One of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, Ecuador has over 1600 species of birds, with a good number of endemic. It is quite usual for our birding expeditions to see 40 species in a day, and with the wide range of habitats, this can add up to a really great expedition.
Our specialist guides are experienced in birding the diverse habitats, so that you can get the most out of each day, and our kitchen will supply excellent food for a late breakfast and mid-day break. Early morning starts are not a problem for us.
Our guides will get you to the really hot birding spots in plenty of time to start the day, and working with local ornithologists throughout Ecuador we have access to inside information to ensure that you can observe the species that interest you
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| Toucans Adventures |
At about 1200 meters on the western slopes the Hostal of Tinalania gives you your best chance to watch toucans and other species of birds while enjoying the excellent cuisine! The bird list is at over 300 species and while a short term visit will give you only a small percentage of this number of species, it is sure to include many that are new on your list.
During the day you can enjoy hiking into the moss forest that backs onto the hostal grounds, to see a most unusual habitatat. |
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The old Nono-Mindo Road is a narrow dirt tract leading from Quito down to Ecuador's birding capital of Mindo, passing through the Alambi River valley with its beautiful tracts of temperate and subtropical forest.
Recently proclaimed an Ecoruta, the road is also known as el Paseo del Quinde, named for the many hummingbirds found in this section of the northwestern slope,most famously |
the rare and endemic Black-Breasted Puffleg. The road is popular with mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts, but birders will still find plenty of peace and quiet as they search for western slope Choco endemics such as the Beautiful Jay. Passing over the western cordillera to the village of Nono this cobbled track provides access to splendid sub-tropical cloud forest.
The little used road runs for some time inside a steep gorge next to a mountain stream with wonderful views of the unspoiled cloud forests. Has a great variety of both birds and orchids.
- Total distance: 120 kilometers
- Highest point: 3800 meters
- Lowest point: 1800 meters
- Bird list of over 120 birds
- Clothing: Light clothes and comfortable shoes. A waterproof jacket.
- Summary: Birds, Hiking, Orchids, Cloud Forest
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Andean cock of the rocks at Mindo
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Starting in the middle of the night we hike out to the site of a well established lec to arrive well before the first of the birds, at six in the morning.
Staying still and quiet it is possible to view as many as 20 or 30 of these spectacular red headed birds in the canopy immediately above us over a 2 to 3 hour period.
The noise as the birds discuss the events of the day is haunting. Once the birds have left the lec we can return to Mindo for a well earned breakfast.
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Running from Chillogallo to Alluriquin, this magnificent old cobbled road was the gateway to the coastal lowlands but is now practically deserted.
This road passes from paramo grass lands via cloud forest to sub-tropical rainforest. It is especially interesting for hikers, ornithologists, botanists and entomologists.
Clothing: It is usually fairly well sheltered, but a sweater for the early morning and the afternoon when the clouds roll in is advised. Worth having rain gear.
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Summary: Hiking, Birds, Orchids, Hiki
Total distance: 200 kilometers
Chiriboga Road: 60 kilometers
Highest point: 3800 meters
Lowest point 1100 meters
Bird list of 60+ species
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