8-Day Birding Tour – Western Andes of Ecuador
Discover Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with over 1,600 bird species across diverse habitats, from cloud forests to tropical jungles. This tour is designed for birdwatching enthusiasts and nature photographers, both beginners and experts.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Quito
Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to the ecolodge. Time to check in, relax, and prepare for the upcoming birding adventure.
Overnight: at butterfly and bird julio tours ecolodge
Day 2 — Chocó Trails and Hummingbird Feeders
Birding at La Delicia Community and at the hummingbirds feeders located in the heart of the Choco Corridor.
We will get up early to watch birds around La Delicia Ecolodge before breakfast. 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. After breakfast we will continue observing more birds around the Nanegal area, including the 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. After lunch we will summon fantastic bird species including the Broad-billed Motmot, Collared Trogon, Bay-headed Tanager, Guayaquil Woodpecker, and Black-cheeked Woodpecker.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Day 3 — Cock-of-the-Rock Lek & Antpittas
Birding at Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek and Antpitta Feeding Station
Early in the morning, we will drive for about one hour to visit an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Without a doubt, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is one of the most iconic and spectacular bird species found on Ecuador’s western slope. At the lek, we will have excellent opportunities to observe and photograph the males as they perform their fascinating courtship displays. We may also see them feeding the anpittas on natural food sources in the surrounding forest. targets: the Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, and the Ochre-breasted Antpitta may be seen. And in the same place we can encounter the Dark-backed Wood-Quail.
After this, we will continue sighting more of the cloud forest bird species like the Beryl-spangled Tanager, Ringed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Russet-crowned Warbler, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, and Golden-headed Quetzal.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours ecolodge..
Day 4 — Hummingbird Sanctuary & Cloud Forest
Birding at Cloud Forest and Hummingbird Sanctuary
After breakfast at our Nanegal lodge, we will drive for 35 minutes to the Tandayapa Area, located in the heart of cloud forest. We will visit different bird feeders to see species like the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Streak-capped Treehunter, Three-striped Warbler, White-winged Becard, Metallic-green Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, and Silver-throated Tanagers, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Masked Trogon, White-winged Tanager, Ringed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Uniform Antshrike, Russet-crowned Warbler, Bat Falcon, and White-throated Quail-Dove.
Delightful hummingbird species that we may see here include the Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Western Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours ecolodge.
Days 5 & 6 — Birding in Nanegal
Birding at Nanegal Area and La Delicia Community
Over these two days, we will explore several areas of the lush Nanegal tropical forest, searching for the unique and endemic bird species of the Chocó-Andean corridor.
We hope to encounter bird species like the Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Choco Tyrannulet, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Fawn-breasted Tanager, white faced nunbird, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Common Potoo, Lyre-tailed Nightjar and many more.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours ecolodge.
Day 7 — Amagusa Reserve & Mashpi Road
Birding at Amagusa Reserve and Maspi Road Choco Endemic Bird Area
We will leave early to enjoy excellent birding in the “Mashpi Road” area and the Amagusa Reserve. We can expect to encounter an impressive collection of Chocó endemic bird species including the Moss-backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, Glistening-Green Tanager, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and the very rare Choco Vireo.
Depending on weather conditions and time, it’s possible to visit feeding areas to see the Rufous-crowned Antpitta. In these areas will certainly enjoy pristine landscapes.
Overnight at butterfly and bird julio tours eco-lodge.
Day 8 — Yanacocha & Departure
Birding at Old Nono Mindo Road and Yanacocha Area
Today we have an early departure to start birding in the enchanted Tandayapa Valley to the old Nono-Mindo Road with its remarkable landscapes. The area offers more fabulous birds: White-capped Dippers, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants, Rufous-breasted Chat-tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, and Hooded Mountain-Tanager. Hummingbirds here are the Collared Inca, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Gorgeted Sunangel, and Speckled hummingbird. We will explore the Yanacocha area to encounter a surprising array of bird species: Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, and Golden Crowned Tanager. Hummingbirds are a highlight here!! Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs,Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and Sword-billed hummingbird.
5:30 PM transfer to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area.
End of Itinerary
Trip Information
Length: 8 days BIRDING plus any pre- and post-tour extensions
Starting city: Quito
Ending city: Quito
Physical difficulty: Moderate
Focus: Birding and Bird Photography
Group size: All groups will be limited to 8 participants maximum.
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
✔ Expert birding and photography guide
✔ Private transportation
✔ Ecolodge accommodations
✔ All breakfasts, lunches, and drinking water during excursions
✔ Entry fees to reserves and birding areas
✘ International flights
✘ Tips or personal expenses
All eco-lodges are located in the country’s most important and biologically diverse areas for butterfly and bird watching. They are built with local materials and offer Wi-Fi, hot water, standard double or single rooms, and panoramic views.