January 17:

Arrive in Quito, where you will be met at the airport and brought to the beautiful Hotel San Jose de Puembo, with stunning views of the snow-capped Andes and large gardens, the perfect spot to relax and begin your Ecuadorian nature exploration! There may even be a llama or two in the yard…

January 18:

We will drive east over the continental divide to spend a full day in Antisana National Park, above the treeline in the grassy paramo habitat at 12,000+ feet. This beautiful landscape is home to the majestic national bird of Ecuador, the Andean Condor. One of the largest flying birds, with an incredible 11-foot wingspan! We will also look for the endangered Andean or Spectacled Bear. Additional target species of the high paramo grasslands include Carunculated Caracara, Black-faced Ibis, Silvery Grebe, Ecuadorian Hillstar Hummingbird, Andean Lapwing, and more.

Lunch at the delightful Tambo Condor restaurant, whose hummingbird feeders attract the Northern Giant Hummingbird, the largest hummingbird in the world!

Dinner and overnight at Guango Lodge.

January 19:

We will awake at dawn to bird the grounds of Guango Lodge, known for Sword-billed Hummingbirds and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans. Their hummingbird feeders attract numerous other species of hummingbird as well - up to a dozen species of hummingbird are possible! We will then go birding in the high elfin cloud forest of Cayambe Coca National Park to look for the endemic and rare Masked Mountain Tanager and other hard-to-find endemic species. Time and weather conditions permitting, we will head to Papallacta Pass to search for Rufous-bellied Seed Snipe in the high paramo climbing to over 14,000 feet. Other target species include Imperial Snipe, Blue-mantled Thornbill [Hummingbird], Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, and Black-backed Bush Tanager.

After a long day of birding, we can spend the afternoon & evening relaxing at the luxurious Thermas de Papallacta Hot Springs & Spa.

Dinner & Night at Guango Lodge.

January 20:

We will bird at Guango Lodge again in the morning, and then perhaps visit a few other high-elevation locales nearby. After lunch at a more moderate elevation, we will drive to Zuroloma Reserve, an Andean gem where the hummingbird feeders attract the Sword-billed Hummingbird, the bird with the longest bill relative to body length. Several other hummingbirds and rare and hard-to-see Antpitta species are found here, as well as other high-altitude specialties of the west slopes of the Andes. We will then drive to Mashpi Amaguza reserve, an amazing spot with bird feeders, water, and native plantings that attract over 450 species of birds (!).

A couple of years ago, Sergio & Doris, the local couple who are caretakers of Mashpi Amagusa, had the opportunity to purchase the property they’d been caring for before it was sold to logging and mining interests. I’m proud to say that my friends & followers helped raise over $8,000 towards this effort, and now we will be one of the first groups to stay in the new eco-lodge they’ve built on the property! It’s wonderful to see their vision become a reality, and their stewardship is reflected in the incredible diversity of birds and other wildlife found here.

Dinner and night at Mashpi Amagusa.

January 21:

We will spend the day at Mashpi Amagusa. You can relax in the lovely cabins, watching the hummingbird feeders, or exploring the trails on the property. The trails and feeders are rich with Chocó endemics.

Target birds include Black Solitaire, Glistening-green Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Choco Vireo, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, and many more.

Dinner and overnight at Mashpi Amagusa.

January 22:

Morning at Mashpi Amagusa, then we head north towards El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest Lodge, Gabriel’s lodge in the heart of the Intag Valley, in the shadow of the dormant Cotacachi Volcano (a 16,000+ ft snow-capped peak).

En route, we will meander through the foothills of the west slope of the Andes, and time permitting will stop to look for the unique & bizarre Oilbird at a place where they nest.

Dinner and night at El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest Lodge.

January 23:

Full day at El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest Lodge. Relax in your cabin, in a hammock by the river, or join Gabriel on a hike on the trails to look for Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, many dazzling Tanager species, and spectacular hummingbirds like the Andean Emerald and White-booted Racket-tail.

Meals & Overnight at El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest Lodge.

January 24:

Explore the culture & history of Otavalo, especially its legendary craft & textile market. This colorful indigenous market takes place each Saturday and features some of the finest woven products in the region including ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings and shawls. It is one of the largest markets in South America, and has been a center for textile weaving and trade since Pre-Incan times over 1,000 years ago. This market is full of gorgeous alpaca & wool scarves, blankets, and ponchos as well as hand-woven straw hats, leather goods, and more.

Lunch in Otavalo, followed by birding in the mountains on the way back to El Refugio de Intag Cloud Forest Lodge.

Dinner & Night at El Refugio Cloud Forest Lodge.

January 25:

Breakfast and birding at El Refugio Cloud Forest Lodge, after which we pack up and head back to Quito, arriving at the airport by noon.

Return home that afternoon/evening from Quito, or you may choose to spend additional night(s) in Quito or a nearby ecolodge (not included).