Northern Ecuador Birding Paradise

Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Your guide meets you, assists with baggage, transfers you to the hotel, and reviews the next day schedule. Overnight in Quito.

Early birding at Yanacocha Reserve on the north-western side of Pichincha Volcano, with hummingbird feeders and Andean forest species such as Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Shining Sunbeam, Tyrian Metaltail, pufflegs, Lesser Violetear, Great Sapphirewing, Ocellated Tapaculo, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Barred Fruiteater, Andean Guan, antpittas, cone bills, and more. Continue birding along the Old Nono-Mindo Road, with a chance for Plate-billed Mountain Toucan. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Visit Tandayapa Valley and Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve for Toucan Barbet, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Masked Trogon, Blue-and-black Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Cinnamon Flycatcher, White-winged Brushfinch, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Grass-green Tanager, Andean Guan, White-throated Quail-Dove, and Tanager Finch. Feeders may hold Speckled Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, and Gorgeted Sunangel. Evening search for Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Black-and-white Owl, and Colombian Screech Owl. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

A special day focused on the Choco habitat of western Ecuador and the sought-after Rufous-crowned Antpitta. Other possible birds include Black Solitaire, Rufous-throated Tanager, Grey-and-gold Tanager, Rufous Motmot, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Orange-billed Sparrow, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Olivaceous Piculet, Dusky Pigeon, Grey-headed Kite, Red-headed Barbet, White-whiskered Puffbird, Red-faced Spinetail, Yellow-throated Toucan, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Scarlet-browed Tanager. Return to Mindo for dinner. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Early start for Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, a private lowland Choco reserve with Purple-chested Hummingbird, Choco Trogon, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Orange-fronted Barbet, Dusky Pigeon, Collared Aracari, Bronze-winged Parrot, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Great Antshrike, White-flanked Antwren, Slaty Antwren, Zeledon's Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Black-winged Saltator, Buff-rumped Warbler, Crested Guan, Lanceolated Monklet, Rose-faced Parrot, raptors, honeycreepers, and if lucky Scarlet-breasted Dacnis. Afternoon at San Tadeo Birding Garden for hummingbirds including Brown Violetear, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, White-booted Racket-tail, Purple-collared Woodstar, Crowned Woodnymph, Andean Emerald, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Spend the day at Milpe Bird Sanctuary, an important birding stop near Mindo. Targets include Glistening-green Tanager, Choco Trogon, Choco Toucan, Club-winged Manakin, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Ecuadorian Thrush, Spotted Woodcreeper, Ornate Flycatcher, Russet Antshrike, Bay-headed Tanager, Band-backed Wren, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Green Thorntail, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Bay Wren, Golden-headed Quetzal, Dusky-faced Tanager, and Chestnut-capped Brushfinch. Lunch at Mirador Rio Blanco and free time in Mindo town in the afternoon. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Early start for the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek at Refugio Paz de las Aves. Search for Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Dark-backed Wood Quail, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Olivaceous Piha, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Nariño Tapaculo, Three-striped Warbler, Tricolored Brushfinch, Powerful Woodpecker, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo, and more. Visit Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve feeders for hummingbirds, Red-headed Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, and Golden Tanager, then return toward Quito. Overnight at Puembo Birding Garden Quito.

Early breakfast and visit to Amagusa Private Reserve, with possibilities including Glistening-green Tanager, Andean Solitaire, Black Solitaire, Moss-backed Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, and Indigo Flowerpiercer. After intensive birding at Amagusa, visit a special site for Oilbird. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Early departure to look for Long-wattled Umbrellabird. Other birds may include Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Violet-tailed Sylph, Golden-headed Quetzal, Bronze-winged Parrot, Tropical Kingbird, Social Flycatcher, and more. At night, look for Black-and-white Owl, Common Potoo, and other night birds. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Use this day in the Mindo area to search for river and wetland targets such as Torrent Duck, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, White-capped Dipper, and White-throated Crake, plus additional chances for Common Potoo and other local species. Overnight at Coffee Lodge Mindo.

Visit Antisana Ecological Reserve, a well-known area for Andean Condor and high-elevation birding. Possible species include Carunculated Caracara, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Aplomado Falcon, Variable Hawk, Many-striped Canastero, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Chestnut-winged Cinclodes, Black-winged Ground Dove, Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Andean Lapwing, Silvery Grebe, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Andean Gull, Andean Duck, Yellow-billed Pintail, Giant Hummingbird, and Ecuadorian Hillstar. Overnight in Quito.