Ecuador Andes to Amazon
Friday 16th January to Sunday 1st February 2009
AA9038
Our
Ecuadorian tour will take us from the high páramo grasslands of the Andes, to the bird-rich rainforests of the Amazon Basin. Despite being one of South America’s smallest countries, Ecuador is
home to over 1,500 bird species as well as some fascinating mammals.
Inspired by our recent visits to this amazing country, our itinerary has
been specially designed to bring you close to a wealth of beautiful and
sought-after species, on a journey of exploration ranging from Andean peaks
to the world’s largest belt of tropical rainforest. Tantalising
possibilities include Spectacled Whitestart and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock on
the western slopes of the Andes, Ecuadorian Hillstar and Andean Gull and
then a dazzling wealth of toucans, parrots, woodpeckers, flycatchers,
barbets and tanagers at the delightful Sacha Lodge in the heart of the
Amazon Basin. Deep in the tropical rainforest, this backwater paradise is
reached only by motorised canoe, and for birdwatchers it offers an
unforgettable experience. Surrounded only by the sounds of wildlife, we
shall spend our time exploring the canopy walkways and forest trails, taking
boat trips on the river, birdwatching on Sacha’s lagoon from traditional
canoes, and observing superb species at eye level from a 43-metre tower high
in the forest canopy.Days 1 & 2: The tour commences with a scheduled overnight flight from the UK to Quito. We will then transfer to a lodge, which is located below the famous Papillacta Pass. Overnight - Papillacta.
Day 3: After an early breakfast we’ll spend a little time observing the garden feeders to witness the gathering of hummingbird species which have taken residence due to the readily available food source. Amongst these beautiful gems – some with names to match, are Tourmaline Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, White-bellied Woodstar, Long-tailed Sylph and Sword-billed Hummingbird.
With sparkling distant snow-capped peaks beckoning, we drive to the páramo zone, at around 13,000 feet. In this marvellous environment we will be looking for its speciality bird species, such as: Great Thrush, Brown-bellied Swallow, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Many-striped Canastero, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Paramo Ground-Tyrant. After lunch and a little birding around the lodge, when we should see Lacrimose & Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, we will drive to our next venue, San Isidro. Overnight – Cabanas San Isidro
Day 4: San Isidro is on the eastern slope of the Andes and has an excellent network of trails. Birding here can be very exciting, with mixed feeding flocks, many hummingbirds at the feeders, and a nearby Cock-of-the-rock lek. We’ll also visit a nearby cloud forest known as Huacamayos Ridge. Among the many species we may encounter are Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Wattled Guan, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Golden-headed & Crested Quetzals, Inca Jay, Collared Inca, Long-tailed Sylph, Rufous-vented Tapaculo, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Dusky Piha, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Long-tailed Antbird, Black-billed Peppershrike, Black-crested Warbler, Black-eared Hemispingus, Plushcap, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager and Flame-faced Tanager. Overnight – Cabanas San Isidro
Day 5: We will spend the morning birdwatching around the lodge and nearby habitats, followed by lunch and a drive back to Quito, with plenty of time to prepare ourselves for the trip to the Amazon in two days time.
Overnight - Quito
Day 6: The whole day will be spent amidst the marvellous scenery of Antisana Volcano. In an area of outstanding natural beauty, with equally impressive birdlife, we will explore a number of fine birding sites and habitats. Amongst the many resident bird species are: Silvery Grebe, Andean Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Snipe, Andean Lapwing, Andean Condor, Black-chested Eagle, Carunculated Caracara, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Streak-backed Canastero, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Bar-winged Cinclodes, Paramo Pipit and Blue-and-yellow Tanager. Overnight - Quito.
Days 7 - 10: After breakfast on Day 7 we transfer to the domestic airport for a short flight over the Andes to the town of Coca on the River Napo. This is followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride by motorised canoe to Sacha Lodge on Pilchicocha Lake, a simply marvellous destination in the very heart of the Amazon basin. Our birdwatching excursions here will include motorised and traditional canoe trips. We shall also enjoy birdwatching from canopy walkways and the famous 43-metre high tower. The rainforests are teeming with birds, making this an exhilarating experience. The bird list is almost endless, but amongst the many species we may see are Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Crested Owl, Hoatzin, Red-bellied Macaw, White-eared Jacamar, Lemon-throated Barbet, Lettered Araçari, White-throated Toucan, Golden-collared Toucanet, Red-stained Woodpecker, Spot-winged & Silvered Antbirds, Orange-crested Manakin, Purple-throated Cotinga, Sirystes, Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Violaceous Jay, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Black-faced Dacnis and Opal-rumped & Paradise Tanagers. The native guides of Sacha Lodge also have a thorough knowledge of plants, mammals and local culture, and participants may opt to take time off from birding to join in other activities. We shall plan our days around birdwatching in the cool of the morning, followed by relaxation after lunch. Overnights - Sacha Lodge.
Day 11: Return journey to Coca and flight to Quito, arriving around lunchtime. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight - Quito.
Day 12 - 14: On Day 12 we shall visit Yanacocha - a marvellous reserve on the slopes of Pichincha Volcano, before driving to Tandayapa Lodge on the western slopes of the Andes. Birdwatching from the lodge terrace can be quite outstanding, with up to 21 species of hummingbirds visiting the feeders, including Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Sparkling Violetear and Purple-throated Woodstar. We will also explore the lush tropical forests of the Mindo Road and the lodge’s network of trails, where the colourful array of species includes Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Turquoise Jay, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Tanager Finch and a host of dazzling tanagers. A visit to the forest of Milpe Bird Sanctuary and its surrounding pastures will provide a different experience and many new species, including: Bronze-winged Parrot, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Pale-mandibled Araçari, Choco Toucan, Rufous Motmot, Spotted Barbtail, Pacific Hornero, Club-winged Manakin, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Masked Water-Tyrant, Choco Warbler and Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager. Overnights - Tandayapa Lodge.
Day 15: Our final morning birdwatching will centre on the lodge trails and the strategically placed hide that overlooks an area where antbirds and other secretive birds feed. During this period we will hope to see Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Slaty Antwren, Streak-capped Treehunter, Golden-winged Manakin, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Three-striped & Russet-crowned Warblers, Metalic Green & Golden-naped Tanagers and White-winged Brush-Finch. After lunch we’ll drive back to Quito. Overnight - Quito
Days 16 & 17: On Day 16 we catch our morning flight to the UK, via Amsterdam, where we arrive on Day 17.