19 days

Duration

2/5

Difficulty

Bird Watching in Ecuador Tour

Andean Condor bird watching in Ecuador — Bird watching pictures thanks to Ronald!

Because of its geographical location on the Equator and wide variety of landscapes, bird watching in Ecuador is rapidly growing in popularity! Bird watchers who come to Ecuador are in for a treat. Ecuador is home to at least 1684 bird species, which makes it the fifth country in the world (after Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Indonesia) in number of bird species! However, compare to the four countries ahead of Ecuador, Ecuador is a lot smaller. Therefore Ecuador has the world’s highest density of bird species found per acre! This high density of bird species makes it for bird watchers easier to spot many different bird species in a relative short amount of time.

In this bird watching tour in Ecuador you will visit a great variety of landscapes, including cloud forest, Paramo, upper rainforest, Andean Mountains, volcanic reserves, tropical rainforest and the Valley of Longevity. We guarantee that you will be able to see many different iconic humming birds on this birdwatching tour. But of course, these humming birds are still only a small part of the many different bird species you can spot along the way. Other bird species include; the Cock of the Rock, the Andean Condor, the Pacific Hornero, woodpeckers, parakeets, toucans, owls and even the shy Jocotoco Antpitta! On top, booking this bird watching tour will also contribute to the Jocotoco conservation foundation.

Short itinerary Bird Watching in Ecuador Tour:

Day 1: Arrival in Quito (2850 m) – Mindo, Bellavista Lodge (1300 m above sea level)
Day 2: Bellavista Cloud Forest and Cock of the Rock excursion.
Day 3: Bellavista Cloudforest – Alambi Reserve – Guango Lodge
Day 4: Guango Lodge – Hiking and bird watching
Day 5: Guango Lodge – San Isidro lodge
Day 6: San Isidro Lodge – bird watching – Papallacta – Pintag/ Tambo Condor
Day 7: Tambo Condor – Reserva Chakana full day bird watching – Tambo Condor
Day 8: Travel day via Cotopaxi NP to Riobamba
Day 9: Guided hike through the Chimborazo Reserve
Day 10: Travel day Riobamba – Macas (1050 m)
Day 11: Bird watching tour in Sangay National Park
Day 12: Travel day to Macas – Copalinga Lodge (970 m)
Day 13: Copalinga Lodge – hiking and bird watching tour
Day 14: Travel day to Vilcabamba (1550 m) / Izhcayluma Eco Resort
Day 15: Bird watching in the Tapichalaca Reserve (3400 m) – Izhcayluma Eco Resort
Day 16: Free day in Vilcabamba/ Izhcayluma Eco Resort
Day 17: Izhcayluma – Umbrellabird Lodge (500 m)
Day 18: Umbrellabird Lodge – Buenaventura Reserve – Umbrellabird Lodge
Day 19: Umbrellabird Lodge – Guayaquil Airport

Optional:

You can travel during this whole bird watching tour in Ecuador with your own private guide/ driver, who is specialised in bird watching in Ecuador. The price for this tour will then be 5125 US$ p.p.
You can extend this bird watching tour on the mainland of Ecuador with a visit to the Galapagos Islands, each of them with their own unique birdlife.
You can extend this bird watching tour with a visit into the Amazon Rainforest.

Extended itinerary Bird Watching in Ecuador Tour:

Day 1, arrival in Quito (2850 m) – Mindo, Bellavista Lodge (1300 m above sea level)

Upon arrival at the airport of Quito our driver will be waiting for you to bring you from the Andean countryside into the cloud forest surrounding the Bellavista Lodge. The Bellavista Lodge is located outside of Mindo and belongs to one of the first and best know cloud forest ecolodges in Ecuador. 400 Hectare of cloud forest surrounding the lodge has been declared a national reserve, protecting the many different species of flora and fauna that live here. The Bellavista Lodge is especially well known for it’s great observations of various hummingbird species.
Overnight with dinner, breakfast and lunch in the Bellavista Lodge.

Day 2: Bellavista Cloud Forest and Cock of the Rock excursion

4:30 Am – Departure with other bird watchers towards the so called ‘Paz de las Aves’ lek. The ride takes around 55 minutes and then it is an easy walk of 15 minutes to reach the home of the Cock of the Rock just before sunrise. In nature there are never guarantees, but at this hidden and protected location, you will have a very good chance spot the iconic Cock of the Rock and other bird species that just woke up.
Inclusive: half day tour to the Lek to spot the Cock of the Rock.
Around 9:30 am you will be back at the lodge. Time to relax, spot humming birds from the terrazzo and/ or explore one the several hiking trails going through the mature reserve of Bellavista.
Overnight + lunch, dinner and breakfast in Bellavista Lodge.

Day 3: Bellavista Cloudforest – Alambi Reserve - Guango Lodge

The early morning provides a great opportunity to explore the various hiking trails around the Bellavista Lodge. Besides the humming birds, other bird species that are frequently spotted include Cockerels, three elusive Antpittas, tanagers and the plate-billed mountain toucan!
After an early lunch our driver will bring you in around 3 hours to the Guango Lodge, located in the paramo of the Andes. The journey takes around 3 hours, but along the way you will stop for about an hour at the Alambi Reserve. This private nature reserve is specialised in protecting endemis hummingbird species and giving bird watchers a great, but responsable way to take pictures. Before the sun goes down, you will arrive at the Guango Lodge. This is a good moment to spot a few of the many different hummingbird species who visit the garden of the lodge to look for a place to sleep. Some of the regular species include: the Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden-breasted and Glowing Pufflegs.
Overnight + dinner and breakfast in Guango Lodge.

Day 4: Guango Lodge – Hiking and bird watching Tour

After breakfast you have your own bird watching guide available for the whole day and you can discuss with him/ her which birds you would like to spot and which hiking trails provide you with the best opportunities. Bird species you might encounter include: Andean Guan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Lacrimose, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Black-headed, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus and Slaty Bursh-Finch.
Overnight + lunch (packet?), dinner and breakfast in Guango Lodge.

Day 5: Guango Lodge - San Isidro lodge

After breakfast you will drive about one and a half hour down towards the Amazon Rainforest. Your next destination is the San Isidro Lodge, located right, between the Andean mountains and the Amazon Rainforest. You have most of the day free to explore the different self-guided hiking trails and try to spot different tanagers, jays, caciques, the motmot and maybe even the quetzal!
At night you are likely to hear and observe one of the owl species that live in the area.
Overnight + lunch, dinner and breakfast in San Isidro Lodge .

Day 6: San Isidro Lodge - bird watching – Papallacta - Pintag/ Tambo Condor

In the morning you have free time to explore the surroundings of the lodge. The San Isidro lodge also has a garden that attracts hummingbirds and there is even a spot where you can frequently spot the shy antpitta. Then it is time to travel back to higher altitude. It takes around 3 and a half hour to reach your next destination, but we’ve also included a short stop at Termas de Papallacta, the best hot water springs of Ecuador. This is a great place to relax body and mind with a view over the Andes.
After relaxing you will continue your travels to the Tambo Condor Lodge. Like the name suggest, the area surrounding this lodge offers good possibilities to spot the Andean Condor!
Overnight + dinner and breakfast in Tambo Condor Lodge .

Day 7: Tambo Condor - Reserva Chakana full day bird watching - Tambo Condor

Andean Condor bird watching in Ecuador

For today we’ve included a full day guided tour through the distinct Chakana Nature Reserve (the first of the various Jocotoco nature reserves you will visit during this tour). This high altitude reserve is home to a variation of Andean bird species, including the Andean Ibis, the Caracara and of course the Andean Condor
Overnight + lunch (box), dinner and breakfast in Tambo Condor Lodge

Day 8: Travel day via Cotopaxi NP to Riobamba

Today you will travel along a scenic route through the Ecuadorian Andes, surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes. The ride takes around 5 hours, including stops to take pictures of the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano. Optional it is also possible to include a stop on the Cotopaxi parking lot and hike to the José Rivas Refuge at 4800 m altitude.
Arriving in Riobamba, it might be a good moment to get your laundry done.
Overnight with breakfast in Hotel Rincon Alemán.

Day 9: Guided hike through the Chimborazo Reserve

For today we’ve included another guided hike through an high altitude nature reserve called the Chimborazo National Park. This area is home to the to look for the Chimborazo Hillstar hummingbird. This hummingbird likes high-altitude (3500 meter – 5200 meter) mountain grassland and is frequently spotted in the area of the Chimborazo Volcano. Other birds you might encounter include the Caracara, the Andean Condor or even the black-chested buzzard-eagle. Lunch in local restaurant included
Overnight with breakfast in Hotel Rincon Alemán.

Day 10: Travel day Riobamba – Macas (1050 m)

After breakfast you will travel with your own guide/ driver in around four hours from Riobamba to Macas. Along the way you will also visit the beautifully located Atillo Lakes, where you might be able to spot the very interesting migratory birds that are locally called Cuvivies (a kind of Sandpiper).
Overnight with breakfast in Hosteria Arrayan y Piedra .

Day 11: Bird watching tour in Sangay National Park

Today your guide will take you into the Sangay National Park. This nature reserve is home to over 400 different bird species and its isolated location makes it a great area to spot rare birds. Which ones you might spot, will depend on which park entrance you choose to take with your guide.
Overnight with breakfast in Hosteria Arrayan y Piedra.

Day 12: Travel day to Macas – Copalinga Lodge (970 m)

A very scenic route (4h30 min.) brings you from the edge of the rainforest, into the subtropical forest of the Bombuscaro Valley, at the edge of the Podocarpus National Park. You will stay in the beautifully located Copalinga Lodge, one of the first true Ecolodges of Ecuador (constructed with local timber).
Overnight + dinner and breakfast in Copalinga Lodge.

Day 13: Copalinga Lodge – hiking and bird watching tour

Today you have the whole day with your guide to explore the various hiking trails through the subtropical forest of the Copalinga Reserve. There live an estimated 220 bird species in the lower part of this reserve and bird species you might encounter include the: Gray Tinamou, Golden Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, White-breasted Parakeet, Green Honeycreeper, Barred Hawk, Jasper Hummingbird and many more.
Overnight + Lunch, dinner and breakfast in Copalinga Lodge

Day 14: Travel day to Vilcabamba (1550 m) / Izhcayluma Eco Resort

Together with your guide/ driver you can decide if you want to leave in the morning or afternoon towards Vilcabamba. The very scenic winding roads bring you in about three hours around the Podocarpus National Park into the so called Valley of Longevity. You will stay in the Izhcayluma Eco Resort just outside of town, with a spectacular view over the valley and a garden full flowers that attract various different bird species.
Overnight with breakfast in Cabaña Superior in the Izhcaylum Eco Resort.

Day 15: Bird watching in the Tapichalaca Reserve (3400 m) - Izhcayluma Eco Resort

Depending on the weather and the traffic it will take about an hours drive along winding roads to reach into the clouds at one of the higher parts of the National Podocarpus Reserve. This is one of the wettest areas of Ecuador and not long after going down, you will reach the entrance of the Tapichalaca Reserve. This reserve was mainly established to protect the iconic Jocotoco Antpitta and forms the origin of the national Jocotoco foundation. Other bird species you might spot include the: Bearded Guan, Coppery-chested Jacamar, White-breasted Parakeet, Masked Mountain Tanager, Imperial Snipe, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Brown-billed Scythebill, Neblina Metatail, Orange-Banded Flycatcher, Masked Saltator, Chesnut-breasted Coronet, Golden-plumed Parakeet, White-capped Tanager, Andean Potoo and many more.
Overnight with breakfast in Cabaña Superior in the Izhcayluma Eco Resort

Day 16: Free day in Vilcabamba/ Izhcayluma Eco Resort

Today might be a good day to relax and explore the garden of Izhcayluma, home to various bird species, including the Pacific Hornero, Motmot, Golden olive Woodpecker, Yellow backed oriole, pygmy Owl, various hummingbird species and more. Optional you can also decide to go with your guide to the other side of the Podocarpus National Park, which is a good place to spot different hawk species and the Wild Turkey.
Overnigh with breakfast in Cabaña Superior in the Izhcayluma Eco Resort

Day 17: Izhcayluma - Umbrellabird Lodge (500 m)

Today you will travel (around 5 hours) from the fertile valley of Vilcabamba in the lower Andes towards the tropical rainforest on the coast of Ecuador.
Overnight + dinner and breakfast in the Umbrellabird Lodge.

Day 18: Umbrellabird Lodge – Buenaventura Reserve – Umbrellabird Lodge

Leovigildo Cabrera, El Oro Parakeet — El Oro Parakeet by Leovigildo Cabrera

Today you can spend the whole day with your guide in the Buenaventura Reserve. This Reserve was created to protect the El Oro Parakeet. The reserve has a register of more than 330 species of birds, out of which 15 are globally endangered and 34 are local endemics. Other birds you might be able to spot today include the: endangered Gray-cheeked Parakeet, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, El Oro Tapaculo, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Gray-backed Hawks. If lucky you can even spot the Ecuadorian Tapaculo (Cytalopus robbins) that was discovered in 1985, and whose population comprises not more than a few dozen pairs. This small bird has not been found in any other location in the world.
Overnight + lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Umbrellabird Lodge

Day 19: Umbrellabird Lodge – Guayaquil Airport

We recommend to wake up early and try to spot your last Ecuadorian bird species before sunrise and before heading back to civilization. Your departure time towards Guayaquil (4 to 5 hour drive) will depend on the departure time of your flight back home, or to the Galapagos.

End of this bird watching in Ecuador tour.

Blue Footed Booby on the Galapagos

Optional:

You can travel during this whole bird watching tour in Ecuador with your own private guide/ driver, who is specialised in bird watching in Ecuador. The price for this tour will then be 5125 US$ p.p.
You can extend this bird watching tour on the mainland of Ecuador with a visit to the Galapagos Islands, each of them with their own unique birdlife.
You can extend this bird watching tour with a visit into the Amazon Rainforest.

Inclusive in this bird watching in Ecuador Tour:

Private transfer with English speaking driver from Quito Airport to Bellavista Lodge
2 Overnight with 2x breakfast, 2x lunch and 2x dinner in the Bellavista Lodge
Private transfer with Spanish speaking driver from Bellavista Lodge to Alambi Reserve to Guango Lodge
2 Overnight with 2x breakfast, 2x lunch and 2x dinner in the Guango Lodge
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike with English speaking guide
Private transfer with Spanish speaking driver from Guango Lodge to San Isidro Lodge
Overnight with breakfast lunch and dinner in the San Isidro Lodge
Private transfer with Spanish speaking driver from San Isidro Lodge to Tambo Condor Lodge, incl. visiting hot springs in Papallacta, excl. lunch
2x Overnight with 2x breakfast 1 lunch packet and 2x dinner in the Tambo Condor Lodge
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike in Chakana Nature Reserve with English speaking guide and entrance fees
Private transfer with Spanish speaking driver from Tambo Condor Lodge to hotel Rincon Alemán, incl. stop in Cotopaxi Reserve and lunch
2x Overnight with breakfast in hotel Rincon Alemán
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike in the Chimborazo Reserve with English speaking guid/ driver, incl. lunch
Private transfer with English speaking guide/ driver from Rincon Alemán to Hosteria Arrayan y Piedra, incl. stop at Atillo Lakes
2x Overnight with breakfast in Hosteria Arrayan y Piedra
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike with English speaking guide in the National Sangay Reserve
Private transfer with English speaking guide/ driver from Hosteria Arrayan y Piedra to Copalinga Lodge
2x Overnight with 2x breakfast, 2x lunch and 2x dinner in the Copalinga Lodge
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike with English speaking guide in the Copalinga Reserve, incl. entrance fees
Private transfer with English speaking guide/ driver from Copalinga Lodge to Izhcayluma Eco Resort
3x Overnight with breakfast in Izhcayluma Eco Resort
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike with English speaking guide in the Tapichalaca Reserve, incl. entrance fees, excl. lunch
Private transfer with English speaking guide/ driver from Izhcayluma Eco Resort to Umbrellabird Lodge
2x Overnight with 2x breakfast, 2x lunch and 2x dinner in the Umbrellabird Lodge
Full day private bird watching tour/ hike with English speaking guide in the Buenaventura Reserve, incl. entrance fees
Private transfer with English speaking guide/ driver from Umbrellabird Lodge to airport in Guayaquil
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