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.
Overview: Condensed Birding Itinerary – South of Ecuador (18 Days)
A day-by-day summary of key birding locations, target species, and accommodations.
DAY 1: Quito – Loja Catamayo Airport – Buenaventura Reserve
Pick-up from Catamayo Airport, drive to Buenaventura Reserve
Lunch en route, birding around Umbrellabird Lodge
Overnight at Umbrellabird Lodge
DAY 2: Buenaventura Reserve
Birding in mist-shrouded cloud forests (El Oro Parakeet, Silvery Tanager, Whiskered Wren, etc.)
Evening search for Black-and-white Owl
Overnight at Umbrellabird Lodge
DAY 3: Buenaventura Reserve – El Empalme – Jorupe Reserve
Morning birding at Buenaventura, then drive to Jorupe Reserve (5 hours)
Birding en route: Elegant Crescentchest, Baird’s Flycatcher, Tumbes Hummingbird
Overnight at Urraca Lodge
DAY 4: Jorupe Reserve
Full-day birding at Jorupe Reserve: Pale-browed Tinamou, Ochre-bellied Dove, Peruvian Screech-Owl, etc.
Evening owling for Spectacled Owl
Overnight at Urraca Lodge
DAY 5: Sozoranga – Utuana Reserve – Catamayo – Vilcabamba
Birding in Sozoranga (Bay-crowned Brush-Finch, Tumbesian Tyrannulet)
Visit Utuana Reserve for species like Black-crested Tit-Tyrant
Drive to Catamayo and Vilcabamba for more birding
Overnight at Hostería Paraiso Vilcabamba
DAY 6: Vilcabamba – Cerro Toledo – Tapichalaca Reserve
Birding at Cerro Toledo: Masked Mountain-Tanager, Red-faced Parrots, Loja Tapaculo, etc.
Overnight at Casa Simpson
DAY 7: Tapichalaca Reserve
Full-day birding: Jocotoco Antpitta, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Plushcap, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch
Night search for White-throated Screech-Owl, Rufous-banded Owl
Overnight at Casa Simpson
DAY 8: Zumba Area for Marañon Specialties
Birding around Zumba for Marañon Spinetail, Great Kiskadee, Blue-necked Tanager, etc.
Overnight at Casa Simpson
DAY 9: Tapichalaca Reserve – Copalinga Lodge
Morning birding at Tapichalaca, then drive to Copalinga with stops for Plumbeous Rail, Blue-browed Tanager, etc.
Birding at Copalinga Lodge’s hummingbird feeders
Overnight at Copalinga Lodge
DAY 10: Copalinga Reserve – Río Bombuscaro
Full-day birding: Golden-eared Tanager, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, etc.
Night search for Band-bellied Owl
Overnight at Copalinga Lodge
DAY 11: Copalinga Reserve – Mi Paradise – Alto Nangaritza
Focus on missed species, then visit Mi Paradise for Spangled Coquette
Drive to Cabañas Yankuan for more birding: Masked Tanager, Black-capped Donacobius
Overnight at Cabañas Yankuan
DAY 12: Maycu Reserve
Birding for Orange-throated Tanager, Golden-collared Toucanet, Ivory-billed Aracari, etc.
Possible sightings: Black-eared Fairy, Lanceolated Monklet, Amazonian Trogon
Overnight at Cabañas Yankuan
DAY 13: Tepuy (Table-top Mountain) Above Maycu Reserve
Birding for Sharpbill, Royal Sunangel, Amazon Kingfisher, Coppery-chested Jacama, etc.
Overnight at Cabañas Yankuan
DAY 14: El Zarza Wildlife Refuge – Saraguro
Birding at El Zarza Refuge: Subtropical Pygmy-Owl, Blue-browed Tanager, Napo Sabrewing
Drive to Saraguro town
Overnight at Hostal Achik Wasi
DAY 15: Saraguro – Cerro Acacana and Huashapamba – Cerro de Arcos
Birding at Cerro Acacana: Black-headed Hemispingus, Bearded Guan, Red-faced Parrot
Drive to Cerro de Arcos for Jameson’s Snipe, Short-eared Owl
Overnight at El Refugio del Colibrí
DAY 16: Cerro de Arcos – Yunguilla – Cuenca
Birding for Blue-throated Hillstar, Rufous-chested Tanager, Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch
Visit Yunguilla Valley for Pale-headed Brush-Finch
Overnight at Hotel Victoria
DAY 17: El Cajas National Park – Cuenca
Birding at El Cajas National Park: Andean Duck, Violet-throated Metaltail, Tawny Antpitta
Birding stops at Corona de Oro Road for Ecuadorian Tapaculo
Overnight at Hotel Victoria
DAY 18: Cuenca – Quito
City tour in Cuenca or flight to Quito.
For more detailed information, please refer to the full itinerary PDF
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
