BIRDING & NATURE TRIPS

HUMMINGBIRD ROUTE – CHOCÓ ENDEMICS ANDES WESTERN AND EASTERN SLOPES

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The days could be extended as required by passenger

Green and Black Fruiteater.

1DAY

ARRIVAL

Transfer in from the new International Airport Mariscal Sucre in Tababela to Quito. Usually international flights arrive late in the evening. Overnight in Quito. On this tour I highly recommend arriving a day early to prepare for the high altitude of the first day. I can arrange this for you as well as provide an airport transfer.

ARRIVAL

YANACOCHAYanacocha Reserve is located on the northeastern slope of Pichincha Volcano about 1 hour northwest of Quito, along the old Nono-Mindo Road in route to Mindo Subtropical Rainforest.

Yanacocha Reserve is a high-altitude cloud forest situated at 10,500 ft a.s.l. The reserve protects 964 hectares of elfin Polylepsis Forest, which is home to many avian specialties but is noted primarily for its hummingbirds. Among these is the highly endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, which was nearly driven to extinction due to habitat loss. In the early 1990's the land was purchased by the Jocotoco Foundation, one of Ecuador’s most recognized conservation organizations, and established as a protected reserve.

YANACOCHA RESERVE &OLD NONO-MINDO ROAD

Sword-Billed Hummingbird

Early departure as the sunrises, over the northwestern slope of Pichincha Volcano.  Start birding in the enchanted, Protected Forest of Yanacocha for a surprising array of bird species; there are mixed flocks of gorgeous birds such as Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Golden Crowned Tanager. Hummingbirds are a major highlight here!! Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs,Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet and the outstanding Sword-billed hummingbird are frequent visitors of the surrounding flora and the feeders scattered along the main trail.

Box lunch at the reserve; later on we’ll continue on down the old Nono-Mindo Road to Tandayapa Valley with remarkable landscapes. Following what is known as the Ruta del “Quinde”- kichwa word for hummingbird- with more fabulous birds and views, we make our way to Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, at 7200 ft a.s.l.

The old Nono-Mindo Road is a great birding site with a great diversity of hummingbirds and many Chocó endemics.

The route offers a good chance for White-capped Dippers hopping around on the boulders within a rushing Andean river; the riverside banks along a section of the road also play host to Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants. We’ll try to arrive to the lodge before dark to get our first view of the incredible activity at the hummingbird feeders, which attract many species including Violet-tailed Sylph, Collared Inca, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Western Emerald, Purple-throated Woodstar, Booted-racket-Tail, Gorgeted Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird among others. Overnight at Bellavista Reserve Lodge.

2DAYYANACOCHA RESERVE &OLD NONO-MINDO ROAD

Once in Bellavista, the hummingbirds take our full attention!!! Large numbers hover constantly around the feeders, and it is easy to identify over 10 species at very close range. The lodge offers an excellent network of trails, over 8 km in length, ranging from easy to genuine adventure.

BELLAVISTA

BELLAVISTA CLOUDFOREST RESERVE

Crested Quetzal

Furthermore, waterfalls on the property of 700 hectares, all deep in the subtropical rainforest are truly beautiful. This combination invites you for day excursions in the surroundings, which will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest, it’s bird diversity, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment.

Bellavista is recognized as one of Ecuador’s Important Bird Areas (IBA’s). It is located within the Chocó Biogeographic Region. This area extends from Panama to the Ecuadorian Province of Manabi; this bio-region is considered one of the world’s hot spots of biodiversity due to it’s high levels of endemism.

3DAY

Some of the target species here are the very rare and threatened Tanager Finch, the gorgeous Toucan Barbet, Ocellated Tapaculo and the spectacular Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. The reserve is a perfect host of other colorful subtropical species: the tanagers. Grass-green, Blue and Black, Beryl-Spangled, Blue-Capped, Fawn- Breasted, Golden, Flame-Faced and Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers occur frequently in the reserve. Beautiful birds abound in the cloud forest of the upper Tandayapa Valley like the Green and Black Fruiteater, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Turquoise Jay, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Rufous-Headed Pygmy- Tyrant, Flavescent Flycatcher, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Sierran Elaenia, Montane Woodcreeper, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner among many others. Overnight in Bellavista.

BELLAVISTA CLOUDFOREST RESERVE

Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan

ANGEL PAZANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCKLEK AT REFUGIO PAZ DE LAS AVES

Chestnut-Crowned Antpitta

DAYANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK LEK, ANTPITTA PARADISE AT REFUGIO PAZ DE LAS AVES

This now-famous antpitta reserve near Mindo will be one of the tour’s highlights. Here, the former local farmer Angel Paz and his brother Rodrigo have switched their activities to birding and conservation. They are pioneers in the neotropics in hand-feeding several elusive species like Giant, Yellow-Breasted, Chestnut-Crowned and Ochre-Breasted Antpittas with amazing success. These birds respond relatively easily to their voice, giving us a great chance to see these otherwise evasive birds. They have gained substantial fame for developing this technique of conditioning extremely rare antpittas and other rare birds to come out onto the trail. Here we’ll also visit an active Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek at sunrise. Hummingbird feeders attract some new species like Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant and Brown-Violetear. Other Chocó specialties sometimes found in the area include Nariño Tapaculo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, and Black -chinned Mountain-Tanager. It is also a good site for birds like Olivaceus Piha, Golden-headed Quetzal, Golden-Winged Manakin and Crimson-rumped Toucanet.

Overnight in Quito.

4

Giant Antpitta Ochre-Breasted Antpitta

Some 65 km (41 Miles) East of Quito the road brings us into the high elevation paramo at Papallacta, a very tundra-like habitat. On clear days the views of the surroundings and various volcanoes are breath-taking; a stop right up at the pass is one of the best spots from where to photograph the snow-capped Antisana Volcano as it towers over the mountains below.

GUANGOPAPALLACTA PASS &GUANGO LODGE

Tourmaline Sunangel

DAY

If weather allows from this point on we should start scanning the sky from time to time for the Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle that may soar overhead.We’ll check stands of Polylepis woodland for Giant Conebill , Black-backed Bush Tanager, White-chinned Thistletail,Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Golden-crowned Tanager, Pale-naped Brush-Finch and the scarce Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant. At the highest elevations we’ll seek out the secretive and cryptic Rufous-Bellied Seedsnipe.In the afternoon we’ll drive to Guango Reserve, where we will embark on a hike along the trails that fan out around the lodge to get a taste of the beautiful Andean temperate forests.

5

Colorful mixed flocks with birds such as Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped Hemispingus can be seen around the lodge. Here we have possibilities for rare and very local birds like the Mountain Avocetbill, the stunning Gray Breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, and Northern Mountain Cacique. Along the Papallacta River we’ll try to find a unique resident of fast flowing mountain rivers, a powerful swimmer and diver: the Torrent Duck. This could definitely be one of our day highlights! Before dinner we will be officially welcomed by the lit fireplace and have our first taste of Ecuador’s best known hot toddy, a delicious drink called “Canelazo”. Overnight Guango Lodge

PAPALLACTA PASS &GUANGO LODGE

Chesnut-Breasted Coronet

SAN ISIDROSAN ISIDRO RESERVE

Cabañas San Isidro reserve and lodge is located at 6800 feet a.s.l. with an amazing view of the Quijos Valley and Guacamayos Ridge. The lodge is set on a re-growing pasture now surrounded by secondary forest. The cabins are only a five-minute walk from a large, privately-owned reserve of about 2200 acres of pristine primary humid forest that connects two larger national reserves, one at each end.

Inca Jay

6DAY

Early birding in Guango Lodge Reserve. After breakfast we´ll drive to Cabañas San Isidro located just one hour away to explore the subtropical rainforest of the eastern slopes. Our plan is to get to San Isidro in time to get settled into our rooms, and even take a quick look around before lunch; after lunch we will have plenty to do!Large mixed species flocks roam the forest and hold flashy birds such as Saffron-crowned Tanager, Black-eared Hemispingus, and Rufous-breasted Flycatcher; whereas Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatchers and Long-tailed Antbirds skulk in the bamboo patches along the road. Hummingbird feeders attract many different species like Bronzy Inca, Collared Inca, Gorgeted Woodstar, Green Violetear, Long-Tailed Sylph, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Sparkling Violetear among others.By night we’re within earshot of hollering Rufous-banded Owls, as well as the mysterious “San Isidro Owl,” which seems to be an undescribed species.Overnight at Cabañas San Isidro.

CABAÑAS SAN ISIDRO RESERVE

GUACAMAYOSGUACAMAYOS RIDGE

The famous Guacamayos Ridge is a middle montane forest area part of the 297.00 acres of Antisana Ecological Reserve. This trail was used by the first explorers and settlers traveling to the eastern lowlands.

Collared Inca

7DAY

Early morning excursion at San Isidro, we’ll put our birding caps on and get out for an early activity. While we slept, the lights around the lodge have collected a mob of moths and other insects, which means one thing: a buffet for insectivorous birds in search for breakfast! We will spend the early morning watching Masked Trogon, Inca Jay, Pale-edge Flycatcher, Barred Becard and different species of tanagers glean all sorts of bugs in a seemingly frantic attempt to satisfy their morning hunger. Soon after, we will venture down a nearby trail to watch the White-bellied Antpitta and Chestnut-crowned Antpittas as they come to devour worms at two feeding locations around the lodge... Have your camera ready!After lunch, a 30 minute drive from San Isidro will lead us to the famous Cordillera de Guacamayos trail, an outlying ridge of the Andes with extensive forest and numerous rare and local species. While birding a trail along the ridge, we may see: White-capped Tanager, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Ocellated Tapaculo, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Dusky Piha, Crested Quetzal, Emerald Toucanet, Greater Scythebill and Barred Antthrush. Late in the afternoon we´ll head back to Quito.

Overnight Quito.

SAN ISIDRO & GUACAMAYOS RIDGE

White- Bellied Antpitta

ANTISANAANTISANAAntisana Ecological Reserve is unique in several ways. Not only does it provide refuge for one of the largest concentrations of Andean Condors left in Ecuador, but it also provides much of Quito`s drinking water. Officially recognized as a national reserve only in 1994, it’s 120,000 hectares (296,400 acres) are now some of the most rigorously protected natural areas in Ecuador.

Andean Condor

8DAY

Birdlife categorizes Antisana as an Important Bird Area and is part of The Nature Conservancy's Condor Bioreserve, it is just a worthy glimpse between 10500 ft to 15000 ft a.s.l.An early departure from Quito brings us to the western entrance of Antisana Ecological Reserve, a mix of elfin forest below and grassland paramo above.Arriving at Lake Mica, we scan the lake shore for Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Andean Ruddy Ducks, and Yellow-billed Pintails. This is also the best place in Ecuador to observe closely the regal Silvery Grebe. We’ll leave the reserve around 3 pm. On our way back we may have time to bird a nice trail in the valley and cannon of the Chiche River.Farewell dinner and transfer out to catch your late international flight, or overnight in Quito if you decide to extend your trip.

ANTISANA & TRANSFER OUT

The snow-covered top of Antisana Volcano is located at 18,886 ft a.s.l.. It’s the fourth highest peak of Ecuador.Something that makes this place wonderful is the contact with undisturbed nature apart from crowded touristic places and it’s beautiful Andean scenery with flocks of birds. The reserve provides opportunities to see many high altitude and local specialties such as Ecuadorian Hillstar visiting the Chuquiragua bushes, Black-tailed Trainbearer Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spineatil, Many-Striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga, Páramo Pipit, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch and Black-winged Ground-Dove. We’ll have the chance to see many Carunculated Caracaras, Andean Gulls, Andean Lapwings, and many other species that are absent or difficult at other sites such as the rare Black - Faced Ibis.

TRIP CONSIDERATIONSCLIMATE: Much of the trip will be at middle elevations where the climate is quite pleasant, but it can get cold at Yanacocha, Antisana and Papallacta, and warmer and humid as we approach the subtropical region. Intense UV radiation and some rain are likely.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate for the most part, with many sites involving only roadside birding. However, there could be some difficult steep hikes on muddy trails at Bellavista, San Isidro and Angel Paz Reserve.

ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent.

Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve LodgeGuango LodgeSan Isidro LodgeHotel Stubel Suites & Cafe or similar.

PRICE PER PERSON$2150 usd for one person in double occupancy.Max group size: 6 + 1 leader.Single supplement: $320 usd.I will run this tour with as few as 2 passengers depending on availability.

TOUR INCLUDES:All accommodations, all meals (box lunches, snacks and purified water at all times).All land private transportation, included transfers in and out.Entrance fees to all the reserves.Private bilingual naturalist & birding guide.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:International airfare.Alcoholic or extra beverages.Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and any other item not mentioned. Tips.

CUSTOMIZED TOURI can easily set up a custom tour to virtually anywhere you can imagine. With a custom tour, you can travel with friends and family on dates that are convenient for your schedule, and the tour will be ran at the pace and difficulty you desire.I may also be able to arrange a custom extension or modification of this trip for you upon request.

Born in Quito. English speaking, birding guide and naturalist, who began his experience as a guide 12 years ago, when he worked as the resident guide at the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve in Northwestern Ecuador. This was his first school in the world of ecotourism. He has worked in environmental education programs, as an assistant and volunteer in scientific research and monitoring of wildlife conservation projects, surveying and mapping nests, as well as banding birds in the Chocó Bioregion and in the Galapagos Islands.Santiago has worked as resident naturalist and birding guide for different reserves and lodges in the Amazon rainforest.He studied Ecotourism and Hospitality in 2006, obtaining his National Tour Guide License.

He is currently enrolled in the School of Environmental Sciences at the Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja in Ecuador to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering. His knowledge, and his passion for nature have made him successful in guiding in Ecuador´s different regions.

Santiago SalazarProfile

Santiago SalazarNatural History & Birding Trips

guide.santiagosalazar@gmail.comPhoto credits Santiago Salazar