The itineraries we offer are flexible and can be adapted to suit, both the time available to you and your preferences for the type of bird you would like to see.
SOUTHERN OF ECUADOR – BIRDING TOUR
DAY 1: Quito- Loja Catamayo Airport - Buenaventura Reserve:
We will pick you up at Catamayo Airport and drive to Buenaventura Reserve. Along the way, we will stop for lunch. Upon arrival at Umbrellabird Lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to bird around the lodge and enjoy the nearby feeders. Overnight: Umbrellabird Lodge.
DAY 2: Buenaventura Reserve:
This reserve was established specifically to protect the largest known population of the endemic El Oro Parakeet. We’ll explore the mist-shrouded cloud forests in search of a variety of local species, including Silvery Tanager, Ochraceous Attila, Song Wren, Northern Schiffornis, Speckle-breasted Wren, Brown-billed Scythebill, Golden-winged Manakin, Line-cheeked Spinetail, Slaty-winged Foliage-gleaner, Brownish Twistwing, Three-banded Warbler, Gray-backed Hawk, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Whiskered Wren, and many others. After dark, we will search for the Black-and-white Owl near the lodge. Overnight: Umbrellabird Lodge.
DAY 3: Buenaventura Reserve – El Empalme – Jorupe Reserve:
Today we willl spend the early morning birding at Buenaventura Reserve, focusing on species we may have missed the previous day.
Afterward, we will begin the approximately 5-hour drive to Jorupe Reserve. En route, we will do some birding in the higher Tumbes forest, where we will search for specialties such as Elegant Crescentchest, White-headed Brush-Finch, Baird’s Flycatcher, Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch, Tumbes Hummingbird, Tumbes Sparrow, Superciliated Wren, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, and more. Overnight: Urraca Lodge
DAY 4: Jorupe Reserve:
Today we will spend a full day birding at Jorupe Reserve. We’ll be looking for Pale-browed Tinamou, Ochre-bellied Dove, Whooping Motmot, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, White- edged Oriole, White-tailed Jay, Red-masked Parakeet, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Slaty Becard, Watkins’s Antpitta, White-edged and Yellow-tailed Orioles, Collared Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Ecuadorian Piculet, Speckle- breasted Wren and Black-capped Sparrow. Owling can often be good, and we’ll search for Peruvian Screech-Owl, Spectacled Owl and Buff-fronted Owl. Overnight Urraca Lodge.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- Private transportation on and professional driver throughout the entire tour, from the first to the final day.
- Expert bilingual birding guide throughout the tour, offering in-depth knowledge and personalized support.
- Comfortable accommodation at carefully selected lodges and hotels throughout the tour.
- All applicable VAT taxes included.
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Accommodation in Quito on the first night. (We are happy to assist with bookings once you select your preferred hotel).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
- Personal expenses, such as laundry, souvenirs, or additional snacks.
- Dinner on the final day.
Species you could observe
- Line-cheeked Spinetail
- Slaty-winged Foliage-gleaner
- Tumbes Sparrow
- Superciliated Wren
- Scarlet-backed Woodpecker
- Jocotoco Antpitta
Comfortable and Safe Accommodation
Bilingual Bird Guide
Food (3 Daily Meals)
Transfer to the Different Destinations
Transfer from Airport to Hotel & back
