The Choco traverses the length of western Colombia and Ecuador, although most of the endemic Choco species occur no further south than El Oro province . The area is comprised of high peaks and the Pacific slope of the Colombian Andes in Narino, stretching south into Ecuador, embracing the westernmost volcanic peaks south to Canar and Azuay, with just a few species occurring in the Cordillera de Chilla.
The Choco EBA covers an area of approximately 60,000 sq.km. (23 sq. miles) and boasts the largest number of range-restricted birds (61 species) of all the world's EBAs. The area supports a large number of species restricted to the tropical lowlands and lower subtropical foothills, with the remainder primarily confined to the subtropical zone and up to around 3000m (9842 ft) on some of the higher peaks in Colombia's western Andes. All of these restricted-range species occur in humid and wet forest-dominated habitats.
Day 1
Arrival in Quito. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Night in Quito.
Day 2
We will enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel, then depart for Yanacocha Reserve.
At 11,483 feet, Yanacocha is famous for its high-elevation specialties, and we will spend the morning birding the Trocha Inca Trail. Here we will see at least ten species of hummingbirds, and the mixed feeding flocks we will encounter will add many more tantalizing birds to the list! Like , Barred Fruiteater, Great Sapphirewing, Golden breasted and Sapphire vented Pufflegs, Sword billed Hummingbirds, and much more. We will enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the grandiose montane vista, after which we will begin the drive to Mindo via the Old Nono Mindo Road, birding along the way. This road offers spectacular views of the forest and excellent birding, with the possibility of such sought-after birds such as Torrent Duck and White-capped Dipper. We will spend a night in Mindo, where we will spend the next four nights.
Night in Mindo
Day 3
After an early breakfast we will drive to the Tandayapa Valley, where the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve is located. Our target species will include Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, and one of the most rare and sought-after birds: the Tanager Finch. After lunch, we will relax by the feeders and enjoy up to 20 species of hummingbirds, including Brown and Collared Incas, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Booted Rackettail.
Night in Mindo
Day 4
Early this morning we will head to Paz de las Antpittas Reserve to observe the Andean Cock of the Rocks at their lek, where males assemble during the mating season and engage in competitive displays that attract females. Afterwards we will join Angel (the owner of the reserve) as she draws her "charges" in for breakfast: Maria the Giant Antpitta, Willi the Yellow-breasted Antpitta, and Susan the Moustached Antpitta! We will then enjoy our own breakfast, and on the way back to the lodge we will make a stop at Mindo Loma Reserve to look for Black-chinned Mountain Tanager and Hoary Puffleg. After lunch we will have about an hour to "chill out" before visiting the Milpe Bird Sanctuary in the afternoon to search for Choco endemics such as Moss-backed, Rufous-throated, and Glistening-green Tanagers, as well as Club-winged Manakin.
Night in Mindo
Day 5
After an early breakfast, we will drive downslope to the Silanche Reserve. At 1000 feet, this is the lowest preserve we will visit, and we will spend a few hours at the Canopy Tower looking for Choco endemics such as Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Rufous-winged and Blue-whiskered Tanagers, Scarlet browed Tanager and Scarlet breasted Dacnis, Orange-fronted Barbet.
Night in Mindo
Day 6
After breakfast we'll spend the morning at the Oilbird Cave, where we hope to get memorable views of this cryptic bird! In the afternoon we will drive over Papallacta Pass with a stop on the way at Pahuma Orchid Reserve to see the White-tailed Hillstar. We'll then check in at Guango Lodge, where the many feeders provide in-your-face views of Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Tourmaline Sunangel, and Sword-billed Hummingbird, White bellied Woodstar, Mountain Avocetbill.
Night: Guango Lodge
Day 7
After an early breakfast, we will begin the 30-minute drive to the Polylepis Forest to look for Giant Conebill, Tawny Antpitta, and Andean Tit-Spinetail, among others! We'll take a short hike to walk to Suco Lake to find Silvery Grebe, Andean Coot, and Andean Ruddy Duck, Giant Conebill, then head up the mountain to the famous radio towers at an elevation of over 14,000 feet to look for Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. After a return to Guango Lodge for lunch we will drive to Cabanas San Isidro where we will spend the night.
Night: Cabanos San Isidro
Day 8
After breakfast we will make a special effort to find the White-bellied Antpitta, then spend the day exploring the lodge's trails, enjoying Inca Jay, Highland Motmot, and Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals, among others. After dinner we will search for the lodge's famous "Mystery Owl", similar to the Black-banded but most definitely a new species to science!
Night: Cabanos San Isidro
Day 9
After an early breakfast we will embark on a 30-minute drive to the Guacamayos Ridge, where we will search for target species such as Greater Scythebill, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, White-capped Tanager, and Rufous-headed Pygmy-tyrant. On our way back to the lodge [I'm assuming] we will make a stop along the Cosanga River to look for Torrent Duck. After a final lunch at the lodge we will drive back to Quito.
Night in Quito.
Day 10
Today, we will visit Antizana National Park, which is a spectacular place to observe Andean Condor, Black-faced Ibis, Giant Hummingbird, and Ecuadorian Hillstar, in addition to many other paramo specialties.
Night in Quito
Day 11
The tour ends with a transfer to Mariscal Sucre airport and flights home
Please note that this tour may be taken in conjunction with an extension tour to the Amazon Basin or the Galapagos Islands.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES
Private transportation
Tour Guide (bird specialized) /Driver
Full board
Entrance fee to Yanacocha reserve
Entrance fee to Loma Linda Hummingbird
Entrance fee to Paz the las Antpittas Reserve
Entrance fee to Silanche and Milpe Reserve.
Entrance feed to Antizana National Park
Accommodation
THE PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airport Taxes
Tips
Personal expenses
Drinks (alcoholic)
Meals in Quito
This is our most popular birding tour. From the high mountains of Yanacocha Reserve at 3500 meters (11,482 ft.) to the lowlands of Silanche Reserve at 300 m. (984 ft.), we will explore a variety of habitats hosting a plethora of endemic bird species! For this leg of the tour, we will be lodging at Septimo Paraiso Lodge in Mindo, only a two-hour drive from Quito.
Some overlap with the North Central Andes , Endemic Bird Area (EBA), may occur in parts of northern Ecuador, although the species endemic to this latter area all inhabit higher altitudes, primarily above 2500 m. (8202 ft.). In the Pacific coastal lowland, this EBA extends throughout the Colombian Choco into northern Esmeraldas province and continues along the base of the Andes in the provinces of Pichincha, Los Rios, and northern Guayas.