2018 NORTHERN ANDES BIRD PHOTO TOUR
Tour Overview
ECUADOR
PHOTO TOUR
May 23-Jun 1, 2018
| Duration: | 10 days, 9 nights |
| Group Size: | 2-8 |
| Anytime Price: | $3375 |
| Group Price: | $2975 |
| Single Suppl: | $250 |
| Pace: | Easy/Moderate |
| Difficulty: | Easy/Moderate |
The geographical barrier that is the Andes Mountains creates extraordinary species diversity, making it possible to see over 400 species of birds in just 9 days. Our Ecuador Andes Birding Tour covers most of the best birding sites of the northern Andes in 11 days, Guango Reserve and Papallacta Pass in the high eastern Andes, San Isidro Reserve at middle elevation of the eastern Andes, Tandayapa Reserve in the western Andes, the Mindo area including Refugio Paz of antpitta fame, middle elevation Forest in Milpe Bird Sanctuary, and Bellavista Reserve. Accommodations are very good throughout the tour, with exquisite cuisine at Guango Lodge, Cabanas San Isidro, and Bellavista Lodge.
The tour begins with a transfer from the airport to San Isidro Lodge in the high eastern Andes with a stop in Papallacta Pass. A full day will be spent birding the Loreto Road downslope. Early next morning will be devoted to seeking two antpitta species conditioned to come out onto a trail near the lodge. From San Isidro we re-trace our route back up to Guango Lodge for an overnight stay. Next morning is devoted to an early walk through the reserve followed by viewing of some extraordinary hummingbirds outside the dining area, including the amazing Sword-billed Hummingbird. Then the tour continues to famed Tandayapa Bird Lodge for one night. From Tandayapa we continue downslope to the Mindo area for one night. After arrival we'll bird Milpe Bird Sanctuary downslope. The following morning we'll visit Refugio Paz, famous for the several antpittas and Dark-backed Wood-Quail that have been conditioned to come out onto the forest trail plus an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek and opportunities to see specialties such as Golden-headed Quetzal. That afternoon we head back upslope to Bellavista Reserve, a wonderful place to see some cloud forest specialties such as Toucan Barbet and Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. We'll spend the entire next day there before returning to Quito and end of the tour.