Ecuador | Birding and Photography with John Winnie Jr.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transported to the Puembo Birding Garden in Puembo for your overnight stay. Check-in is at 2 pm. The elevation in Puembo is approximately 7,740 feet.

Following breakfast and orientation in the hotel restaurant, depart for Sachatamia Lodge in the Mindo Cloud Forest. Spend four days based out of this beautiful lodge that has excellent birding and photography opportunities on-site, including several feeding stations and more than 240 acres of preserved and recovered cloud forest. During the stay, take several trips to established and lesser-known birding sites in the area, including Balcón Tumpiki, Finca la Esperanza (for Andean Cock of the Rock), Mashpi-Amagusa, Alambi Cloud Forest, Café Pichincha, and Mirador Río Blanco. These sites were chosen to maximize the number of bird species we can see and photograph during our stay in the area, offering excellent possibilities for spotting tanagers, hummingbirds, aracari, toucanettes, and barbettes. Note that participants can opt out of any side trips and remain at Sachatamia to capitalize on the excellent birding and photography opportunities on the lodge's grounds. The elevation in the Mindo-Tandayapa area is approximately 5,600 feet with temperatures around 64 degrees during the day and cooler during the night.

Continue the exploration of Mindo Cloud Forest.

Continue the exploration of Mindo Cloud Forest.

Early this morning, drive to Bellavista Could Forest Reserve and Lodge, with a stop along the way at Refugio Paz de Las Aves, where we will attempt to see and photograph three different species of antpitta with the help of "The Antpitta Whisperer," Angel Paz; he created the Refugio with his wife and sons. From here, proceed up to Bellavista and spend the rest of the day birding, taking photographs, and wandering about on the excellent trail system at this unique, high elevation reserve. Along with hummingbirds, tanagers, and trogons, two mountain mammals, Tayra and Olinguito, regularly visit the lodge's bird feeders.

Continue the exploration of Bellavista Cloud Forest.

After some early morning birding and photography, drive over The Continental Divide to Guango Lodge, on the east slope of the Andes. Guango sits adjacent to the Papallacta River in a steep mountain valley and is a paradise for birders and bird photographers. There are a couple of good, short hikes in the area, including a trail along the river where we may have the opportunity to see and photograph Andean Torrent ducks. In addition, the lodge is surrounded by feeders that attract a wide range of hummingbirds, including swordbills and sylphs. Mixed species flocks of tanagers, woodpeckers, and jays also routinely forage on the grounds. Participants can opt for a side trip to the Papallacta Hot Springs for a soothing soak at an additional cost. The elevation in this area is approximately 9,360 feet.

Continue the exploration of Papallacta.

Continue traveling down into the Amazon Basin to Wild Sumaco Lodge. Sumaco has outstanding facilities, great hummingbird feeding stations right off the spacious main deck, and an excellent trail system for those who wish to explore the surrounding rain forest. Because it sits at an intermediate elevation, about 4,900 feet above sea level, birds normally associated with both high and low elevations are often seen here. In addition, three bands of black-mantled tamarins (cute small monkeys) frequent the forests adjacent to the lodge, and are often seen visiting banana feeders in clear view from the main deck. Since this is in the Amazon rainforest, the climate is more humid and a bit warmer, averaging around 73 degrees.

Continue the exploration of Sumaco.

Following breakfast and some morning birding and photography, depart for San Isidro Lodge. San Isidro sits just above the interface between cloud forest and Amazon rainforest and has a wide range of hummingbirds and insectivores that visit their feeders, as well as an extensive trail system for those who wish to wander about. It is likely to see jays, trogons, sylphs, and possibly owls, Potoo, and hawks here. Food is excellent at all of these lodges, but San Isidro in particular prides itself on outstanding cuisine. For those who want to take a break from photography and birding, there is a swimming pool where you can relax and work out any kinks earned from this busy tour.

Continue the exploration of San Isidro.

After morning birding and photography at San Isidro, head back to Puembo Birding Garden, arriving with some time for more birding and photography. Late this afternoon, enjoy an early farewell dinner, as some participants will be departing for the Quito Airport for their flight home this evening.

Remaining participants will be taken to the airport this morning for their flight home. Check-out is at 12:30 pm.