OVERVIEW
Eight glorious days to discover birds in Ecuador's imposing Andean valleys, mystical could forests and deep-green tropical forests. Prepared yourself to delve into Ecuador's most biologically-diverse birding reserves and eco-lodges looking for endemic hummingbirds, vivid tanagers, splendid toucans, skulking antbirds, agile warblers, and, many more.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
Pick-up from Quito airport and transfer to San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
Overnight San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
DAY 2
Birding San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito, Pichincha Volcano Road & Old Nono-Mindo Road:
Our journey begins with a hot cup of Ecuadorian coffee/chocolate by our festive "Cucayo" breakfast room at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. After breakfast, we start birding around our eco-lodge's beautiful gardens and trails.
Some of the early morning highlights will include the Tufted Tit-tyrant, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Red-crested Cotinga, and, the Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant. After birding the trails, we head to the front patio where a set of hummingbird feeders await us with some spectacular hummingbird species including the Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, White-bellied Woodstar, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Sword-billed Hummingbird, and, with some luck, the Purple-backed Thornbill.
The Sword-billed Hummingbird at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. © Luis Alcivar
After a morning packed with inter-Andean species, we drive and bird along a charming road that runs through the lower slope of Pichincha Volcano. Birding 
along this road is crucial to record several upper-Andean specialist including the stunning Golden-crowned Tanager, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, White-browed Spinetail, Undulated Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater, Barred Forest-Falcon, Andean Pygmy-Owl, White-throated Screech-Owl, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, and, many more. The slopes of Pichincha Volcano are home to the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, with a bit of luck we might see this rarity. At around noon, we have our boxed lunch surrounded by a stunning Andean landscape to then begin birding along the "Old Nono-Mindo Road" or "Hummingbird Route" which connects the imposing Andean ridges with the lushy cloud forest of Tandayapa.
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock leks in the the upper valley of Tandayapa © Luis Alcivar
We'll slowly descend and bird along the old Nono-Mindo road, making strategic stops to look out for a wide variety of birds including the highly sought-after Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Pale-eyed Thrush, 
Plushcap, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Andean Guan, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Rufous-chested Tanager, Beautiful Jay, Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast, Burrowing Owl, Western Hemispingus, Grass-green Tanager, White-rumped Hawk, and, many more. In the late afternoon, we make one last stop to enjoy Ecuador's most iconic and stunning bird species, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. In this location, several males gather to engage in competitive display (lek). We will see them fly around and listen to their raucous call. With a bit of luck, the cocks will be at a very close distance, if not, we'll use our spotting scope to fully appreciate this magnificient bird.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary.
DAY 3
Birding San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary:
We wake up in the heart of the famous Tandayapa valley, a charming little valley that holds the world record for the highest number of hummingbird species recorded in a year, 42 species! We begin the day birding the 4 observation decks overlooking our private reserve. We will have the opportunity to see an incredible amount of bird species before breakfast and without having to engage in much walking.
The bird feeders and fruit trees surrounding the breakfast room and the observation decks are visited by multicolored bird species like the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Red-headed Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal, Streak-capped Treehunter, Scaled Fruiteater, Metallic-green Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Masked Trogon, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Golden-naped Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, White-winged Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, and, many more. Additionally, the hummingbird feeders in front of the breakfast room are visited by abounding hummingbird species, including, the Tawny-bellied Hermit, Western Emerald, Gorgeted Sunangel, White-throated Daggerbill, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Velvet-purple Coronet, and, of course, the iconic Booted Racket-tail and Violet-tailed Sylph.
The exotic Booted Racket-tails are commonly seen at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. © Luis Alcivar
After a very birdy morning, we have breakfast, and, for the rest of the day, we will explore several trails at our private cloud forest reserve. Trail birding will deliver different bird species including
the Scaled Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Choco Brush-Finch, Andean Solitaire, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, South American Leaftoser, Striped Treehunter, Barred Becard, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Nariño Tapaculo, Powerful Woodpecker, Zeledon's Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Uniform Antshrike, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Bat Falcon, Barred Hawk, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, White-throated Quail-Dove, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Cloud-Forest Pygmy Owl, and, with some luck, the Beautiful Jay, Blue Seedeater, White-faced Nunbird, and, the secretive Wattled Guan. We will have lunch and dinner at our open-air restaurant overlooking the impressive valley of Tandayapa.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary.
DAY 4
Birding Upper Tandayapa valley & San Tadeo road:
After breakfast at the lodge, we'll explore the backroad that connects our Tandayapa eco-lodge to San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe. This secondary route initially ascends to the Upper Tandayapa valley before descending onto the famous San Tadeo road. We'll make several stops along the Upper Tandayapa valley to look out for new hallucinatory birds species 
such as the Streaked Tuftedcheek, Flammulated Treehunter, Grass-green Tanager, Blue-and-black Tanager, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Spillman's Tapaculo, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Ocellated Tapaculo, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Gorgeted Sunangel, Plushcap, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Tanager Finch, and a second chance at the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. After enjoying a delicious boxed lunch in the heart of the Upper Tandayapa valley, we'll continue our descent along San Tadeo Road to spot several new bird species including the Fawn-breasted Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Nariño's Tapaculo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Turquoise Jay, Uniform Treehunter, Hoary Puffleg, Brown Inca, Olivaceous Piha, Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush, After San Tadeo we drive directly to San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Bird Sanctury.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Bird Sanctuary
We have a second chance at the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan along the road of San Tadeo © Luis Alcivar
DAY 5 & 6
Birding San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe Bird Sanctuary:
Over the next two days we'll explore the lush foothill forest of San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe. Weather conditions will dictate the activities for each day, and each day will include a combination of birding from our observation decks, bird hides, moth traps, and fantastic forest trails. Our three-story main observation deck, rising at 65 feet will provide us with stunning proximity to diverse bird species.
The deck's highest floor is in height with the canopy of trees granting us the opportunity to comfortably see canopy species llike the, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Rose-faced Parrot, Choco Tyrannulet, Tiny Hawk, Glistening-green Tanager, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Swallow Tanager, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Olivaceous Piculet, Golden-hooded Tanager, Gray-and-Gold Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Purple-crowned Fairy, Bay-headed Tanager, Guira Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Rufous-throated Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Purple Honeycreeper, and the bizarre Long-wattled Umbrellabird. From the middle floor we can enjoy bird species that prefer the sub-canopy including several species of Foliage-Gleaners, Green-fronted Lancebill, Black-and-White Becard, Cinnamon Becard, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Choco Trogon, Gartered Trogon, Collared Trogon, Brown-billed Scythebill, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Western Slaty-Antshrike, Bay Wren, and the tiny Olivaceous Piculet. In the bottom floor, our restaurant is surrounded by hummingbird and banana feeders. Our hummingbirds feeders are visited by the Chocoan endemic White-whiskered Hermit, Crowned Woodnymph, Green-crowned Brilliant, Green Thorntail, and several other species. Our banana feeders are visited by the Rose-faced Parrot, Green Honeycreeper, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Silver-throated Tanager, Choco Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Collared Aracari, Emerald Tanager, Blue Dacnis, and many more!
The Chocoan endemic Glistening-green Tanager can be seen from the observation deck at San Jorge eco-lodge Milpe. © Luis Alcivar
Our well-maintained forest trails explore different areas of our reserve and also offer us the chance to see new bird species, We'll be on the lookout for the Plumbeous Hawk, White-throated Spadebill, Slaty Antwren, Golden-winged Manakin lek, Tawny-throated Leaftoser, Dusky Antbird, Black-faced Anthrush, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Spotted Nightingale Thrush, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Sunbittern, Club-winged Manakin and with some luck, the Lanceolated Monklet, Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and, the Banded Groud-Cuckoo (One of the 50 rarest birds in the world). Finally, our private bird reserve is blessed with three different moth traps that attract unique bird species. A moth trap is a type of hide located in front of a light source that attracts moths during the night. In the early morning, the vegetation and perches close to the light source are covered with moths, attracting birds of all sorts to the hide for an easy breakfast. Each moth trap is located in different areas of the reserve to maximize the chance of seeing different birds species. For the past 5 years, one of our moth traps has consistently attracted the mega-rare Banded Ground-Cuckoo during its seasonal visits. Our other moth traps are visited by equally magnificent species including the Black-throated Trogon, Bicolored Antbird, Russet Antshrike, Zeledon's Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, South American Leaftoser, Orange-crowned Flycatcher, White-whiskered Puffbird, Olive Finch, Barred Forest Falcon, Bicolored Hawk, Greenish Elaenia, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, and the Chocan endemics Purple Quail-Dove, Esmeraldas Antbird, and Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe.
DAY 7
Birding Pedro Vicente Maldonado and surroundings:
After breakfast we drive down to Pedro Vicente Maldonado, the lowest elevation of our trip to NW Ecuador. A mere 1 hour drive from Milpe takes us to a transitional tropical forest with numerous new bird species including the Blue-whiskered Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Tawny-crested Tanager, Dot-winged Antwren, Blue-capped Parrot, Violet-chested Hummingbird, Long-billed Starthroat, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Purple-chested Hummingibrd, Bronzy Hermit, Brown Wood-Rail, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Orange-fronted Barbet, Barred Puffbird, and a casual White-tipped Cotinga, Chestnut-fronted Macaw and, the large Black Hawk-Eagle. The backroads around Pedro Vicente Maldonado will also enhance our bird checklist with roadside birds like the Masked Water-Tyrant, Striped Cuckoo, Golden-hooded Tanager, Little Cuckoo, Pacific Parrotlet, Choco Woodpecker, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker, Band-backed Wren, and, the colourful Rufous-tailed Jacamar.
The Endemic Choco Toucan inhabits the deep-green tropical forests of San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe. © Luis Alcivar
After a morning packed with new bird species we return to San Jorge Eco-lodge Milpe for lunch. After lunch, we engage in some last-minute birding from the observation decks before we return to San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito for dinner.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito.
DAY 8
Birding Antisana Ecological Park - Andean Condor Reservation
Once in the brink of extinction in Ecuador, the Andean Condor has now recovered thanks to several protected reserves like Antisana. After breakfast, we drive for 2 hours to this reserve with the Andean Condor as a main target but with other fantastic bird species also in mind. We first photograph the road that leads to the entrance to the park where we will be greeted by very friendly Bar-winged Cinclodes and Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant. 
We will then make a stop by an observation deck which sits in front of the breeding cliffs to check for the Condors, if they are not active, we will return in the afternoon and check other places. This same place has a couple of hummingbird feeders which are visited by the Giant Hummingbird and the Great Sapphirewing. Once in the park, we will photograph along the road looking out for the Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, Paramo Pipit, Carunculated Caracara, Black-winged Ground-Dove, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, and, with some luck an Aplomado Falcon,and the Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant. At around noon, we will have a boxed lunch in front of the 18,700 feet high snow-capped volcano to then drive to "La Mica" lagoon to check out for the Andean Ruddy-Duck, Andean Coot, Andean Teal, Silvery Grebe, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, and, casually, a Cinereous Harrier.
The enourmous Andean Condor is the main focus of our trip to Antisana © Luis Alcivar
After exploring the lagoon, we return to the Condor sightseer, they are noticeably more active in the afternoon if it is sunny. From here, we are also more likely to see other raptors like the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and the Variable Hawk.
4:00PM: transfer to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area
OR - TO CONTINUE WITH OUR 12 DAY TOUR CLICK HERE
END OF ITINERARY
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Read more about this lodge