Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Quito. Enjoy your first meal in Ecuador, whether it's dinner or another meal, depending on your flight's arrival time. Attend an initial briefing to prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

Overnight stay in Quito.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

We begin our journey by ascending to the higher elevations of Yanacocha Reserve, a 1,200-hectare protected area surrounded by agricultural land interspersed with patches of mature forest. This reserve is home to the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), Quito’s emblematic bird since 2005. As we explore, we’ll have opportunities to spot high-altitude species such as the Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Tawny Antpitta, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and many more.

Descending the mountain, we may encounter Torrent Ducks navigating the fast-flowing streams and catch a glimpse of the White-capped Dipper.

Lunch will be served in a lush hummingbird and tanager garden at a lower elevation (1,700 meters) in the Tandayapa Valley. This vibrant location offers a spectacular display of hummingbirds, including White-necked Jacobin, White-bellied Woodstar, and Green-crowned Woodnymph. Other possible sightings include Tanagers, Euphonias, the striking Red-headed Barbet, and, with luck, the elusive Crested Quetzal.

In the late afternoon, we travel up the picturesque Tandayapa Valley to Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge, a 400-hectare (1,000-acre) reserve perched above the forest-cloaked valley. Declared Ecuador’s first Private Protected Area, Bellavista has been safeguarded in perpetuity since 2019, inspiring nearby landowners to join in the conservation of this highly biodiverse region.

As night falls, we have an excellent chance of spotting the Olinguito, a species only formally described in 2013, along with Kinkajous and other nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Early morning birding around the lodge offers excellent chances to spot species such as the Strong-billed Woodcreeper, White-tailed Tyrannulet, Turquoise Jay, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, White-sided and Masked Flowerpiercers, and the striking Masked Trogon. The lodge also attracts mammals, including the elusive Tayra (giant weasel), which occasionally visits the feeding station.

After breakfast, we explore Bellavista’s prime birding areas, including newly established feeding stations designed to enhance viewing and provide optimal lighting for photography. Here, we may encounter the stunning Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, and a variety of vibrant tanagers such as Grass-green Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, and Flame-faced Tanager. If we're lucky, the rare White-faced Nunbird might also make an appearance.

Following lunch, we continue birding along the scenic ridge road in search of Rusty-winged Barbtail, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, Black-capped Hemispingus, and mixed tanager flocks. Deeper in the forest, we’ll keep an eye out for the Powerful Woodpecker, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, and other hidden gems of the cloud forest.

Overnight Stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Today, you can choose from a variety of shared guided hikes, each offering a unique perspective on the incredible biodiversity of Bellavista. As night falls, an optional night hike presents the opportunity to encounter fascinating nocturnal creatures such as the peculiar Pinocchio frog, sleeping insects, and other unexpected surprises. These hikes emphasize the full spectrum of wildlife that thrives in this pristine cloud forest.

Overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Today, we travel to Amaguza Reserve (approx. 500 meters in elevation), a hotspot for vibrant birdlife, including the stunning Glistening-green Tanager and many other colorful tanagers. The excellent feeding station here provides incredible photography opportunities, with chances to spot species such as Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Pacific Parrotlet, Scaled Fruiteater, Beautiful Jay, Moss-backed Tanager, and Golden-hooded Tanager.

In the afternoon, we visit a fascinating Oilbird cave roost, where these unique nocturnal birds can be observed in their natural habitat.

Return to Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Exploring Bellavista Lodge on your own is highly recommended – it's a fantastic way to deepen your connection with the environment. Venturing out independently allows you to experience the forest from a personal perspective, complementing the insights gained with a naturalist or birding guide. The lodge’s trails and diverse habitats provide endless opportunities for discovery.

Overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Milpe Lodge

We depart Bellavista early at 04:45 a.m. and head to Paz de las Aves Reserve. Upon arrival, we embark on a scenic hike down a well-marked trail, where we'll visit a hide for a prime view of the Cock-of-the-Rock. The males become active just before dawn and continue to display throughout the early morning, especially if a female makes an appearance.

Our journey continues with a short walk to a spot where we may glimpse the Yellow-breasted Antpitta, followed by a visit to where Angel, the Antpitta Whisperer, calls in his Antpitta friends. Here, we may be lucky enough to see up to three species: the Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, and Ochre-breasted Antpitta.

The unique elevation of this area, with its steep-sided mountains, contributes to the rich bird diversity found here. Afterward, we travel to a lovely reserve and lodge in Milpe, where we’ll find feeders attracting more hummingbird species, along with Aracari, Rufous Motmot, Choco Toucan, and more. A highlight here is the active lek of the Club-winged Manakin, a truly remarkable bird.

Overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Quinta La Constanza, Tababela

This morning, we visit a special area renowned for the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, a remarkable bird with a distinctive swaying beard of feathers, which the female finds highly attractive.

We then continue our journey to Silanche Reserve, where birding along the roads and trails offers exciting opportunities to spot Chocó endemics such as Rufous-winged Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Chocó Trogon, and Chocó Warbler.

In the afternoon, before returning to Quito, we visit a charming small reserve where we have the chance for close-up views of the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, along with more incredible hummingbirds.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Quinta La Constanza, Tababela

Today, we will journey into the paramo, a high-elevation moorland, with a drive of just over an hour to reach the Antisana National Park. Known as one of the best places in Ecuador to spot the majestic Andean Condor, we will arrive at a scenic breakfast viewpoint where the condors roost and nest. We’ll have the chance to see them take flight on the early morning thermals.

As we venture deeper into the park, we will look for the highly localized Andean Ibis, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gull, Paramo Seedeater, and Carunculated Caracara. On the lake, we may catch a glimpse of the small but striking Silvery Grebe, while the Andean White-tailed Deer often roams the open paramo. Antisana is an active stratovolcano, the fourth highest in Ecuador, offering a stunning landscape.

We will also visit the newly recognized Chacana Reserve, which is gaining a reputation for sightings of the elusive Spectacled Bear. Although sightings are not guaranteed, we will make an excursion specifically to search for this rare species.

In the afternoon, we return to the lodge for a relaxing dinner.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sani Lodge

We begin the day with a scenic morning flight to Coca, flying over the Eastern Cordillera and into the Amazon Basin. Upon arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to a small port, where we’ll board a boat for a three-hour motor canoe journey down the Napo River, the largest tributary of the Amazon in Ecuador.

As we travel, we can expect to spot various bird species such as herons, egrets, and vultures while enjoying a packed lunch. Afterward, we’ll disembark for a short walk to Challwacocha Creek, where we’ll board paddle canoes for an exploration of the primary flooded forest, home to specialties like Cocha Antshrike, Dot-backed Antbird, Silvered Antbird, Plumbeous Antbird, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, and Capped Heron.

Upon arrival at Sani Lodge, we’ll be greeted with a welcome cocktail and snacks. After an introductory talk about the lodge and its activities, you’ll have the option to settle into your cabin or take part in a walk or canoe ride. During these activities, we’ll have the chance to spot species like Wattled Jacana, White-chinned Jacamar, Agami Heron, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Hoatzin, Macaws, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Mealy Amazon Parrot, and many more.

For dinner, the chef offers a variety of national and international dishes, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

The final activity of the day is a night canoe ride for a chance to spot Common Pauraque, Common Potoo, Black-crowned Night Heron, Boat-billed Heron, and Black-crowned Night Heron.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sani Lodge

After breakfast, we’ll head out to experience the incredible birdlife from Sani Lodge’s 36-meter (118 ft.) observation tower. To reach the tower, we’ll paddle for 30 minutes on Challwacocha Lake, followed by a short 10-minute walk. From this vantage point, you'll have the chance to spot a variety of birds, including macaws, toucan species, honeycreepers, tanagers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive Harpy Eagle.

Afterward, we’ll descend and spend the rest of the day exploring the forest understory, focusing on the search for antbirds and manakins.

Lunch will be served at the lodge, offering a well-earned break. Keep your binoculars ready as we look for species like Silver-beaked Tanager, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Masked Crimson Tanager, the iconic Hoatzin, Yellow-rumped Cacique, White-throated Toucan, and Many-banded Aracari.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk along the Chorongo Trail, where we may spot a range of exciting species, including Brownish Twistwing, Chestnut-belted Gnateater, Black-tailed Leaftosser, Thrush-like Antpitta, Wire-tailed Manakin, Blue-crowned Manakin, Screaming Piha, and Rusty-belted Tapaculo.

Overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sani Lodge

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the Napo River to board our boat and head to Yasuni National Park to visit the parrot-clay lick, where you’ll have the amazing opportunity to witness hundreds of parrots as they search for a gap to land and ingest the mineral-rich earth. The area is home to Mealy Amazon Parrots, Yellow-crowned Parrots, Orange-winged Parrots, Blue-headed Parrots, and Dusky-headed Parakeets.

Next, we’ll visit a second clay lick, a natural cave where Cobalt-winged Parakeets gather to ingest dissolved minerals from the water accumulated on the ground, often accompanied by Scarlet Macaws and Orange-cheeked Parrots.

Alternatively, we can enjoy a hike on the southern side of the Napo River within Yasuni National Park, recognized as the world’s most biodiverse area. This trek will give us the chance to spot species not found in the northern regions, including White-plumed Antbird, Lunulated Antbird, Blue-backed Manakin, Ochre-striped Antpitta, Chestnut-headed Crake, Yellow-billed Jacamar, Purplish Jacamar, Ash-throated Gnateater, Rio Suno Antwren, Rufous-tailed Antwren, and Brown-backed Antwren.

In the late afternoon, we’ll return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight stay at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sani Lodge

Today, we’ll focus on exploring the islands, Gallery Forest, and secondary growth forests, with the goal of spotting a variety of exciting bird species. Some of the highlights we’ll be searching for include:
White-eared Jacamar, Ivory-billed Aracari, Orange-backed Troupial, Olive-spotted Hummingbird, Fuscous Flycatcher, Black-and-white Antbird, White-bellied & Dark-breasted Spinetails, Orange-headed Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Russet-backed Oropendola, Green Oropendola, Many-banded Aracari, Black-fronted Nunbird, Speckled Chachalaca, Magpie Tanager, Rusty-belted Tapaculo

After a full day of birdwatching, we’ll return to the lodge in the afternoon for some relaxation. Later in the evening, we will update the bird list with your guide.

Overnight stay at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After an early breakfast, we’ll take a final canoe ride through Chawllacocha Creek, soaking in the beauty of Amazonian wildlife and the serene sunrise. We’ll then board the motor canoe on the Napo River to begin our departure from this magical land, arriving in Coca in time for our flight back to Quito.

The timing of the flight will allow for a seamless connection to your return flight home.

Tour Ends.

Note: The above itinerary is primarily focused on birds, but rest assured, the diversity of wildlife around us is also a big part of our daily explorations. From various species of monkeys to the exquisite butterflies and so much more, the richness of the ecosystem will be experienced in all its forms throughout the tour. Below, please find some of the wonders we expect to see: 

Guatusa, Pacarana, Linnaeus Two -toed Sloth, Giant Otter, Eastern Lowland Olingo, Jaguar, Small River Turtle, River Turtle, Black Caiman, Rinella Dapsilis, Allobates Zaparo, Rhaebo Guttatus

It’s going to be a memorable conclusion to a fantastic adventure. The rich biodiversity of the region will certainly offer a wide variety of exciting sightings and experiences throughout your adventure!