From the Andes to Amazon Ecuador Birdwatching Tour
This 11-day Birding Ecuador from the Andes to the Amazon tour is a moderately-paced tour that will enable you to explore a multitude of ecosystems and altitude levels from the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the high eastern Andes to the deep Ecuadorian Amazon. An altitude difference of 4000 meters allows us to list more than 500 species in 11 days, including several endemic birds. With the help of the bilingual specialist bird guide, who will accompany you throughout the entire trip, you will be able to tick off many of them.
After our arrival in the Ecuadorian capital and a quick exploration of the typical species of the inter-Andean valley, we will explore the spectacular area of the Chakana and Antisana volcanoes, in search of birds typical of the high Andean paramo ecosystems like the Andean Condor, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, etc.
Afterward, the Papallacta pass will project us into a very particular sandy paramo ecosystem swept by the Amazonian winds and rains. From the snowy peaks of the eastern Andes, the spectacular descent into the tropical lowlands will be divided into different ecosystems, offering us a great ornithological contrast. After a stop at Guango Lodge, a beautiful hummingbird garden, we will continue down along the water route (Yakuñan), on the green eastern slopes of Antisana Volcano. We’ll explore some splendid patches of cloud forest to end the day at Cabañas San Isidro. This ornithological hotspot will keep us quite busy for two days to try to observe some of the 400 species of birds present.
Before continuing down into the deep Amazon, we will stay for two days at the comfortable Wild Sumaco Lodge, a private reserve with a fantastic mix of Amazonian foothill and high Amazonian species. The avifauna here is full of specialties like the Military Macaw, Golden-collared Toucan, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Copper-breasted Jacamar, etc.
In this Ecuador Birding tour from the docks on the Napo River, Ecuador's largest tributary of the Amazon, we will embark on our motorized canoe for a three-hour descent. After arriving at the edge of the Yasuni National Park in the territory of the Sani community, we will transfer to smaller dugout canoes, and then continue rowing along the black water canals to the lagoon where the lodge is located.
For birding in Ecuador, Sani Lodge is one of the best lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon for excellent birding and completely owned and managed by the local indigenous community. Located in the buffer zone of the famous Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, it is a fairly untouched tropical rainforest. We will explore, on foot and by canoe, the different types of tropical rainforest, its Oxbow lagoon, and the black water and white water rivers. We will spend our time observing canopy birds by climbing the observation tower, spotting Macaws and other Psittacidae on the different clay licks, and looking for the unique species present on the different islands of the Napo River.
Birding Ecuador from the Andes to the Amazon Tour Highlights:
- Andean Condor: During our exploration of the area of the Chakana and Antisana volcanoes we will look for the Andean condor, the land bird with the largest wingspan (up to 3.15 meters) in the world.
- Hummingbird Garden Guango Lodge: This small and rich high Andean Forest reserve offers an impressive hummingbird garden and the excellent opportunity to observe more than 12 typical species. Some of them: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tourmaline Sunangel, Mountain Velvetbreast, Gorgeted Woodstar, and the rare Mountain Avocetbill.
- San Isidro Owl: In the evening at Cabañas San Isidro, we will look for this bird that hunts near the cabins. Some have suggested that it could be a new species.
- Observation tower Sani Lodge: Climb up the tower and be amazed by the magical splendor of the Amazon Forest. The view is truly overwhelming and the treetops that fill the landscape seem to be never-ending. Look for colorful macaws, toucans, honeycreepers, tanagers, and colibries, and keep your eyes open for the Red Howler Monkey sleeping at the top of the trees.
- Clay Lick Yasuni National Park: Enjoy a beautiful spectacle of hundreds of parrots looking for a place to perch and eat from the clay cliffs covered with minerals. We observe a whirlwind of squawking birds like yellow-crested parrots, orange-winged parrots, and blue-headed parrots.
After a long day of exploring on the many trails, we provide you with comfortable accommodation in lodges developed especially for birdwatching tourism and owned by nature lovers committed to conservation. Enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal, a hot coffee, a good night's sleep, and of course a beautiful view. We avoid using internal flights to reduce our carbon footprint. For the journey from one hotspot to another, we use our comfortable and modern vehicles that are environmentally friendly. At all times we provide drinking water reservoirs to fill your reusable bottles.
To explore the world is to awaken the senses... to be touched by the beauty and power of nature and by those who work to preserve it. It is also to become fully aware of our place and role in the planet's ecosystem. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism is expressed in the positive actions we take every day and in the rewarding encounters, we have in the places we visit.
Please note: this set-departure tour is also available as a private or custom tour on request. Please submit an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size.
Alternative Tour Name: Birding from the Andes to the Amazon
Join Our Fixed Tour Starting Date
Tour Dates | Tour Availability | From Price | Spaces Left | |
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08/10/2022 - 18/10/2022 | available | USD 2,610 |
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