20‑Day Ecuador Birding Adventure
Discover Ecuador’s Most Spectacular Birding Destinations
Explore the best birding hotspots in Ecuador across diverse ecosystems — from the misty cloud forests and biodiverse Chocó Corridor to the high Andes and lush Amazon Basin. This 20‑day guided birdwatching tour offers an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s richest avian habitats. Whether you’re a first‑time birder or a seasoned expert, you’ll be immersed in nature’s vibrant palette of birds, landscapes, and cultural experiences.
Tour Highlights
Experience iconic birding regions on both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes.
Specialized photography opportunities with expert guidance.
Visit top conservation areas such as the Chocó Bioregion, Papallacta Pass, Upper Amazon Rainforest, and Antisana National Park.
Encounter a huge variety of species, from hummingbirds and tanagers to rare streamcreepers and condors.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Quito
Birding at Andean Reserve Quito area.
Welcome to Ecuador! Your tour begins with a morning pickup from Mariscal Sucre International Airport or your Quito hotel. Enjoy your first cup of Ecuadorian coffee as you settle in and prepare for the adventure ahead Here, we will enjoy breakfast outdoors, surrounded by the calls of hummingbirds and many other birds visiting the natural feeders. Some of the early morning highlights include the Tufted Tit-tyrant, Rufous-naped Brush-Finch, Azara’s Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, Green-tailed
Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, collared Inca. and the tiny White-bellied Woodstar. Around 11:30 a.m., we continue with a scenic one-hour drive to our lodge, where a wonderful variety of colorful and unique birds from the Chocó region await our arrival.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Days 2–5 – Chocó Birding and Nanegal Forest
Birding at La Delicia Community and at the hummingbirds feeders located in the heart of the Choco Corridor.
Over the next four days, explore the biodiverse Chocó Corridor around Nanegal. Early mornings start with birds around the eco‑lodge gardens and feeders, followed by guided forest walks where you can spot Surprising new species include the Green-crowned Woodnymph, White-whiskered Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-necked Jacobin, Long-billed Starthroat, Rufous tailed hummingbird, Rufous Motmot, and Blue-necked Tanager. During the next few days, we’ll continue searching for endemic and rare species. Pale-
mandibled Aracari, Choco Toucan, Red-headed Barbet, Green Honeycreeper, Silver-throated Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Black-winged Saltator, Thick-billed Euphonia, Orange-crowned Euphonia, and Orange-billed Sparrow. At night, we may head out in search of different owl species, listening for their calls and spotting them along the forest trails.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Day 6 – Amagusa Reserve
Birding at Amagusa Reserve Choco area full Day
This reserve is located about 1.5 hours from our lodge, so we will enjoy an early breakfast before heading out for a day of excellent birdwatching along the Mashpi Road area and at the Amagusa Reserve. A great variety of endemic birds awaits us here. We will have lunch in the reserve, and afterward, continue with a short 20-minute drive to another site where we can find even more endemic species. In the afternoon, we will return to the lodge.
targets; Moss-backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, Glistening-Green Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Rose-faced Parrot, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Swallow Tanager, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-headed Tanager, and the very rare Choco Vireo, Rufous-crowned Antpitta. In these areas will certainly enjoy pristine landscapes.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Day 7 – Oilbirds Cave & Tropical Forest
Full Day Birding at Oilbirds Cave & Tropical Forest
This is one of the finest locations in Ecuador to observe Oilbirds at close range. Known as Cueva de los Tayos, the cave attracts birdwatchers from around the world. About an hour from our lodge, we travel along a scenic secondary road to reach this family-owned farm, carefully protected and managed by the local community. Targets: Pacific Hornero, Rufous-tailed jacamar, Collared trogon, Great antshrike, Black-cheeked woodpecker, Slaty finch, Dull-colored
grassquit, Pacific antwren, Yellow-faced grassquit. Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Days 8–9 – Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Birding at Milpe Birding Sanctuary
Over the next two days, we’ll explore the rich foothill forests surrounding Milpe Eco-Lodge, one of the best birding hotspots in the region. Depending on weather conditions, our days will include birding from canopy observation decks, bird hides, moth traps, and scenic forest trails. targets: Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Tiny Hawk, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Swallow Tanager, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Olivaceous Piculet, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-headed Tanager, Guira Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Purple Honeycreeper, Green-fronted Lancebill, Black-and-White Becard, Cinnamon Becard, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Choco Trogon, Gartered Trogon, Collared Trogon, Brown-billed Scythebill, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Western Slaty-Antshrike, Bay Wren. Hummingbird and banana feeders. Our hummingbirds feeders are visited by the Choco endemic Green Thorntail, and several other species. Our banana feeders are visited by the Rose-faced Parrot, Green Honeycreeper, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Silver-throated Tanager, Choco Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Pale-mandibled Aracari.
Overnight at Milpe Eco-lodge.
Day 10 – Rio Silanche Birding
Birding to Rio silanche (Pedro Vicente Maldonado)
After breakfast we drive down to Rio silanche in Pedro Vicente Maldonado, the lowest elevation of our trip to NW Ecuador. Only 1 hour drive from Milpe Lodge we fine tropical forest with numerous new bird species including the Blue-whiskered Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Tawny-crested Tanager, Dot-winged Antwren, Blue-capped Parrot, Violet-chested Hummingbird, Long-billed Starthroat, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Purple-chested Hummingibrd, Bronzy Hermit, Brown Wood-Rail, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Orange-fronted Barbet, Barred Puffbird, and White-tipped Cotinga, Chestnut-fronted Macaw and, Black Hawk-Eagle. Around Pedro Vicente Maldonado: Masked Water-Tyrant, Striped Cuckoo, Golden-hooded Tanager, Little Cuckoo, Pacific Parrotlet, Choco Woodpecker, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Band-backed Wren, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Afternoon return to Quito lodge.
Overnight at Quito Eco-lodge.
Day 11 – Papallacta Pass & Cayambe‑Coca Park
Birding Papallacta Pass and Cayambe Coca National Park
Onece we have that we’ve covered the most birdy areas of the Choco slope, we embark into an new world, the enchanted forests of the Upper Amazon Basin. After breakfast we start driving to the Amazonia slope, the famous Papallacta Pass. Species that we will find: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-chinned Thistletail, White-browed Spinetail, Many-stripped Canastero, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Viridian Metaltail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Paramo Seedeater, Paramo Tapaculo, and many more. We continue birding along the Papallacta Lagoon to record several aquatic bird species that will not occur elsewhere including the Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Teal, Noble Snipe.
After lunch we drive for 30 minutes to Cayambe-Coca National Park. This Andean forest is fantastic for birding as its home to very localised bird for exaple: Masked Mountain-Tanager, Mountain Avocetbill, Torrent Duck, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Purple-backed Thornbill, Andean Pygmy Owl, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-capped Hemispingus, Powerful Woodpecker, Agile Tit-Tyrant, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Plushcap, Ash-colored Tapaculo, Golden-crowned Tanager, Crescent-faced Antpitta. After Cayambe Coca, we continue to Cuyuja river here we can also to see the Torrent Duck, Red-hooded Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty Brush-Finch, Citrine Warbler, Andean Potoo.
Overnight: Baeza Eco-lodge.
Days 12–13 – Baeza & Upper Sumaco
Birding Baeza area and Upper Sumaco
Two amazing days one of Ecuadors’ upper Amazonia most treasured birding reserves. one Christmas Bird Count Area with a world record of 600 bird species recorded in one day, include White capped Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Grass-green Tanager, Andean Motmot, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Yellow-billed Cacique, Mountain Cacique, Streak-headed Antbird, Emerald Toucanet, Andean Cock of the rock EAST, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Dusky Piha, Capped Conebill, Fawn-breasted Tanager, White-capped Parrot, Lemon-browed Flycatcher, White-bellied Antpitta, Black-billed Mountain-
Toucan, Barred Antthrush, Wattled Guan. In the afternoon along the Upper Sumaco’s road to look out for beautiful species the Sunbittern, Grey-mantled Wren, Golden-eared Tanager, Short-tailed Antthrush, Ash-browed Spinetail, Rufous-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Long-tailed Tapaculo, Spot-winged Antbird, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Red-breasted Meadowlark, Southern Lapwing, Chestnut-bellied Seedeater, White-tipped Sicklebill, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-backed Hillstar, Green-fronted Lancebill, Gorgeted Woodstar. Overnight: Baeza Eco-lodge
Days 14–16 – Guacamayos & Archidona Regions
Birding at Guacamayos & Archidona area
20 minutes from the hotel we will make our first stop in the part of the Antisana Ecological Reserve that is very productive with mixed flocks from the mountain range in search of fedeers. This is the last mountain range before descending into the shallows of northeastern Ecuador, and is also a neighbor of the Sumaco National Park to the north. This area forms a biological corridor between the Sumaco National Park and the Antisana Reserve. This highly biodiverse area is home to the Black-streaked Puffbird, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Golden-winged Manakin, Black-billed Treehunter, White-backed Fire-eye, White-streaked Antvireo, and with some luck, the elusive Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper.
After lunch, we’ll drive for 25 minutes to the Wayra reserve in Archidona, with a temperature of 22°C. here we will enjoy two full days. This is the home to numerous hummingbird species that occur at this elevation only. We will look out for the Wire-crested Throntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Napo Sabrewing, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Black-throated Mango, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Black-throated Brilliant, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green Hermit, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Pink-throated Brilliant, and, the amazing Spangled Coquette. Along to the reserve we will explore different trails to look out for the Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Plain-backed Antpitta, Wing-banded Wren, White-crowned Manakin, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Spotted Tanager, Orange-breasted Falcon, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, and the Military Macaw. Overnight at Cotungo Lodge
Days 17–19 – Amazonian Rainforest (Tena Area)
Birding to Tena area
The Napo Province is the capital of Tena where it is home to more than a thousand species of birds, a world destination for birdwatching. Continuing our trip we will enter the Amazon jungle of Ecuador. 20 minutes by canoe, our lodge awaits us to enjoy many species of Amazonian birds. Here we will enjoy 3 days of an excellent stay. Targets: Great Potoo, Ferruginous pygmy-Owl, Orange cheeked Parrot, Gray-Necked wood Rail, Chestnut woodpecker, Cream-colored Woodpecker, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Wire-tailed Manakin, Black-capped Donacobius, Hoatzin, White-eared Jacamara, Harpy Eagle and many mores… On day 19 after lunch return to Quito lodge (overnight at Quito Lodge)
Overnight at Tena Lodge
Day 20 – Antisana Condor Reserve & Departure
Birding Antisana National Park – andean Condor Reservation
On this day we prepare for our last day of birdwatching in the heights of the Antisana National Park. The Antisana Reserve is the most impressive Andean Mount near Quito and Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor. We first birdwatching the road that leads to the entrance to the park where we will be greeted by very friendly Bar-winged Cinclodes and Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant. We will then make a stop by an observation deck which sits in front of the breeding cliffs to check for the Condors, This same place has a couple of hummingbird feeders which are visited by the Giant Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing. We will continue along the road looking for the Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, Paramo Pipit,Carunculated Caracara, Black-winged Ground-
Dove, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, and, Aplomado Falcon, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant. We will have a boxed lunch in front of the 18,700 feet high snow-capped volcano to then drive to «La Mica» lagoon to check out for the Andean Ruddy-Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Silvery Grebe, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, Cinereous Harrier. 4:00PM: transfer to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area
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End Of Itinerary
Trip Information
📍 Duration: 20 days of guided birdwatching.
🏙️ Starts & Ends: Quito, Ecuador.
🌿 Physical Level: Moderate — designed for passionate birders comfortable with walking and variable terrain.
👥 Group Size: Max 8 participants for personalized guiding.
🧭 Focus: Birding and bird photography.
Experienced Bird Guide: All of our guides have over 20 years of experience as birdwatching and bird photo guides in Ecuador.
Your guide’s equipment:Binoculars, spotting scope, laser pointer & field-guide
-Specialized English-speaking birding guide
-Private transportation
-All accommodations
-Entrance fee to all the reserves and activities
-All meals plus water on the route
-International airfare
-Alcoholic beverages
-Tips
-Laundry services
Stay in comfortable eco‑lodges and birding lodges located in prime habitats, each chosen for its proximity to rich birding terrain. Expect scenic views, local cuisine, hot water, Wi‑Fi, and easy early‑morning access to trails and feeders.