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 in the morning 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 species like the Golden-headed Quetzal and Crested Quetzal, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, White- necked Jacobin, Flame-rumped Tanager, Tropical Parula, and others.

We expect to arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon, in time to enjoy the hummingbird feeders before the sun sets.

Settle in and watch for Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Purple-throated Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Brown, White- collared Inca, and more. 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.

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.

We dedicate the next two days to searching for mammals (though the birds are certainly a distraction!). Our efforts focus on spotting coatis, Mountain Agoutis, and our key target in the area: the recently discovered Olinguito, a small, red-furred carnivorous mammal.

Its nocturnal habits and the dense fog of the cloud forest helped it remain hidden from the scientific community until recently. Or rather, the Olinguito had been detected and even collected, but nearly two dozen preserved skins and skulls were misidentified as close relatives in US museum collections!

There’s even evidence that one individual lived in several American zoos during the 1960s, frustrating zookeepers by refusing to breed with the Olingos, which it was mistaken for. New species of insects and amphibians are discovered fairly regularly, but a new mammal species is rare, particularly with carnivorous mammals.

The Colombian Weasel, found in 1978, is the most recent find in the Western Hemisphere. With the help of our expert local guides, who keep a watchful eye on its whereabouts, we have great chances to see it in spotlighting sessions after dark. An optional field trip to Angel Paz’s Refugio Paz de las Aves offers great birds, among them many antpittas, including Yellow-breasted and Giant, and also spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-rock.

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 a number of bird species with limited range, including the Tanager Finch.

The forest and gardens are draped with orchids and bromeliads, and butterflies abound. Some of the most beautiful birds of the forest include the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Golden Tanager, and Flame-faced Tanager. Lunch and the choice of hiking or birding fill our afternoon at Bellavista.

We leave early today for a flight to Coca, headed down to the base of the Andes and eastwards across the vast Amazonian floodplain to Coca. We’ll travel along the Auca road towards the Shiripuno River. It will take us approximately two hours to get to this doorway to the Waorani territory.

We will enter the Yasuni there, and you might even encounter some of its inhabitants on the way to the campsite. Wao Kamp is located at the entrance of Gaba’s Territory. Gaba is an elder Waorani warrior. Before wrapping up the day, we’ll visit Gaba and then return for dinner.

We start our journey early, before 6:00 a.m. We’ll go on a navigation trip through the misty Shiripuno River.

You might spot toucans, macaws, monkeys, tapirs, or capybaras here. We then enjoy breakfast at 8:00 a.m. before joining Gaba —a respected Waorani Warrior and Chief— for a 4-5 hour trek focused on wildlife, survival skills, and ethnobotany, including a visit to a clay lick.

We’ll then have lunch and rest at noon, returning to Gaba’s home in the afternoon to explore Waorani art made with natural materials. We’ll enjoy dinner around 7:00 p.m. before wrapping up the day.

Start your day with breakfast at 6:30 a.m. before embarking on a canoe ride that lasts around an hour and a half.

Once we end the ride, enjoy a 4-hour hike through the pristine forest, culminating in a breathtaking hilltop where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the lush rainforest. We’ll find a nice spot to serve lunch in the shadow of the surrounding trees.

After this experience, we’ll head back to the Camp before 6:00 p.m. On the road back, we’ll take advantage of the darkness to spot caimans and observe nocturnal wildlife. Low river levels attract jaguars, capybaras, caimans, and turtles, making it an exciting time for wildlife sightings. Enjoy dinner to give adventure a rest for the day.

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 you keep your memories and 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 birds 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, with a few patches of native forest clinging to its slopes. The habitat around Papallacta could fairly be described as desolate, making us grateful for our cozy lodge! Spectacled Bear and Mountain Tapir shelter in these small forest patches, but may be seen at dawn and dusk, venturing out to forage and feed.

The area’s forest patches are the focal points for our patient scanning, and with expert local help, we have a good chance of seeing Spectacled Bear and a reasonable chance of Mountain Tapir. Warm and waterproof clothing is the key to enjoying this ‘hunt’, along with hardy patience!

While scanning for bear or tapir is our priority here, birds are also present and fascinating; 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, and 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.