Part of the Chocó bioregion, northwest Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse regions of any mainland area, holding over 70 endemics. This tour covers the whole range of altitudes from the cool temperate forests of Yanacocha to the humid lowlands of Rio Silanche, targeting as many of the specialties as possible. With luck, this tour will feature such thrillers as Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and the astonishingly beautiful Velvet-purple Coronet.

Day 1: Quito. We'll pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel for the night. Most international flights into Quito arrive in the evening. If you are connecting from another tour, you may have this day free to relax, or you might arrange a day trip with us.

Day 2: Yanacocha. Today we visit Yanacocha, an area of temperate cloudforest on the upper slopes of the Pichincha Volcano.  Although the surrounding terrain is very steep, walking here is easy and the birds are spectacular.  There are mixed flocks of gorgeous tanagers such as Scarlet-bellied and Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers, and the hummingbirds rank as some of the most spectacular in the world, with Great Sapphirewing, Shining Sunbeam, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, and Sword-billed Hummingbird all regular.  The critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, an ultra-rare Ecuadorian endemic, can be seen here occasionally. After lunch we’ll slowly drive down the old Nono-Mindo road. The lower sections run alongside a rushing mountain stream where we can look for White-capped Dipper and Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant. The climax of the day will be our search for one of the most glorious of all South American birds, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. With at least one lek currently active in the pristine forest of the lower Alambi River Valley we stand a very good chance of witnessing the spectacular males in full display. In the evening we arrive at the superb Tandayapa Bird Lodge, which will be our base for the next five nights. We'll try to arrive before dark to get our first view of the incredible hummingbird feeders, perhaps the best anywhere. While at Tandayapa we'll stay in double rooms with private bathrooms and full-time hot water and electricity.  Excellent local soups highlight the meals.

Day 3: Upper Tandayapa Valley. Today we will concentrate on the upper elevations of the Tandayapa Valley, where the birding can be terrific and the walking is fairly easy.  The most wanted species here are the rare Tanager Finch, the gaudy Toucan Barbet, and the superb Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.  We should see at least two of these, along with a host of other species such as Gorgeted Sunangel, Grass-green Tanager, Dusky Bush-Tanager, and Pearled Treerunner.  Ocellated and Spillman's Tapaculos call from the thick undergrowth but are very difficult to coax into view.  This is also one of our best chances for the impressive Powerful Woodpecker.  Later in the afternoon, we may return to the lodge for easy birding from the deck or perhaps we'll stay out to look for nightbirds like Rufescent Screech-Owl before dinner. 

Day 4: Refugio Paz de las Aves. This now-famous antpitta reserve near Mindo will be a highlight of the tour. Here, a local farmer has started hand-feeding Giant, Ochre-breasted, Moustached, and Yellow-breasted Antpittas with amazing success. We also have a good chance to see other Chocó specialties like Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, and perhaps even Orange-breasted Fruiteater or Uniform Treehunter.  In the afternoon we'll drive back to the lodge along the old Nono-Mindo road from the opposite direction, looking for Pacific Tuftedcheek, Nariño Tapaculo, and Rusty-winged Barbtail.

Day 5: Oilbirds. Today we'll likely start our birding at dawn near Tandayapa as we search for the endemic Beautiful Jay, and afterwards we'll concentrate on finding any species we have missed on our previous excursions.  By late morning we'll head for a newly discovered Oilbird roost site, about an hour-and-a-half from the lodge.  Here we can see these strange nocturnal frugivores spending the daylight hours resting on the steep walls of a grotto formed by a rushing mountain stream.  We'll return to Tandayapa for one more night.

Day 6: Milpe. The Mindo Cloudforest Foundation reserve at Milpe is one of the best birding sites in Ecuador.  At least a dozen Chocó endemics, including the flashy Glistening-green Tanager, have been recorded at Milpe, and we have a good chance of finding some of them as we explore the area along forest trails and roads.  The highlight for many visitors is the lek of Club-winged Manakins, using their wings to make harmonica-like sounds to impress females. The large and chunky Moss-backed Tanager is can sometimes be seen early in the morning, perching in the open atop small trees.  We'll stay the next  night in a friendly hotel in Los Bancos. An optional nightbirding excursion could turn up Black-and-white Owl or Chocó Screech-Owl.

Day 7: Los Bancos to Río Canandé.  After another morning to bird in Milpe or another nearby site, we'll head for for the Jocotoco Foundation's Río Canandé Reserve in Esmeraldas. The trip can take five hours or more, depending on road conditions, weather, and birding. Tonight is the first of three nights at Canandé.

Day 8: Canandé forest trails. We'll spend time on the beautiful forest trails behind the lodge at Canandé today, where a host of lowland Chocó endemics can be found. Pacific Flatbill, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Esmeraldas Antbird, and Scarlet-breasted Dacnis are among the specialties we'll seek. If we make it up the steep trail to the overlook we may even have a shot at the rare Golden-chested Tanager. Our nights at Canandé provide excellent opportunities for nightbirding: Chocó Screech-Owl and Chocó Poorwill are both present here.

Day 9: Canandé roadside birding. Today we'll drive beyond the town of Hoja Blanca and bird along some of the logging roads that still have good forest. Targets include Lita Woodpecker and the superb Scarlet-and-white Tanager. If it's sunny this can be a great area for raptors, and Black Hawk-Eagle, King Vulture, and Gray-headed Kite are among the possibilities. In the afternoon we may bird a different trail near the lodge where Great Jacamar and Song Wren are resident. 

Day 10: Canadé to Santo Domingo. After a final morning birding at Canandé we'll drive to Santo Domingo, where we'll spend the first of two nights at the Hotel Zaracay.

Day 11: Río Palenque.  This small reserve and research station an hour's drive from Santo Domingo is in the area where Chocó and Tumbesian endemics meet.  Gray-and-gold Warbler, Ecuadorian Ground-Dove, Ochraceous Attila, and Rufous-headed Chachalacas from the drier southwest can be found next to Chocó species such as Orange-fronted Barbet and Chocó Toucan. Other interesting birds that can be found here include Pacific Royal-Flycatcher, Black-headed Antthrush, and White-whiskered, White-necked, and Pied Puffbirds.

Day 12: Chiriboga Road.  We’ll return to Quito via the old road through Chiriboga.  As we ascend the western slope of the Andes, we'll pass through a variety of habitats from humid low foothill forest all the way up to the temperate cloud forest.  The bridge at the bottom of the road is one of the most reliable spots for Torrent Duck and along the lower reaches we'll be looking for Esmeraldas Antbird, Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager, and Russet Antshrike.  We spend the final night in Quito.

Day 13: Departure. Transfer to the airport after breakfast to catch early morning flights home, or connect to another Ecuador tour.

TOUR INFO:

CLIMATE: Much of the trip will be at middle elevations where the climate is quite pleasant, but it can get cold at Yanacocha, and it is hot and humid in the lowlands. Some rain is likely, though it is often quite dry on the July and September tours.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. On most days we’ll be birding from the road, but some of the trails can be muddy and fairly steep.

ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. Rio Canandé does not have hot water, but the climate is quite warm. Single rooms may not be available at Canandé Lodge for larger groups.