Ecuador Birdwatching Tour 25 Days: Fiery Topaz, Andes Hotspots & Amazon Rainforest

Private Transfer in to our Birding Lodge, Hacienda Jimenita, located 15 minutes from the airport. No meals included.

Morning birding at Penas Blancas Birding Road near Papallacta Pass, a special location for High Andean Species and Hummingbirds. Other specialties like the elusive Spectacled Bear can be observed. In the afternoon visit Jimenita Reserve to explore the main feeders and viewing point for local specialities. Rest of the afternoon relax in our natural paradise.

Targets: Black-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Western Emerald, Saffron Finch, Vermillion Flycatcher, Hooded Siskin, White-bellied Woodstar, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Harris Hawk, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Purple-backed Thornbill, Giant Conebill, Tawny Antpitta and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Welcome Dinner

Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Suite with chimney

Pick up from our lodge at 5:30 am and drive towards the Upper Andean Valleys near Antisana Volcano. The Antisana Condor Observatory is the most impressive Andean Mount near Quito and Sanctuary of Wild Andean Condor. Upon arrival to the reserve we will observe the Condors from our Tower and other Hawks, Flowerpiercers, and Hummingbirds with an splendid view to the Waterfall. Continue to Antisana National Park making strategic stops to observe different bird species. We will have lunch viewing Secas Lagoon. After lunch, return to our Lodge surrounded with nature and birding reserve.

Targets: Andean Condor, Shining Sunbeam, Red-Crested Cotinga, Spectacled Redstart, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Caranculated Cara-Cara, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Variable Hawk, Black Flowerpiercer, Andean Ibis, Andean Lapwing, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Giant Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, Andean Duck and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight Jimenita Birding Lodge, King Suite with chimney

Early pick up at 530am from our lodge. Drive towards Zuro Loma Reserve located in the Pichincha Foothills. We will visit the Antpitta Hides and Sword-billed Hummingbird in Zuro Loma Feeders. Continue birding in Old-Nono Mindo Road towards Tandayapa Valley and lunch at Alambi Hummingbird Paradise. Late afternoon arrival to our lodge in Upper Tandayapa Valley and possible Plate-billed Mountain Toucans at the feeders.

Targets: Sword-billed Hummingbird, Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Blue-backed Conebill, Burrowing Owl, White-throated Screech Owl, Cloud-Forest Pigmy Owl, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guaycapi Lodge, Double Room with Balcony

Early morning pick up around 530am to visit the Refugio Paz de las Aves Andean Cock of the Rock Lek and photography hides of Antpittas, Tanagers, Toucan-Barbets, Quails, Hawks, and other exotic choco endemic bird species. Continue for Lunch in our Lodge and afternoon explore the Choco Toucan Hides. Afternoon continue to our lodge in Mindo Valley.

Targets: Andean Cock of the Rock, Masked Trogon, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-Purple Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Ochre breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, Golden Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Flame-faced Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Sunbittern, Beryl-spangled Tanager and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guaycapi Lodge, Double Room with Balcony

In the morning, we will visit the Long-wattled Umbrellabird Reserve in the Chocó Lowlands, a top location for spotting the elusive Long-wattled Umbrellabird. We’ll then continue to Mindo Valley for Sunbittern and Toucan Feeders providing excellent opportunities for bird photography. Afternoon return to our lodge. Night Tour Reptiles and Insects in Sachatamia Reserve

Targets: Double-banded Graytail, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Plumbeous Hawk, Masked Tityra, Blue-necked Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Orange-breasted Barbet, Choco Toucan, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Double-toothed Kite and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Birding cant get any better at the Rio Silanche Observation Tower that offers a spectacular vantage point to observe mixed-species flocks moving through the lush Chocó lowland canopy. This prime location provides opportunities to spot Toucans, Tanagers and Flycatchers among others. In the afternoon explore Fruty Woodpecker Feeders and return to Sachatamia Lodge.

Targets: Double-banded Graytail, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Plumbeous Hawk, Masked Tityra, Blue-necked Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Orange-breasted Barbet, Choco Toucan, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Double-toothed Kite and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Sachatamia Lodge, Double Room Cabin

Early start at 5:00 am for a full-day birding adventure at Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, one of the world’s premier hotspots for biodiversity. This reserve protects one of the last remaining foothill forests seamlessly connected to the lower subtropical western forests of Ecuador, making it an essential destination for birders seeking Chocó endemics. After lunch continue to Sachaguatusa Feeders for colorful Tanager or when possible and good road conditions Oil Bird Caves is an alternative. In the afternoon return to Quito.

Targets: Glistening-green tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Empress Brilliant, Green Thorntail, Rose-faced Parrot, Spinetails, Chlorophonias, Rufous- throated Tanager, Broad-billed Motmot, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Oil Birds and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hacienda Jimenita, King Suite with chimney

Pick up at 7:00 am for the East Slope Cloud Forest, passing through dry valleys, agricultural lands, and native polylepis forests before ascending into the high páramo, where we may spot a Spectacled Bear. At Papallacta Pass, a key transition zone, we’ll search for mixed flocks and high-altitude hummingbirds if the weather permits. Continuing to Guango Reserve, we’ll explore temperate forest trails and possible Torrent Duck and Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan.

Targets: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, Collared Inca, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Mountain Cacique, Inca Jay, Torrent Duck, Turquoise Jay and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guango Lodge, Double Room

Spend the day birding at Guango Lodge and Reserve, surrounded by lush cloud forest and riverine habitat. This area is ideal for observing a variety of hummingbirds at feeders, including Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca, and Sword-billed Hummingbird. Along forest trails and the river, look for Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, and mixed flocks with tanagers and flycatchers. The peaceful setting and birding trails make Guango a rewarding stop for both birding and photography.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Guango Lodge, Double Room

We’ll start the morning breakfast and transfer to Concierto de Aves in Baeza Valley for possible Andean Motmot and other specialties. Explore the Hummingbird feeders, and main hides at the reserve. Continue for lunch at Quetzal Feeders and afternoon arrival to our Lodge. San Isidro Reserve is surrounded by lush cloud forest and vibrant mixed-species flocks. Night Owl Observation and possible Mountain Tapir.

Targets: Andean Motmot, Andean Cock of the Rock, Montane and Olive-backed Woodcreepers, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Black-billed Peppershrike, Inca Jay, Subtropical Cacique, White-bellied Antpitta, Long-tailed Antbirds, Plain-tailed Wrens and Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonias, Andean Potoo and Black-banded Owl.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Cabanas San Isidro Lodge, Double Room

Morning birding at the Moth Feeders and White-bellied Antpitta Feeder. San Isidro Reserve is nestled in the heart of Ecuador’s lush cloud forest, offering exceptional birding opportunities. The reserve’s diverse habitats, from moss-covered forests to high-altitude ridges, attract vibrant mixed-species flocks, making it a paradise for birders and photographers alike. It’s also a prime location for spotting the elusive Mountain Tapir and various nocturnal species. We will explore the main trails of the reserve during the day. Night Owl Observation and possible Mountain Tapir.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Targets: Southern Emerald Toucanet, Yellow-throated Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Black-billed Peppershrike, Masked Trogon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy Inca, White-tailed Antpitta, Azara’s Spinetail, Inca Jay, Spotted Barbtail, Speckled-faced Parrot and others.

Overnight at Cabanas San Isidro Lodge, Double Room

Start the day at Ayahuayco Reserve in the Upper Amazon Basin, targeting specialties such as White-lored Antpitta, Masked Crimson Tanager, Black-faced Antbird, and Foothill Antwren among active mixed flocks. Continue to Misahuallí for lunch at Ama Lodge, then explore Kawana Lagoon by paddle canoe, with chances to see monkeys, Hoatzin, and other river-edge wildlife.

In the afternoon, visit the Fiery Topaz feeders, one of the best sites for this striking and rare hummingbird. There is a good probability to observe the Fiery Topaz at close range, especially males displaying their brilliant iridescent plumage around 17:45 pm to 18:00pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Ama Lodge, Double Room

Spend the day birding around Ama EcoLodge, exploring river-edge habitats at the Observation Deck and Tower for Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-rumped Cacique, parrots, and mixed flocks, along with chances to see monkeys.

In the afternoon, revisit the Fiery Topaz feeders for another chance to observe rare hummingbird.

Targets: Fiery Topaz

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Ama Eco Lodge, Double Room

In the morning birding at Wayra Quail Feeders located in the Upper Amazon Basin, a prime birding location with several hides for Quails, Monkeys, Parrots and Hummingbird Feeders. After lunch continue to Ollin Waterfall for other Hummingbird species and Parrots. Continue to Wild Sumaco Birding Road, for other lowland and foothill birds, making it a perfect spot for birding and photography. Possible Night Owl in the surroundings of the lodge

Targets: Green-and-black Fruiteater, Handsome Flycatcher, Rufous Wren, Grass-greenTanager, Northern Mountain-Cacique, Greater Scythebill, Dusky Piha, Cliff flycatcher, Southern Mealy Amazon, Bay-headed Tanager, Black-faced Dacnis, Collared Trogon, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Magpie Tanager and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room

2 full days at Wild Sumaco Reserve,  a birding paradise located in the foothills of the eastern Andes, offering access to a remarkable diversity of ecosystems. This reserve is renowned for its incredible birdlife, including both Amazonian lowland species and Andean foothill specialties. The mix of cloud forest, subtropical habitats, and nearby lowland rainforest makes Wild Sumaco a prime destination for spotting trogons, tanagers, antpittas, antwrens, owls and other elusive birds. We wull explore the different trails in the reserve, hummingbird and jacamar feeders, antpitta hides and toucanet trails. Possible Night Owl in the surroundings of the lodge

Targets: Linated Woodpecker, Many-banded Aracari, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Wire-crested Thorntail, Goulds Jewelfront, Grey-headed Kite, Green-backed Trogon, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Channel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Lined Antshrike, Blue-headed Parrot, White-backed Fire-eye, Peruvian-warbling Antbird, Musician Wren, Golden-collared Toucanet, Amazonia Motmot and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Wild Sumaco Lodge, Double Room

Early morning transfer to Amarupakcha Reserve for Andean Cock of the Rock Lek – Eastern Subspecie and other lowland specialties. Boxed Lunch along the way and arrival to Limoncocha Biological Reserve and its lagoon that are the best birding paradise in the Lower Amazon Basin. Limoncocha is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, this protected area is teeming with biodiversity, offering a haven for a wide range of species, including rare and endemic birds like the new registered Eastern Meadowlark that was spotted January 2025 by our guide Miguel Hipo. The Limoncocha Lagoon, with its serene waters and lush surroundings, is a prime spot for observing Amazonian wildlife. The reserve’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, flooded forests, and tropical rainforest, provide excellent birding opportunities and photography from our private canoe.

Targets: Yellow-breasted Crake, Purple Gallinule, Zigzag Heron, Straited Heron, Tiny Hawk, Southern Lapwing, Swallow-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, Squirrel Cuckoo, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Striped Owl, Red-capped Cardinal, Common Potoo, Greater Ani, White-eared Jacamar, Limpkin, Cocoi Heron, Purple Gallinule, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Plain-brown woodcreeper, Wattled Jacana, Crested Owl, Guilded Barbet, White-throated Toucan, Eastern Meadowlark, Harpy Eagle and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Limoncocha Cabins, Double Room

Morning transfer to Limoncocha to start birding at the White-lored Antpitta Feeder, then continue to Ceibo Trail for Amazonian Specialties and afternoon Private Canoe in Limoncocha Lagoon.

Targets: Striated Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Green Ibis, Red-throated Cara Cara, White-lored Antpitta, Yellow-headed Cara Cara, Black-banded Crake, Red and Green Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw, Red-bellied Macaw, Tawny-bellied Screetch Owl, Crested Owl, Striped Owl, Tropical Screetch Owl, Spectacled Owl, Amazonian Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, White-eared Jacamar and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Limoncocha Cabins, Double Room

After breakfast, transfer to Coca Dock, where your 5 Days at Napo Wildife Center begins. From Coca, embark on a scenic motorized boat ride along the Napo River, arriving at Napo Amazon Lodge Interpretation Center. Continue by paddle canoe alongside anangu creek observation wildlife and amazonian bird species. There are over 550 recorded bird species in this area, and you will explore the several creeks, observation towers, and hides for wildlife photography.

Activities: Observation Towers, Paddle Canoe, Terra-firme forest, Napo Parrot Clay Lick, Scarlet Macaws NWC Parrot Clay Lick, Paddle Canoe, Terra-firme forest.

Bird Targets: Hoatzin, Crane Hawk, White-throated Toucan, Orange-crowned Manakin, Gilded Barbet, Green Kingfisher, Tufted Woodpecker, Plum-throated Cotinga, Sungrebe, Flame-crested Tanager, Ivory-billed Aracari, Dot-backed Antbird, Wire-tailed Manakin, Green and Gold Tanager, Agami Heron, Leterred Aracari, Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Red and Green Macaw, Chestnut fronted Macaw, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, Black-headed Parrot, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned Amazon, and others.

Mammal Target: Two and Three-toed Sloth, Pygmy Marmoset, Red-mantled Sadle-back Tamarin, Golden-mantled Tamarin, White-fronted Capuchin, Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey, Noisy Night Monkey, Red-crowned Titi, Napo Saki, Red-howler Monkey, Spider Monkey, Woolly Monkey, Black Agouti, Capybara, Jaguar, Giant Otter, Collared Peccary, Caiman, Caiman-Lizard and others

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Napo Wildlife Center, Double Room

Early morning transfer by shared motor boat to Coca and continue by flight to Quito. Arrival and transfer to our lodge. Leisure afternoon in our Birding Reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

Overnight Jimenita Lodge, King with chimney

24/7 Transfer out to Quito Airport after breakfast. End of Services or request an EXTENSION to Galapagos Islands either Galapagos Cruises or Galapagos Island Hopping.