LR birding presentation

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BIRDING SERIES

description

Details about LR birding programs in Ecuador

Transcript of LR birding presentation

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BIRDING SERIES

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ECUADOR: A PERFECT DESTINATION FOR BIRD WATCHERS

Ecuador is one of 17 countries in the world classified as "megadiverse" by UNESCO, with an incredible variety of birds, reptiles, mammals and orchids. In fact Ecuador is the most megadiverse country per square kilometre in that list.

Ecuador has recorded 1,640 species of birds (a world record per square meter), 132 species of hummingbirds, plus 38 more endemic to the Galapagos Islands. This makes Ecuador the fourth country in the world with the highest diversity of birds in the world.

18% of Ecuador’s territory is considered a protected area in order to conserve such unique biodiversity.

Ecosystems in the country go from sea level to 6400 meters (20997 feets) aprox. There are 46 ecosystems formed by paramos, woods, valleys and pacific ocean , all of them located in different climatic zones .

Country´s small size allows to travel and cover its territory in smaller amounts of time compared with other destinations. Going from one ecosystem to other can take less than 20 min.

Additionally to all the features mentioned above , Ecuador´s wonderful scenery, good infraestructure, and warm people makes this country a birdwatcher´s paradise, one of the best destinations for birdwatching around the world.

Source of information: Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism / Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

Altitude Range

2000 to 14,000 feet aprox.

Travelled area • Western slopes: Paramo, Cloud forest, Chocó lowlands, Subtropical rainforest. • Eastern slopes: High andes, Cloud forest, Subtropical zone, Humid temperate forest.

Highlights

• El Choco is one of the best rain forests in the world, more than 600 species have been recorded in this area, many of them endemics.

 • Cloud forest is the home to the Cock of the rocks, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans,

antpittas among other species.

 • Subtropical rainforest is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country.

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Endemic and interesting birds of Mindo areaPallid doveWhite whiskered hermitPale mandibled AracariChoco toucanLong wattled umbrellabirdDark backed woodquailWattled guanWestern emeraldPurple bibbed whitetipEmpress brilliantBrown incaVelvet purple coronetLittle woodstarGorgeted sunangelViolet tailed sylphGolden headed quetzalToucan barbetPlate billed mountain toucanUniform trrehunterGiant antpittaMoustached antpittaYellow breasted antpittaNariño tapaculoOrange breasted fruiteaterAndean cock of the rockOlivaceous pihaWhite faced nunbirdClub winged manakinBeautiful jayChoco warblerGlistening green tanagerRufous throated tanagerBlack chinned mountain tanagerMoss backed tanager

Birds of Northern Ecuador

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Birds of Northern EcuadorInteresting birds Antisana reserveAndean CondorCinereous harrierCarunculated caracaraAplomado falconBlack faced ibisSilvery grebeTawny antpittaShining sunbeamEcuadorian HillstarStreak backed canasteroRed crested cotingaGiant hummingbbird

Interesting birds Papallacta pass and road to BaezaTorrent duckRufous bellied seedsnipeGiant conebillRed rumped bush tyrantSword billed hummingbirdMountain velvetbreastChestnut breasted coronetGorgeted woodstarBlue backed thornbillTourmaline sunangelWhite capped parrotMasked trogonBar bellied woodpeckerPowerful woodpeckerGray breasted mountain toucanBlue mantled thornbillWhite chinned thistletailDusky pihaBlack backed bush tanagerMasked mountain tanger

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Quito.Arrival in Quito. Meet your guide and be transferred to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel Hilton Colon Meals: -/-/-

Day 2: Quito- Cloud Forest. Pick up from the hotel early in the morning. Drive to Yanacocha reserve, located on the slopes of Volcan Pichincha, just an hour outside of Quito. The reserve protects a large area (960 ha) of Polylepis woodland on the slopes of Volcan Pichincha. Much of this woodland has been removed for charcoal production and for agriculture. The reserve protects 964 ha of elfin Polylepis forest which is home to the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis). The reserve contains a big world range of this very rare hummingbird. Continue your trip through the Nono – Mindo Eco Road. Arrive to Mindo in the afternoon. Overnight in the area.Overnight: Sachatamia Lodge Meals: B/L/D Day 3: Angel Paz bird reserve – Mindo - Nambillo Protected Forest. Early in the morning depart from Sachatamia to visit Angel Paz Antpitta reserve (45 min driving), Angel is a resident from the Nanegalito area who decided to protect his property and convert it in an Antpittas and cock of the rock sanctuary. Three usually elusive Antpittas can be seen at truly incredibly close quarters, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, and Giant Antpitta. Continue with a hike though the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest, which stretches out over 19 200 hectares, between an elevation that ranges 1 180 m to 4 780 m. Hundreds of bird species (400 species) have been recorded here.Overnight: Sachatamia Lodge. Meals: B/L/D

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

Day 4: Silanche Early in the morning depart to Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, an 80 hectare (200 acre) Chocó lowland. This important site, one of the last remaining accessible forest remnants found in this key area, is situated in low foothills between 300-350m. The main feature at Silanche is the incredible birding: mixed flocks bombard the visitor all day without a break. Furthermore these flocks include many important Chocó endemics like Purple-chested Hummingbird, Chocó Trogon, Double-banded Graytail, Griscom’s Antwren, Stub-tailed Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager. The reserve is comprised of a mixture of primary forest, regenerating forest, former plantation and new agro-forestry parcels. In addition to the canopy observation tower, extensive trails and footbridges make for easy exploration of the forest. In the afternoon return to the lodge.Overnight: Sachatamia Lodge. Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: Milpe reserve. Leave Sachatamia after breakfast. Continue to San Jorge de Milpe Orchid and Bird Lodge. Reserve, located in the Subtropical Rainforest just outside of Mindo. .Spend the morning at the Reserve exploring the exquisite cloud forest, its magical trails, and waterfalls; find colorful birds and beautiful orchids. Return to Quito’s area. Overnight: Hacienda La Carriona Meals: B/L/D

Day 6: Antisana Reserve. Pick up for visit the Antisana Ecological Reserve, located on the edge of the Amazon prairie making it a corridor or nexus between the Ecological Reserve of Cayambe-Coca and the Sumaco Napo Galeras National Park. It’s approximately 120,000 hectares, are a birdwatchers paradise. Due to its various ecological zones ranging from páramo (an ecosystem devoid of trees and small shrubs where bushes and flowers grow close to the ground) to the lowland rainforest with more than 70 bird species, including the endangered Andean Condor and other Andean birds as the Curiquingue. Admire the snow-capped Antisana Volcano, the fourth highest peak in Ecuador with an altitude of 5,758m (18,890 feet). Take the road that boards the Cayambe – Coca reserve and arrive to the Quijos Valley, one of the westernmost headwaters of the Amazon basin, here you will spend the next 2 days exploring the area. Overnight: San Isidro Lodge Meals: B/L/D

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

DAY 7: San Isidro – Rio Bermejo Explore the area accompanied by your guide. Cabañas San Isidro is surrounded by its own 1,300 forest reserve, its immediate surroundings now boast a bird list of about 310 species, many of which are more easily found here than anywhere else in the country. San Isidro Lodge is situated at about 2050 meters above sea level, but the trails lead through elevational gradients that pass through habitats from 2,400 meters all the way down to 1,850 meters. What this means to birders is an ideal base to observe Andean birds from the lower reaches of the temperate zone down into the heart of the subtropical zone. Overnight: San Isidro Lodge Meals: B/L/D Day 8: Guacamayos Cordillera The Guacamayos range rises east of the Cordillera Oriental, this well preserved cloud forest is an important spot for birdwatchers. There are nearly 50 species of tanagers, as well as Gray breasted and Black billed mountain-toucans. Overnight: San Isidro Lodge Meals: B/L/D Day 9: Guango Lodge – Papallacta. After breakfast, check out San Isidro and continue to Guango lodge located about 1 hour away from San Isidro, lies at a higher elevation (about 2,700 meters) on Ecuador's eastern slope, only 11 kms down the main Interoceanica Highway from the town of Papallacta. This area is centered in a zone classified as humid temperate forest, a habitat distinctly different from San Isidro and characterized by its more stunted trees (and thicker canopy), cooler climate, and different bird and plant composition.Continue your exploration of the area, including Papallacta area. Enjoy lunch at the Papallacta Thermal Spring complex. Time free to enjoy the thermal pools. In the afternoon continue your drive back to Quito. Overnight: Hotel Hilton Colon Meals: B/L/D

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Birds of Northern Ecuador

• Day 10: DepartureTransfer to the airport for the flight back home or to your next destination.

MEAL CODES: /B/breakfast, /L/lunch, /D/dinner.

• Note: If you want to keep the program on 9 days/ 8 nights, you can omit current activities at Day #4 (silanche)

Extensions recommended for this program

5 or 4 days program into an Amazon Lodge

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

Altitude Range

15 to 10,000 feet aprox.

Travelled area

Lowland Forest, Mangrove Estuaries. Tumbesian region, Sub Tropical forest, Paramo

Highlights

• Ecuadorian Mangroves estuaries are home of various birds species.

 • Tumbesian region is one of the most diverse areas on earth.

 • Subtropical rainforest is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country.

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

Cerro Blanco, Puerto Hondo, Guayaquil

Gray backed hawk Tumbesian endemicRufous necked wood railEcuadorian ground dove Tumbesian endemicPacific pygmy owl Tumbesian endemicPacific parrotlet Tumbesian endemicGray cheeked parakeet Tumbesian endemicBarons hermit Tumbesian endemicEcuadorian piculet Tumbesian endemicScarlet backed woodpecker Tumbesian endemicPacific hornero Tumbesian endemicHenna hooded foliage gleaner Tumbesian endemicBlackish headed spinetail Tumbesian endemicCollared Antshrike Tumbesian endemicTumbesian tyrannulet Tumbesian endemicTumbes pewee Tumbesian endemicGray breasted flycatcher Tumbesian endemicSnowy throated kingbird Tumbesian endemicPlumbeous backed thrush Tumbesian endemicEcuadorian thrush Tumbesian endemicFasciated wren Tumbesian endemicSuperciliated wren Tumbesian endemicSpeckled breasted wren Tumbesian endemicGray and gold warbler Tumbesian endemicParrot billed seedeater Tumbesian endemicBlack capped sparrow Tumbesian endemicSaffron siskin Tumbesian endemic

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

Manglares Churute, Sta Rosa

Horned screamer

Black bellied whistling duck

Ecuadorian ground dove Tumbesian endemic

Red masked parakeet Tumbesian endemic

Gray cheeked parakeet Tumbesian endemic

Pacific parrotlet Tumbesian endemic

Barons hermit Tumbesian endemic

Short tailed woodstar Tumbesian endemic

Ecuadorian trogon Tumbesian endemic

Scarlet backed woodpecker Tumbesian endemic

Jet antbird

Fasciated wren Tumbesian endemic

Superciliated wren Tumbesian endemic

Long billed gnatwren

Parrot billed seedeater Tumbesian endemic

Tumbesian tyrannulet Tumbesian endemic

Short tailed field tyrant

Tumbes pewee Tumbesian endemic

Pacific royal flycatcher Tumbesian endemic

Ochraceous attila Tumbesian endemic

Collared warbling finch Tumbesian endemic

Crimson breasted seedeater

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Birds of Southern EcuadorCatacocha - MacaráPacific pygmy owl Tumbesian endemicLoja hummingbird Southwestern highlands endemicEcuadorian piculet Tumbesian endemicWhite tailed jay Tumbesian endemicPlumbeous backed thrush Tumbesian endemicBand tailed sierra finchWhite edged oriole Tumbesian endemicYellow tailed orioleWatkins Antpitta Southwestern highlands endemicElegant crescentchest Tumbesian endemicBlack cowled saltator Southwestern highlands endemic

Sozoranga, Utuana, JorupeRed masked parakeet Tumbesian endemicGray cheeked parakeet Tumbesian endemicRainbow starfrontlet Southwestern highlands endemicPurple throated sunangel Southwestern highlands endemicLine cheeked spinetail Southwestern highlands endemicChapmans antshrike Southwestern highlands endemicLoja tyrannulet Southwestern highlands endemicBlack crested tit tyrant Southwestern highlands endemicChestnut collared swallow Tumbesian endemicSilver backed tanagerBlack cowled saltator Southwestern highlands endemicBairds flycatcher Tumbesian endemicEcuadorian trogon Tumbesian endemicScarlet backed woodpecker Tumbesian endemicRufous necked foliage gleaner Southwestern highlands endemicHenna hooded foliage gleaner Tumbesian endemicPacific elaenia Tumbesian endemicGray breasted flycatcher Tumbesian endemicSlaty becard Tumbesian endemicWhite edged oriole Tumbesian endemicGray headed antbird Southwestern highlands endemic

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Birds of Southern EcuadorMacara - VilcabambaThree banded warbler Southwestern highlands endemicBay crowned brush finch Southwestern highlands endemicBlack cowled saltator Southwestern highlands endemicLoja tyrannulet Southwestern highlands endemicChapmans antshrike Southwestern highlands endemicPlumbeous railPacific pygmy owl Tumbesian endemicElegant crescentchest Tumbesian endemicWhite tailed jay Tumbesian endemicTawny faced pygmy tyrantPlumbeous backed thrush Tumbesian endemicCollared antshrike Tumbesian endemicWhite edged oriole Tumbesian endemicTumbesian tyrannulet Tumbesian endemicLoja hummingbird

Cajanuma to TapichalacaBearded guan Interandean slopes and valleys endemicAmethist throated sunangelFlame throated sunangel East slopes of Andes endemicChusquea Tapaculo East slopes of Andes endemicMasked mountain tanager East slopes of Andes endemic

Mouse colored thistletail Interandean slopes and valleys endemicGolden plumed parakeetWhite capped parrotGray breasted mountain toucanJocotoco Antpitta East slopes of Andes endemicChestnut naped antpittaWhite capped tanagerRufous capped thornbillGlowing puffleg

Red faced parrot Interandean slopes and valleys endemicRed hooded tanager

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Birds of Southern EcuadorTapichalaca - Valladolid Road

Rufous tailed tyrantYellow cheeked becard East slopes of Andes endemicLong tailed tyrantMarañon Thrush Rio Marañon endemicThree banded warblerGolden eared tanagerBlack faced tanagerRed pileated finch

Loja - Zamora road

Torrent duckCrimson bellied woodpecker

Mouse colored thistletail Interandean slopes and valleys endemicGlowing pufflegMasked mountain tanager East slope of Andes endemicBlue fronted lancebillGolden tailed sapphireEcuadorian tyrannulet East slope of Andes endemicCliff flycatcherLemon browed flycatcherOlive chested flycatcher East slope of Andes endemicCock of the rockOlivaceous greenlet East slope of Andes endemicOrange eared tanagerGray mantled wrenEcuadorian graytail East slope of Andes endemicGolden collared honeycreeperCoppery chested jacamar East slope of Andes endemicGray chinned hermitNorthern white crowned tapaculoSaffron crowned tanager

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

Copalinga- Bombuscaro- Zamora airportSpangled coquetteGlittering throated emeraldViolet fronted brilliantWire crested thorntail East slope of Andes endemicViolet headed hummingbirdCoppery chested jacamar East slope of Andes endemicBlack streaked puffbirdLined antshrikeYellow breasted antwrenFoothill ElaeniaGolden winged tody flycatcher Western amazonian lowlands endemicAmazonian umbrellabirdBlue rumped manakin East slope of Andes endemicSpotted tanagerWhite breasted parakeet East slope of Andes endemicChestnut vented conebillBlackish rail

CatamayoWest peruvian doveTawny crowned pygmy tyrantParrot billed seedeater Tumbesian endemicDrab seedeater Southwestern highlands endemicTumbes sparrow Tumbesian endemicElegant crescentchest Tumbesian endemicPurple collared woodstarShort tailed woodstar Tumbesian endemicTumbes pewee Tumbesian endemic

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Birds of Southern Ecuador

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: GuayaquilArrival in Quito. Meet your guide and be transferred to the hotel. Overnight: Gran Hotel Guayaquil Meals: -/-/- Day 2: Cerro Blanco – Puerto Hondo. Early breakfast. Briefing and introduction to the program. Depart from the hotel to Cerro Blanco located approximately 20 minutes away from Guayaquil.This reserve is composed of deciduous forest, and it lies between the Tumbesian Endemic Bird Area. You will bird this area for aprox. 4 hours. Picnic lunch. Later you will drive a short distance, (10 min.,) to visit the mangrove estuary of Puerto Hondo, here by paddle canoe you will look for specialties of this ecosystem. Birding time aprox 1 1/2 hours. Drive back to Guayaquil.If time allows, cross the Guayas River by boat to visit Isla Santay to do some river edge birding there. Birding time around 1 1/2 hours.Overnight: Gran Hotel Guayaquil (Note: Cerro Blanco is not open on Monday) Meals: B/L/D Day 3: Guayaquil – Manglares Churute -BuenaventuraDrive 1 hour from Guayaquil to visit Manglares Churute reserve, a 49.000 ha reserve containing deciduous, moist lowland forest and mangrove estuaries. Birding time around 3 to 4 hours on three different stops. Continue driving south via Huaquillas for around 1 1/2 hours. Stop at shrimp farm pools to look for sea birds and waders of the area.Continue driving for around 2 1/2 hours towards Buenaventura reserve in the subtropical area of el Oro province. This reserve is located near Piñas and Zaruma. The area is renowned for being one of the ornithological richest and easily accessible sites in Ecuador. It protects a narrow zone of cloud forest habitat on the otherwise seasonally dry west slope of the Andes in Southern Ecuador. Overnight: Buenaventura reserve. Meals: B/L/D

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Day 4: Buenaventura ReserveFull day at Buenaventura. This private reserve of 1680 ha. is located between 550 m to 1.100m above sea level. It contains two important ecosystems, lowland tropical rainforest and foothill forest. This reserve is considered the southernmost region of the Choco center of endemism, and has an influence of the dry Tumbesian center as well. Among the important species in this area we have the only Ecuadorian site for El Oro parakeet, as well as a special site for El Oro Tapaculo. Other important birds are: The most reliable leck for Long wattled umbrellabird, Club winged manakin, Song wren, Rufous headed chachalaca and others.Overnight: Buenaventura Reserve Meals: B/L/D

Day 5: Zaruma - JorupeMorning birding at Buenaventura, then drive for aprox 5 hours towards Jorupe reserve near Macará, near the Peruvian border, with birding stops on the way looking for specialties such as Watkins Antpitta, Black cowled saltator, White tailed jay, White edged oriole and others. Arrive at Jorupe reserve late in the afternoon.Overnight: Jorupe reserve. Meals: B/L/D Day 6: Jorupe Reserve. Jorupe is a private reserve with 1050 ha., and is one of the last surviving dry forests of the southwest of Ecuador, all within the Tumbesian center of endemism.Among specialties here we have Henna hooded foliage gleaner, Rufous necked foliage gleaner, West Peruvian screech owl and others. This day or the following (depending on road conditions) there is an opportunity to visit Utuana reserve, 1 1/2 hours drive. Utuana is a private reserve (250ha) of montane forest, with an influence of Tumbesian transitional forest, located at an elevation of 2650m. above sea level.Some of the specialties here are Black crested tit tyrant, Piura Hemispingus, Gray headed antbird ,Rainbow starfrontlet , Black cowled saltator among others.Overnight: Jorupe Reserve Meals: B/L/D

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Day 7: Jorupe – Vilcabamba Early morning birding at Jorupe or Utuana, an continue towards Vilcabamba (5 hour drive aprox. including stops)Afternoon birding at Vilcabamba, Overnight: IzhcaylumaMeals: B/L/D

Day 8: Podocarpus National Park.Podocarpus National Park (Cajanuma). Cajanuma is the highland part of Podocarpus National Park, 45 drive from Vilcabamba. Is located at 2750m above sea level, this part of the park contains cloudforest, elfin forest and paramo, and appears to support the highest number of bird species of any cloudforest-elfin forest-páramo ecotone in the world.Some specialties are: Golden plumed parakeet, Bearded guan, Red faced parrot, and Chestnut bellied cotinga and others. In the afternoon, return to Izhcayluma for bird observation in the area or just relax at the hotel. Overnight: IzhcaylumaMeals: B/L/D

Day 9: Full DayTapichalaca, and road to Valladolid Located in between 1800 to 3100m above sea level , Tapichalaca encompasses humid temperate forest , with a high level of endemism in its flora and fauna.It was here that the recently discovered Jocotoco Antpitta was found.Among specialties other than the Jocotoco antpitta we have Bearded Guan, Golden plumed parakeet, White capped tanager, White faced nunbird and others. In the afternoon drive towards Valladolid, (45 min), where we enter the northern part of the Marañon center of endemism, with specialties such as the Marañon thrush, Black faced tanager and others.Overnight: Izhcayluma. Meals: B/L/D

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Day 10: Vilcabamba- Loja - Zamora Road- Rio BombuscaroEarly morning birding at Vilcabamba, then drive to Loja, bird the Loja- Zamora road (3 Hours aprox. including birding)Arrive late afternoon at Copalinga lodge near Rio Bombuscaro.Loja - Zamora road is 60 Km. long, and embraces elevations between 1000 to 2800m above sea level, encompassing the eastern foothill and subtropical forests of the AndesOvernight: Copalinga Meals: B/L/D

Day 11: Full day Rio Bombuscaro.Rio Bombuscaro is the low limit, of the Podocarpus National Park, and supports lower montane cloud forest rich in mixed species flocks, The bird list of the stands at almost 300 species which contain several threatened species such as the White breasted parakeet and Coppery chested Jacamar. Afternoon birding at Copalinga lodgeOvernight: Copalinga Meals: B/L/D

Day 12: Zamora – Catamayo - Quito.Bird the Zamora area and the low part of the Zamora - Loja road in the morning, and then drive towards Catamayo (2 1/2 hours) where the Loja airport is, Bird the Catamayo valley and catch your flight back to Quito. At night farewell dinner at the hotel.

Note: Afternoon flight from Loja to Quito operates everyday except Saturday. Flight departs from Loja at 5h50PM arrives to Quito at 6h40pm.

Overnight: Sheraton / Hotel Quito. Meals: B/L/D

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Day 13: Departure.Transfer Hotel-Airport for your flight back home.

Notes: Highly recommended to have one day in Quito before the international departure flight in order to avoid any problems due to flight delays from Loja to Quito. Total length of the program 14 days / 13 nights