Ecuador

Birdwatching in Ecuador: Heron Road

Guayaquil & Machalilla-Pacific Coast

6 days/5 nights

This exclusive programme includes rich birding along the Pacific coast. The nutrient rich Humboldt Current and the many avian-rich areas make this trip a lifetime experience. Highlights include Machalilla National Park, Río Ayampe, Cerro San Sebastián and Isla de la Plata.

Prices on request.

Itinerary

Day 1
Fly from Quito for Manta (or Portoviejo). Upon arrival start driving south towards Ayampe, where the lovely Hostería Atamari is located. Enjoy birding at Río Ayampe. Your hotel grounds are excellent for birding, plus offer superb views of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight at Hostería Atamari.

Rio Ayampe: A narrow, shallow river forming the boundary between southwestern Manabi and northwestern Guayas; Machalilla National Park lies just to the north. The river doubles as a ‘road’ and normally can be driven in vehicles with reasonable clearance. Extensive Deciduous and Semi-humid Woodland and Forest remains in various areas, including along the main coastal road leading south. This road passes through a range of hills (up to 492 feet/150 meters) before dropping back down to the coast. This hilly area, which is unprotected, is important as the only known breeding area for the endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar.

Day 2
An early departure takes you to the insular highlight of Machalilla National Park, the Isla de La Plata. The great Pacific Ocean will take you 21 miles (35 km) west off the coast of Ecuador to reach the remnants of a giant Cordillera that once stood there. These remnants include the adjacent sea bed and sub-aerial grounds of the Isla de la Plata. The trip includes a boat ride, on which pelagics can be quite a highlight. These include the White-vented Storm Petrel, Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel and Parkinson's Storm Petrel, plus the large Waved Albatross. Before arriving at the landing site, search carefully along the cliffs and shores of the island. One of the pelagics that may be spotted is the Red-footed Booby. Enjoy a full day excursion as you land on the island and hike the trails in search of Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca (Masked) Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigate birds, Short-tailed Woodstar and more.

The trip here can be quite rewarding since the vast ocean offers some unusual non-bird surprises. Cetaceans such as Bottle-nose dolphins and, in season, Humpback Whales can delight any visitor. The waters around La Plata Island are used by female whales to rear their young and for breeding purposes (June through September). Other whales sometimes sighted are Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, False-killer Whales, etc. Those of you with a sense of aquatic adventure can snorkel in the clear waters of La Plata Island. Overnight at Mantarraya Lodge, near Puerto Lopez.

Isla de la Plata: Situated approximately 21 miles (35 Km) off the Ecuadorian mainland at Manabi, this small island has been called the ‘poor man's Galapagos’. It was rarely visited until 1990 but has become increasingly popular since then. Although it has none of the Galapagos land birds it does support a small population of Waved Albatross and many other seabirds. An endemic subspecies of Long-tailed Mockingbird, and marine wildlife such as Galapagos Fur Seals, Green Turtles and Humpback Whales are another interesting draw to the island.

Days 3-4
Deart pre-dawn for full day excursions to Machalilla National Park, where the highlight is Cerro San Sebastián. A box lunch is included. Some of your avian companions include the Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Collared Antshrike, Ecuadorian Thrush, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and more. It is worth spending two days here since this area of the Park can not be explored in just a day. Overnight services both days at the cozy Mantarraya Lodge.

Cerro San Sebastián: A peak (about 2,624 feeet/800 meters) in the coastal Cordillera de Colonche is situated in Machalilla National Park in southwestern Manabí Province, it is reached by climbing up from the town of Aguas Blancas to the north. Elevations above about 2,296 feet/700 meters support Cloud Forest; areas below are covered by Semi Humid and then Deciduous Forest and Woodland, with elevations below 984 feet/300 meters having arid shrub. The area is rich in endemic bird species, some of them threatened, with notably large populations of Ochre-bellied Doves, and Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaners. In early 1991 T. Parker and Conservation International briefly studied this site. Despite the diverse avifauna present at Cerro San Sebastián, very few birders visit this location, making your visit quite special to a pristine location.

Machalilla National Park: This important National Park protects one of the largest remaining expanses of Wooded and Forested habitats in western Ecuador. Despite habitat degradation caused by the continuing presence of numerous inhabitants within the park (much of which remains in private hands), Machalilla supports large populations of many Tumbesian endemics, and a host of other interesting birds. The Humid Forests just south of the park near the Río Ayampe provide additional interest, including a recently discovered (but apparently seasonal) breeding population of the very rare Esmeraldas Woodstar.

Day 5
This morning depart early for coastal birding along the seashore highway. This highway can be quite an interesting one, since portions of it will detour inland, and so your list can have representatives of the sea bird group, as well as shore birds, pelagics, Decidous Forest inhabitants, etc. Some of the small villages can be quite interesting; the list includes Punta Los Frailes, Puerto Cayo, Jipijapa, Montecristi (famous for Panama hats!). Here bird companions may be the Croaking-ground Dove, Pacific Parrotlet, Harris Hawk, Plumbeous Kite, Great black Hawk, King Vulture, Laughing Falcon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Scrub Blackbird and more. Arrival in Manta by mid or late afternoon. Overnight in Manta.

Day 6
Transfer to Manta airport. Flight from Manta to Quito. Arrival in Quito around noon. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Note: After this tour, you can add the Trogon Circuit or the Hummingbird Route to complete your overall Avian Discovery in the Tropics. Also, during the whale-watching season, Heron Road can modify its itinerary by replacing or adding a day of exclusive whale watching. Please enquire for more details.