Ecuador

Birdwatching in Ecuador: Hummingbird Route

Quito, Neighbouring Valleys & Eastern Cloud Forests

7 days/6 nights

Visiting Highlands, Cloud Forests and Lowlands with incredible biodiversity: Quito, Antisana, Papallacta, San Isidro and Tandayapa.

Prices on request.

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart early from Quito to the neighbor valley of Los Chillos, as you head to Píntag. This little village lies at the base of the Antisana Ecological Reserve. Suddenly, the landscape changes with volcanic features of a colossal volcano that erupted as recently as 400 years ago (Antisanilla area). This is a full day program. Enjoy lunch at Hacienda Antisana. Overnight at Papallacta. The hot springs here are a well-deserved treat after a productive birding day in the Páramo area.

Antisana Reserve: A spectacular high mountain (18,709 feet/5,704 meters) in the Eastern Andes in the extreme western Napo. It is situated just east of the main ridge of the Andes - hence with much snow and often enveloped by clouds - it occasionally can be viewed near the pass on the Papallacta road. High Paramos around its base are relatively undisturbed and support a good number of Andeans Condors. Laguna Micacocha harbors a population of Silvery Grebes. Also look also for Black-faced Ibis, Carunculated Caracara, Andean Lapwings, Variable Hawk and Andean Gulls.

Day 2
Depart early for the Papallacta Pass at 13,448 feet (4,100 meters), the highest accessible point in Ecuador. It connects Quito with the eastern flanks of the Andes, which face the upper Amazon basin. Your birding is at high Páramo and Marsh areas. Box lunch ‘al fresco’ at a Polylepis Forest. Among the species that can be seen are the Andean Snipe, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Bar-winged Cinclodes, Tawny Antpitta, Streak-throated Bush- Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga and more. Overnight at Papallacta. The hot springs will be waiting for your return.

Papallacta: The high point (13,448 feet/4,100 meters) on the Quito-Lago Agrio highway, lies on the Pichincha/Napo border. Mountainous country extends in all directions from this point; relatively wet Paramo predominates, but there are numerous patches of Polylepis- dominated woodland as well. A side road to the north leads even higher reaching some microwave repeating towers at 13,776 feet (4,200 meters), the area has long been a favorite destination for Quito-based ornithologists and birders. Its avifauna is now well-known and, despite some disturbance, remains relatively intact. Specialties to watch for include the Red-rumped bush-tyrant, Giant Conebill, and possibly the Andean Condor.

Days 3-4
Head down to lower elevation to Cabañas San Isidro early this morning. These two days are commited to superb birdwatching in an area surrounded by Subtropical and Temperate zone Forest. Among the avian highlights, your list could include Dusky Piha, White-capped Tanager, Red-hooded Tanager, Inca Jay, Sickle-winged Guan, Masked Trogon, Tyrannine Woodcreeper, Greater Scythebill, Highland Tinamou, Bicolored Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Black-chested Fruiteater, Green-and-Black Fruiteater and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (eastern subspecies). Overnight at Cabañas San Isidro.

San Isidro: A small ecotourism lodge on the east slope of the Andes between 6,232-7,216 feet (1,900-2,200 meters) in western Napo near Cosanga, just off the Baeza-Tena highway. Several trails leaving from the lodge permit access into surrounding rich Subtropical zone Forest. Without doubt the rarest bird that has been seen in the area is Bicolored Antvireo. But there are also many other east slope specialties found here.

Day 5
Spend a full day birding at the Cordillera de los Huacamayos and Loreto Road. The area is dominated by Lower Montane and Montane Cloud Forests with altitudes ranging between 1,640 and 7,544 feet (500 and 2,300 meters). Several eco-zones can be experienced and your birding ‘expedition’ should be a true success. You might say this is a heavily forested bridge connecting to the Amazonian Lowland Rain Forest. Go birding along the road, winding through hills and sometimes following trails that leave the main road.

Immaculate Antbird. Enlarge image

The area provides chances for a good number of rare and localized species restricted only to the eastern Andean foothills. Some nocturnal highlights include Rufous-bellied Nighthawk and Lyre-tailed Nightjar. Tanagers are well represented in the entire area, especially at lower elevations, where some good mixed flocks can be seen. They may include: Orange-eared Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, Paradise Tanager and Saffron-crowned Tanager. Near the summit of the Guacamayos Cordillera, find Black-billed Mountain Toucan and White-rimmed Brush Finch. Other interesting possibilities are the Orange-breasted Falcon, Black-mandible Toucan, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Plum-throated Cotinga, Military Macaw and Subtropical Cacique, among many others. A box lunch is included. Overnight at Cabañas San Isidro.

Cordillera de Los Huacamayos: A semi-isolated ridge oriented east-west on the east slope of the Andes in western Napo. It is transected by the Baeza-Tena road, on which the highest elevation achieved is about 7,216 feet (2,200 meters). Good Subtropical Forest and Woodland exist on both slopes, above Cosanga on the north side (this is the best area for the rare Bicolored Antvireo) and down to about 1,968 feet (600 meters) on the south side (below this precipitous point most forest has been cleared); slopes on the south side are precipitous. A narrow trail leading west from the crest provides access to the forest interior. Numerous scarce Mountain birds occur in this important bird area, including Andean Potoo, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, White-capped Tanager, Masked Saltator and many others.

Loreto Road: A road that cuts east from the Baeza-Tena highway at 4m264 feet (1,300 meters) north of Archidona and gradually descends through precipitous Andean foothill terrain toward Loreto, from there continuing on toward Coca. When originally built (1987), the Loreto road passed through magnificent Lower Subtropical and Foothill Forest, but sadly - and despite government promises - habitats along the road have since deteriorated, with much settlement and clearing having taken place. Despite the forest destruction, the Loreto road continues to provide a superb ornithological experience for those willing to endure its frequent foggy conditions and periodic downpours. The variety of range-restricted and rare species found here is great and includes numerous foothill ‘endemics.’

Day 6
Say goodbye to the amazing San Isidro area, as you head for the northwest Cloud Forest making a series of stops to see some species you may have missed on the way down. Upon arrival, take good advantage of this birding hotspot, birding the roadside habitats around Tandayapa, or just sitting totally mesmerized at the world's most productive and spectacular hummingbird feeders! Watch for such specialties as Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, over 20 species of hummingbirds (including some of the Chocó endemics), Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Powerful Woodpecker and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Thirty five species of tanagers, of the nearly 300 species that have been recorded, are found here. Overnight at Tandayapa.

Tandayapa: A crossroad settlement (5,248 feet/1,600 meters) on the west slope of the Andes in Pichincha. The area, a favored one for birders, is still partially forested.

Day 7
Start early this morning seeking for some spectacular Cloud Forest species, some difficult to see, such as the Giant Antpitta and Tanager Finch. The road provides great possibilities for spotting Beautiful Jay, Grass-green Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager and countless others. You may also step into some trails seeking Dark-backed Wood-Quail and Ocellated Tapaculo. After lunch return to Quito, where the tour ends.