Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
Your private driver meets you at Quito airport and takes you to your hotel. From there, the rest of the day is open for you to walk around the city at your own pace and get a feel for the area.
- Start point
- Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick-up from Quito airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
- Day 2
Zuro Loma Reserve - Mindo Area
Head out early to Zuro Loma Reserve for a morning of birdwatching and photography. You'll see locals feed antpittas and other species, then photograph hummingbirds like the Sword-billed and various mountain types.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (3-star Cloud Forest Lodge)
Included Activities
- Birdwatching at Zuro Loma Reserve
- Bird feeding observation
- Photography of Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sapphire Vented Puffleg, Tyrian Metaltail, and Black-tailed Trainbearer
Landmarks Zuro Loma Reserve - Day 3
Cloud Forest - Mindo Area
Spend the full day birdwatching in the cloud forest, starting at the moth hide. You'll capture endemic species including the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Gorgeted Sunangel, and Hoary Puffleg, along with tanagers and other mountain birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (3-star Cloud Forest Lodge)
Included Activities
- Moth hide birdwatching
- Photography of Masked Trogon, Russet-crowned Warbler, Turquoise Jay, and Slate-throated Redstart
- Breakfast at lodge
- Endemic Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan photography
- Gorgeted Sunangel observation
- Hummingbird species photography (15+ species)
- Golden-headed Quetzal, Green and Black Fruiteater, and tanager species observation
Landmarks Mindo Cloud Forest - Day 4
Amagusa Reserve
Start with birdwatching at the lodge in the morning. After lunch, drive to Amagusa Reserve with a stop at a new reserve to see the Andean Cock of the Rock lek in the afternoon before continuing on to Amagusa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (3-star Lodge/Hotel)
Included Activities
- Morning lodge birdwatching
- Andean Cock of the Rock lek observation
- Transfer to Amagusa Reserve
Landmarks Amagusa Reserve - Day 5
Amagusa Reserve to Quito
Photograph the full day at Amagusa Reserve using feeders and the moth hide to capture endemic species like Moss-backed, Glissening Green, and Rufous-throated Tanagers, plus various other birds. Return to Quito by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
Included Activities
- Amagusa Reserve feeder photography
- Moth hide birdwatching
- Endemic tanager species observation
- Velvet-purple Coronet, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, and Crimson-rumped Toucanet photography
- Rose-faced Parrot observation
Landmarks Amagusa Reserve - Day 6
Cosanga
Spend the day birdwatching in Cosanga, located in the eastern foothills of the Andes. The different elevations and cloud forests host colorful tanagers, hummingbirds like the Long-tailed Sylph, elusive antpittas, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and possibly Crested Quetzal or Black-billed Mountain-Toucan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (3-star Lodge/Hotel)
Included Activities
- Birdwatching in Cosanga cloud forest
- Hummingbird species observation
- Tanager, antpitta, and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock viewing
Landmarks Cosanga - Day 7
Antisana Ecological Reserve to Quito
Wake early for birdwatching around San Isidro Lodge, then after breakfast, head back to Quito with a stop at Antisana Ecological Reserve for high-altitude birding. Look for Andean Condors, Giant Hummingbirds, ground tyrants, Andean foxes, and possibly spectacled bears before returning to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
Included Activities
- Early morning birdwatching at San Isidro Lodge
- Antisana Ecological Reserve high-altitude birding
- Andean Condor and Giant Hummingbird observation
- Wildlife viewing (Andean foxes, rabbits, spectacled bears)
Landmarks Antisana Ecological Reserve - Day 8
Quito to Yasuni National Park
Take a 40-minute flight to Coca, then a roughly 2-hour motorized canoe ride to Napo Cultural Center in Yasuni National Park (500+ bird species). Settle in at your jungle lodge, then choose between a hike to an observation tower for wildlife or a sunset kayak on the Napo River. Dinner back at the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Mid-range 3-star Amazon Lodge)
Included Activities
- Motorized canoe ride to Napo Cultural Center
- Observation tower hike for wildlife viewing (optional activity choice)
- Sunset kayak trip on Napo River (optional activity choice)
Landmarks Yasuni National Park Napo River 
- Day 9
Yasuni National Park - Amazon Adventure
Walk forest trails to see the region's wildlife and different species. Spot antbirds, toucans, Screaming Piha, monkeys, agoutis, and tapirs. A highlight is visiting parrot clay licks where numerous parrots and macaws come to consume vital minerals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Mid-range 3-star Amazon Lodge)
Included Activities
- Amazon forest trail excursions
- Wildlife observation (antbirds, toucans, monkeys, agoutis, tapirs)
- Parrot clay lick visit
Landmarks Yasuni National Park 
- Day 10
Yasuni National Park - Amazon Adventure
Take canoe trips on Anangu Lake and surrounding waterways for birdwatching. Look for antbirds, herons, palmcreepers, manakins, and river birds like terns, capped herons, and plovers. Check out Napo River islands for antbirds, hummingbirds, and spinetails. Watch for monkey species and Giant River Otters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Mid-range 3-star Amazon Lodge)
Included Activities
- Canoe trip on Anangu Lake
- River bird species observation
- Monkey species viewing
- Giant River Otter observation
Landmarks Anangu Lake Napo River 
- Day 11
Yasuni National Park to Quito
You can join an optional 4:30 am guayusada ritual with the Kichwa Amangu community, sharing sacred guayusa and hearing ancestral wisdom through traditional songs. After breakfast, take a motorized canoe back to El Coca, then fly to Quito. Your driver picks you up and takes you to your hotel with the afternoon free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunchbox)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guayusada ritual with Kichwa Añangu community (optional early morning activity)
Optional Activities
- Guayusada ritual with Kichwa Añangu community (4:30 am start with dream interpretation by mamakuna)
- Day 12
Quito to Cajas National Park to Guayaquil
Fly from Quito to Cuenca in the morning. Your guide drives you about an hour to El Cajas National Park for high-altitude birdwatching. Look for Tit-like Dacnis, Violet-throated Metaltail, Bar-winged Cinclodes, and Ecuadorian Hillstar. At Toreadora Lake (12,000 ft), search for Andean ducks, coots, and if weather's clear, the Andean Condor. Continue to Guayaquil for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
Included Activities
- El Cajas National Park birdwatching
- Toreadora Lake observation at 12,000 ft
- High-altitude bird species photography (Tit-like Dacnis, Violet-throated Metaltail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Cinclodes species, Giant Conebill, Ecuadorian Hillstar)
- Andean waterfowl observation (Andean Ruddy Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal)
- Andean Condor viewing (weather dependent)
Landmarks El Cajas National Park Toreadora Lake - Day 13
Manglares Churute to Guayaquil
After early breakfast, drive to Manglares Churute, a unique environment of marshes and dry forest. The focus is spotting the prehistoric-looking Horned Screamer (its only breeding location in Ecuador), plus Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Least Grebe, Snail Kite, Savannah Hawk, and other wetland species. Return to Guayaquil by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (3-star Mid-Range Hotel)
Included Activities
- Manglares Churute birdwatching
- Horned Screamer observation
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Least Grebe, Snail Kite, Savannah Hawk, Wattled Jacana observation
- White-throated Crake, Masked Water-Tyrant, Peruvian Meadowlark, Pacific Pygmy-Owl viewing
Landmarks Manglares Churute - Day 14
Guayaquil
Your private driver picks you up from your hotel at the scheduled time and takes you to Guayaquil airport for your international flight home.
- End point
- Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador (Drop off at Guayaquil airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
