Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Day 2: Guango
This day we visit the Papallacta Pass, spending most of the day exploring mountain cloud forests, lush Polylepis forests, wind-stunted elfin forests, and the paramo ecosystem (similar to tundra). We will also visit the lodge and hot springs of Papallacta - a paradise for hummingbird lovers and photographers. In the area you can spot up to 14 species of hummingbirds, like the Long-tailed Sylph, Mountain Velvetbreast, Tourmaline Sunangel, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, and more.
Day 3: San Isidro
Cabañas San Isidro Lodge and the lush cloud forest reserve, can be reached by paved road from Quito. It’s an amazing place to enjoy the beauty of Ecuador's cloud forest, where you can find magical species such as Bronzy Inca Green Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Brown Violetear, Green Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Tourmaline Sunangel, Speckled Hummingbird and Long-tailed Sylph.
Day 4: Narupa
Narupa Reserve is located in the Napo province in the eastern part of Ecuador, along the road from Narupa to Loreto, in the Amazonian lowlands. This road is often referred to as the Loreto road, and in the area you can spot birds like the Gray-chinned Hermit, White-bearded Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Tawny-bellied Hermit, White-tipped Sicklebill, Wedge-billed Hummingbird, Green-fronted Lancebill, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Napo Sabrewing, Lesser Violetear, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and more.
Day 5: San Isidro / Quito
After long days of work, we will enjoy some rest in the San Isidro Lodge and in the afternoon we will go back to Quito.
Day 6: Yanacocha / Alambi
Start your grand adventure of the day with a visit to the Yanacocha Reserve, situated on the slope of Quito's proximate volcano – Volcan Pichincha. Here, we will walk a trail with fabulous mountain views and a variety of hummingbirds. Look for species like the Golden-breasted Puffleg, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Shining Sunbeam, Giant Hummingbird, and the endemic Ecuadorian Hillstar.
The rare Black-breasted Puffleg is known to breed on the reserve, and with some luck you may catch a glimpse of this small beauty. In small patches of the Polylepis forest, you may find other species like the Tufted Tit-tyrant, Blue-backed Conebill, Superciliaried Hemispingus or one of the colorful mountain-tanagers. We continue on our drive through the old Nono-Mindo road towards Alambi Feeders.
Day 7: Birdwatchers House
This beautiful place is located in the eco-route, at 2100 meters, in a strategic height for hummingbirds and species of the two slopes. We will spend som time in the Birdwatchers House, near the feeders, to have the opportunity of taking pictures of more than 10 species of hummingbirds, such as the Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Gorgeted Sunnungel and Hoary Pufleg.
Day 8: Mindo Area
One can be busy for a week in the Mindo area, searching for birds of the western Andean cordillera. This day, your expert tour guide will weave the best plan to see key species of this forest. Perhaps, you will start at the famous streetlight around the lodge, given that the town is well-known for its biodiversity. It has a large number of hummingbirds and you will have the opportunity to photograph the Andean Emerald, Purple-throated Woodstar, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and more.
