Sept 2009
Client: Tom Burke ( USA )

Hi, Lelis and Xavier,

A quick note to say that I agree that it was a great trip, and, Lelis, I’m sorry that we got to Miami before you got home to Quito – our flights went fairly smoothly. And in Miami I did step outside the airport where Mr. Guy was smoking and saw my first Eurasian Collared-Doves.

Thanks for your photos, Lelis – Gail will be reviewing hers for a while (there are so many), but we’ll send some down when ready.

Regarding the trip arrangements, I was actually glad to spend a night at the Manu Cloud Forest Lodge to see what it was like – quite an interesting place. I thought everything else worked out very well; moving about didn’t bother me at all. Perhaps, to avoid the problems that we encountered at Bosque Unchog, could that be run as a day trip from Huanaco? It is a great site, but most potential visitors would probably find the arrangements a little uncomfortable as is. It would require a very early start but could probably work that way. The Tarma place worked out fine as well.

I am already looking forward to another trip with Lelis, wherever it might be to, and I thank you both for making this adventure as enjoyable as it was for Gail and myself.

Best regards,
Tom

David Fisher 2009-02-09

Dear Mercedes and Xavier,

I'm now back home and getting on top of things again, even though my flat is surrounded by deep snow! I wanted to thank you both most sincerely for all your help on my recent visit to Ecuador. You were very generous in allowing me to travel on the tour at the leader's rate, and I also really appreciated you arranging the extra days for me in the Mindo area.
That extension went very well. Fabian's father, Jorge, picked me up from Quito and took me to Alambi, then Fabian took over. The weather wasn't kind though, and as Xavier already knows we failed to make it through to Sachatambia that first night, being forced to return to Alambi instead. But we still got to Angel's by 6.00 the next morning and had a fabulous visit with him. He showed me four species of antpitta, three of which were lifers. I also saw Olivaceous Piha and Powerful Woodpecker that morning which were also new. I was very impressed with Angel's operation. Then we went on to Sachatambia, but missed Xavier who had already left to return to Quito. Sorry not to have more time to chat to you Xavier! I thought Sachatambia was a very nice lodge and they looked after us well. A lovely room, great food, and very helpful staff. Fabian did a good job, though the weather worked against him somewhat. He tried really hard to find me Tanager Finch and Beautiful Jay, but rain, cloud and lots of diverted traffic made it almost impossible. But I enjoyed his company and my Spanish improved somewhat by spending three days in his sole company practicing. As I think you know, my main reason for coming back to Ecuador was to see Jocotoco and Giant Antpittas and to experience the new technique of seeing them being fed. I also hoped to get some good photos.

I was very successful in this and attach three very pleasing shots. All in all it was a super trip that I thoroughly enjoyed. And thanks for joining us for dinner that last night Mercedes - it was great to spend an evening with you. I'd forgotten how much fun you are! Great company. Best wishes, David

Johan Verbanck
& Godelieve Vermeir 2009-03-25

Dear Xavier,

1/ You were outstanding, in guiding us in Ecuador - march 2009!!! We can not thank You too much !!
2/ I have already mailed our excellent Ecuador experiences with You as expert guide, to our Tour operator in The Netherlands ... I hope sincerely it can be realised , to travel with You as an outstanding guide, in Peru !! Congratulations , Xavier!! You were fantastic!! Warm and very gratefull feelings ! Johan Verbanck and Godelieve Vermeir ; Belgium on behalf of all the tour participants from "Ecuador march 2009"

Tom, Jo Heindel and Kelli Levinson
August 2009 Ecuador

Dear Xavier and Mercedes,

While this letter of gratitude is late, it is because of another trip a couple of weeks after our return from Ecuador, and we needed to write you both more than a quick “Thank You.” The planning and expertise you brought to our trip made it absolutely perfect. Matching us with Edwin Herrera was pure genius. He fit into the group like an old friend; his sense of humor and appreciation of our needs, both birding and personal, was uncanny. His driving skills are unequaled and we were most appreciative of his concern for our well-being and security. We thought your bragging that “He is the best!” was justified Ecuadorian bravado but he really is the best! He so enhanced our trip that we’ll forever be in his debt and yours. We gave him our spot beam (luz grande we all called it) and it was not until we finished unpacking here at home that we found the car charger that goes with it. We would appreciate an address where we could mail it to him. His help as a bird guide also deserves mention. He has amazing eyes and found birds that many would have missed. As he continues to study and learn more about birds he will become even more helpful to birders. We felt we had the best of both a driver and a bird guide. Because he has driven the other “big gun” tour leaders, he knows where to go and that is invaluable knowledge. If you have any other clients that do not want to hire bird guides, please give them Edwin because he drives and birds, often at the same time! We had warm thoughts when we received a post from Matt stating that you had notified him that we had arrived safely and that we were happily on our way. It meant so much to us to know that he didn’t have to wonder how things were going.

Your choice of vehicle added much to our comfort with each person having a window so we were able to see all that Ecuador has to offer plus plenty of room for our extensive luggage. This was a substantial upgrade from what most companies offer their clients and we greatly enjoyed the first-class ride. We were amazed at the changes we saw in the 11 years since we were last there. The road system is now one of the best in Latin America as well as throughout most of the world! A country’s economic health is built on its road system and we are greatly pleased that Ecuador has such a bright future.

While Kelli did much of the research and designed the itinerary, the few changes you recommended were definite improvements. Your choice of lodging in unfamiliar areas perfectly satisfied our needs. You took your experiences with us on our last trip and thoughtfully applied them to this trip, which is why it was so successful.

The final act of kindness was the way you worked with our son Matt to provide a surprise birthday party for Tom at Guango Lodge. We had worked on our bird notes in the comfort room while dinner was being prepared. We had just been seated when the lights went out. We were laughing in the dark and said that we hoped that our dinner was going to be warm. Just then the cake with lit candles was carried into the dining room with the entire staff singing Happy Birthday! We were all surprised and Tom was very touched. We’d all given him good wishes earlier in the day but having Matt send his greetings long-distance was very moving. We were thinking very good thoughts of you both for making this possible.

Trevor Jones ( UK )
August 2009 Ecuador

Dear Xavier

We wanted to write to say what a fantastic time we had on our trip to Ecuador during July/August 2009. Your organisation of the tour was first class and we were particularly pleased with your flexibility in rearranging the first few nights following the delay of our flights.

We enjoyed all of the lodges you suggested but perhaps our favourites were Wild Sumaco (what a setting!) and Pacoche. Of course the food at San Isidro was just amazing!

As for the wildlife? Well we saw over 600 species of birds inc. nearly 60 species of hummingbird and 76 species of tanager (my favourites) – absolutely awesome! But it wasn’t just birds; butterflies, whales, snakes, monkeys and even a jaguarundi added to the enjoyment.

Any trip depends heavily on the guide and we were delighted to have Alejandro as ours. He knew the birds expertly and where to find them, was so enthusiastic about your country and its natural environment and adapted to our needs as the tour progressed. Perhaps even more importantly he was a good person to get to know and we now like to think of him as a friend. As for our driver, Augusto, he looked after our travel needs perfectly and what a sense of humour – so often he had us in stitches.

The highlights – so many but a few would be:

• Antpittas at Paz de las Aves (and Angel’s great enthusiasm and hospitality)
• Hummingbirds at Guango Lodge
• Mashpi Forest and the Indigo Flowerpiercer and Moss-backed Tanager
• Andean Potoo shortly followed by Powerful Woodpecker and Crested Quetzal (in the same tree) on the Guacamayos Ridge
• Tracking Tinamous and Antthrushes in the Amazonian rainforest
• Breaching humpback whales near to Isla de la Plata
• The overall friendliness of the people and the quality of the food

See what we mean ...

It was a trip to remember and we would have no hesitation in recommending Neblina Forest to anyone who wanted to visit Ecuador. In fact we are hoping to arrange a trip in the near future, with you, to visit Brazil.

Thank you.
Trevor and Ann Jones (UK)

Robert Ridgely 2008-04-30

Dear Xavier:

Yes I did receive your earlier emails on the subject. I hope you have been able to resolve this situation to everyone's satisfaction; please let me know that this has happened. I should let you know that I was very impressed with, and very grateful for, your assistance on our last trip. All done out of sight and out of mind, but I know that you had to work hard to scramble to get us the three vehicles; I wasn't wild about doing all that driving, and it was a little awkward not having the group together so I (and Lelis) could speak with them collectively, but it turned out they were needed. I know you also had to work hard to keep pressing American Airlines to get Jean's suitcase - frustrating all the way around. In any case, thanks, a good service all the way around. I only wish that you had been able to be with us to see Yankuam and that wonderful tanager!

Sharon & Michael McRae 2008-04-24

Gustavo and Xavier:

Many thanks to you and Juan Carlos (unfortunately I don't have his email address) for making our trip to Ecuador a fantastic experience. Gustavo, we enjoyed your company and appreciated your knowledge of the local species ~ you even exceeded your target ;o)))) Although we haven't finished our final tally, we saw approximately 200 birds over the entire trip. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and look forward to exploring more of Ecuador and Columbia with you over the next few years. Special thanks to Juan Carlos for showing us around Quito on Friday and delivering us safely to the airport. It was an excellent way to wrap up our vacation. We will definitely recommend you, Sacha Tamia, and Sani Lodge to our friends.Thanks again, and please let us know of any special tours you have planned. We would certainly like to participate whenever time and $$$ permit.

Best Regards, Sharon & Michael McRae
Phone: 813-891-6280
Sharon.McRae@NALWORLDWIDE.COM

Ecuador - SOUTHERN ECUADOR - March 2008 - Hamilton Group 2008-03-25

Dear Xavier:

Just a quick note to let you know we arrived home safely- tired but very satisfied with our trip to your beautiful Country. >> I think I did even better in terms of new birds than I thought-with some 120 lifers for me. Thank you for all your hard work and contributing so much during an excellent 10 days in some wonderful habitats, and at great lodges. Your consideration of our needs was very much appreciated by us all-and you laughed at our stories and jokes(including the bad ones!). >> So my sincere thanks and I hope we shall see each other again soon. >> Best wishes, >> Stuart. >> Stuart Housden Director, RSPB Scotland RSPB Scotland Headquarters

Galapagos Is. - NATURETREK'S GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - February 2008 2008-03-06

Dear Andy:

We were most fortunate in the allocation of guides.. The knowledge of Xavier Munoz from Naturetrek and Juan Tapia of The National Park must be unparallel. ** They were brilliant!!! Juan's knowledge and enthusiasm for the geology, flora and fauna, was balanced and complemented by Xavier's equally wide knowledge of the birds and mammals . Together they made a formidable team, who's experience and enthusiasm fired us all to new heights and interests. ** It takes a lot to get 16 people walking over lava flows in torrential rain - and we were all up for it - every time !!!! ** I cannot praise them to highly - they were great. ** Please pass on to them [...] how impressed we were by them, and the whole experience. I look forward to talking to you again when we take out next Naturetrek holiday ** Regards and Best Wishes Margaret (Naturetrek Customer)

Ecuador - NORTHERN ECUADOR: AMAZON, ANDES AND CHOCO - Mason group / January 5th to the 27th 2008 2008-02-25

Dear Xavier:

trip to Ecuador or Costa Rica had been on the horizon for several years and in the end we decided to take the plunge after numerous discussions with tour operators at the Bird Fair over the last two years. The die was cast and Ecuador came out on top. We ended up speaking and planning at length with two companies;[...] [one of them was Neblina Forest, which we at the end picked]. Initially both were very helpful with planning itineraries and deciding where to visit, costing, guides, etc but after a while, as we were about to decide who to trust our arrangements to, [the manager of the one we did not choose] took the huff as we had the gall to still be talking to someone else and abruptly told us he wasn’t prepared to reserve a particular guide for us and advised we would be better making other arrangements. I was so taken aback by his attitude I couldn’t think of a suitable decent reply to his terse email. In some respects this saved us a difficult decision as Byron Palacios, Neblina Forest’s representative in the UK at the time, had impressed us with his attitude and help to date. Neblina therefore ended up handling all our ground arrangements in Ecuador, including internal flights. >> Biologically, South America is the richest continent on Earth. The Amazon Basin holds the largest and most diverse tract of tropical rainforest on the planet and the Andes harbours an astonishing variety of ecosystems ranging from the tundra-like páramo and epiphyte-laden cloud forest to rain-shadow valleys and deciduous deserts. The diversity of birdlife found in Ecuador is the greatest, in relation to size, in South America and with friendly people, relatively short travel distances and good accommodation, birdwatching here is incredible. >> Cheers, >> David Mason
See full report at

http://www.realbirder.com/EcuadorReportd.html

Ecuador - CHRISTMAS IN THE GALAPAGOS - December 2007 - Hammond x 2 from NEBLINA Group 2008-01-07

Dear Mercedes:

I wanted to say a huge thank you for a wonderful Ecuadorian and Galapagos trip. We loved every minute of it. We saw so much and learned so much. Every day was an adventure. We are still reeling from the excitement of it all. We were lucky with the weather and the delightful company on Galapagos. And were very happy indeed to have the benefit of Gustavo's and Roberto's knowledge and guidance - both were excellent guides. Edwin is a great driver. > Thank you especially for yours and Kelly's patience and help during the run-up to the trip. Especially in answering our many questions.

We would recommend Neblina Forest without hesitation to our friends. Many of them are already drooling over our photos and asking for more information. > Can you please forward these messages to Gustavo and Roberto and/or let us have their addresses. > Gustavo - Thank you for being a wonderful guide. You were the best of Christmas presents. Thank you so much too for the CD of photos. If you let me have your snail mail address I'll send you a DVD with my additional and zizzed-up photos on it as soon as I've sorted out the logistics. > Roberto - Thank you for a really great birding adventure on the East and West slopes. We really enjoyed our time with you and Edwin. [...]Happy New Year, and we hope out paths cross again - perhaps in the Orient! Very kind regards, Sally

Ecuador - CHRISTMAS IN THE GALAPAGOS - December 2007 - Hammond x 2 from NEBLINA Group 2008-01-07

Dear Mercedes :

I wanted to say a huge thank you for a wonderful Ecuadorian and Galapagos trip. We loved every minute of it. We saw so much and learned so much. Every day was an adventure. We are still reeling from the excitement of it all. We were lucky with the weather and the delightful company on Galapagos. And were very happy indeed to have the benefit of Gustavo's and Roberto's knowledge and guidance - both were excellent guides. Edwin is a great driver. > Thank you especially for yours and Kelly's patience and help during the run-up to the trip. Especially in answering our many questions.

We would recommend Neblina Forest without hesitation to our friends. Many of them are already drooling over our photos and asking for more information. > Can you please forward these messages to Gustavo and Roberto and/or let us have their addresses. > Gustavo - Thank you for being a wonderful guide. You were the best of Christmas presents. Thank you so much too for the CD of photos. If you let me have your snail mail address I'll send you a DVD with my additional and zizzed-up photos on it as soon as I've sorted out the logistics. > Roberto - Thank you for a really great birding adventure on the East and West slopes. We really enjoyed our time with you and Edwin. [...]Happy New Year, and we hope out paths cross again - perhaps in the Orient! Very kind regards, Sally

Ecuador - ANDES AMAZON EXOTIC - Noviembre 2007 - Mark Garland 2008-01-02

Xavier:

Good to hear from you -- best wishes to you, your family, and Neblina Forest in the coming year. [...]I would love to do another trip with you. I am packing today to leave for Costa Rica tomorrow, however, so discussions about another trip will have to wait until I return. Thanks for being such a great friend, Xavier, and for everything you have done to make my recent trips to Ecuador so excellent. Mark Garland Nature Tours

Ecuador - ANTPITTA'S TRIP - December 2007 Ann T. Forster Group 2007-12-14

We finally dragged in from Miami last night. We were sorry that we didn't have a chance to visit with you two on Sunday.[..] Both our trips were super. Dan snapped over a 1000 pictures which he is now editing. Some of the hummingbirds at Tapichalaca are spectacular. He also took pictures of fishing boats, fishing villages, fish nets, fishermen, and fish. We were sorry not to have a chance to thank you, Xavier for your leadership.

You were so good with Dan and I know Dan's fall made your work even harder. We are all planning another trip and if you decide to have something down at the Orange-throated Tanager place, Marilyn Milek and I might do that together. Keep us informed on that. The day we went to the southeast side of Podocarpus was a real treat. We are so thankful that you are identifying and saving some of these precious places. Love to our Neblina family, Ann

Ecuador/Peru - BI-NATIONAL BIRDING TRIP - July 2007 2007-10-09

Dear XAVIER, LELIS and WILLY :

Greetings from Germany. > We enjoyed those four weeks in June and July in Southern America very much - two weeks with Lelis in Southern Ecuador and two weeks with Xavier and Willy in Northern Peru. > Our tour was really great - fantastic birds, excellent leaders, good accommodation, superb itinerary - and always good mood and lot of fun. > We can warmly recommend NEBLINA FOREST to anyone planning a birding tour to Southern America. > We certainly will come to another tour with NEBLINA FOREST in the near future. --- Best wishes Manfred, Anne, Michael and Jutta from Germany

COLOMBIA 2007 SELECTED LOCATIONS TRIP 2007-08-07

Hi everyone:

Colombia is now an accessible and safe birding journey for people to enjoy the beauty, warmth and incredible endemics with itineraries offered by Neblina forest birding company of Ecuador. Gustavo Canas-Valle is a fine birder and planner who will make your trip rewarding and really show the wonders of the country and it's people as well as great birding locales and habitats. He is a fountain of information not only about the birds but the culture and history of places you visit in the country.

I just returned from an 11 day whirlwind trip visiting selected locations from Cauca and Magdalena valleys as well as a flight to Santa Marta region in the north for incredible birding on the coastal areas, mangroves and the Santa Marta mountains for incredible scenery and many endemics. Highlights there were the Santa Marta brush finch, Santa Marta mountain-tanager, Santa Marta parakeet, Santa Marta antpitta, White-tailed quetzal, Blossomcrown, among several Caribean coast specialties and Colombian endemics. If you want to have a wonderful birding tour which will fill you with memories and a need to return to colorful Colombia many times you cannot go wrong with Neblina Forest Colombia tours. Regards Bob August 7th, 2007

Ecuador - ANDES AMAZON EXOTIC - March 2007 - Veenstra Group from Holland 2007-05-12

Ecuador is a great country for bird watching. It has an amazing biodiversity. Neblina Forest organizes bird watching tours to places varying from the highland (altitude close to 4000 m.) to the Amazonian forest. In 16 days we've spotted more than 500 bird species, which is a third of the total number of species in Ecuador. We've even seen an owl which is still unidentified [to be described for science, at San Isidro Lodge].

The bird guides are incredible. They hear and see a lot and they can show the location of the birds by using laser light. They play back registered songs of the birds to attract the birds. It's very nice when they manage to show a specific bird through their telescope. The guides know where to go to look for some rare bird species. Our tour has been very well organized by Neblina Forest. We can recommend their tours to any bird fan. H.W. Veenstra & A.H. Veenstra

Ecuador - SOUTHERN ECUADOR - February 2007 - Robert S. Ridgely Group 2007-03-13

Dear Xavier:

We had a wonderful trip with Bob [Robert Ridgely] in Ecuador, thanks to your big efforts. I will definitely be back with a group and we should talk about that in a couple of weeks. Today I leave again for a 12 day trip to Belize. [...] Please send me an email with some thoughts on me returning with a group (6-8 people) next winter, one year from now, for a visit to northern Ecuador and the Amazon. I would want you or Lelis to be our guide, if possible. Many thanks. Rob Robert A. Quinn Merlin Enterprises

Ecuador - UMBRELLA BIRD TOUR - November 2006 - Howard & Mary Armson 2007-01-07

Dear Xavier:

Very many thanks for the wonderful Umbrella bird pictures they are truly amazing and we are so pleased that we were there when you took them - it was a privilege to be in that pristine cloud forest so close to that remarkable bird - which was entirely due to your expert guiding - a really unforgetable moment !1 We look forward to receiving your brochure and really appreciate your quick response to our message - we hope you have a very successful New Year thanks for your good wishes . Best wishes, Howard & Mary Armson