Ecuador | Birding the Amazon Rainforest

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

This morning transfer to WildSumaco. The Andes' Eastern Foothills is one of the finest and most threatened areas for bird watching in Ecuador. About 500 bird species have been seen within the Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary and neighboring areas. This area stretches from Loreto Road (where the main highway crosses Rio Pucuno, elevation 3,800 ft) up to the border of Gran Sumaco National Park (5,200 ft). The road passing through the reserve offers great road birding, and this is one of many areas from which to see flocks. Possibilities here include Blue-browed Tanager, Yellow-breasted Antwren, and Coppery-chested Jacamar. Many colorful species of tanager may be accompanied by Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, the recently described Foothill Elaenia, and sometimes Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater joins in. We'll also see North American migrants and over 30 species of hummingbird. At night Band-bellied Owl, Rufescent Screech-Owl and Foothill Screech-Owl often call from near-by.

Early breakfast, followed by birding on the trails. From Wildsumaco's trails, you may see Gray-tailed Piha, Blue-rumped Manakin, and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater. The very rare Yellow-throated Spadebill has territories along several of the trails, and at any time the endangered Military Macaw or rare Spot-winged Parrotlet might fly by, or Black Hawk-Eagle soar overhead. Lunch at the lodge. This afternoon enjoy viewing an Antpitta feeding session then continue birding around the grounds before dinner. This evening seek out nocturnal creatures with your guide.

After breakfast, depart early this morning for Coca. Head to Francisco de Orellana port where you will board a canoe for the two hour ride down the Napo River, a short rainforest hike, and a crossing of Lake Pilchicocha to Sacha Lodge (2.5 hour journey). Of the incredible 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 (37 percent) have been seen at Sacha Lodge. That's almost 7 percent of the species found in the entire world! Enjoy observing birds at the mini tower and the butterfly house before dinner at the lodge. After dinner, accompany your naturalist guide on a night walk through the rainforest to view some of the hundreds of different species of mammals that can only be found at night.

Begin the day on the Liana Chica Trail arriving at the canopy walk, for spectacular views of the rainforest and the many different species of birds. Designed to be a self-standing rigid suspension, the canopy walk is one of only a few in the world! Located within Sacha´s private reserve, two miles from the shores of the Rio Napo and one mile from the lodge, the bird walk gives you the opportunity to get an up-close and personal view of the rainforest canopy. After the canopy take the Liana Grande Trail through terra firma and igapo forest habitats where your guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the Higueron Trail, which will take you through pristine primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above. After lunch, choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or the more challenging hike on the Leoncillo Trail to try to spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

Depart from the lodge after breakfast, and begin your hike on Lagartococha Trail. This trail offers the chance to learn more about the indigenous people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where residents believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious "dwende" or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at Lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which is home to anacondas, caimans, and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys playfully jumping through the trees. Return from the walk and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony. After lunch, your local guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. In the afternoon begin a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest; to spot the shy and elusive river otter as well as the incredibly well camouflaged three-toed sloth. After your ride through the flooded forest, arrive at Sacha´s 135-foot wooden tower built around an ancient Kapok tree. View vibrantly colored birds through powerful scopes, and watch the sunset with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco, a volcano. Possibly, you'll get a view of the snow-covered caps of the Andes! A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night provides for a different sensory experience; listen to the symphony of frogs and insects, nocturnal birds making their eerie nighttime calls, see the glowing eyes of the caimans, and watch for the several species of bats flying over your heads. Arrive back at Lake Pilchicocha to the welcoming lights of Sacha lodge.

Depart from the lodge early in the morning after breakfast. Take the canoe (2 hours approx.) to Puerto Francisco de Orellana where you will board a plane back to Quito (30 min flight). Once in Quito, transfer to your hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Hotel check-out by noon.