Ecuador and Galápagos | Birding the Eastern and Central Islands, and the Chocó-Andes Region with Lahontan Audubon Society

Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met and taken to your hotel.

Today, depart for Yanacocha Biological Reserve. Clinging to the slopes of Pichincha Volcano at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet and comprising 2,371 acres of mostly elfin Polylepis forest, this protected area was established to safeguard the critically endangered and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg. Other high-altitude species in this area include Andean Guan, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Rufous and Tawny Antpitta, Ocellated and Blackish Tapaculo, Black-chested and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Golden-crowned Tanager, and many more. Enjoy lunch at the reserve, and then head for Sachatamia Lodge, arriving in time to enjoy its lush grounds and feeders this afternoon.

Before breakfast, go birding with your guide and visit the on-property blind. Then, spend the day at Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve, a 320-acre protected area in the Chocó foothills that functions as a critical link between lower subtropical forest and higher montane forest at neighboring Mashpi Lodge. The altitude here ranges from 2,450 to 5,600 feet. The birding is fantastic along this corridor, with many Chocó endemics that are difficult to find elsewhere, such as Rose-faced Parrot, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Chocó Vireo, Moss-backed Tanager, Black Solitaire, and Indigo Flowerpiercer; a few, like Long-wattled Umbrellabird, require a little luck. Feeders on-site also offer great photo opportunities for hummingbirds and tanagers.

Start early with a visit to Refugio Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito (13 miles northeast of Mindo, at 4,590 feet). Ángel Paz is the proprietor of this private reserve, and his story is an excellent example of community conservation. Ángel was formerly a local logger who transformed his property into a haven for antpittas and Andean Cocks-of-the-rock more than a decade ago. His early fame came quickly when he learned how to coax the rare and elusive Giant Antpitta into the open with earthworms. He now has six different species of antpittas staked out on his property: Giant, Yellow-breasted, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, and Scaled. Other incredible birds on the property include Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, Olivaceous Piha, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals, and a fantastic mix of hummingbirds. Continue to visit El Pahuma Orchid Reserve in the afternoon.

Visit the Mindo Butterfly Garden this morning to learn about their programs dedicated to the conservation and exhibition of the wide variety of butterfly species from this area of Ecuador. Then, go on a chocolate tour and have lunch in Mindo before departing for Puembo. En route, enjoy a brief stop at the Middle of the World Monument in the Equator. In the evening, attend an informational talk by an ornithologist.

Fly from mainland Ecuador to Baltra Island. After boarding M/Y Tip Top IV, attend your first orientation and have a light snack. After lunch, explore the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Observe Blue footed Boobies, which nest from May to November, as well as marine iguanas, pelicans, frigatebirds, shore birds, sea lions, and the endemic palo santo trees. Return to the yacht for dinner. Each day there will be a briefing about the next day's activities, and daily opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and/or kayaking. *Please note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. weather) or at the discretion of the captain, guide, or the Galápagos National Park.

After breakfast, visit Punta Suárez on Española Island to hike along lava beds and scenic cliffs to observe green-and-red marine iguanas, sea lions, lava lizards, and unique colonies of marine birds. From mid-March to December, this is one of the best places in the world to see the Waved Albatross, which nests primarily on this island. These large and graceful flyers start to perform intricate courtship rituals in April, and by May begin nesting. Española is the oldest island in the archipelago, geologically speaking, and is also rich in plant life, with an interesting mix of flora representative of littoral, arid, and transitional zones. After lunch aboard the yacht, disembark at Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach to observe sunbathing sea lions, which inhabit the beach in great quantities during the breeding season. While exploring the beach, keep an eye out for the endemic Española Mockingbird (a carnivorous species) and Darwin's finches. Then, take a scenic panga ride around Osborn Islet and the islets of Gardner to search for more wildlife and enjoy some swimming or snorkeling before heading back to the boat.

This morning, land at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island. The trail takes you through an olivine beach and ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill, passing through several natural viewpoints along the way. This is the only site in the islands where you can observe three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds all nesting in the same area. For those who would like, there will be time to swim or snorkel at Punta Pitt Islet. After lunch, sail around iconic Kicker Rock (León Dormido) and its narrow channel in search of sea birds. The enormous rock formation is the remainder of a vertical tuff cone that has since become a favorite nesting place for Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies and Great and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Marine life is plentiful in the waters surrounding the cliffs, so be on the lookout for sea lions, sharks, turtles, and rays. Return to the yacht for dinner and your nightly orientation.

Today, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena Breeding Center on Santa Cruz Island. Learn about the station's important conservation and education work, and see some of the giant tortoises that are being raised for reintroduction into the wild. After lunch, take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native Scalesia forests and Los Gemelos (Twin Craters), two formations created by the collapse of empty magma chambers after volcanic activity. Later, return to the yacht for dinner and the nightly orientation.

Disembark at Santa Fé Island for the chance to see a different species of land iguana, endemic only to this island and recognizable by its paler yellow coloration. Walk by scenic cliffs and a forest of Santa Fé Opuntia cactus to observe the iguanas, along with Galápagos Hawks, Darwin's finches, Galápagos Mockingbirds, racer snakes, and more. Before going back to the boat, spend time at the beach swimming and snorkeling among sea lions. After lunch, sail to South Plaza Island, which is characterized by its unique and colorful vegetation. Sesuvium is a bright red succulent plant that carpets the rocks here and creates vivid photo opportunities against the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. The taller Opuntia cacti provide food and shade for the numerous land iguanas that dig nesting burrows all over the island. Continue walking toward the sea cliffs to view many sea birds such as Red billed Tropicbirds, Galápagos Shearwaters, Swallow tailed Gulls, and Nazca and Blue footed Boobies.

Visit Bartolomé Island and hike to the summit. During the hike, it's possible to observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards, and on the summit, visitors can marvel at the impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic sights in the archipelago. After lunch, explore Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands.

After breakfast, land on Rábida Island to walk and observe marine iguanas, sea lions, Blue footed and Nazca Boobies, and Brown Pelicans. Arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you may be able to see American Flamingos. Return to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, explore Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the coast of Santiago Island. On the rocky shoreline, look for Galápagos Penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site, and there will be time to swim, snorkel and/or kayak for those who would like.

This morning explore the flamingo lagoons behind Playa Las Bachas, a beach on Santa Cruz Island that was used by the U.S. Army during World War II. The name "Bachas" refers to two U.S. barges that were left here. Return to the yacht and navigate to the pier to disembark at around 9 am. Your guide will accompany you on the bus ride directly to the airport. Lunch is on your own at the airport. Enjoy the afternoon in Quito at leisure before gathering for a farewell dinner at the hotel in the evening. For those departing this evening, you will be taken to Quito International Airport for your flight(s) home.

Today, travel to the airport for your flight home.