Ecuador - Chocó: A World of Biodiversity

Arrival in Quito, one of South America’s most attractive colonial capitals. Nestled at the foot of the Pichincha volcano, Quito is the second-highest capital in the world at 9,000 feet above sea level. Hotel check-in is usually available in the afternoon. Settle in and relax; dinner tonight is at your leisure. Accommodation at Mercure Hotel.

We have an early start this morning to visit Zuroloma, a small-scale independent reserve that offers excellent opportunities to see three Antpitta species, including the specialty Chestnut-napped Antpitta (likely a cryptic new species awaiting description), as well as other special bird species such as the Barred Fruiteater, many colorful hummingbirds, and tanagers. Later, we will bird the famous Tandayapa Valley and have lunch at Guaycapi Lodge. In the afternoon, we will drive through Alambi to Pacto Piripe Lodge, with birding stops along the way. Overnight at Piripe Lodge. (B, L, D)

We will enjoy a full day birding around the Piripe area. Early in the morning, we’ll visit the Cock-of-the-Rock lek at Santa Elena, and in the afternoon, we will look for birds while we visit a traditional sugar cane family project. There will be many opportunities to bird in the surrounding areas. Lunch in Piripe or a box lunch will be provided. Overnight at Piripe Lodge. (B, BL, D)

Today is a very special day as we begin our first exploration of the upper part of Mashpi Road and visit Amagusa, where we’ll observe fascinating bird species such as the rare Indigo Flowerpiercer, Glistening Green Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, and a wide variety of hummingbirds including Empress Brilliant, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and many others. We’ll have a box lunch at Mashpi Wuasi while watching hummingbirds at the feeders. In the afternoon, we’ll take a birding drive to the lodge. Overnight at Cielo Verde Lodge. (B, BL, D)

Early departure from the lodge to continue birding from the middle part of the Mashpi Road down to the lower elevations, seeking birds like Black-tipped Cotinga, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Baudo Guan, Yellow-green Bush Tanager, and White-capped Dipper. We’ll have a box lunch and more birding in the afternoon, with a stop at a reservoir to look for waterbirds. Overnight at Cielo Verde Lodge. (B, BL, D)

We’ll have a full day of exploring around Mashpi road and the vicinity looking for Chocó birds, such as Rose-faced Parrot, Chocó Toucan, Chocó Warbler, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove, Orange-fronted Barbet, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Purple chested Hummingbird, and many more endemics. This area is part of a chocolate farm conservation project. We’ll enjoy lunch locally and in the late afternoon, transfer to Kapari Lodge. (B, L, D)

We will have an early start to visit a private reserve with one of the best locations in the area to see the male Long-wattled Umbrellabird in full display. Other birds in this region include the Chocó Trogon and Club-winged Manakin. An exciting ecotourism destination will be our next stop, where a private land was transformed into a place for birdwatching, to safeguard a vast variety of flora and fauna species such as: Brown Wood-Rail, Yellow-throated Toucan, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Blue-gray Tanager, Ecuadorian Thrush, Orange-billed Sparrow, Saffron Finch, Long-billed Starthroat, among others. We’ll have a box lunch while we delight with many marvelous species. We will then drive to Sachatamia Lodge to rest. (B, BL, D)

We will spend a full day of birding in the lower elevations of the Chocó area, Silanche Road, and forest reserve. This place is very special as it offers the chance to bird from a canopy tower, allowing good viewing opportunities of Scarlet-breasted and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Blue-whiskered, Rufous-winged, Golden-hooded, Gray-and-Gold, and Scarlet-browed Tanagers. Dusky Pigeon is also a regular here, and so are mixed flocks of Pale-mandible Araçari, Choco and Chestnut-mandible Toucans, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Western Slaty-Antshrike, and White-tailed and Choco Trogons. We will have lunch in the field and overnight in Sachatamia Lodge. (B, BL, D)

The best way to finish this amazing birding tour is by visiting the famous Antpitta Farm Paz de las Aves, for more specialties, including possibilities such as Yellow-breasted, Giant, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, and Chestnut-crowned Antpittas. We will spend the rest of the morning looking for Toucan Barbet, Golden headed Quetzal, Scaled Fruiteater, and many colorful tanagers and hummingbirds. We’ll head to the lodge by midday for lunch, and then return to Quito for your international flight home. Please schedule flights departing after 7:00 PM. (B, L)