PRIVATE BIRDING TOUR - All Year Round Best for Birding

Day 1

ARRIVAL TO ECUADOR.  

• Transfer in to our Birding Lodge, Hacienda Jimenita, located 15 minutes from the airport. No meals included. 

Day 2

JIMENITA BIRDING TRAILS & PENAS BLANCAS RAINBOW-BEARDED THORNBILL BIRDING ROAD

• Morning birding at Jimenita Reserve to explore the main feeders and viewing point for local specialities.  In the afternoon explore Penas Blancas Viewing Point for possible Spectacled Bears and Hummingbirds. Rest of the afternoon relax in our natural paradise.  
• Targets: Giant Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Western Emerald, Saffron Finch, Vermillion Flycatcher, Hooded Siskin, White-bellied Woodstar, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Harris Hawk, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Giant Conebill, Pearled Treerunner, Tawny Antpitta and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Welcome Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

Day 3

ANTISANA CONDOR HIDE & WILDLIFE RESERVE 

• Pick up from our lodge around 5am and drive towards the Upper Andean Valleys near Antisana Volcano. The Antisana Reserve is the most impressive Andean Mount near Quito and Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor. Upon arrival to the reserve we will make strategic stops to observe different bird species and Natural Treasures that Antisana offers. We will have lunch viewing La Mica Lake and several Aquatic Species. After lunch, we will return to our Lodge surrounded with nature and birding reserve. 
• Targets: Andean Condor, Shining Sunbeam, Red-Crested Cotinga, Spectacled Redstart, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Caranculated Cara-Cara, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Variable Hawk, Black Flowerpiercer, Andean Ibis, Andean Lapwing, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch and Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

DAY 4

ZURO LOMA ANTPITTAS AND OLD-NONO MINDO ROAD IN TANDAYAPA VALLEY

• Early pick up at 530am from our lodge. Drive towards Zuro Loma located in the Pichincha Foothills. We will visit the Antpitta and Ocellated Tapaculo Hides in Zuro Loma Feeders. Continue birding in Old-Nono Mindo Road towards Tandayapa Valley. Late afternoon arrival to our lodge in Mindo. 
• Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rufous Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Blue-backed Conebill, Burrowing Owl, White-throated Screech Owl, Cloud-Forest Pigmy Owl, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin 

Day 5

ANGEL PAZ ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK LEK AND TOUCAN HIDES

• Early morning pick up around 530am to visit the Andean Cock of the Rock Lek and photography hides of Antpittas, Tanagers, New World Barbets, Toucan-Barbets, Quails, Hawks, and other exotic choco endemic bird species. Lunch at the reserve overviewing the tanager and trogon feeders. Afternoon continue birding in Plate-billed Mountain Toucan Hide  and endemic Hummingbird species like the Violet-tailed Sylph. 
• Targets:  Andean Cock of the Rock, Masked Trogon, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-Purple Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, Golden Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Sunbittern, Beryl-spangled Tanager and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Day 6

LONG-WATTLED UMBRELLABIRD LEK, WOODPECKERS AND SUNBITTERN RESERVE 

• In the morning we will visit the best photography Toucan Hides in Ecuador for the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan. In addition possible to observe Woodcreepers, Antpittas, Tanager and Hummingbirds, in particular the Hoary Puffleg. Continue birding in Bellavista Reserve, located in the Old Tandayapa-Mindo road. We will bird at the feeders and main trails for possible Grass-green Tanager and others. Lunch at the reserve overviewing the Cloud Forest. In the afternoon return to Mindo. 
• Targets: Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Sickle-winged Guan, White-throated Quail Dove,  Golden-headed Quetzal, Spilmanns Tapaculo, Green and Black fruiteater, Andean Solitaire, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Powerful Woodpecker, White-sided Flowerpiercer, Blue-necked Tanager and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Day 7

RIO SILANCHE TOWER LOWLANDS & MILPE TOUCAN BIRDING SANCTUARY

• Birding cant get any better at the Umbrella Bird Lek in the Choco Lowlands. This important site is one of the last remaining accessible forest remnants found in this key life-zone, situated in hilly lowland forest. In this reserve we have encountered mixed species foraging flocks, packed with many important Chocó regional endemic species. We will aim to observe the males and females Long-wattled Umbrella Bird. In the afternoon visit Milpe Birding Sanctuary for specialities like Toucans, Hummingbirds, Kites and Hawks.
• Targets: Double-banded Graytail, Lonw-wattled Umbrella Bird, Stub-tailed Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Plumbeous Hawk, Masked Tityra, Blue-necked Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Orange-breasted Barbet and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Day 8

AMAGUSA MASHPI RESERVE & OIL BIRDS CAVE

• Pick up around 530am to visit Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, one of the best spots in the world for biodiversity and birding. Its one of the last foothill-forest that directly connects to the lower subtropical western forest of Ecuador. Its unique location makes it particularly attractive for birders looking for the highest biodiversity regions with choco endemic birds. Visit Alambi Feeders for Hummingbird specialities. Lunch at the reserve. Return to Quito in the afternoon.
• Targets: Glistening-green tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rose-faced Parrot, Spinetails, Chlorophonias, Rufous- throated Tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, Indigo Flowerpiercer and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney 

Day 9

PAPALLACTA PASS AND GUANGO TORRENT DUCK RESERVE

• Pick up at 7am from our lodge. Our drive to the East Slope Cloud Forest will initially lead us through the drier central valley where we will pass through a mix of agricultural zones and native forests before rising up steeply to the high and windswept paramo. Along the way possible to observe the Spectacled Bear in our strategic points. Papallacta Pass is a transition ecosystem between the Andes and the Cloud Forest, perfect for mixed flocks and paramo hummingbirds. Continue to Guango Reserve, where we frequently run into some of the best temperate forest flocks; best photography in our Hummingbird feeders. After lunch and in the late afternoon arrival to Rio Quijos Lodge. 
• Targets: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Mountain Cacique, Inca Jay, Turquoise Jay and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Rio Quijos Lodge, Double Room 

Day 10

ANDEAN MOTMOT RESERVE, LAS BRISAS HUMMINGBIRDS AND SAN ISIDRO BIRDING RESERVE WITH NIGHT OWL OBSERVATION

• We plan to start the morning with some birding right around the lodge and main trails before breakfast. Explore the Andean Cock of the Rock Peruvian Subspecie, Andean Motmot Trails, and Near-shore river Bird species. After lunch continue to San Isidro Reserve surrounded with lush cloud forest with mixed flocks. In the second day at San Isidro visit Guacamayos Ridge and explore the main trails of the reserve. 
• Targets: Andean Motmot, Sunbittern, Andean Cock of the Rock, Montane and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-billed Peppershrike, Inca Jay, Subtropical Cacique, White-bellied Antpitta, Long-tailed Antbirds, Plain-tailed Wrens and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Fruiteaters, Andean Potoo and Rufous-banded Owl.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight at Cabanas San Isidro Lodge, Double Room 

Day 11

WHITE-BELLIED ANTPITTA FEEDER, INSECT TANAGER FEEDERS

• Morning birding at the Antpitta Feeders, where we will see the White-bellied Antpitta. Continue birding the beautiful Wayra Reserve for possible Paradise Tanagers.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight at Cabanas San Isidro Lodge, Double Room 

Day 12

GUACAMAYOS RIDGE, HOLLIN WATERFALL AND SUMACO BAJO ROAD

•  Continue to Hollin Waterfall in the Upper Amazon Basin for possible Rufous-breasted Wood Quail, Southern Mealy Amazon, Golden-tailed Sapphire, White-tailed Hillstar and others. Box Lunch along the way and birding at Sumaco Bajo Road.  Afternoon arrival to Wild Sumaco Lodge, where we will explore the hummingbird feeders before sunset. 
• Targets: Green-and-black Fruiteater, Handsome Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Grass-greenTanager, a few species of skulking tapaculos, Northern Mountain-Cacique,Greater Scythebill, Dusky Piha, Cliff flycatcher, Southern Mealy Amazon, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Magpie Tanager and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room 

Day 13 

WILD SUMACO RESERVE 

• Early birding around the lodge for possible Wrens and Antbirds. We will explore the main feeders of the lodge and have breakfast. Continue birding in the Wild Sumaco Trails for possible Toucans, Tanagers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Eagles, and others. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon continue birding the reserve for new spectacular bird species.
• Targets: Linated Woodpecker, Many-banded Aracari, Orange-cheeked Parrot, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Wire-crested Thorntail, Goulds Jewelfront, Grey-headed Kite, Collared Trogon, Green-backed Trogon, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Lined Antshrike, Blue-headed Parrot, White-backed Fire-eye, Peruvian-warbling Antbird, Musician Wren, Golden-collared Toucanet, Amazonia Motmot and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room 

Day 14

WILD SUMACO WREN FEEDERS, CONTINUE TO LIMONCOCHA LAGOON & SCARLET IBIS FEEDERS

• Transfer from Wild Sumaco to Limoncocha Biological Reserve. Birding in the Surroundings of the Reserves and in the afternoon visit Limoncha Lake by boat for exotic species like Zigzag Heron, Straited Heron, Tiny Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Southern Lapwing, Swallow-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, Squirrel Cuckoo, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Striped Owl, Red-capped Cardinal, Common Potoo, Greater Ani, White-eared Jacamar, Limpkin, Cocoi Heron, Purple Gallinule, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Plain-brown woodcreeper, Wattled Jacana, Guilded Barbet, Scarlet Macaw, White-throated Toucan and others. Late afternoon visit the Scarlet Ibis and Cattle Egret overnight grounds. Return to Limoncocha. 

• Next day visit White-lored Antpitta Feeder, Harpy Eagle Reserve and Napo Islands by boat. Possible to observe Harpy Eagle, Crested Owl, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Scarlet-shouldered Parakeet, Scarlet Macaw, White-plumbed Antbird, Great Jacamar, Yellow-billed Jacamar, Golden-headed Manakin, Blue-crowned Manakin, Blue-backed Manakin, Sooty Antbird, Reddish-winged Bare-Eye, Collared Pecari, Golden-mantled Tamarin, Saki Monkey, Dusky-Titi Monkey, White-fronted Capuchin, Red-howler Monkey and others. In the afternoon visit Limoncocha Lake for other specialities and Caiman Trail. At night possible to visit Black-banded Owl Feeders and amphibians night walk. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Shushufindi, Double Room 

Day 15

WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA FEEDERS, CEIBO FOREST TRAIL, AND AFTERNOON PRIVATE CANOE LIMONCOCHA LAGOON 

Day 16, 17, 18 

PRIVATE BIRDING AT NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER OR SACHA LODGE - LUXURIOUS AMAZON LODGES - ALL INCLUSIVE  

• After breakfast transfer to Coca City where your journey to the Lower Amazon begins. Transfer by shared motor boat through Napo River until arriving to the Amazon Lodge Interpretation Center. Private Birding Tour with private Canoe and local expert english speaking birding guide. We will explore the surroundings of the lodge, the reserve, the canopy tower, and more. There are around 500 registered bird species at this location. All Inclusive Lodge.  
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Napo Wildlife Center, Sacha Lodge, Double Room  

Day 19

RETURN TO QUITO. FLIGHT INCLUDED. LEISURE AFTERNOON IN OUR BIRDING RESERVE. 

Early morning transfer to Coca and flight to Quito. Arrival and transfer to our lodge. Leisure afternoon in our Birding Reserve. 

Day 20

TRANSFER OUT TO QUITO AIRPORT 

24/7 Transfer out to Quito Airport after breakfast. End of Services or EXTENSION to Galapagos Islands.

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