OVERVIEW
To dramatically boost your birding experience in Ecuador, welcome to the exploration of our privileged Amazon region. While the Amazon basin falls within several South American countries, a singularity occurs in Ecuador's Amazonia. The Equator line, the Andes mountain range, and, our Amazon territory blend together to give place to the most bio-diverse ecosystem in the world! Brace yourself for a birding trip jam-packed with unique bird species.
Our upper Amazonia trip visits the best location to see the fabulous Rainbow-bearded Thornbill © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar
Our first chapter covers the Upper Amazon basin, stretching from 3000 m (9800 feet) all the way down to 1200 m (4000 feet). We'll explore the Amazon's mountainous region made up of lush montane forest, 
deep-green foothill forests, and, crystal clear rivers that feed into the largest tributary of the Amazon river. This region is exceptionally good for birding as its inhabited by highly sought-after mountain-toucans, mountain-tanagers, fruiteaters, tanagers, jays, caciques, antbirds, and, notably, for its abounding hummingbird species, most of which don't occur in the Choco slope (5 & 8 day trips). This region is unfortunately missed by most birders, who, unknowingly skip this must-see! birding area by flying directly from Quito to Coca city into the Amazon lowlands which we offer as a separate trip.
CONTINUATION OF OUR 8 DAY TOUR ~ FOR DAYS 1 - 8 CLICK HERE
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 9
Birding Papallacta Pass, Cayambe-Coca National Park & Cuyuja River:
Now that we've covered the most birdy areas of the Choco slope, we embark into an essentially new world, the enchanted forests of the Upper Amazon Basin. After breakfast we start driving towards the Amazonia slope gateway, the famous Papallacta Pass. 
This stunning treeline forest is home to several jewels including the 
Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-chinned Thistletail, White-browed Spinetail, Many-stripped Canastero, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Viridian Metaltail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Giant Conebill, Paramo Seedeater, Paramo Tapaculo, and, many more. Papallacta Pass it's also one of the best places to see the Andean Bear and the Andean Tapir. We continue birding along the Papallacta Lagoon to record several aquatic bird species that will not occur elsewhere including the Yellow-billed Pintail, Andean Teal, and with some luck, the elusive Noble Snipe. At around noon, we will be rewarded with a delicious boxed lunch surrounded by another sublime Andean landscape.
Be enchanted by the breathtaking scenery of the Upper Amazon region. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar
After lunch we drive for 40 minutes to Cayambe-Coca National Park. This dwarf Andean forest is fantastic for birding as its home to very localised bird species such as the Masked Mountain-Tanager, that can be seasonally fairly common to see. We'll focus on briding along the main trail to get the Mountain Avocetbill,
Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Purple-backed Thornbill, Andean Pygmy Owl, Black-headed Hemispingus, Black-capped Hemispingus, Powerful Woodpecker, Agile Tit-Tyrant, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Plushcap, Ash-colored Tapaculo, Golden-crowned Tanager, and, with a bit of luck, the Crescent-faced Antpitta. After Cayambe Coca, we descend to Cuyuja river and we spend the rest of the afternoon birdwatching along the river trail to look out for the Torrent Duck, Red-hooded Tanager, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty Brush-Finch, Citrine Warbler, Collared Inca, Tourmaline Sunangel, Glowing Puffleg and, the Andean Potoo. Overnight: BRAND NEW! San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
DAY 10
Birding BRAND NEW! San Jorge Guacamayos Birding Reserve
After breakfast, we explore our brand new San Jorge Guacamayos birding reserve, nestled in the heart of Ecuador's lush Upper Amazonia. Our reserve, located between Antisana National Park and Napo-Galeras Sumaco National Park, is hailed as on the of the most biodiverse and pristine natural reserves in Ecuador. 
Our blessed location will allow us to see flocks of birds from both the montane and the foothill forests. Our birding starts from the comfort of our restaurant's viewing deck, as well as two additional observation decks strategically placed nearby. These decks offer optimal vantage points to observe an array of birds in the surrounding trees. Some of the astonishing species we may encounter include the White-capped Tanager, Rufous-crested Tanager, Blue-browed Tanager, Vermillion Tanager, Lemon-browed Flycatcher, Olivaceous Piha, Chestnut-tipped Toucanet, Golden-headed & Crested Quetzals, Deep-blue Flowerpiecer, Bluish Flowerpiercer, Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Black-chested Fruiteater, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Orange-eared Tanager, Golden-eared Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Solitary Eagle and many more! 
We'll also explore the enchanting hummingbird gardens and feeders to look out for a variety of hummingbird species, including the Long-tailed Sylph, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-backed Hillstar, Greenish Puffleg, Green-fronted Lancebill, Tourmaline Sunangel, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Geoffroy's Daggerbill, Grey-chinned Hermit, Peruvian Raquet-tail, Gorgeted Woodstar, Bronzy Inca, and the occasional Ecuadorian Piedtail. After a delightful lunch, we continue our thrilling birding adventure with careful consideration of weather conditions. As we select a trail, we anticipate the opportunity to spot extraordinary bird species like the Yellow-throated Tanager, Brown-billed Scythebill, Dusky Piha, White-bellied Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta, Oleaginous Hemispingus, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, and with some luck, the Barred Antthrush and the Greater Scythebill. Overnight: BRAND NEW! San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
Brand New! San Jorge Sumaco Bird Reserve's stunning forest densely draped with mosses, ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar
DAY 11
Birding San Jorge Guacamayos Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek & San Jorge Cosanga
After breakfast, we take a leisurely 5-minute walk to our exclusive Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek nestled in a charming quebrada next to the lodge. After the mesmerizing spectacle of the cock-of-the-rock, 
we'll bird along the trails surrounding the lek where we'll discover superb species such as the Black-streaked Puffbird, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Golden-winged Manakin, Black-billed Treehunter, White-backed Fire-eye, White-streaked Antvireo, and with some luck, the elusive Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper. After lunch, we'll drive for 20 minutes to San Jorge Cosanga birding reserve, one of Ecuador's upper Amazonia most treasured birding reserves. 
Our exuberant protected birding reserve is located in the heart of the Cosanga-Yanayacu Christmas Bird Count Area with a world record of 600 bird species recorded in one day. Here, we'll birdwatch along "Las Caucheras Road" and some of our target species will include: Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Grass-green Tanager, Andean Motmot, Yellow-billed Cacique, Mountain Cacique, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Dusky Piha, Capped Conebill, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive Wattled Guan. On our return journey to the lodge, we'll make a delightful stop by a river, aiming to spot the Andean Duck, Torrent Tyrannulet, White-capped Dipper, and perhaps, the Fasciated Tiger-Heron. Overnight: BRAND NEW! San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos.
San Jorge Eco-lodge Guacamayos is home to some of the most beautiful hummingbird species including this Long-tailed Sylph. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar
DAY 12
Birding Archidona Hummingbird Reserve
After breakfast we drive for 30 minutes to Archidona Hummingbird Reserve. Extensive gardens covered with flowering vervenas are home to numerous hummingbird species that occur at this elevation only. 
We will look out for the iconic Wire-crested Throntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Napo Sabrewing, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Black-throated Mango, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, 
Black-throated Brilliant, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Green Hermit, Ecuadorian Piedtail, Pink-throated Brilliant, and, with a bit of timing, the amazing Spangled Coquette. We'll have a delicious boxed lunch to then continue birding along different trails to look out for the Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Lafresnaye's Piculet, Plain-backed Antpitta, Wing-banded Wren, White-crowned Manakin, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Spotted Tanager, Orange-breasted Falcon, Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, and the endangered Military Macaw. Overnight: N/A - 3:00PM transfer to any hotel in Quito area or to Quito airport.
OR - TO CONTINUE WITH OUR 5 DAY AMAZON LOWLANDS BIRDING TOUR CLICK HERE
END OF ITINERARY
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