Ecuador’s Hidden Birding Gems: 15 Days Cloud Forests & Limoncocha Lagoon

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 Feeders 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 5:00am 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 Feeders. 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 Sachatamia Lodge, Double Cabins

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, Choco Toucan, Club-winged Manakin and others. We’ll then continue to Fruty Trail , where we aim to observe an array of woodpeckers, oropendolas, and hummingbirds, providing excellent opportunities for bird photography. In the afternoon return to our lodge. Possible Night Reptiles and Amphibians Tour 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

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 Guango Reserve, a key transition zone, we’ll search for mixed flocks and high-altitude hummingbirds if the weather permits. We’ll explore temperate forest trails and possible Torrent Duck and Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan. After lunch continue to Baeza Valley and birding in Quetzal Feeders. Afternoon arrival to San Isidro Lodge. Possible Night Owl Observation. 

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 San Isidro Lodge, Double Room

In the morning birding at Wayra Quail Feeders located in the Upper Amazon Basin, a top 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

Wild Sumaco Reserve is 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 will 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 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 top 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, and when in season possible Harpy Eagle Nest. 

Private Birding Canoe in Limoncocha

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

Early morning at 5:00 am, begin your journey toward Yasuní National Park by private motorized canoe, enjoying a peaceful and scenic ride through the Amazon. Visit the Napo Parrot Clay Licks, where you may observe Scarlet Macaws along with up to eight species of parrots and other Amazonian specialties. Continue by paddle canoe along the tranquil Anangu Creek toward Napo Wildlife Center, with excellent opportunities to spot birds and wildlife such as Agami Heron, Crane Hawk, Giant Otters, and even Anacondas. After lunch and a short rest at the main lobby of the lodge, return in the afternoon around 14:00 pm by paddle canoe, followed by a two-hour motorized canoe ride back to Limoncocha. This full-day excursion offers outstanding wildlife encounters and unique birding opportunities.

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.

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 Limoncocha Lagoon for a last birding outing with private canoe. After lunch we start our return to Quito, with stop at Coca.

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, Agami Heron,Tawny-bellied Screetch Owl, Crested Owl, Striped Owl, Tropical Screetch Owl, Spectacled Owl, Amazonian Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, White-eared Jacamar, Giant Otters and others.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Auca Hotel  Coca, Double Room

After breakfast return to Quito with stop at Baeza Valley for possible Torrent Duck. Enjoy the scenic view of the Upper Amazon Basin and transition slope to the Andes. Afternoon arrival to our Lodge. Farewell Dinner.

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 a GALAPAGOS EXTENSION either Galapagos Cruises or Galapagos Island Hopping.