Ecuador

Day 1: Arrive in Quito – Mariscal Sucre International Airport & Hacienda Jimenita

Upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, you’ll be met by a company representative and transferred to Hacienda Jimenita. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the beautiful grounds of the hacienda, which is home to more than 35 bird species. It’s the perfect introduction to birdwatching in Ecuador.

Day 2: Jocotoco Reserve and Tandayapa Valley

We leave early to visit the Yanacocha Reserve. The morning will be spent birding at this Fundación Jocotoco reserve, followed by lunch on site. Some of the bird species we may encounter include Superciliated Hemispingus, Ocellated Tapaculo, White-browed Spinetail, Andean Guan, and Sickle-winged Guan.

In the afternoon, we’ll bird along the scenic road connecting Yanacocha to the Tandayapa Valley. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at Sacha Tamia Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. During dinner, we’ll update our birding checklist.

Day 3: Milpe and Rio Silanche

After an early breakfast, we’ll travel to Milpe Bird Sanctuary and Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary.

Milpe, located in the Chocó-Andean foothills, is a 62-hectare sanctuary protecting one of the most important remnant forests in the Chocó Endemic Area of Ecuador. It features lush trails, hummingbird feeders, and panoramic viewpoints. Endemic species often seen here include Chocó Trogon, Chocó Toucan, Club-winged Manakin, Chocó Warbler, Moss-backed Tanager, and Glistening-green Tanager.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Rio Silanche—a lowland forest paradise with canopy towers and forest trails. Notable birds include Swallow-tailed Kite, White-whiskered Hermit, Collared Trogon, Lineated Woodpecker, Dot-winged Antwren, Blue-whiskered Tanager, and Scarlet-rumped Cacique.

We return to Sacha Tamia Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve

Today, we’ll explore the road leading to the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. This 2,000-acre certified conservation area offers incredible opportunities for observing Andean birdlife. The lodge veranda is a prime spot to see Toucan Barbet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Russet-crowned Warbler, and the Chocó endemic Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.

Nearby hummingbird feeders attract many species, including Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Brown Inca, Gorgeted Sunangel, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph. We return to Sacha Tamia Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Angel Paz Reserve and Mindo Forest

With coffee in hand, we depart at 4:30 AM for the Refugio Paz de las Aves. Here, we’ll witness the famed Cock-of-the-rock lek and see up to five species of Antpittas being hand-fed. We’ll enjoy breakfast with the Paz family and look for Giant Antpitta, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Club-winged Manakin, Toucan Barbet, and Beautiful Jay.

We’ll spend the rest of the day birding in the Mindo Valley, searching for Swallow Tanager, Golden Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, and more. In the evening, we’ll overnight at La Cañita Lodge in Pacto.

Day 6: Mashpi Road and Amagusa Reserve

Today we’ll visit the Mashpi Road and Amagusa Reserve, two hotspots in the Chocó forest. The feeders here attract Empress Brilliant, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, White-whiskered Hermit, and several colorful tanagers including Golden-naped and Flame-faced Tanagers.

We’ll bird for the entire day and return to Puembo Birding Garden by late afternoon.

Day 7: Papallacta Pass and Wildsumaco

After breakfast, we head to the Eastern slope of the Andes via Papallacta Pass, the highest birding spot on our route. Birds we may encounter include Silvery Grebe, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, and Giant Conebill.

From here, we continue to Wildsumaco Lodge, located in the Andean foothills with sweeping views over the Rio Pucuno Valley. Possible sightings include Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Channel-billed Toucan, Lineated Woodpecker, Paradise Tanager, and Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch.

Day 8: Full Day Birding at Wildsumaco Lodge

Today is dedicated to exploring Wildsumaco’s lush subtropical forest. This area hosts a mix of cloud forest, foothill, and Amazonian bird species. Highlights include Gray-tailed Piha, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Short-tailed Antthrush, Wing-banded Wren, and the rare Yellow-throated Spadebill.

The road birding here is excellent, with chances to see Blue-browed Tanager, Yellow-breasted Antwren, and Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater. Overnight at Wildsumaco Lodge.

Day 9: San Isidro

We’ll bird along the Cosanga Road on our way to San Isidro Lodge. The eastern cloud forest is rich in birdlife, and we may spot Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Moustached Antpitta, Bicolored Antvireo, Highland Tinamou, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, and White-capped Tanager. Dinner and overnight at San Isidro.

Day 10: San Isidro and Guacamayos Ridge

After breakfast, we head to the Guacamayos Ridge for a full morning of birding. Expected highlights include Slate-crowned Antpitta, Masked Trogon, Powerful Woodpecker, Pearled Treerunner, Lacrimose and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanagers, and Montane Woodcreeper. We return to San Isidro for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Guango Lodge

We travel toward Guango Lodge, near Papallacta, a paradise for hummingbird lovers. It’s common to see up to 14 hummingbird species in an hour—including the striking Sword-billed Hummingbird. Overnight at Guango Lodge.

Day 12: Guango and Return to Puembo Birding Garden

After a morning walk on Guango’s trails, we return to Puembo Birding Garden. Here, we’ll look for Scrub Tanager and the impressive Black Trainbearer in the inter-Andean valley. Overnight at Puembo Birding Garden.

Day 13: Antisana Reserve

We leave early to explore Antisana Ecological Reserve, home to Andean Condors, Ecuadorian Hillstars, Giant Hummingbirds, and Black-faced Ibis. The scrub vegetation attracts Black-winged Ground-Dove, Andean Tit-Spinetail, and Giant Conebill. We’ll enjoy lunch at Tambo Condor before returning to Puembo Birding Garden in the late afternoon.

Day 14: Departure

Depending on your flight time, you may enjoy some final birding at Puembo Birding Garden. A company representative will then transfer you to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your journey home.