Tropical Slopes of Ecuador Birdwatching and Naturalist Tour
10 Days/ 9 Nights
INTINERARY
6am: The tour begins with an early morning Quito Hotel pick up and then heading down the western slope towards the Mindo area. Coffee is served before birdwatching at high altitude Yanacocha Reserve.
Enjoy the Sword-Billed Hummingbird, Scarlet-
Bellied Mountain Tanager, Sapphire-Vented Puffleg, Shiny Sunbeam Hummingbirds just to get the day started. Lunch at Yanacocha Reserve. Continue
along the eco route to Mindo stopping along the way for birdwatching opportunities.
4pm: Arrive Casa Divina Lodge. Dinner and
Lodging at Casa Divina Lodge.
Birdwatching and coffee on the Observation Deck at Casa Divina Lodge. Continuing on to the trails of Casa Divina Reserve until breakfast.
After breakfast head out to the San Lorenzo Ridge to spot where it’s possible to see a variety of toucans: the endemic Choco Toucan, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, Rufous Motmot, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Blue-Necked Tanager are often spotted along this route. Sack lunch on the trail.
Afternoon Return to Casa Divina. Dinner and
lodging at Casa Divina Lodge.
5:15am: Early morning departure. Andean Cock-of- the-rock observation at Paz de Las Aves Reserve.
Continue on after the lek to observe bird species that are difficult to spot. Ochre-reasted and Moustached Antpittas, among others. Country breakfast at the reserve observation area. After breakfast either continue climbing to see higher altitude cloud forest species like the Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan or the Tanager Finch, or stop at a few lower elevation feeding stations to observe tanagers like the Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, many hummingbirds and possibly the endemic Toucan Barbet. Picnic Lunch on the trail.
Afternoon return to Casa Divina Lodge.
Dinner and lodging at Casa Divina Lodge.
5:30am Early morning departure to lower elevation reserve where a picnic breakfast will be served while birdwatching at tree level on the Rio Silanche Tower.
A few species that might be seen are: Black-
Cheeked Woodpecker, Scarlet-Breasted Dacnis, Orange-Fronted Barbet, White-Bearded Manakin, Blue-tailed Trogon, White-tailed Trogon. After the tower observation there are some nature trails for continued birdwatching. Picnic Lunch at the reserve.
Afternoon return to Casa Divina Lodge.
Dinner and lodging at Casa Divina Lodge.
5:30am Early morning departure to the northernmost reserve on this tour located in the Choco Andean Corridor. Picnic breakfast at Amagusa Reserva feeding station where hummingbirds and tropical tanagers abound.
Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Moss-Backed Tanager, Glistening-Green Tanager, Black Solitary are but a few of the fantastic species you’ll be able to spot at this special reserve. Explore the cloud forest while walking the reserve trails. Continue on to the Oilbird cave where dozens of individuals can be spotted together in this very unique environment. Country lunch served at the reserve.
Afternoon return to Casa Divina Lodge.
Dinner and lodging at Casa Divina Lodge.
Option 1: Umbrella Bird Reserve
5am Early morning departure. Observe the unusual sounds and sights of the Long-Wattled Umbrella Bird. Country breakfast after observation. Possible to spot the Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Laughing Falcon.
Option 2: Milpe Reserve
6am Departure. Beautiful reserve managed by a local conservation foundation. Easy flat trails. Picnic breakfast at Reserve. Hummingbird and Tanager feeder observation. Club- winged Manakin, Golden-headed Quetzal, Collared Aracari, Green Thorntail Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph Hummingbird.
Return to Casa Divina Lodge for In-House Lunch. Check out at Casa Divina Lodge.
2pm Depart for Eastern Slope.
Arrive at a cloud forest reserve on the eastern slope of Ecuador to a charming lodge nestled along the Papallacta River.
Dinner and lodging at high elevation eastern slope reserve.