BIRDING SOUTHERN ECUADOR
&TUMBESIAN ENDEMICS
CHURUTE - BUENAVENTURA - CERRO DE ARCOS - JORUPE - UTUANA - TAPICHALACA - CERRO TOLEDO-YANKUAM- COPALINGA- CERRO ACANAMA - YUNGUILLA - CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
Anterior
Siguiente
ITINERARY
Our Southern Ecuador is the most comprehensive tour of the Tumbesian Region, a diverse region, with a rich habitat diversity that host as many as 40 endemic birds species shared only with adjacent parts of northern Peru. This tour cover the coastal region, wetlands, arid scrub, deciduous forests, tropical rainforest, montane subtropical forests, high altitude elfin forests, and páramo.
DAY 1
ARRIVAL TO GUAYAQUIL
Transfer in from Guayaquil's international airport José Joaquin de Olmedo. International flights usually arrive late in the evening. Overnight in Guayaquil.
DAY 3
CERRO DE ARCOS -BUENAVENTURA
After a very early departure you'll drive to Cerro de Arcos located at an altitude of 3700 m (12000ft), where in 2017 a completely new hummingbird species was discovered- the Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus). This unique hummingbird has been observed regularly feeding in patches of shrubs within their páramo habitat. They feed on the nectar of flowering shrubs specially from Chuquiraga jussieui. Unfortunately the species is already considered critically-endangered due to its limited and threatened habitat: above the forest line in a very restricted range of the Southern Andes of Ecuador. Researchers estimate that there are no more than 750 individuals left.
In the afternoon you'll experience the diversity of Buenaventura Reserve. This reserve was established in 1999 to protect the home range of the endemic El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi), and nowadays hosts species from two of the most important endemic bird areas on the planet: the Chocó and Tumbesian bioregions. The reserve has a register of over 330 bird species, out of which 15 are globally endangered and 34 are regional endemics. Some of the possible birds here are: El Oro tapaculo, Chocó Toucan, Rufous-headed Chachalaca, Ochre-bellied Dove, Grey-backed Hawk, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Pacific Tuftedcheek , Brown-billed Scythebill, Club-winged Manakin, Ochraceous Attila among many others. This reserve also serves as a refuge for many migratory species such as Cerulean Warbler; Canada Warbler; Eastern Wood- Pewee; Western Wood-Pewee; Swainson Trush; Blackpoll Warbler; Black- and-White Warbler; Summer Tanager; Blackburnian Warbler, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Overnight at Umbrellabird Lodge.
DAY 5
UTUANA
Today you'll take the Macará-Sozoranga-Utuana road which takes you back up the mountains to experience a mist montane forest located between 2500 and 2700 m.a.s.l. (8200 and 8860 f.a.s.l). Along the way you'll try for more Tumbesian endemics like Bay-crowned Brush-Finch, Chapman’s Antshrike, Tumbesian Tyrannulet, Loja Hummingbird, and Black-cowled Saltator. Upon arrival to Utuana Reserve you'll look for scarce species like Gray-headed Antbird, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Piura Hemispingus, and Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant. The Black-crested Tit-Tyrant is one of the site’s specialties and likely to be a highlight of this part of the tour. Hummingbird feeders attract Purple-throated Sunangel and Rainbow Starfrontlet!
Overnight at Urraca Lodge in Jorupe
DAY 7
TAPICHALACA
Tapichalaca Reserve was established in 1998 and protects 8439 acres-acres of critical habitat for the Jocotoco Antpitta, a species whose total known population has remained at about twelve pairs since they were discovered at Cerro Tapichalaca by Dr. Robert Ridgely in 1997. The reserve ranges in altitude from 1,800 to 3,400 m.a.s.l. (5900 to 11150 f.a.s.l.) wich allows you to experience a cloudy montane humid forest- a cool and wet ecosystem. You will spend a full day birding the trails of Tapichalaca Reserve, starting with the Jocotoco Antpitta worm feeder. Along with the Jocotoco Antpitta, the reserve protects other globally-threatened birds such as Bearded Guan, Golden-plumed Parakeet, White-breasted Parakeet, and Spot-winged Parrotlet. Other interesting birds occur here such as Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Orange-banded Flycatcher, White-throated Quail-dove, White-capped Tanager.
Overnight Casa Simpson – Tapichalaca.
DAY 9 & 10
YANKUAM LODGE
Today you'll have a long drive towards the Amazonian province of Zamora, one of Ecuador's hotspots for birding. Yankuam is located at the base of the west slope of the Cordillera del Condor and next to the Nagaritza river at 900 m.a.s.l (2952 f.a.s.l.). The large Nagaritza river crosses large canyons and vast rainforest, this area is still among some of the least explored areas of the country, partly because of their remoteness and rugged terrain. The area is considered the most reliable location for the rare regional endemic Orange-throated Tanager. Other possibilities here include Speckled Chachalaca, Gilded Barbet, Blackish Pewee, Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher, Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Zimmer’s Antbird, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, White-throated Woodpecker, Fulvous Shrike-Tanager, and Ocellated Woodcreeper, along with a plethora of foothill species and even a few birds more typical of the Amazonian lowlands.
Overnight Yankuam Lodge
DAY 13
OLD LOJA ZAMORA ROAD TO SARAGURO
You’ll start the day catching the best bird activity at dawn along the scenic dirt old Zamora-Loja road. You'll stop in some amazingly productive forest patches where you'll seek for Ecuadorian Tyranulet, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Olivaceous Greenlet, Guira Tanager, Fiery-Throated Fruiteater and Lined Antshrike. At higher elevations you'll try for other specialties such as the Vermilion Tanager, Blue-browed Tanagers, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, among others. In the afternoon, time and weather permitting, you will make a brief stop at the nearby Huashapamba community forest to check for the rare Red-faced Parrot; afterwards, you will continue your way towards Saraguro.
Overnight in a Hotel In Saraguro.
DAY 14
CERRO ACANAMA
After an early drive towards the treeline forest above Saraguro, you'll be making a special effort to see one of the most beautiful Grallaridae, the Crescent-faced Antpitta, usually foraging in dense patches of bamboo. Other species of interest here are Bearded Guan Black-headed Hemispingus, Mouse-colored Thistletail, Flammulated Treehunter, Masked Mountain-Tanager, Glowing Puffleg, Agile Tit-Tyrant and the rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga. Later you'll be able to visit again the Huashapamba forest in case you missed the Red-faced Parrot thereon the previous day.
Overnight in Yunguilla.
DAY 16
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK - GUAYAQUIL
Within a close distance and drive from Cuenca you'll reach to the unique Cajas National Park, a perfect place to complete the best Southern Birding circuit. This reserve is escencially important because it protects some of the most important water reserves in Ecuador and also different types of biodiverse habitats; from temperate forest and scrub, windswept paramo grasslands, patches of Polylepis woodland to pristine highland lakes. Here you'll try for many high Andean specialties such as the secretive Ecuadorian Rail, Andean Teal, and Yellow-billed Pintail, the endemic Violet-throated Metaltail, the stunning Rainbow-bearded Thornbill and the local Mouse-colored Thistletail. Reaching out the grassy paramo you'll have the chance for Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, Stout-billed Cinclodes, and others. At the scattered Polylepis patches you'll have the best opportunities to see Tit-like Dacnis, and Giant Conebill.
In the afternoon you'll continue your way to Guayaquil. Following this, if not joining the available extension to the coast or other destinations, you will be transferred to Guayaquil's international airport for your flight back home. If you need an additional night to rest and start fresh the next day please let us know so we can make the arrangements.
DAY 2
MANGLARES CHURUTE TO BUENAVENTURA
You’ll depart from the largest city of Ecuador early in the morning and head south along the coastal plain to the Manglares-Churute Reserve, about 50 minutes away. This reserve has an interesting mix of habitats from lagoons and mangroves, to semi-humid forest, unlike anything else you'll see on the tour. This is one of the best places in Ecuador to find the threatened Pacific Royal-Flycatcher along with a number of other scarce species like Horned Screamer and Common Black-Hawk. You’ll also have your first chance at some of the more common Tumbesian endemics like Superciliated Wren and Ecuadorian Trogon. Later, you'll continue your way to Buenaventura Reserve, one of the Jocotocos Foundation's reserves. This reserve protects over 2870 hectares (7097 acres) and covers an altitude range between 400 to 1450 m.a.s.l. (1312 to 4750 f.a.s.l.). You'll stay and set base there for two nights at Umbrellabird Lodge.
DAY 4
JORUPE
Early in the morning you'll have access to a LEK of the threatened and Chocó endemic Long-wattled Umbrellabird. Different types of feeders for birds and mammals are placed near the lodge where a diversity of Hummingbirds, Tanagers and Toucans can be seen alongside Coaties.
After the morning activity and breakfast you'll have a long drive southwards, close to the border with Perú, to stay at Jorupe Reserve. Jorupe is a Jocotco Foundation Reserve which protects 1460 heacters (3608 acres) and hosts a completely different habitat with deciduous dry forest in the Tumbesian region covering an altitude range of 200 to 600 m.a.s.l. (656 to 1960 f.a.s.l.) It is a great place for Tumbesian endemics such as White-tailed Jay, Blackish-headed Spinetail, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Slaty Becard, Loja Tyranulet, Watkins Antpitta and Western Peruvian Screech Owl.
Different species of birds occur around the lodge and feeders such as Pale-browed Tinamou, Blue ground Dove, Yellow-tailed Orioles, Collared Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Ecuadorian Piculet, Speckle-breasted Wren, and Black-capped Sparrow among others.
Overnight at Urraca Lodge in Jorupe
DAY 6
JORUPE - TAPICHALACA
After early birding and breakfast, you'll have a long drive during the hours of no bird activity from Jorupe to Tapichalaca- located at a breathtaking landscape 2500 m.a.s.l (8200 f.a.s.l.), on the eastern Andean slopes. Depending on the weather, you will keep birding in the surroundings of the Lodge after your arrival. Your first impression will be the presence of many Hummingbirds by the feeders: among these, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, Little Sunangel, and Long–tailed Sylph. The discovery of a new bird species back in 1997, the Jocotoco Antpitta set off a series of events that would forever change the history of conservation in Ecuador. Ten months after the sighting, Fundación Jocotoco was founded and the Tapichalaca Reserve was created to protect this and many other threatened species.
Overnight at Casa Simpson – Tapichalaca.
DAY 8
CERRO TOLEDO - VILCABAMBA- CAJANUMA - LOJA
You'll drive to higher elevations to Cerro Toledo, draped by beautiful elfin forest right below treeline. This is the most reliable place to observe the near-endemic Neblina Metaltail; this species will be the target due to its status as an endangered and very localized species. This area also gives you chances to find the rare Masked Mountain-Tanager.
The Cajanuma section of the Podocarpus National Park features a landscape of steep slopes covered with dense temperate cloud forest often shrouded in mist. Towering trees emerging above the canopy are covered with epiphytes, while smaller trees, bushes, and patches of bamboo create an impenetrable understory of thickets. As you move on to higher elevations, the habitat changes into elfin forest, temperate forest and paramo. Some species you'll expect to see include Bearded Guan, Plushcap, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Red-hooded Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, and Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager. During the flowering season a variety of hummingbirds are attracted to flowers around the visitor center and along the trails such as the Rainbow Starfrontlet, Flame-throated Sunangel, and Tyrian Metaltail. The prized Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan is often heard across the valleys but is only occasionally seen. Other birds in this zone include Chusquea Tapaculo, Ocellated Tapaculo, both more often heard than seen.
Overnight in Loja.
DAY 11 & 12
COPALINGA - BOMBUSCARO
After a birding activity and breakfast you'll drive to Copalinga, a cozy lodge located within the buffer zone of the Podocarpus National Park- very close to the Bombuscaro entrance. In August 2018 Copalinga was officially added to the network of private reserves owned by Fundacion Jocotoco and became its twelfth reserve.
Copalinga is located at a remarkable location considered one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, at least 554 species of birds have been recorded in the nearby Podocarpus National Park. It's great for hummingbirds like Wire-crested Thorntail, Many Spotted Hummingbird, Glittering-throated Emerald, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Spangled Coquette among others. In one of the trails there is a blind from where you'll try for Gray Tinamou. Mixed flocks of colorful tanagers forage around the ground such as the Paradise Tanager, Green-and-gold Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager and many others. Some other target species includes Coppery-chested Jacamar, Amazonian Umbrella Bird, Coopery-chested Jacamar, Black-streaked Puffbid, Lanceolated Monklet, and White-necked Parakeet.
Overnight at Copalinga Lodge.
DAY 15
YUNGUILLA - CUENCA
Yunguilla reserve is surrounded by a dry woodland and scrubby hillsides. This reserve was created by the Jocotoco Foundation with the purpose of protecting the last remaining habitat of the Pale-headed Brushfinch (Atlapetes pallidiceps), a species considered extinct for more than two decades. In 1998 a population of this bird was located by Niels Krabbe. Since then, and thanks to an active program to protect the bird population, the nesting pairs have more than doubled.
Overnight in Cuenca.
*Ask us about our options to extend your trip to the Coast or to other destinations.
A SHORT EXTENSION TO THE ECUADORIAN COAST
PENINSULA DE SANTA ELENA - AYAMPE - MACHALILLA
INTINERARY 4D / 3D
DAY 1
GUAYAQUIL - SANTA ELENA PENINSULA
Santa Elena Peninsula is located west of the city Guayaquil . The road to the coast leads to the Ecuasal Salt Ponds, located near Salinas about 100 miles from Guayaquil, right at sea level. This coastal dry scrub holds a bunch of local species such as Parrot-billed Seedeater, one of the commonest passerines, Short-tailed Woodstar, Gray-and-white Tyrannulet, Collared Antshirkes, Necklaced Spinetail, Tumbesian Tyrannulets, Collared Warbling- Finches, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant and West Peruvian Dove. You'll continue drive to hit the coastal strip and check the coastal lagoons of Ecuasal which are ususally packed with hundreds of shorebirds. Here you'll look for Chilean Flamingos, Wilson's Phalaropes, Sandpippers, Dowitchers, Plovers, Terns and Gulls.
After lunch you'll head head further north to the scenic small vilage of Ayampe.
Overnight in Ayampe
DAY 3
AYAMPE - GUAYAQUIL
You'll will begin your day birding in Ayampe, this area has a wide diversity of flora and fauna, due to it's unique high humidity micro-climate where 328 species of birds have been registered.
After a delicious lunch you'll make our way south back towards the Santa Elena Peninsula and Guayaquil (around 5 hours away). Back in Guayaquil is time to celebrate a successful trip and share a final farewell dinner.
DAY 2
AYAMPE - MACHALILLA
The Río Ayampe Reserve was established to protect the critically endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi), a species of hummingbird found only in a small area on the west coast of Ecuador. Much of the land where the Woodstar breeds is owned by the local community of Las Tunas. In 2011, a formal agreement between the community and Ecuadorian non-profit conservation group Jocotoco Foundation was signed to work together to protect the Woodstar.
After breakfast, we will venture into the deciduous woodland alongside the Ayampe River, a stronghold for the critically endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar. The area also holds scarce Tumbesian species we could have missed on the main tour such as Slaty Becard, Ochre-bellied Dove, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Gray-backed Hawk, and Saffron Siskin. There are also a number of humid forest birds in the wetter forest patches, where we could find Gartered Trogon, Lesser Greenlet, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, White-backed Fire-eye, and others. After lunch back at our chilled out resort, we could either return to Ayampe or bird dry forest farther north along the coast for skulkers like Pale-browed Tinamou and the stunning Elegant Crescentchest.
DAY 4
DEPARTURE
The extension ends this morning with a transfer to the international airport.
Pricing
PRICE PER PERSON
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
PRICE PER PERSON
PRICE PER PERSON:
- Groups of 2 or more participants.
- Solo travelers please contact us for more information.
- USD $4800 in double occupation room.
- EXTENSION TOUR TO THE COAST $980 per person
INCLUDED
-Private service of a specialized birding & naturalist bilingual guide
-Private transportation
-Accommodation in double occupation, single room occupation adds $610 to the total price p.p
-All meals with soft drink and purified water
-Transfers In-Out
-All excursions and activities listed in itinerary
-Entrance fees to all the reserves and activities
NOT INCLUDED
-International airfare
-Alcoholic Beverages
-Tips
-Personal expenses
– Trip Cancellation & Medical Emergency Insurance
-Any other item not specified
Trips considerations
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a sample itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions, safety, and particular interests of guests. Changes and additions are made in order to maximize your birding experience and wilderness enjoyment.
