Bears & Birds of the Andes

The Trip

Day 1: Quito arrival day – transfer in / Sheraton Quito Hotel / Plaza Grande
Day 2: Birds – Refugio Paz de las Aves – Balcon Tumpiki / Sachatamia Lodge / Terrazas de Dana Hotel
Day 3: Birds – Alambi waterfall – Hummingbird sanctuary – El Quetzal / Sachatamia Lodge / Terrazas de Dana
Day 4: Birds – Antisana ecological reserve – Tambo Condor – Antisanilla / Sheraton Quito Hotel / Plaza Grande
Day 5: Andes – Otavalo – Cuicocha – Bears – Homestay
Day 6: Bears – Bear watching (day 1) – Homestay
Day 7: Bears – Bear watching (day 2) – Homestay
Day 8: Bears – Bear watching (day 3) / Sheraton Hotel / Plaza Grande
Day 9: International departure – transfer out

Day-by-Day

Day 1. Quito arrival day – transfer in
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America -was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. A cultural capital of South America, located on the equator in a valley at the foot of Pichincha volcano. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Optional day city tour can be arranged. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours.

Stay: Sheraton Quito Hotel / Plaza Grande Hotel
Meals included: In-flight

Day 2. Refugio Paz de las Aves – Balcon Tumpiki
In the morning drive to the foothills of Pichincha Volcano. The adventure starts with magnificent views of the Andes, heading down, the vegetation changes from arid bushes to dense forest. View colourful birds along the way. At Refugio Paz de las Aves, for a unique birding activity. Enjoy a once-in- a-life-time opportunity to sight the crimson Cock-of-the-Rock. Brothers Rodrigo and Angel Paz have also coaxed ant pittas – normally very shy- to leave the tangled forest when they hear their names. They are rewarded with worms. The most daring is the giant antpitta called María, who follows them everywhere for the worms, then Angel Paz calls Willi a yellow-breasted antpitta to eat. They also draw out a moustached antpitta and ochre-breasted antpitta. On rare occasions, the dark-backed wood quail appears.

Later, visit another birding place, the Balcon Tumpiki, if lucky to see toucans of the Choco Bioregion. Other birds are: toucan barbet, powerful woodpecker, black vulture, turkey vulture, barred parakeet, squirrel cuckoo, speckled hummingbird, buff-tailed coronet, Azaras spinetall, rufous-breasted ant thrush, golden-olive woodpecker, masked trogon, scaly-naped Amazon, among other astonishing bird species of the area. Arrive at the hotel in Mindo.

Stay: Sachatamia Lodge / Terrazas de Dana Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3. Alambi waterfall – Hummingbird sanctuary – El Quetzal
After breakfast drive to the Mindo Nambillo reserve and take a tarabita cable car to the trail in the middle of the forest. Start hiking with our guide will help you spot wildlife, and many of the hundreds of bird species. These include toucans, parrots, quetzals, and day-glow tanagers. Mindo is one of the top destinations for birdwatchers in South America. This is also known as the path of seven waterfalls. Take a quick natural bath to refresh yourself before leaving this magical place. Other optional activities are the butterfly farm, or the El Quetzal chocolate factory.

Mindo is a biologically diverse region in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador and home to over 450 different species of birds. The flora and fauna of Mindo is truly an enchanted place. The quantity of hummingbirds has to be seen to be believed.

Stay: Sachatamia Lodge / Terrazas de Dana Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4. Antisana ecological reserve – Tambo Condor – Antisanilla
Head back to the Andes to Discover more of Ecuador’s wildlife. In the Antisana Ecological Reserve at about 4,000m. Explore with an expert naturalist guide to spot Andean condors or Caracaras. The entrance of the reserve is about 48 km (30 miles) southeast from Quito. Starting with elfin forest below and paramo moorland above. The snow-covered top of Antisana Volcano is 5,756 m. a.s.l. It’s the fourth highest peak of Ecuador and it’s covered by the largest ice cap in the country. The place is well off the beaten track and has beautiful Andean scenery. Learn about the geological history of the Andes and the importance of this unique ecosystem. Key species of the area are: Andean condor, hummingbirds such as the Ecuadorian hillstar, giant hummingbird, and the shining sunbeam plus raptors like great horned owl, and variable hawk.

Stay: Sheraton Quito Hotel / Plaza Grande Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5. Otavalo – Cuicocha – Bears – Homestay
Otavalo is South America’s most famous Indian market. Take an early departure from Quito through dramatic mountain scenery northwards. Stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Indigenous people wearing blue ponchos, white trousers, and long braided hair and to explore their handicraft market. Bargain for wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewellery, tapestries, and more at bargain prices. Continuing the trip, we will go to Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Later, we will reach the homestay near the canyon of bears.
Stay: Homestay (basic accommodation located in the bears’ forest)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6. Bear watching (day 1)
Early morning head to the cloud forest to start the day watching for the spectacled bear. At a viewpoint watch them from a distance. Our guide knows where they feed, (best when the fruit season starts and the bears head into the trees). They love a kind of wild avocado. The day is spent walking and waiting. Patience is needed, when the mammal appears. Care is needed when taking pictures not to scare them away.

After this we will head to a homestay where we will enjoy our dinner and rest.

Stay: Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7. Bear watching (day 2)
Early in the morning breakfast then head down a path to get closer to the bears, up to 100 meters (328 ft). You will have the chance to watch them eat, climb threes and follow their daily activities for a few hours before heading back. Reflect on great memories of lucky encounters with this magnificent and charismatic mammal.

Stay: Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8. Bear watching (day 3)
Another early breakfast and head down to the path to get close to the bears once more. Then, head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit a sustainable project called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This is a community project developed together with the local women. It helps to support their families and improve the status of the women, by providing them an alternative work to housekeeping. This is a cultural encounter, appreciate their skills with textiles and a culinary knowledge passed down for generations. Help prepare Aji, a local spicy salsa, spend time with them and enjoy a tasty traditional lunch. The local women have use fresh products harvested from the surrounding organic fields. Later, return to Quito.

Stay: Sheraton Hotel / Plaza Grande
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 9. International departure – transfer out
Transfer out for your international departure. Take with you memories and photos. You will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. Buen viaje!

Meals: Breakfast