SOUTHERN ECUADOR BIRDING TOUR
Cajas National Park, Tapichalaca Reserve, Podocarpus National Park
14 Days
Best season from September to March
OVERVIEW
Ecuador is a small country, with a big variety of landscapes ecosystems, and bird species, thanks to the Andes Mountain Range that is running through the country. There is a great network of nature reserves and many beautiful gardens with bird feeders, as well as comfortable lodges. That makes Ecuador is one of the best South American countries for birding.
The Andes Mountains of Southern Ecuador are characterized by high mountain-ridges and deep valleys, that provide a wide variety of habitats within this small geographic area. The region’s rich biodiversity is known to birders for decades.
The tour starts in the Cajas National Park, where we will explore the windswept Páramos, followed by several days in the Tapichalaca Reserve. Here we will look for the near-endemic Jocotoco Antpitta and will we have chances to see large mixed flocks with some of the most beautiful tanagers like White-capped Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, and Orange-eared Tanager.
The charming Copalinga Lodge gives us access to the subtropical areas of the Podocarpus National Park.
We will be birding around two Jocotoco Foundation Reserves: Buenaventura, situated at the foothills of the western side of the Andes, and Tapichalaca that is bordering the magnificent Podocarpus National Park on the eastern side of the Andes. At Buenaventura we have the chance to see the beautiful and rare El Oro Parakeet. This species was “discovered” by scientists in 1980. Here we can also find the elusive and iconic Long-wattled Umbrellabird.
A unique birding experience in a small country that is big in bird species.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Quito. / Night at a hotel in Quito.
Day 2: Flight to Cuenca and a transfer to the Cajas National Park. / Night in the Dos Chorreras Lodge.
Day 3: Full day birding in the Cajas National Park. / Night at the Dos Chorreras Lodge.
Day 4: Transfer from the Cajas National Park to Vilcabamba. / Night at a hotel in Vilcabamba.
Day 5: Transfer to the Tapichalaca Reserve and birding around the Podocarpus National Park. / Night at Casa Simpon.
Day 6: Full day birding in the Tapichalaca Reserve. / Night at Casa Simpson.
Day 7: Transfer to Valladolid for birding and back to the Tapichalaca Reserve. / Night at Casa Simpson.
Day 8: Transfer to Zamora in the Chinchipe Province and birding around the Loja – Zamora Road. / Night at the Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga.
Day 9: Transfer to the Bombuscaro section of the Podocarpus National Park. / Night at the Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga.
Day 10: Transfer to Loja and birding around the Catamayo Valley with many stops including at the El Oro Mountains and the Buenaventura Reserve. / Night at the Umbrellabird Lodge.
Day 11: Full day of birding in the Buenaventura Reserve. / Night at the Umbrellabird Lodge.
Day 12: Transfer to the upper part of the Buenaventura Reserve to look for endemic birds of this area. / Night at the Umbrellabird Lodge.
Day 13: Drive to Guayaquil with stops in the Tembladera Wetlands and Churute Manglares. Later in the afternoon a flight to Quito. / Night at a hotel in Quito.
Day 14: Birding morning in the Antisana Ecological Reserve close to Quito and transfer to the airport for a flight home.
KEY SPECIES
Tit-like Danis, Giant Conebill, Carunculated Caracara, Paramo Ground-Tyrant, Ecuadorian Piculet, Pacific Pygmy-Owl, Chestnut-crested Cotinga, Dusky Piha, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Choco Toucan, Choco Brushfinch, Turquoise Jay, Orange-banded Flycatcher, Marañón Thrush, Bearded Guan, Plushcap, Black-headed Hemispingus, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Foothill Elaenia, Gray-cheeked Parakeet, El Oro Parakeet, Black-cowled Saltator, Club-winged Manakin, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Guayaquil Woodpecker, El Oro Tapaculo, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Gray-backed Hawk, Horned Screamer, Pinnated Bittern, Jet Antbird, Ecuadorian Trogon.
Violet-throated Metaltail, Flame-throated Sunangel, Black-throated Brilliant, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Neblina Metailtail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Emerald-bellied Woodnymph, Humboldt’s Sapphire.
Golden-crowned Tanager, Black-faced Tanager, Straw-backed Tanager, Red-hooded Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager.
Jocotoco Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta.
TOUR DETAILS
Group Size: Max 8 + tour guide.
Tour & Walking Pace: Moderate.
Accommodation: Comfortable.
Transportation: Private car/van.
Habitats Covered: Andean Mountains and Valleys, Paramo, Polylepis Forest, Elfin Forest, Cloud Forest, and Amazon Forest.
Climate: During this tour, we will be going through many different habitats and landscapes. From the cold high Andes close to Quito, to the warm lowlands close to Guayaquil.
Altitude: 100 – 3700 meters above sea level.
Possible Extensions:
– Chocó endemics
– Galápagos Islands
For the detailed itinerary, prices, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.
Si desea recibir el itinerario detallado en español, por favor háganoslo saber.
PHOTO GALLERY
Kuntur Nature and Adventure EIRL
Company Address: Av. Industrial Conj. Hab. FOVIPOL. Nr 104 – Santiago – Cusco – Peru
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