The Ecuador Southern Endemics I

15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS

This tour gives you the possibility to see the endemic birds of the Tumbesian region and also some of the Choco, the combination of these two ecosystems will increase your bird list with some of the most exotic birds of the world, in this trip it is possible to see more than 600 species. If you have already visited the north of Ecuador, this is an excellent alternative for you!

DAY 1.- ARRIVAL TO GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

At your arrival to Guayaquil your guide will be waiting for you to meet and transfer you to Hampton Inn Hotel where you will overnight.

The Hampton Inn is located in the heart of the tourist, financial and commercial district of Guayaquil. In fact, our Guayaquil hotel is only seven minutes from "José Joaquin de Omedo" International Airport. This hotel offers high-speed internet access in all guest rooms, a business center, and wireless access in the lobby and meeting rooms. You'll even find a sauna and a lap pool at this hotel in Guayaquil.

DAY 2.- THE TROPICAL FOREST AND ITS BIRDS

GRAY-CHEEKED PARAKEET
After breakfast you will visit Cerro Blanco, reserve with an approximate extension of 2000 hectares of dry tropical forest that is a perfect ecosystem to look for Ecuadorian Ground Dove, Gray-Cheeked parakeet, Ecuadorian Pikulet, Scarlet-Backed Woodpecker, Blackish-headed spine tail and also look for specialties of the area such as Great Green Macaw among others.

Cerro Blanco reserve protects 54 species of mammals such as pumas, guanta, wild pigs and howler monkeys and it is the home of 213 species of birds for this reason BirdLife International named it the second most important bird area of Ecuador after the cloud forest of Mindo.

After a Box lunch we will visit Poza Honda a mangrove ecosystem that is considered a great place to observe shore birds like Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Green Kingfisher and Ringed Kingfisher. Return to Guayaquil to overnight in Continental hotel.

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DAY 3.- MANGLARES CHURUTE AN EXTENSIVE MANGROVE FOREST

Early departure to Manglares Churute Reserve where we can find the only known population of Horned Screamer in western Ecuador. This National Reserve has 49.984 hectares distributed from 0 to 700 msnm. It is formed by an extensive network of channels and islands that combined with a dense mangrove forest and vestiges of tropical dry forest is the house of a considerable biodiversity. Here it is possible to find 270 bird species such us Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Ecuadorian Ground-dove, Red-masked Parakeet, Pacific Parrotlet and others. Besides if you are lucky you can see some mammals like the white-fronted capuchin and mantled howler monkeys, along with the occasional agouti, tigrillo, and armadillo.

ECUADORIAN TROGON
After lunch we will continue our trip to Piñas stopping in some strategic points to observe some of the shore birds and also some specialists of the area such as Baron´s Hermit, Ecuadorian Trogon, Jet Antbird, Superciliated Wren, Orange-Crowned Euphonia, Peruvian Meadowlark. Arrive to Buenaventura reserve place where we will have dinner and overnight.

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DAY 4.- BUENAVENTURA RESERVE

Buenaventura Reserve is part of Jocotoco Foundation, it is located near Piñas and Zaruma in El Oro province. It protects a narrow zone of cloud forest habitat on the otherwise seasonally dry west slope of the Andes in Southern Ecuador.

The target size for this reserve is 5,000 ha (12,000 acres). with an altitude range from 450m to 1100m. Here large mammals like Puma, Ocelot, Howler Monkey, Two and Three toed Sloth are present.

This reserve supports an extremely diverse birdlife (46 species registered) including many endemics like El Oro Parakeet, Emerald-billed Woodnymph, Pacitic Tuftedcheeck, Club-Winged Manakin, Long Wattled Umbrella bird and El Oro Tapaculo. This day we will spend most of the time walking along the reserve looking for these species and other great birds such us the Andean Tinamou, Rose Face parrot and line-cheeked spinetail. Return to the lodge to diner and overnight.

ROSE-FACED PARROT LONG WATTLED UMBRELLA BIRD

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DAY 5.- JORUPE RESERVE

After breakfast we will have the last opportunity to look for El Oro Parakeet and then we will continue our trip to Jorupe, another Jocotoco Foundation Reserve located close to Macará. On route we will stop in some strategic points to look for the species of the area.

This reserve supports many endemic and rare species of plants and animals, including populations of numerous globally threatened birds (40 species) like the Hena-Hooded foliage-Gleaner, Blackish Headed spinetail, Slaty Becard, Line Cheeked Spinetail, Loja Tyranulet.

Jorupe is a two square mile area of high quality deciduous forest in the Tumbesian region of south west Ecuador, a few km north east of the town of Macara which is near the Ecuador and Peru border.

CHAPMAN'S ANTSHRIKE

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DAY 6.- THE BIRDS OF THE TUMBESIAN REGION

During this day you will be in the middle of the Tumbesian forest that is a dry habitat ecosystem which extends from south west Ecuador into northern Peru, is dominated by statuesque Ceiba trees. It is a conservation priority because much of it is already cleared or badly degraded.

BLACK-CRESTED TIT-TYRANT
Early in the morning we will spot for the trails of Jorupe looking for some tumbesian species, lunch and in the afternoon we will depart to Utuana (Jocotoco Reserve) where we can find a Montane Scrub and woodland, a great place to search for Black-Crested Tit-Tyrants, Piura Hemispungus, Gray Headed Antbird, Chapman Antshrike, Rainbow Starfrontlet and others. Return to the lodge to diner and overnight.

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DAY 7.- MACARÁ - VILCABAMBA

Early in the morning after a cup of hot coffee we will travel to Catamayo, on route we will stop in some strategic points to look for some of the Tumbesian species and others like the Tumbes Sparrow, Band-tailed Sierra Finch, Drab Seedeater. Box Lunch on route and departure to Vilcabamba where we will diner and overnight in Madre Tierra Hotel.

The Madre Tierra Hotel Spa, Restaurant is located close to Vilcabamba, it is one of the most magical and beautiful hotels in the area. The hotel offers internet service, a small pool, conference room, laundry services, a restaurant with incredibly delicious organic gourmet and charming, cozy and comfortable rooms.

Madre Tierra Hotel
Vilcabamba is a village in the southern region of Ecuador, in the Loja province, about 45 km from the city of Loja. The etymology of the "Vilcabamba" derives from the Quichua "huilco pamba." Huilco denotes the sacred trees, pamba is a word meaning "valley." This village is located in a historical and scenic valley and it is famous because it is widely believed that its inhabitants grow to a very old age. Locals assert that it is not uncommon to see a person reach 100 years of age and it is claimed that many have gotten to 120, even up to 135, which would make it an area with the oldest inhabitants in the world. It is often called the Valley of Longevity.

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DAY 8.- VILCABAMBA: CAJANUMA (PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK)

Early in the morning we will visit Cajanuma, part of Pdocarpus National Park where we will look for some spectacular birds like Red-Hooded Tanager, Bearded Guan, Gray Brested Mountain Toucan, Plumbeus Rail, Golden-plumed parakeet, White-Browed Spinetail, Elegant Crescent-Chest, Chusquea Tapaculo, Three Banded Warbler, Barred Fruiteater, Golden Crown Tanager and others.

GRAY BRESTED MOUNTAIN TOUCAN
Podocarpus National Park is located in the South of Ecuador near the Peruvian border and spanning 360,000 acres, Podocarpus National Park includes cloud forests, high-altitude grasslands, and a series of small Andean lakes

The Podocarpus National Park area has one of the largest concentrations of bird species in Ecuador, with more than 500 registered species, although some experts believe that number could be as high as 800. Some of the most threatened birds in Ecuador have healthy populations in and around the park, such as coppery-chested jacamar, bearded guan, Equatorial graytail and Peruvian antpitta.

More than 40 mammal species occur in the area, including the jaguar, wooly tapir, Andean bear, pudú (the smallest deer in the world), giant armadillo and Neotropical otter. Besides, Podocarpus is a paradise for plants, with around 3,000 different species of vascular plants, many of which are endemic.

OCELLATED TAPACULO
Lunch in Vilcabamba and departure to Tapichalaca, this the first reserve created by Jocotoco Foundation. At our arrival we will have time to enjoy of the hummingbirds that fly around the feeders of this lodge like Flame Throated Sunangel, Ocellated Tapaculo, Rufous-Capped thornbill, Chesnut Breasted Coronet and Long Tail Sylph . Dinner and overnight in Tapichalaca Lodge.

The reserve, which includes Cerro Tapichalaca, encompasses approximately 2,000 ha, ranging from an elevation of 2000 m to 3400 m. It is adjacent to the southern part of Podocarpus National Park, which increases it's conservation value. The target size for the Tapichalaca Reserve is approximately 5,000 ha (12,000 acres). The lodge is an ideal location to see many marvelous animals and plants.

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DAY 9 & 10.- TAPICHALACA AND THE JOCOTOCO ANTPITTA

We will spend the full day in Tapichalaca to try to find most of the species of this place and its surroundings. Jocotoco Foundation bought the land of this reserve in order to protect the habitat of the Jocotoco Antpitta, specie that was found in this area for the first time and also known that most of the world's population of this specie occurs in this reserve. The major highlight of this area are: Dusky Headed Parakeet, White Capped Parrot, Swallow tail nightjar, Gray Breasted Mountain Toucan, Ash-Browed Spinetail, Chesnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous tail Tyrant, Yellow Cheeked Becard, Black faced Tanager, White Capped Tanager. Dinner and overnight in Tapichalaca Lodge

The reserve, which includes Cerro Tapichalaca, encompasses approximately 2,000 ha, ranging from an elevation of 2000 m to 3400 m. It is adjacent to the southern part of Podocarpus National Park, which increases it's conservation value. The target size for the Tapichalaca Reserve is approximately 5,000 ha (12,000 acres).

Large mammals like the Mountain Tapir (globally Endangered) and Spectacled Bear (Vulnerable) are present in the reserve. About 140 endemic plants have been recorded, of which 1 is Critically Endangered, 25 are considered endangered and 95 vulnerable. Over 30 species of orchid are known only from the area of the reserve.

JOCOTOCO ANTPITTA WATKIN'S ANTPITTA

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DAY 11.- TAPICHALACA – ZAMORA

WHITE CAPPED DIPPER
After breakfast we will continue our expedition to Zamora Province, on route we can find great places to search for spectacular species such as Crimson Bellied Woodpecker, Tumbesian Tyranulet, Tawny Crowned Pygmy Tyrant, White Capped Dipper. Arrival to Copalinga Lodge located next to the south east entrance of Podocarpus National Park, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the trails of this cozy lodge. Dinner and overnight.

COPALINGA lodge is located at an altitude of 900 m.a.s.l. and it is at 3 kms from Podocarpus National Park (Bombuscaro entrance). This is a new alternative place to stay in Southern Ecuador for birders and nature lovers, it offers 6 individual luxury cabins for a maximum of 12 persons; 4 cabins with twin beds and 2 with double beds. All cabins have a bedroom, a private bathroom with hot showers, and a balcony. Trails exist around the cabins with excellent bird viewing spots, hummingbird feeders are present in front of the restaurant, the entire area provides great opportunities for bird photography.

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DAY 12 & 13.- PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK (BOMBUSCARO)

SPANGLED COQUETTE LANCEOLATED MONKLET
During these two days we will walk through the trails of Podocarpus National Park and Copalinga lodge looking for local species including Coppery-crested jacamar Ecuadorian Piedtail, White Breasted Parakeet, Chesnut Crowned Gnateater, Green Hermit, Spangled Coquette, Black Streaked Puffbird, Chesnut Tipped Toucanet, Blue Rumped Manakin.

The Bombuscaro entrance to Podocarpus National park is at 6.8 km from the town of Zamora. This area has an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level and has been classified as upper tropical rainforest. The Bombuscaro area has four different trails, ranging from 200 m to 3 km in length. These trails lead to waterfalls as well as to a nice swimming area at the Bombuscaro River. In this area over than 230 bird species have been identified

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DAY 14.- ZAMORA – LOJA- QUITO

This day will be the last opportunity to search for the specialties of this area, like the Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Lined Antshrike, Foothill Elaenia, Andean Cock of the Rock, Blue-Browed Tanager, Chesnut-Vented Conebill. Return to Catamayo where we will drive around the airport to look for the Tumbesian birds that we have not seen arrival to the airport to catch our flight back to Quito. Transfer to Café Cultura Hotel to dinner and overnight.

ANDEAN COCK OF THE ROCK

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DAY 15.- QUITO – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

After an early breakfast our guide will pick us up to transfer us to the airport to catch our international flight.

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END OF THE SERVICES

A NOTE ON THE ORDER OF THE ITINERARY: Itinerary subject to change based on local conditions. It could be flexible according to the client's interests.

B- Breakfast; L-Lunch; BL- Box Lunch; D-Dinner

PRICE PER PERSON

PRICE INCLUDES: Private transportation, bilingual naturalist guide (specialized on birdwatching), accommodation based on double room in all the hotels detailed in the itinerary (s.supp. under request); meals as described on the itinerary, local flights: Loja – Quito; entrance fee to Cerro Blanco, Puerto Hondo, Manglares Churute, Podocarpus National Park and Utuana Reserve

NOT INCLUDED: International departure taxes (US$ 41.00), meals not specified, alcoholic drinks, tips, and personal expenses.