Arrival in Quito, one of South America’s most attractive colonial capitals. Nestled at the foot of the Pichincha volcano, Quito is the second-highest capital in the world at 9,000 feet above sea level. Hotel check-in is usually available in the afternoon. Settle in and relax; dinner tonight is at your leisure.

Pick up from the Hotel early at 6:30 am and drive towards the Upper Andean Valleys near Antisana Volcano. The Antisana Condor Observatory is the most impressive Andean mountain near Quito and the Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor.

Upon arrival at the reserve, we will observe the Condors from our Tower and other Hawks, Flowerpiercers, and Hummingbirds with a splendid view of the Waterfall. Continue to Antisana National Park, making strategic stops to observe different bird species. We will have lunch while viewing Secas Lagoon. After lunch, return to our Lodge surrounded by nature and a 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, Giant Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Andean Duck, and others.

Driving up out of Quito, we pass over the western ridge of the Andes, dropping down onto the Pacific slope. This forested valley has earned its impressive reputation for the quality and number of birds seen along its length, including Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-toucan, Masked Trogon, White- capped Dipper, Cinnamon Flycatcher, and many tanagers and hummingbird species.

We make our way northwest to the Alambi Reserve. Located in the Andean Chocó ecosystem, we’ll find the Alambi Reserve, which preserves the cloud forest in the famous Tandayapa Valley. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and marvel at the beauty of the species. We expect to arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon, in time to enjoy the hummingbird feeders before the sun sets.

Our lodge offers great bird and butterfly watching. It is nestled in the valley of the Rio Mindo, a remarkable locale, home to over 360 species of birds. The ridges, slopes, and steep ravines to the north, west, and east of the village are cloaked in pre-montane cloud forest with a dense understory that includes Guadua bamboo.

A hint to be most comfortable here: Bring easy-to-slip-off shoes, as you go in and out of the lodge in search of birds.

Targets: Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Purple-throated Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Brown, White- collared Inca, Golden-headed Quetzal and Crested Quetzal, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, White- necked Jacobin, Flame-rumped Tanager, Tropical Parula.

Pick up at 5:30 am for a full-day birding adventure at Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, one of the world’s premier hotspots for biodiversity.

This reserve protects one of the last remaining foothill forests seamlessly connected to the lower subtropical western forests of Ecuador, making it an essential destination for birders seeking Chocó endemics after lunch. Continue to El Chontal to visit the Oilbird Caves, where these nocturnal frugivores can be observed in their roosting sites.

Targets: Glistening-green tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruit-eater, Choco Vireo, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rose-faced Parrot, Spinetails, Chlorophonia, Rufous-throated tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Oil Birds, and others.

Today, we visit Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, a private 1,000-acre nature reserve that encompasses a mix of primary and secondary forest. The botanical wonder here is something to behold! One of the top birding locations in Ecuador, the reserve is known for its diverse hummingbird species (at feeders for close-ups), as well as a colorful array of toucans and tanagers.

At 5,000 – 7,000 feet, we encounter a spectacular cloud forest on the steep slopes above us. Here we may find several bird species with limited range, including the Tanager Finch.

The forest and gardens are draped with orchids and bromeliads, and butterflies abound. Lunch and the choice of hiking or birding fill our afternoon at Bellavista.

Targets: Tanager Finch, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Golden Tanager, and Flame-faced Tanager.

5:50 am: The first morning for birding and photography will include a cup of coffee with a light snack.

6:15 am: If the first day wasn’t a successful photography session with the Andean Cock-of-the-rock, we will try again this morning. Otherwise, we will observe other birds attracted to the insects that flock to our lights near the lodge.

7:30 am: Angel or Rodrigo will guide us to a series of places to see and photograph Antpittas and other birds.

10 am: After observing the different birds, we will serve breakfast on our covered, outdoor patio with a beautiful view and access to our hummingbird garden. Breakfast includes fruit, bolón, empanada, coffee, & milk.

Before noon, we will make our way to San Tadeo, which is another beautiful tanager and hummingbird garden owned by Rolando, a member of the local community who has worked very hard to transform the northwest as a birding epicenter.

There are some fascinating species to be watched here, like the Beryl Spangled Tanager and Black Capped Tanager, to name a few. All very hard to find anywhere else. It is also a great place for hummingbirds with some new species here, it is beautiful to watch the purple velvet coronet take its regular baths at the fountain, red headed barbets show up frecuently and with a lot of luck linear woodpecker will visit us after around one and a half hour we will make our way to Milpe reserve and bird sanctuary, Milpe, at 1100 meters altitude, is birders paradise with many Choco endemic species and well-kept trails to look for Club-winged and Golden Manakin during their season, as well as the elusive and endangered Umbrella Bird.

This is for sure “the” place to find the endemic Choco Toucan as well as Pale-mandibled Aracari, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, and about 16 tanager species, some endemic. At Milpe, we will enjoy our lunch and stay at this beautiful reserve until around 5 pm.

Target: Beryl Spangled Tanager, Black Capped Tanager, Golden Manakin, Umbrella Bird, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan

We leave early today for a flight to Coca, headed down to the base of the Andes and eastwards across the vast Amazonian floodplain.

Begin your adventure in El Coca, where you’ll meet your tour leader before heading down the Auca Road toward the Shiripuno River. After a two-hour drive, board a canoe for a scenic ride deep into the rainforest. Along the way, watch for monkeys, colorful birds, and other wildlife as the jungle comes to life around you.

Upon arrival at WAO Kamp, settle and enjoy a warm welcome from our staff. Later in the afternoon, explore the Jacamar Trail, a prime spot for birdwatching.

Keep an eye out for species like the Great Jacamar, White Hawk, and Black-faced Hawk, often spotted among mixed flocks.

Spend the evening immersed in the heart of Yasuni at WAO Kamp.

Target: Great Jacamar, White Hawk, and Black-faced Hawk

Rise early for a full-day birding expedition along the Cotinga Trail, one of the most rewarding routes for serious birders. This trail is ideal for spotting the Black-necked Red Cotinga, the dazzling Fiery Topaz, and both Green and Olive Oropendolas. The area is also frequented by macaws, fruit eaters, and a variety of colorful passerines.

The trail goes through habitats ideal for encountering rare canopy species. You might spot the elusive Pavonine Quetzal or a roosting Rufous Potoo. You’ll move at your own pace, with meals adjusted to suit the day’s sightings and activity.

Return to WAO Kamp to rest and review the day’s highlights, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Target: Black-necked Red Cotinga, the dazzling Fiery Topaz, and both Green and Olive Oropendolas, Pavonine Quetzal, and roosting Rufous Potoo.

Start the day with an early morning canoe ride downriver, scanning the banks for different species. You’ll most likely spot the Agami Heron, Sunbittern, King Vulture, and the striking Red-and-green Macaw.

Upon arrival at El Mirador, spend the day exploring its trails and lagoon areas. In the surrounding rich habitats, birders may encounter a variety of forest dwellers. It is the perfect place to spot the Pavonine Quetzal and the Black-banded Owl.

The lookout point offers chances to spot Harpy Eagle, Crested Eagle, King Vulture, and cotingas moving through the upper canopy.

After a full day of exploration, return to WAO Kamp by canoe in the late afternoon, where the forest settles into dusk and the night chorus begins.

Target: Harpy Eagle, Crested Eagle, King Vulture, Agami Heron, Red-and-green Macaw.

Today is dedicated to exploring the forest floor and understory. There, patient birders are rewarded with sightings of elusive species. This is prime habitat for Salvin’s Curassow, the rare Nocturnal Curassow, and a wide variety of antbirds moving through dense vegetation.

Stay alert for mixed flocks following Eciton army ants and other special insects. With some luck, you may also find a roosting Rufous Potoo or Black-banded Owl tucked away in the shadows.

Return to WAO Kamp in the evening, surrounded by the deepening sounds of the forest.

Target: Salvin’s Curassow, Nocturnal Curassow, Black-banded Owl

We’ll get up at 4:00 a.m. for an early departure to the Shiripuno Bridge. Enjoy a light breakfast as you glide gently along the river during the return canoe ride, and be sure to keep your belongings with you. This is the end of your adventure with us. From there, a 2-hour drive will take you back to El Coca.

Transfer to Amarupakcha Reserve for Andean Cock of the Rock Lek – Eastern Subspecies and other lowland specialties. Boxed Lunch along the way and arrival at Limoncocha Biological Reserve and its lagoon, that are the best birding paradise in the Lower Amazon Basin.

Limoncocha is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This protected area is teeming with biodiversity, offering a haven for a wide range of species, including rare and endemic birds like the newly registered Eastern Meadowlark that was spotted in January 2025 by our guide Miguel Hipo. The Limoncocha Lagoon, with its serene waters and lush surroundings, is a prime spot for observing Amazonian wildlife.

The reserve’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, flooded forests, and tropical rainforest, provide excellent birding opportunities and photography from our private canoe.

Targets: Yellow-breasted Crake, Purple Gallinule, Zigzag Heron, Straited Heron, Tiny 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, Crested Owl, Guilded Barbet, White-throated Toucan, Eastern Meadowlark, Harpy Eagle, and others.

Morning transfer to Limoncocha to start birding at the White-lored Antpitta Feeder, then continue to Ceibo Trail for Amazonian Specialties and afternoon Private Canoe in Limoncocha Lagoon.

Targets: Striated Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Green Ibis, Red-throated Cara Cara, White-lored Antpitta, Yellow-headed Cara Cara, Black-banded Crake, Red and Green Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Tawny-bellied Screetch Owl, Crested Owl, Striped Owl, Tropical Screetch Owl, Spectacled Owl, Amazonian Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, White-eared Jacamar, and others.

We bird our way back via road transfer to the Quijos Valley, one of the westernmost headwaters of the Amazon basin at Cabañas San Isidro, at an elevation of 6,800 feet. It was founded more than 40 years ago by the Bustamante family of Quito, during a government campaign to convert unclaimed lands of eastern Ecuador into productive farms.

Despite pressure to clear the land for farming, Simón Bustamante left most of his 1,300-hectare property untouched in part to help protect the unique flora and fauna, and the area has slowly matured into an area of ecolodges and nature-focused accommodations.

It is happily surrounded by some of the largest and most accessible tracts of primary subtropical forest in Ecuador. Our host, Carmen, is Simón’s daughter, who has managed the lodge for the last 20 years. We settle into superb lodgings here for the next two nights.

We are surrounded by some of the largest and most accessible tracts of primary subtropical forest in Ecuador, in San Isidro. Red-tailed Squirrel and Black Agouti are both easily observed here, while Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir, Giant Anteater, and Tayra are frequently photographed and occasionally seen, along with other mammals. A wealth of bird flocks to its gardens, and should mammal-watching prove quiet, it is a pleasant diversion.

From our cabin doorsteps, we may see White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned, Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Inca Jay, Black-billed Peppershrike, Andean Solitaire, and Saffron-crowned Tanager. Nearby forests, accessible by trail or road, offer mixed understory and canopy flocks that seemingly drip from the foliage. Fruit-eaters of all sizes raid trees and bushes, and more furtive birds may be found in the shade of low vegetation.

We hope to see Sickle-winged Guan, Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals, Masked Trogon, and Highland Motmot here.

A dazzling array of hummingbirds has their own dedicated garden here and is also spotted from the lodge’s front porch.

Some 18 of the known 30 hummingbird species of the area are either resident or seasonal visitors to the feeders: Sparkling Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Bronzy and Collared Incas, Buff-tailed (the rare eastern flavescens race), and Chestnut-breasted Coronets, Tyrian Metaltail, Long-tailed Sylph, and Gorgeted Woodstar are year-round residents. Species found more seasonally and in smaller numbers include Rufous-vented Whitetip, Violet-fronted Brilliant, White-tailed Hillstar, Mountain Velvetbreast, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, and White-bellied Woodstar.

The hummingbird garden is a great place to relax after a hike or during a rainy spell. The majority of the forests here are idyllic: large hardwood trees draped with lush mosses supporting orchid and bromeliad species in impressive numbers. Indeed, our mid-elevation habitat here is a paradise for orchids and other flamboyant epiphytes and photographers will no doubt be pleased! Our action-packed day is rewarded with a comfortable and superbly located lodge to come home to.

San Isidro’s hummingbird feeders enliven the morning once again over breakfast. We bird our way northwest with stops to watch for any birds we may have missed over the past few days. We next head up the ridge of the eastern cordillera toward Papallacta. As we gain in altitude and near the Andean continental divide, we may see species such as Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, Viridian Metaltail, and Buff-breasted Mountain-tanager. We check in this afternoon for pleasant nights at the Termas de Papallacta hotel and watch hummingbird feeders for species such as Tourmaline Sunangel, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and White-bellied Woodstar.

Our hotel is nestled in the mountains within view of Antisana’s snowcapped peak, and the lodge grounds are lushly landscaped. Many thermal pools (and one polar pool for the bravest among us) beckon for some quiet downtime and relaxation. Go crazy and enjoy birding right from the pool.

We have a full day to explore Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve, a windswept landscape of high grassland and bog known as paramo. We may see Andean Condor, Carunculated Caracara, Andean Gull, Black- tailed Trainbearer, Scrub and Blue-and-yellow Tanagers, and Southern Yellow-grosbeak.

On clear days, the scenery is spectacular, offering superb views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano, a particular delight to the landscape photographers among us. Birders know this area as the Papallacta Pass. With decent weather, we may see Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Many-striped Canastero, White- chinned Thistletail, Red-rumped Bush-tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-tyrant, and Brown-backed Chat-tyrant, among other paramo species.

We travel to a humid temperate forest a short distance down the valley, a habitat characterized by stunted trees, a different climate, and another set of birds and plants. A hot soak in the thermal pools under the stars is a fine reward for our efforts, along with fresh-cooked local trout and a chilled wine.

We enjoy a leisurely final morning at our lodge, taking short walks to spot a few more birds around the area, including any we may have missed. After an early lunch, we pack up and head back to Quito’s airport in time for your flight home.