Woodhaunter, Cinnamon and One-colored Becards, Silver-throated, Bay-headed, Rufous-throated, White-winged, White-shouldered and Ochre-breasted Tanagers, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Red-headed Barbet, Pale-mandible Aracari, Chocó Toucan, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Rufous Motmot, Orange-billed Sparrow, Orange-bellied and Thick-billed Euphonias, Silver-throated, Rufous-throated, Blue-grey, White-lined and Blue-necked Tanagers. The hummingbird feeders provide White-necked Jacobin, Crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant, Andean Emerald, and Green Thorntail. After a full day of birding, we will back to our place to rest. Night in Sachatamia Lodge

DAY 6: Birding Refugio Angel Paz & Vinicios Feeders

An early visit to the private cloud forest reserve is perhaps the most amazing bird show on earth. Walking along the forest trails, we will be searching for some of the more difficult forest undergrowth skulkers on Earth. One of the stars of the show is undoubtedly the Giant Antpitta,  Dark-backed Wood Quail, Ochre-breasted and Yellow-breasted Antpittas, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Zeleodns Antbird, and Nariño Tapaculo as well as the more widespread species such as Sickle-winged Guan and Golden-winged Manakin. We will also visit a lek of Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Along the way, we may find a fruiting tree attended by Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Scaled Fruiteater, Olivaceous Piha, and Toucan Barbet. Lyre-tailed Nightjars are regularly found on their day roost. Then we will “Vinicios” place for Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Georgeted Sunangel. Then we will back to our place to rest. Night in Sachatamia Lodge

DAY 7: Birding Reserve Amagusa & Mashpi Road

We will visit the area that holds some of the finest Chocó endemic cloud forest species. We will visit the fruit feeders where we have excellent chances of seeing the Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening-green, Black-chinned Mountain, Rufous-throated, Lemon-rumped, Flame-faced, Golden-naped, and Golden Tanagers. We might find also Crimson-rumped Toucanet and White-throated Quail-Dove. The hummingbird feeders attract spectacular species such as Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and Empress Brilliant. Then we will spend birding along the Mashpi Road for mixed-species flocks which often hold rare species such as Indigo Flowerpiercer, Chocó Vireo, Pacific Tuftedcheek, and Uniform Treehunter, we might find Black or Rufous-brown Solitaires, Zeledons and Esmeraldas Antbirds, Rose-faced Parrot, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Grey-and-gold Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Orange-fronted Barbet, and Barred Puffbird. Then we will back to our place. Night in Sachatamia Lodge.

DAY 8: Long-wattled Umbrellabird / Guango

Early visit a lek for Long-wattled Umbrellabird and some other species along the area. Then we will start our drive to the south of Quito to Guango Lodge at 2,800m (9,200ft). We might find Grey-hooded Bush Tanager, Hooded and Lacrimose Mountain Tanagers, Blue-and-black Tanager, White-banded Tyrannulet, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Slaty Brush-finch, Turquoise Jay and Northern Mountain Cacique. At the fast-flowing river, we will try for specialties such as Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, and Torrent Tyrannulet. Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, Mountain Avocetbill, Dusky Piha, and Red-hooded Tanager. At the feeders Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted and Buff-tailed Coronets, Speckled Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, White-bellied Woodstar and Glowing Puffleg. Night in Guango Lodge

DAY 9: Birding to Cabañas San Isidro

Morning watches Insect traps for woodcreepers, warblers, flycatchers, and several species attracting this amazing idea. Watch the hummingbird feeders and explore some of the trails. After lunch, we will go to our next birding spot. Night in San Isidro Lodge

DAY 10: Full day of birding

Cabañas San Isidro is at an elevation of 2,100m (6,800ft). In the morning, we will first target the garden birds that can be easily observed foraging at the garden lights. At night the lights attract insects, and during the morning some species arrive to feed the insects such Inca Jay, Masked Trogon, Subtropical Cacique, Russet-backed Oropendola, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Black-billed Peppershrike, Slate-throated and Spectacled Whitestart, Brown-capped Vireo, Russet-crowned Warbler, Black-eared Hemispingus, Mountain Wren, Common Bush Tanager, Pale-edged and Cinnamon Flycatchers, Smoke-colored Pewee, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Montane, and Olive-backed Woodcreeper. The trail system gives us access to the primary forest such as White-bellied Antpitta and Long-tailed Tapaculo. The canopy flocks we can find Marbled-faced and Variegated Bristle Tyrants, Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet, Barred Becard, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Blue-winged Mountain, Saffron-crowned, Beryl-spangled, Flame-faced and Blackcapped Tanagers, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Golden-collared Honeycreeper and Green-and-black Fruiteater, Bicolored Antvireo, and Peruvian Antpitta. The feeders at the lodge attract a good number and diversity of hummingbirds, including the spectacular Long-tailed Sylph, Collared and Bronzy Inca, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Speckled Hummingbird, Green and Sparkling Violetear, Gorgeted Woodstar. After dusk, we will search for nocturnal species, with our main target being the San Isidro “mystery” Owl, a possible split from the Black-banded Owl. Night in San Isidro Lodge

DAY 11: Birding and drive back to Quito

Early birding along the trails and after we will back to Quito. Night in Hotel

DAY 12: Birding Antisana  - Papallacta - Flight to Home

On our last morning, we will ascend the Andes to an elevation of approximately 4,000 m (13,000 ft) to get to the Antisana Reserve. Visiting the tundra-like Paramo habitat surrounding the astonishing snow-capped Antisana Volcano where we will find the enigmatic Andean Condor and near-endemic Carunculated Caracara, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, endemic Ecuadorian Hillstar, both Stout-billed and Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, Many-striped Canastero, Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Variable Hawk, Black-winged Ground-Dove, Andean Gull, Andean Lapwing, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Paramo Ground Tyrant, Paramo Pipit, and the rare Andean Ibis. At La Mica, a beautiful lake at the base of the Antisana Volcano, we will scan for Andean Teal, Andean Duck, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Coot, Silvery Grebe and we will have chances for Aplomado Falcon and Cinereous Harrier, Shining Sunbeam and Black-tailed Trainbearer, and Giant Hummingbird. The reserve also gives us good chances for Andean Fox and White-tailed Deer. Then we will move to Papallacta for birding the treeline scrub and paramo on the western slope of the eastern Andes where we can find Paramo Tapaculo, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Andean Tit-Spinetail, and Tawny Antpitta. Weather permitting, we will drive up to the antennas to look for the highly sought-after Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Giant Conebill in Polylepis forest, and the rare Red-rumped Bush Tyrant. At Papallacta Lake, we will scan for ducks and waterbirds and the habitat surrounding the lake is good for mixed-species flocks which often include White-throated Tyrannulet, Spectacled Whitestart, Cinereous, and Blue-backed Conebills, Black-backed Bush Tanager, Buff-breasted and Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanagers, Golden-crowned Tanager, Pale-naped Brush-finch, Agile Tit-Tyrant with good luck Masked and Black-chested Mountain Tanagers, Viridian Metaltail and Great Sapphirewing. The enigmatic Spectacled Bear has been seen in the area. Then we will start our drive to Quito International Airport for our flight Home.