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 – Western Slope of Ecuador (7 Days)
A day-by-day summary of key birding locations, target species, and accommodations.
Day 1: Quito – Zuroloma – Yanacocha – Bellavista Lodge
Early pick-up in Quito; drive to Zuroloma (3,200 m on Pichincha Volcano)
Target species: Ocellated Tapaculo, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Ecuadorian & Chestnut-naped Antpittas, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Masked Flowerpiercer, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Tyrian Metaltail
Continue to Yanacocha Reserve
Target species: Scarlet-bellied, Hooded & Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers, Spectacled Redstart, Gray-browed Brush-Finch, Great Sapphirewing
Overnight at Bellavista Lodge
Day 2: Bellavista Lodge – Cloud Forest Birding
Morning birding in cloud forest
Target species: Tanager Finch, Turquoise Jay, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Plushcap, Beautiful Jay, Ocellated Tapaculo, White-throated Quail-Dove, Buff-tailed Coronet, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Russet-crowned Warbler, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant
Overnight at Bellavista Lodge
Day 3: Bellavista – Refugio Paz de las Aves – Tandayapa Valley
Visit Refugio Paz de las Aves
Highlights: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek, Antpittas (Giant, Moustached, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned), Cloudforest Pygmy-Owl, Golden-headed Quetzal, Powerful Woodpecker
Afternoon birding in Tandayapa Valley
Target species: Beautiful Jay, Black Phoebe, Slate-backed Chat-Tyrant, Zeledon's Antbird, Scaled Antpitta, Toucan Barbet, Golden-naped Tanager, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and more
Overnight at Septimo Paraíso Lodge
Day 4: Amagusa Reserve & Oilbird Cave
Bird along forest road through cloudforest at Amagusa
Target species: Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Moss-backed & Glistening-green Tanagers, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Esmeraldas Antbird, Red-faced Spinetail, various foliage-gleaners, Chocó Vireo, Slaty Antwren
Visit Oilbird Cave
Overnight at Septimo Paraíso Lodge
Day 5: Río Silanche & Milpe Bird Sanctuaries
Full day birding in lowland reserves
Target species: Blue-tailed & White-tailed Trogons, Cinnamon, Red-rumped & Black-cheeked Woodpeckers, Scarlet-and-white, Rufous-winged & Blue-whiskered Tanagers, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Squirrel & Little Cuckoos, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Plumbeous Hawk, White-bearded Manakin, Barred Puffbird
Overnight at Septimo Paraíso Lodge
Day 6: Guayabillas Road
Birding along Guayabillas Road
Target species: Scarlet-and-white & Yellow-green Tanagers, Pacific Flatbill, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, Russet Antshrike, Striped Woodhaunter, Black-tipped Cotinga, Emerald & Gray-and-gold Tanagers, Baudo Guan, Brown-billed Scythebill
Overnight at Septimo Paraíso Lodge
Day 7: 23 de Junio – Milpe – Return to Quito
Morning visit to 23 de Junio for Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek
Possible extras: Bronze-winged Parrot, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat
Afternoon at Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Target species: Dusky-faced & Rufous-throated Tanagers, Club-winged Manakin, Chocó Warbler, Brown-billed Scythebill, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner
Farewell gathering with Birding Explore team
Overnight in Quito
For more detailed information, please refer to the full itinerary PDF
TOUR INCLUDES:
- All ground transportation and a professional driver from the first to the last day of the tour.
- Accommodation in carefully selected lodges and hotels.
- Three meals per day throughout the tour (starting with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the final day).
- A private, bilingual birding guide for the duration of the tour.
- Optional domestic flight from Coca to Quito.
- VAT (Value Added Tax).
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, phone calls).
- Laundry services.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Dinner on the final day.
Species you could observe
- Strong-billed Woodcreeper
- White-faced Nunbird
- FlycatcherPlate-billed Mountain-Toucan
- Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breastedand Chestnut-crowned Antpittas.
- Little Cuckoos
- Plumbeous Hawk
Comfortable and Safe Accommodation
Bilingual Bird Guide
Food (3 Daily Meals)
Transfer to the Different Destinations
Transfer from Airport to Hotel & back
