ECUADOR

November 20 - December 4, 2010 
$2685
Single supplement $345
Eastern and Western slopes of the Andes, Chocó Specialties, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek & Oilbird Cave
15days/14nights with two expert guides, including native Ecuadorian Marcelo Andy 
Limit 12 participants    SOLD OUT!
Includes Coca-Quito airfare 
Amazon River Basin extension, Dec. 3- 8 (Click here for details)
$990 Includes airfare Coca-Quito
$445 Single Supplement

Day 1, November 20: Arrival in Quito
Transfer to Hotel Sebastian upon arrival.  We will have dinner together to discuss final details about the trip (time permitting, depending on airline schedules).

Day 2, November 21: Yanacocha Reserve / Old Nono-Mindo Road
We leave Quito early for morning birding at Yanacocha Reserve at 3300masl.  At this altitude, highland specialties are the main dish. The main attraction of the area is the rare Black-breasted Puffleg, a hummingbird found almost strictly in this reserve. Other conspicuous hummingbirds are Sword-billed Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing, Golden-breasted Puffleg and 13 more hummers, plus colorful mountain-tanagers, chat-tyrants and even a possibility of the very rare Andean Condor.  After a box lunch, we head downhill to the Tandayapa Valley along the famous Old Nono-Mindo Road which will take us to the very heart of the cloud forest. We bird on the way, trying to get specialties like Golden-headed Quetzal and Toucan Barbet. We will spend the night at Bellavista Lodge. 


Day 3, November 22: Upper and Lower Tandayapa Valley
Today we bird the cloud forest at around 2000masl. This altitude is rich in hummingbirds with over 40 resident species including Chocó endemic Violet-tailed Sylph, Gorgeted Sunangel, and Brown Inca. Surrounded by dozens of species of glittering Tanagers, the magnificence of the seven colors of the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan stands out. We will search for endemics like Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Cloud-Forest Pygmy-Owl, Beautiful Jay, and the extremely local Tanager Finch plus the Powerful Woodpecker and the always elusive but spectacular Ocellated Tapaculo. Late in the afternoon we will move toward Sacahtamia Lodge, where we will stay in charming cabins for two nights.

Day 4, November 23: Angel Paz Antpittas Reserve “Paz de las Aves”
We will spend today searching for specific species. During the morning we will visit one of the cloud forest’s main attractions, an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek. Next, we will bird this reserve which became famous for the presence of Giant, Moustached, Ochre-breasted and Yellow-breasted Antpittas.   These normally very elusive species respond relatively easily to the voice of Angel, the owner of the reserve, who calls them by names he gave to particular individuals; unusual, indeed! ! !  During the afternoon, we will travel to an Oilbird cave where we can see these enigmatic birds as they roost by day. Our views will be better than most since our "cave" is actually a narrow gorge where natural light falls on the roosting birds.  We will enjoy a good rest at Sachatamia Lodge at the end of this strenuous day.

Day 5, November 24: Mashpi Reserve and Pacto-Pachijal Road
All morning we will spend trying to get several important cloud forest birds that in other locations are very difficult to find.  We may expect endemic birds like Indigo Flowerpiercer, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Moss-backed Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Glistening-green Tanager, Yellow-collared Cholorphonia, among others.  The area is thought to house a bird only known in the west coast, the great Golden-chested Tanager, which we will try to find.  After a box lunch in the area, we will start moving down in elevation through the Pacto-Pachijal Road trying for some roadside species until we arrive to rest at Ayalir Lodge.

Day 6, November 25: Silanche Bird Sanctuary
Today we will bird at the lowest altitude for the trip at 250masl. The reserve has a canopy tower that can help us get some rare tanagers like Emerald, Blue-whiskered, Scarlet-and-White and Rufous-winged, plus Scarlet-breasted, Yellow-tufted and Scarlet-tighted Dacnises. On the ground the birding is great and antbirds are well represented by Checker-throated, Pacific and Griscom´s Antwrens, Chestnut-backed and Bicolored Antbirds and Western Slaty Antshrike. On the way to the reserve, the disturbed and secondary forests along the dirt road can yield some interesting birds like Brown Wood-Rail, Scarlet-backed and Cinnamon Woodpeckers, Dusky-faced Tanager and even the spectacular Red-billed Scythebill. During the afternoon we will focus on whatever group of birds we did not observe during the morning.  Night in Ayalir Lodge.

Day 7, November 26: Milpe Bird Sanctuary and Calacalí Area
We will spend the morning in this renowned sanctuary at 1100 masl where a lek of the endemic Club-winged Manakin is present.  This area is great for the endemic Choco Toucan and Pale-mandibled Aracari.  We regularly find rarities like Esmeraldas Antbird, Choco Trogon, plus other conspicuous birds like Guayaquil Woodpecker, Choco Warbler, Golden-winged Manakin, and some Foliage-gleaners.  After lunch we start heading back to Quito and during the afternoon we will bird the dry area around Calacali at 2800 masl.  This habitat is home to specialites like White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Giant Hummingbird, Rusty Flowerpiercer, and the seasonal rarity Purple-collared Woodstar.  Night in Hotel Sebastian in Quito after a possible stop at the Equator Monument.

Day 8, November 27: Antisana Reserve and Papallacta Pass
During the morning we will visit the fantastic Antisana Reserve where the main attraction is Ecuador’s national bird, the amazing Andean Condor.  The Condors roost in cliffs within the reserve, making them relatively reliable to find.  In addition, the very local Black-faced Ibis, White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Aplomado Falcon, and the cute Ecuadorian Hillstar are often spotted there. After a box lunch, we head towards Guango Lodge located just past Papallacta Pass where we will stop for some specifics like Rufous-bellied Seed-Snipe and Giant Conebill. Night at Guango Lodge.

Day 9, November 28: Papallacta Pass and Guango
We come back up to Papallacta for the entire morning. This time we do a deeper search for paramo (highland) birds. Mixed flocks are expected and we will pay special attention to Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Masked Mountain-Tanager, White-chinned Thistletail, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Agile Tit-Tyrant and Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant.  Around lunch we will watch the wonderful hummingbird feeders at the lodge that are visited constantly by over 15 species.  Sword-billed Hummingbird is the favorite, but also present are species like the scarce Gorgeted Woodstar, Long-tailed Sylph, Mountain Velvetbreast, Tourmaline Sunangel and Mountain Avocetbill.   After lunch we will bird the trails around the lodge.  Night in Guango Lodge.

Day 10, November 29: Guango-San isidro
In the early morning we will bird the trails at Guango Lodge for some specialties like Torrent Duck, Dusky Piha, Gray-headed Bush-Tanager and Slaty Brush-Finch.  A short trail towards a small waterfall is usually rewarding as the thick vegetation there holds the difficult Slate-crowned and Chestnut-naped Antpittas.  Commonly seen here are Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Northern Mountain-Cacique, and with a bit of good luck rarities like Black-and-Chestnut Eagle and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans may show up.  After lunch, we move lower toward San Isidro Lodge, birding along the way.  Night in San Isidro Lodge

Day 11, November 30: San Isidro Lodge

The major attraction is indubitably the Mystery Owl, a Strix owl whose species is yet to be determined. Besides this unique bird, Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals are often heard and seen. Big birds like Sickle-winged and Wattled Guans and, with some luck, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan and Black-chested Fruiteater are encountered feeding on the fruiting trees.  Just outside the restaurant almost every morning Inca Jay, Highland Motmot, Masked Trogon and Pale-edged Flycatcher are seen.  Also commonly seen are Emerald Toucanet, Chestnut-crowned Antpittas and White-bellied Antpittas.  At dusk, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk can be found, and a half-hour trip along the top of the Guacamayos Ridge can bring delightful species like Lyre-tailed Nightjar and Swallow-tailed Nightjar, the very local Andean Potoo, and the White-throated Screech Owl.  Night at San Isidro Lodge

 

Day 12, December 1: Guacamayos Ridge - Narupa - Wild Sumaco Lodge
Today we will drop considerably in elevation as we bird the way from the higher slope to the low foothills through the famous Guacamayos Ridge.  Here rarities like the White-capped Tanager, Greater Scythebill, White-rimmed Brush-Finch, Barred Antthrush, and Chestnut-breasted Wren are possible.  In the afternoon we continue downhill toward the foothills and the great Wild Sumaco Lodge, where we will stay for the next 2 nights.  We will bird the lower part of the ridge looking for some special birds like Blue-browed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Thrush, and others.  Later on, we have a couple of specific stops in search of Orange-breasted Falcon and Cliff Flycatcher.  Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge

Day 13, December 2: Wild Sumaco Lodge
This new lodge is located at the base of the eastern Andes, a place filled with unique birds.  The lodge owns a nice reserve of forest at around 1200 masl, which is placed in the heart of Ecuador-Peru East Andes EBA.  Birding the trails and the roadside of this area is one of the most delightful birding experiences in Ecuador, and we will do that for two full days.  Some of the species seen regularly here are Coppery-chested Jacamar, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Blue-rumped Manakin, Lined Antshrike, Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Gray-tailed Piha, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, and Short-tailed Antthrush.  There are other rare species that can be seen with some luck, such as Military Macaw, Yellow-throated Spadebill, and Gray-throated Leaftosser.  This area is also an every-year stop for the threatened Cerulean Warbler.  The hummingbird feeders are regularly visited by a handful of superb species like the endemics Ecuadorian Piedtail, Rufous-vented Whitetip, and Napo Sabrewing.  In addition, other hummingbirds unique for this altitudinal range such as Green and Gray-chinned Hermits, Black-throated Brilliant, and Many-spotted Hummingbirds are present.  These species, together with some others like Rufous-tailed Sapphire and Violet-headed Hummingbird, make these feeders a very exciting "must-visit" place.  Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge

Day 14, December 3: Wild Sumaco - Coca - Quito or Amazon Extension
Today we will go down the hill again toward the city of Coca (270 masl), trying to sweep the last birds we have missed in the Wild Sumaco area and stopping in some places to look for some roadside birds.  From here, we'll catch either a plane to Quito (people not taking the extension) or a boat down the Napo River to our lodge (people taking the extension).
Overnight  Hotel Sebastian (Quito) for those going home on Day 16.
Lodge for the Napo River extension TBA

Day 15, December 4: Departure or Extension
Today, people who are heading home will take the airport shuttle to the airport at their convenience.  Others will start an extension trip of 5 days in the Amazon Rain Forest.
 Extension details TBA

The price INCLUDES:
-          All meals during tour - Dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day      15, depending on arrival and departure times (box meals when needed)
-          All entry fees to reserves in itinerary
-          Lodging (first class hotel in Quito and most reserves)
-          2 expert bird guides during the entire trip
-          Private transportation during tour
-          Transfers to and from airport
-          Guides´ and driver´s expenses
-     Airfare Coca-Quito
-
          Welcome and farewell dinners in Quito


The price does NOT include:
- International airfare
- Airport (departure) tax

- Tips
- Items of a personal nature, such as extra drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.

To better serve all clients, Cheepers! reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any group.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Deposit of $500 with registration (link for registration form is at the bottom of this page).
 
Balance is due on or before  August 10, 2010.


Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and mailed with the registration form to:
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370

Cancellation policy:
Cancellation should be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit

Between 3 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 3 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be given only if the vacant spot is filled.  Trip insurance is recommended.

Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity.   Lodging is subject to change based on availability.
Picture
Sword-billed Hummingbird, Yanacocha
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