HUMMINGBIRD ROUTE – CHOCÓ ENDEMICS ANDES WESTERN SLOPES - ANTISANA
SAMPLE ITINERARY
QUITO & TRANSFER IN Transfer in from International Airport Mariscal Sucre. Usually international flights arrive late in the evening. Overnight in San Jose de Puembo Garden Hotel. On this tour we recommend arriving a day early to prepare for the high altitude of the first day. We can arrange a city tour in Quito prior to your trip.
DAY
1
YANACOCHA YANACOCHA RESERVE & OLD NONO-MINDO ROAD Yanacocha Reserve is located on the northeastern slope of Pichincha Volcano about 1 hour northwest of Quito, along the old Nono-Mindo Road in route to Mindo Subtropical Rainforest.
Yanacocha Reserve is a high-altitude cloud forest situated at 10,500 ft a.s.l. The reserve protects 964 hectares of elfin Polylepsis Forest, which is home to many avian specialties but is noted primarily for its hummingbirds. Among these is the highly endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, which was nearly driven to extinction due to habitat loss. In the early 1990's the land was purchased by the Jocotoco Foundation, one of Ecuador’s most recognized conservation organizations, and established as a protected reserve.
YANACOCHA RESERVE & OLD NONO-MINDO ROAD Early departure as the sunrises over the northwestern slope of Pichincha Volcano. Start birding in the enchanted, Protected Forest of Yanacocha for a surprising array of bird species; there are mixed flocks of gorgeous birds such as Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Golden Crowned Tanager. Hummingbirds are a major highlight here!! Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs,Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet and the outstanding Sword-billed hummingbird are frequent visitors of the surrounding flora and the feeders scattered along the main trail. Lunch at the reserve; later on you’ll continue on down the old Nono-Mindo Road to Tandayapa Valley with remarkable landscapes. Following the route known as the Ruta del “Quinde”- kichwa word for hummingbird- with more fabulous birds and views, you’ll make your way to Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, at 7200 ft a.s.l.
The old Nono-Mindo Road is a great birding site with a great diversity of hummingbirds and many Chocó endemics. The route offers a good chance for White-capped Dippers hopping around on the boulders within a rushing Andean river; the riverside banks along a section of the road also play host to Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants. You’ll arrive to the lodge before dark to get your first viewz of the incredible activity at the hummingbird feeders, which attract many species including Violet-tailed Sylph, Collared Inca, Booted-racket-Tail, Gorgeted Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird among others. Overnight at Bellavista Reserve Lodge.
DAY
2
BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE Bellavista is a 700 hectares reserve deep in the subtropical rainforest of the western Andean slopes, which will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest, it’s bird diversity, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this special environment.
BELLAVISTA
BELLAVISTA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE Once in Bellavista, the hummingbirds take our full attention!!! Large numbers hover constantly around the feeders, and it is easy to identify over 10 species at very close range. The lodge offers an excellent network of trails, over 8 km in length, ranging from easy to genuine adventure. Bellavista is recognized as one of Ecuador’s Important Bird Areas (IBA’s). It is located within the Chocó Biogeographic Region. This area extends from Panama to the Ecuadorian Province of Manabi; this bio-region is considered one of the world’s hot spots of biodiversity due to it’s high levels of endemism. Some of the target species here are the very rare and threatened Tanager Finch, the gorgeous Toucan Barbet, Ocellated Tapaculo and the spectacular Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.
DAY
3
The reserve is a perfect host of other colorful subtropical species: the tanagers. Grass-green, Blue and Black, Beryl-Spangled, Blue-Capped, FawnBreasted, Golden, Flame-Faced and Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers occur frequently in the reserve. Beautiful birds abound in the cloud forest of the upper Tandayapa Valley like the Green and Black Fruiteater, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Powerful Woodpecker, Turquoise Jay, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Rufous-Headed Pygmy- Tyrant, Flavescent Flycatcher, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Sierran Elaenia, Montane Woodcreeper, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner among many others. After a delicious lunch at the reserve you'll continue to explore the area and continue your way to Sachatamia Reserve. Overnight at Sachatamia Lodge.
REFUGIO PAZ DE LAS AVES ANTPITTA PARADISE & ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK LEK
ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK LEK, ANTPITTA PARADISE AT REFUGIO PAZ DE LAS AVES
DAY
4
This now-famous antpitta reserve near Mindo will be one of the tour’s highlights. Here, the former local farmer Angel Paz and his brother Rodrigo have switched their activities to birding and conservation. They are pioneers in the neotropics in hand-feeding several elusive species like Giant, Yellow-Breasted, Chestnut-Crowned, Moustached and Ochre-Breasted Antpittas with amazing success. These birds respond relatively easily to their voice, giving you a great chance to see these otherwise evasive birds. They have gained substantial fame for developing this technique of conditioning extremely rare antpittas and other rare birds to come out onto the trail. Here you’ll also visit an active Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek at sunrise. Hummingbird feeders attract some new species like Velvet-purple Coronet and Empress Brilliant. Other Chocó specialties sometimes found in the area include Nariño Tapaculo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, and Black -chinned Mountain-Tanager. Overnight at Sachatamia Lodge
MASHPI
MASHPI - AMAGUSA CONSERVATION AREA The Mashpi reserve it’s known for it’s high levels of endemism in birds, species that are only found here and in no other part of the world.
MASHPI - AMAGUSA Start your day with some of the most fabulous views over the western Andean slopes. You'll be pick-up from your hotel at 4:30 am. We'll head out to an area which is known among birders as the “Mashpi road”, the birding area includes a small side road that forks off and heads a few km to the Mashpi Amagusa Reserve. Mashpi is a recently popularized site in the northwestern foothills that has gained notoriety for its impressive collection of Chocó endemic bird species. The wet mossy forest along the roads in the area boasts Moss-Backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, Glistening-Green Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and the very rare Choco Vireo. Time and space will take on a different meaning as you become immersed in the deep green forest, exploring pristine landscapes. After lunch you'll start your way back to the lodge but before that, a special visit to a private farm along the Chontal road will allow you to see the odd Oilbird, a great way to end your journey today. Overnight at Kapari
DAY
5
MILPE & SILANCHE CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
MILPE & SILANCHE
DAY
6
After an early breakfast, we'll head out to Silanche, a Mindo Cloudforest Foundation (MCF) reserve. This is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 2001 that works to protect critically endangered natural habitats in Ecuador. We'll get to explore this sanctuary in the Chocó-Andean foothills. Silanche is one of the last remaining accessible forest remnants found in this key life-zone—is situated in hilly lowland forest at an altitude between 300-350m. The main feature at Río Silanche is its incredible birding from an observation tower: mixed species foraging flocks, packed with many important Chocó endemic species. Many of these bird species are otherwise difficult to find without arranging a logistically far more complicated expedition to Esmeraldas province or even Colombia: Purple-chested Hummingbird, Chocó Trogon, Double-banded Graytail, Moustached/Griscom’s Antwren, Stub-tailed Antbird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager. The MCF is working hard to repair and maintain a natural corridor between the Caoní and Silanche rivers, strengthening the Río Caoní IBA. In the afternoon you'll visit Milpe reserve, which was established in 2004 and has recently been expanded to 100 hectares (247 acres), now including the adjacent ‘Milpe Gardens’ which has easier access to the Chalhuayacu river valley. The Bird Sanctuary covers an altitudinal range from 1020-1150m (3350-3770 ft). Both Club-winged and Golden-winged manakins are relatively easy to observe, photograph and enjoy. Seasonally, the White-bearded Manakin is here too, popping and whirring. Overnight at Kapari
The famous Guacamayos Ridge is a middle montane forest area part of the 297.00 acres of Antisana Ecological Reserve. This trail was used by the first explorers and settlers traveling to the eastern lowlands.
UMBRELLA BIRD LEK 23 DE JUNIO COMMUNITY
UMBRELLA BIRD LEK AT 23 DE JUNIO COMMUNITY
DAY
7
Bird watching at Recinto 23 de Junio is always a great experience. We may encounter Moss-backed Tanagers and Black Solitary next to the road that leads to the community. The aim of this trip is to get some great views of the Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephaloterus penduliger) this dispersed lek forming species is a Chocó endemic specialty whose conservation status has been raised to vulnerable due to the destruction of its habitat. Later you'll drIve to higher elevation where we’ll try to photograph the four species of toucans that occur in this area: the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, the Chocó Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, and the Pale-mandibled Aracari; all in a matter of a couple of hours. There are not many places in Ecuador, or for that matter in the world, where you can see these all these birds in the same area. It is important for us to support local conservation efforts, this place is an excellent example of the great diversity that is worth saving and seeing. After exploring this location you'll head back to Quito. Lunch at Alambi Cloud Forest reserve, a hummingbird paradise, where over 15 species visit their feeders every day. It's an outstanding place right by the main road. Overnight in San Jose de Puembo Garden Hotel
ANTISANA
ANTISANA RESERVE & TAMBOCONDOR Antisana Ecological Reserve is unique in several ways. Not only does it provide refuge for one of the largest concentrations of Andean Condors left in Ecuador, but it also provides much of Quito`s drinking water. Officially recognized as a national reserve only in 1994, it’s 120,000 hectares (296,400 acres) are now some of the most rigorously protected natural areas in Ecuador.
ANTISANA & TRANSFER OUT
DAY
8
The snow-covered top of Antisana Volcano is located at 18,886 ft a.s.l.. It’s the fourth highest peak of Ecuador. Something that makes this place wonderful is the contact with undisturbed nature apart from crowded touristic places and it’s beautiful Andean scenery. The reserve provides opportunities to understand the geological history of the Andes and the importance of this unique ecosystem. You may see many high altitude and local specialties including Ecuadorian Hillstar visiting the Chuquiragua bushes, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spineatil, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Tufted tit-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga, Paramo Pipit, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch and Black-winged Ground-Dove. You’ll have the chance to see many Carunculated Caracaras, Andean Gulls, Andean Lapwings, and many other species that are absent or difficult at other sites such as the rare Black-faced Ibis. This reserve has at least 4 different cliffs in which Andean Condors have their nesting site. Antisana host the largest number os Condors considering an estimated population of just 106 wild individuals in the country. Birdlife categorizes Antisana as an Important Bird Area and is part of The Nature Conservancy's Condor Bioreserve, it is just a worthy glimpse between 10500 ft to 15000 ft a.s.l. Arriving at Lake "La Mica", we scan the lake shore for Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Andean Ruddy Ducks, and Yellow-billed Pintails. This is also the best place in Ecuador to observe closely the regal Silvery Grebe. Lunch at Tambocondor, and return to Quito late in the afternoon. If not joining the available extensions to the eastern slopes , you will be transferred to Quito's international airport for your flight back home.
TRIP CONSIDERATIONS PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions, safety, and particular interests of guests. Changes and additions are made in order to maximize your birding experience and wilderness enjoyment.
CLIMATE: Very variable due to the complex topography. Much of the trip will be at middle elevations in subtropical rainforest where the climate is quite pleasant warmer and humid (around 55째-78째F, 14째-26째C), rain is likely in the afternoon. It can get cold near freezing early in the morning at higher elevations such as at Yanacocha and Antisana. Length: 8 days Starting city: Quito Ending city: Quito Pace: Moderate to intense Physical difficulty: moderate to difficult Focus: Birding and photography
INCLUDED: -Private service of a specialize birding & naturalist bilingual guide -Private transportation -Accommodation in double or triple occupation. Single room adds a fee -All meals listed in the itinerary with soft drink or purified water -Transfers In-Out -All excursions and activities listed in itinerary -Entrance fee to all the reserves and activities NOT INCLUDED: -International airfare -Alcoholic Beverages -Tips -Any other item not specified PLEASE ASK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND DESTINATIONS TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP.
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CUSTOMIZED TOUR We can easily set up a custom tour to virtually anywhere you can imagine. With a custom tour, you can travel with friends and family on dates that are convenient for your schedule, and the tour will be ran at the pace and difficulty you desire. We may also be able to arrange a custom extension or modification of this trip for you upon request.