Ecuador | Birding the Chocó-Andes Region: Western and Eastern Slopes of Ecuador

Upon arrival at the airport in Quito proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. A Holbrook representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Holbrook sign to assist with your transfer to the hotel. Most flights arrive to Quito in the evening. No meals included on this day. Quito's elevation range from 9,223 ft. 9,883 ft. To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sickness, try to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and fatty foods, consume high carbohydrate foods, and avoid strenuous exercise at high elevations.

Depart early for Mindo, making several stops en route along the Paseo del Quinde ecoroute, known also as Nono-Mindo Road. Your first stop is at Yanacocha Biological Reserve. Clinging to the slopes of Pichincha Volcano at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet, and comprising 2,371 acres of mostly elfin Polylepis forest, this protected area was established to safeguard the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg. Other high-altitude species include Andean Guan, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Equatorial and Tawny Antpittas, Ocellated and Blackish Tapaculos, Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-crowned Tanager, and many more. After a picnic lunch in the reserve, continue driving with quick stops to look for stunners such as Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Beautiful Jay. While driving down to the lower altitudes of the subtropical forest region, be on the lookout for Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and White-winged Brushfinch. Next, stop at Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, where 250 species-including 32 hummingbirds-have been recorded. The reserve covers a large range of altitudes (4,750 to 7,210 feet) and spans two major basins: the Alambi Valley and the pristine Goaycape Valley. Regulars include Brown Violetear, White-booted Racket-tail, Fawn-breasted and Green-crowned Brilliants, and Golden and Silver-throated Tanagers. Continue to Mindo in time for a program orientation and dinner.

This morning, visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, a 250-acre subtropical rainforest reserve with an altitudinal range of 3,350 to 3,770 feet and protecting an important tract of remnant forest in the Chocó foothills. The Chocó is an ecoregion and biodiversity hotspot that ranges from the Pacific coast of Colombia south to Ecuador, and it supports the largest number of restricted-range birds of any Endemic Bird Area in the Americas, with 62 species. Chocó endemics reliably found at Milpe include Pallid Dove, White-whiskered Hermit, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Blue-tailed (Chocó) Trogon, Chocó Toucan, Esmeraldas Antbird, Club-winged Manakin, and Rufous-throated Tanager. Endemics that require a little more luck include Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Glistening-green Tanager, and Moss-backed Tanager. The reserve is also famous for its numerous manakin leks, both Club-winged and Golden-winged Manakins. In the afternoon, visit the productive feeders at the family-run San Tadeo Birdwatching. The mix of birds here often includes standouts such as Violet-tailed Sylph, Red-headed Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Flame-faced Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, and more Chocó endemics: Brown Inca, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Dusky Chlorospingus, and Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Spend the day at Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve, a 320-acre protected area in the Chocó foothills that functions as a critical link between lower subtropical forest and higher montane forest at neighboring Mashpi Lodge. The altitude here ranges from 2,450 to 5,600 feet. The birding is fantastic along this corridor, with many Chocó endemics that are difficult to find elsewhere, such as Rose-faced Parrot, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Chocó Vireo, Moss-backed Tanager, Black Solitaire (seasonal), and Indigo Flowerpiercer; a few, like Long-wattled Umbrellabird, require a little luck. Feeders on-site have many of the same hummingbirds and tanagers seen at Milpe and offer another great opportunity for photos. Enjoy a boxed lunch during the excursion. On return, visit Balcón Tumpiki, an observatory that attracts antpittas, treerunners, flycatchers, woodcreepers, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Toucan Barbet. In the afternoon return to the lodge.

Depart early for the one-hour drive to Rio Silanche, another reserve owned and managed by the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation. At an altitudinal range of 985 to 1,150 feet, the reserve sits firmly in the western lowlands, a region of Ecuador that has experienced considerable change from logging, agriculture, and other pressures. Famous for its large mixed flocks, a stroll on the preserve's trails is rewarded with specialties that include Dusky Pigeon, Purple-chested Hummingbird, Orange-fronted Barbet, Stub-tailed Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Gray-and-gold Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, and many more. Continue to Mirador Rio Blanco for lunch and to check out the feeders. Regular visitors include Green Thorntail, Crowned Woodnymph, Ecuadorian Thrush, and several euphonias and tanagers. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Check out and start early with a visit to Refugio Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito (13 miles northeast of Mindo, at 4,590 feet). Angel Paz is the proprietor of this private reserve, and his story is an excellent example of community conservation. Angel was formerly a local logger who transformed his property into a haven for antpittas and Andean Cocks-of-the-rock over a decade ago. His early fame came quickly when he learned how to coax the rare and elusive Giant Antpitta into the open with earthworms. He now has six different species of antpittas staked out on his property: Giant, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, and Scaled. Other incredible birds on the property include Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, Olivaceous Piha, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals, and a fantastic mix of hummingbirds. En route to the hotel in Sangolquí, make a stop at the Mitad del Mundo Monument.

Spend a full morning birding at the privately owned Antisana Ecological Reserve (11,500 feet), whose varied ecological zones range from páramo to lowland rainforest. More than 70 bird species can be found here, including the Andean Condor, Giant Hummingbird, Carunculated Caracara, Andean Ibis, Andean Teal, Andean Duck, Silvery Grebe, Slate-colored Coot, Andean Gull, Andean Lapwing, and Aplomado Falcon. At 18,900 feet, the snow-capped Antisana Volcano is the fourth highest peak in Ecuador, adding to the breathtaking Andean scenery that can be enjoyed along the lower elevation trails. The lodge's private reserve forms an important bridge between the Antisana and Gran Sumaco Reserves, and the area boasts a bird list of about 330 species, many of which are more easily found here than anywhere else in the country.

Early in the morning we'll cross the Guacamayos mountain range to reach the Cocodrilos Community and explore the Narupa Reserve, a key refuge for migratory birds like the Cerulean and Canada Warblers, and the Swainson's Thrush. At the feeders, expect colorful tanagers, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. Created in 2006 by the Jocotoco Foundation, Narupa protects montane evergreen forest threatened by deforestation. Its long-term goal is to connect Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park with Antisana Reserve, ensuring habitat for species such as Harpy Eagle, Military Macaw, and Orange-breasted Falcon. In the afternoon, visit San Isidro Reserve (6,726 ft). Its trails descend into the subtropical zone, making it ideal for Andean birdwatching. Rare finds include Highland Tinamou, Peruvian Antpitta, and White-faced Nunbird. More common are Powerful Woodpecker, Inca Jay, Wattled Guan, Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot, Black-chested Fruiteater, and many colorful tanagers.

After breakfast, check out of San Isidro and continue to Guango Lodge. Located about one hour away from San Isidro, Guango lies at an elevation of about 8,858 ft. on Ecuador's eastern slope. This area is classified as humid temperate forest, a habitat distinctly different from San Isidro and is characterized by its more stunted trees, thicker canopy, cooler climate, and different bird and plant composition. The hummingbird feeders here are especially popular, with some of the more noteworthy species being Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword billed Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden breasted and Glowing Pufflegs, Mountain Avocetbill, and White bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars. Other birds of particular interest that are seen regularly include the Andean Guan, Gray breasted Mountain Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet bellied, Lacrimose, Buff breasted and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Gray hooded Bush Tanager, Black headed, Black capped and Black eared Hemispingus and Slaty Brush Finch. Enjoy lunch at Guango and in the afternoon continue to your hotel. This evening reflect on the journey during a farewell dinner. Most international flights departs very late this evening or before dawn the next morning, so please be ready to check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport immediately after the farewell dinner.

Arrival to United States.