Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVAL TO ECUADOR.  

• Private Transfer in to our Birding Lodge, Hacienda Jimenita, located 15 minutes from the airport. No meals included. 

Birding Photos: Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Cotopaxi Volcano and Golden-rumped Euphonia by Diego Cruz. 

Day 2

PENAS BLANCAS RAINBOW-BEARDED THORNBILL ROAD & JIMENITA BIRDING TRAILS 

• Morning birding at Penas Blancas Birding Road near Papallacta Pass, a special location for High Andean Species and Hummingbirds. Other specialties like the elusive Spectacled Bear can be observed. In the afternoon visit Jimenita Reserve to explore the main feeders and viewing point for local specialities. Rest of the afternoon relax in our natural paradise.  
• Targets: Black-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Western Emerald, Saffron Finch, Vermillion Flycatcher, Hooded Siskin, White-bellied Woodstar, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Harris Hawk, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Purple-backed Thornbill, Giant Conebill, Tawny Antpitta and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Welcome Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

Birding Photos: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Spectacled Bear and Purple-backed Thornbill by Diego Cruz. 

Day 3

ANTISANA CONDOR OBSERVATORY & WILDLIFE RESERVE 

• Pick up from our lodge at 6:30 am and drive towards the Upper Andean Valleys near Antisana Volcano. The Antisana Condor Observatory is the most impressive Andean Mount near Quito and Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor. Upon arrival to the reserve we will observe the Condors from our Tower and other Hawks, Flowerpiercers, and Hummingbirds with an splendid view to the Waterfall. Continue to Antisana National Park making strategic stops to observe different bird species. We will have lunch viewing Secas Lagoon. After lunch, return to our Lodge surrounded with nature and 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. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

Birding Photos: Andean Condor, Ecuadorian Hillstar, and Great Horned Owl by Diego Cruz. 

DAY 4

ZURO LOMA ANTPITTAS, OLD-NONO MINDO ROAD and ALAMBI HUMMINGBIRD PARADISE

• Early pick up at 530am from our lodge. Drive towards Zuro Loma located in the Pichincha Foothills. We will visit the Antpitta Hides and Sword-billed Hummingbird in Zuro Loma Feeders. Continue birding in Old-Nono Mindo Road towards Tandayapa Valley and lunch at Alambi Hummingbird Paradise. Late afternoon arrival to our lodge in Upper Tandayapa Valley and possible Plate-billed Mountain Toucans at the feeders. 
• Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Blue-backed Conebill, Burrowing Owl, White-throated Screech Owl, Cloud-Forest Pigmy Owl, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Guaycapi Lodge, Double Room with Balcony

Birding Photos: Ocellated Tapaculo, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Andean Guan by Diego Cruz. 

Day 5

ANGEL PAZ ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK LEK AND TOUCAN HIDES

• Early morning pick up around 530am to visit the Andean Cock of the Rock Lek and photography hides of Antpittas, Tanagers, Toucan-Barbets, Quails, Hawks, and other exotic choco endemic bird species. Continue for Lunch in our Lodge and afternoon explore the Choco Toucan Hides. Afternoon continue to our lodge in Mindo Valley. 
• Targets: Andean Cock of the Rock, Masked Trogon, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-Purple Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, Golden Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Sunbittern, Beryl-spangled Tanager and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Birding Photos: Andean Cock of the Rock, Golden-headed Quetzal and Toucan Barbet by Diego Cruz. 

Day 6

RIO SILANCHE TOWER LOWLANDS, FRUTY TRAIL & MILPE TOUCAN BIRDING ROAD AND NIGHT REPTILES

• Birding cant get any better at the Rio Silanche Observation Tower that offers a spectacular vantage point to observe mixed-species flocks moving through the lush Chocó lowland canopy. This prime location provides opportunities to spot Toucans, Tanagers and Flycatchers among others.  In the afternoon visit Woodpecker Feeders and continue to Milpe Birding Road. Afternoon arrival to Sachatamia Lodge. 
• Night Tour Reptiles and Insects in Sachatamia Reserve
• Targets: Double-banded Graytail, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Plumbeous Hawk, Masked Tityra, Blue-necked Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Orange-breasted Barbet, Choco Toucan, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Double-toothed Kite and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Birding Photos: Hook-billed Kite, Pale-mandibled Aracari, and Yellow-throated Toucan by David Parmenter and Diego Cruz. 

Day 7

AMAGUSA MASHPI RESERVE & OIL BIRDS CAVE

• 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. In the afternoon, return to Quito.
• Targets: Glistening-green tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rose-faced Parrot, Spinetails, Chlorophonias, Rufous- throated Tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Oil Birds and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney 

Birding Photos: Black Solitaire, Rose-faced Parrot, and Moss-backed Tanager by Diego Cruz 

Day 8

PAPALLACTA PASS-CUYUJA ROAD AND QUIJOS MOTMOT RESERVE

• Pick up at 7:00 am for the East Slope Cloud Forest, passing through dry valleys, agricultural lands, and native polylepis forests before ascending into the high páramo, where we may spot a Spectacled Bear. At Papallacta Pass, a key transition zone, we’ll search for mixed flocks and high-altitude hummingbirds if the weather permits. Continuing to Quijos Reserve, we’ll explore temperate the river trails and possible Torrent Duck and Andean Motmot near the feeders. After lunch, continue birding in the feeders and then San Isidro Lodge. 
• Targets: Andean Motmot, Torrent Duck, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Russet-backed Oropendola, Mountain Cacique, Inca Jay, Gorgeted Sunangel, Andean Cock of the Rock and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight San Isidro Lodge, Double Room 

Birding Photos: Andean Cock of the Rock, Black-banded Owl and Torrent Duck by Diego Cruz.

Day 9

WAYRA QUAIL FEEDERS, OLLIN WATERFALL AND SUMACO BIRDING ROAD

• In the morning birding at Wayra Quail Feeders located in the Upper Amazon Basin, a prime birding location with several hides for Quails, Monkeys, Parrots and Hummingbird Feeders. After lunch continue to Ollin Waterfall for other Hummingbird species and Parrots. Continue to Wild Sumaco Birding Road, for other lowland and foothill birds, making it a perfect spot for birding and photography.
• Possible Night Owl in the surroundings of the lodge
• Targets: Green-and-black Fruiteater, Handsome Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Grass-greenTanager, Northern Mountain-Cacique, Greater Scythebill, Dusky Piha, Cliff flycatcher, Southern Mealy Amazon, Bay-headed Tanager, Black-faced Dacnis, Collared Trogon, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Magpie Tanager and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room 

Birding Photos: Band-bellied Owl, Military Macaw and Many-banded Aracari by Diego Cruz.

Day 10

WILD SUMACO RESERVE 

• Wild Sumaco Reserve is a birding paradise located in the foothills of the eastern Andes, offering access to a remarkable diversity of ecosystems. This reserve is renowned for its incredible birdlife, including both Amazonian lowland species and Andean foothill specialties. The mix of cloud forest, subtropical habitats, and nearby lowland rainforest makes Wild Sumaco a prime destination for spotting trogons, tanagers, antpittas, antwrens, owls and other elusive birds. We wull explore the different trails in the reserve, hummingbird and jacamar feeders, antpitta hides and toucanet trails. 
• Possible Night Owl in the surroundings of the lodge
• Targets: Linated Woodpecker, Many-banded Aracari, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Wire-crested Thorntail, Goulds Jewelfront, Grey-headed Kite, Green-backed Trogon, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Lined Antshrike, Blue-headed Parrot, White-backed Fire-eye, Peruvian-warbling Antbird, Musician Wren, Golden-collared Toucanet, Amazonia Motmot and others. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room 

Birding Photos: Foothill Screetch Owl, Goulds Jewelfront, and Peruvian Warbling Antbird by David Hollie, Diego Cruz and Tom Mcintosh.  

Day 11

AMARUPAKCHA COCK OF THE ROCK LEK AND LIMONCOCHA LAGOON

• Early morning transfer to Amarupakcha Reserve for Andean Cock of the Rock Lek - Eastern Subspecie and other lowland specialties. Boxed Lunch along the way and arrival to 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 new registered Eastern Meadowlark that was spotted 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.  
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Grand Hotel Lago Shushufindi, Double Room 

Birding Photos: Birding Canoe in Limoncocha, Cream-coloured Woodpecker, and Laughing Falcon by Diego Cruz. 

Day 12

LIMONCOCHA; WHITE-LORED ANTPITTA FEEDER, CEIBO FOREST TRAIL, AND AFTERNOON PRIVATE CANOE LIMONCOCHA LAGOON 

• 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. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Hotel el Auca Coca, Double Room 

Birding Photos: White-lored Antpitta, Limoncocha Lagoon, White-eared Jacamar by Diego Cruz. 

Day 13

FULL DAY YASUNI NATIONAL PARK, MACAWS LICKS, OBSERVATION TOWER

• Early in the morning, transfer to Pompeya Norte to board a private canoe and journey into Yasuní National Park. Enjoy the breathtaking sunrise over the Amazon rainforest as you navigate the scenic waterways. Begin birding at the Napo River Clay Licks, then continue to the Napo Wildlife Center’s Scarlet Macaw Lick for spectacular sightings and 8 possible types of parrots. Next, visit the Anangu Observation Tower for panoramic views and explore the bird-rich trails of the Pilche Community. After lunch, return to Limoncocha, birding along the Napo River Islands. Arrive at Coca Hotel late afternoon.
• Targets: Hoatzin, Crane Hawk, White-throated Toucan, Orange-crowned Manakin, Gilded Barbet, Green Kingfisher, Tufted Woodpecker, Plum-throated Cotinga, Flame-crested Tanager, Ivory-billed Aracari, Wire-tailed Manakin, Green and Gold Tanager, Agami Heron, Leterred Aracari, Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Red and Green Macaw, Chestnut fronted Macaw, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned Amazon, and others.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Overnight Auca Hotel in Coca, Double Room  

Photos: Wire-tailed Manakin, Scarlet Macaws and Red-howler Monkey by Diego Cruz.   

Day 14

RETURN TO QUITO and VISIT GUANGO TORRENT DUCK RESERVE

• After breakfast return to Quito with stop at Guango Torrent Duck Reserve for possible Grey-beasted mountain Toucan and other hummingbird specialties from the East Slope Cloud Forest. Along the way possibe to observe again the Spectacled Bear. Arrival to our lodge late afternoon and farewell dinner. 
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner 
• Overnight Jimenita Lodge, King with chimney   
• Targets: Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Grass-green Tanager, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, Torrent Duck and Spectacled Bear. 

Day 15

TRANSFER OUT TO QUITO AIRPORT 

24/7 Transfer out to Quito Airport after breakfast. End of Services or request an EXTENSION to Galapagos Islands. Check our Galapagos Promotions.