Ecuador - The Andes & Amazon

Tour Code: ECU08

A 15-day birdwatching tour of the threatened western cloudforests, the spectacular high páramo and the Amazon Basin.

15 days from
£5,695 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£4,695

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Highlights

Ecuador offers a mouthwatering variety of habitats within a small area. We visit the best of these during this tour, with a detailed look at the tanager and hummingbird-rich cloudforests of the Mindo area, the high Andean birdlife of the Papallacta pass, and the Ecuadorian Amazon during a 4-night stay at the world-renowned Sacha Lodge. At this wonderful lodge we’ll watch cotingas, tanagers and toucans from canopy towers and walkways, photograph the bizarre Hoatzin as we explore tranquil oxbow lakes by dug-out canoe, and search for antbirds, foliage-gleaners and woodcreepers in the understorey. Six primate species are also common at Sacha, while night walks may reveal some of the rainforest’s best kept wildlife secrets.

Experience the Amazon rainforest during 5 days at Sacha Lodge
Visit Angel Paz's famous Antpitta reserve at Mindo
Superlative Neotropical birding. Tanagers & hummingbirds galore!
Wonderful cloudforest & mountain scenery
High altitude birds at Papallacta include Seedsnipe & Andean Condor
Expertly guided by one of our outstanding Ecuadorian ornithologists
Extend your holiday with a visit to the Galapagos Islands

Grading

Easy day walks only, although some over steep terrain.

Biologically, South America is the richest of the Earth’s continents. Its Amazon Basin holds the largest and most diverse tract of tropical rainforest on the planet, while its major mountain range, the Andes, harbours an astonishing variety of ecosystems that range from the tundralike páramo and epiphyte-laden cloudforest to rain-shadow valleys and deciduous deserts. To sample these riches there is no better country in which to start than Ecuador. In this small country an astonishing diversity of birdlife may be found (the greatest for its size in South America), and with a welcoming people, relatively short travel distances and good accommodation, birdwatching here is truly a delight.

We begin our holiday with a thorough exploration of the western slope of the Andes, focusing first on the well-known and spectacular Nono-Mindo road. This long, winding road heads west from the outskirts of Quito at the base of Volcán Pichincha. We pass through near-páramo habitat before working our way down the western Pacific slope via the undisturbed temperate forest at Yanacocha. Highlights here may include Andean Guan, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Black-chested Mountain-tanager and a whole kaleidoscope of hummingbirds at the spectacular hummingbird feeding station, including Sword-billed Hummingbird. Moving down in altitude, we pass through subtropical forest, looking for such species as Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Booted Racket-tail and more. During the afternoon we will arrive at a comfortable birders’ lodge in a valley of pristine cloudforest just outside Mindo, our accommodation for the next three nights. It is a delight to lie back in one of the hammocks and watch up to 12 species feeding on the sugar-water from one of the feeders. Mindo is a small town surrounded by hillside after hillside of lush verdant cloudforest. Many of the western endemic birds may be found here. One of many highlights during this leg of our holiday will be a morning spent at Refugio Paz de las Aves. A Cock-of-the-rock lek at dawn, five species of habituated antpittas (Giant, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned and Yellow-breasted), plus Dark-backed Wood-quail and Rufous-breasted Antthrush, make this one of South America’s most unforgettable birding experiences. If that is not enough, later in the morning we will walk to a feeding station where Toucan Barbets and Black-chinned Mountain Tanagers are confiding enough to take bananas from the hand!

The next leg of our journey takes us on a short flight over the Andes and down to the Amazonian lowlands. Here we will travel down the mighty Napo River by motorised canoe for an exciting 4-night stay at the exceptional Sacha Lodge. The lodge itself enjoys a wonderful location by the side of a secluded and peaceful oxbow lake, deep within virgin rainforest. One of the many highlights of our stay here will be the 50-metre high canopy walkway that gives us splendid access to the forest canopy. An early morning spent here is an unforgettable experience offering the chance to enjoy some superb mixedspecies feeding flocks of tanagers, toucans, parrots, macaws, euphonias, flycatchers and birds of prey. On other excursions we will paddle through beautiful flooded creeks in traditional dugout canoes. For those preferring a temporary break from the birding, a morning spent in the company of one of the local indigenous guides is fascinating. Their knowledge of medicinal plants, local tools and weapons and their overall jungle craft is remarkable. Mammals in the rainforest are notoriously difficult to spot but at Sacha there is an excellent chance of seeing up to six species of monkey. Sloths, deer, anteaters and even wild cats can be seen with some luck, while Spectacled Caiman and Side-necked Turtles are common in the surrounding blackwater lagoons.

Next we drive over the Amazonian floodplain and up the eastern slopes of the Andes to Cabañas San Isidro, a lodge that is well known for its warm hospitality and busy flocks of multi-coloured tanagers. Moving higher still, the windswept grassy páramo on the Papallacta Pass holds many interesting high-elevation birds (including Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Red-rumped Bush-tyrant). There is no better way to end a day’s birding than with a bottle of wine, fresh locally caught trout and a long soak in the hot thermal springs beneath the equatorial stars!

Finally, before our flight home, we will explore the dramatic landscapes of the beautiful Antisana Volcano (dormant since 1802), its 5,704-metre peak towering above us. This is a reliable site for Andean Condor, and this scenically stunning site will make for a fitting finale to a bird-filled tour packed with avian and other highlights.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Quito

Day 2/4

Mindo

Day 6/9

Sacha Lodge

Day 10/11

Cabañas San Isidro

Day 12/13

Papallacta, High Andes

Day 14

Antisana and Depart Quito

Day 15

Arrive London

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What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation: Comfortable lodges and hotels with private facilities.
Food: All included in the price except main meals in Quito.

Reviews

Our tour leader, Roberto, was excellent!! He was very professional throughout - extremely helpful, enthusiastic and positive, excellent at finding and naming birds and other wildlife, always keen to make sure that all group members had seen the bird; happy to share lots of information about his country and make sure that we were having the best experience. He also helped create a relaxed atmosphere and had a wonderful sense of humour. Well done Naturetrek for finding him!
CS, Berkshire, Feb 24
The birds on one side of the Andes differ considerably to those on the other side, so visiting both sides with the Amazon sandwiched in between worked very well. Distances travelled each day were quite short, which meant plenty of time for birding. The extension to the south meant we could add a completely different set of birds, which resulted in a total of 649 species! Alejandro was a superb guide not only in his ability to find and recognise birds, but also in the way he looked after the entire group. One of my favourite moments came on the first day. We were walking down a very quiet road beside a fast-flowing river when our son Tom spotted two birds in the river. A moment later his voice went a bit squeaky as he realised they were Torrent Ducks. These beautiful birds then proceeded to force their way upstream against the current, jumping or swimming from rock to rock, directly in front of us. It was almost like watching them in a TV documentary!
A. R. Suffolk, August 2023
My wife and I recently returned from the “Ecuador – Andes & Amazon” tour, a tour we chose because of the mix of geography – and the diversity of conditions/habitat that comes with it – promised and I can categorically state that it did not disappoint. From the high altitude “sierras” surrounded by snow-capped peaks, through impossibly steep-sided, tree-covered valleys and gorges, down to the steaming wet-forest of the Amazon, the scenery was varied and incredible and I certainly gained a respect for Ecuadorian ingenuity and problem-solving! The local people we met were very friendly and welcoming and the feeling we got from passing through the various towns and villages was one of laidback contentment. The focus was of course, the birds… and oh my! A dazzling array of spectacular colours and sounds awaited us at every location. From the flying jewels that are hummingbirds to the enigmatic Aracari and the multitude of secretive “Ant” species, each one offering something new and unique. Personally, I had been hoping (though not necessarily expecting) to see a Harpy Eagle and was looking forward to the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek and I am happy to report being fortunate enough to see both during the trip. There were of course other animals too; with monkeys, reptiles and a plethora of interesting and beautiful insects all vying for our attention… and camera lenses! An unexpected highlight – whilst undoubtedly not everybody’s cup of tea – was my first-ever wild Tarantula, spotted one early morning at Sacha Lodge. The accommodation throughout was lovely and each place had its own charm and personality, providing something unique to its location. Rooms were clean and spacious, the food was excellent and the staff were, without exception, friendly and attentive. We especially enjoyed the San Isidro Owls which visited San Isidro lodge each evening!! Given this was a fully guided tour it would be remiss of us not to mention our superb guide, Javier, who masterfully combined an encyclopaedic knowledge of South American birds – we saw more than 400 species which were new to us – with unerring leadership and composure. The local guides too were excellent, in particular “Oscar” who added his own experience and dedication to our stay at Sacha Lodge. All-in-all this was one of, if not the best nature holiday we have ever experienced and we would not hesitate to recommend it. This was our second tour with Naturetrek. In our experience they are very professional and easy to deal with; always there to answer any queries and seem genuinely interested in any feedback we provide. On tour, their leaders are excellent and we have always felt in safe hands.
J.L. West Yorkshire, Feb 23

An action packed holiday aimed mainly at the birds of Ecuador. All flights, accommodation, food, etc, were first class. Could not fault the planning. Our guide and driver were both excellent - hugely knowledgeable, very patient and extremely caring - super company. Bird sightings were outstanding with over 400 new species for us and some great photographs as holiday reminders. We will be back with Naturetrek soon! Pre-trip information covered all issues. Arrangements superb. In fact we had very little to worry about except setting an early morning alarm to catch the early birds! Second time we have used Naturetrek and they are first class. I cannot recommend them highly enough and we are already planning for our next trip with them.
D.B. Suffolk, Feb 23

Loved every minute of the trip. It was fantastic. The itinerary was really well-planned and the heated pool of San Isidro and the hot springs of Papallacta were a welcome way to relax and refresh after the grind and prickly heat of the Sacha Lodge trail-walking. Sacha Lodge was a real treat. We did not expect 5 star accommodation deep in the heart of the Amazon basin. The food was exceptional throughout the trip, as was the hospitality. San Isidro was also excellent in terms of the accommodation and the proximity to the bird life for photography. Refugio Paz De Las Aves was a huge highlight as we managed to see all 5 resident species of Antpitta as well as many other 'dream species' besides. Sachatamia in the Cloud Forest was a stunning setting and the hummingbird feeders were a real treat. Walking the roads and trails of the Antisana National Park in search of Andean Condor, Andean Ibis and Ecuadorian Hillstar whilst surrounded by the most stunning scenery imaginable was a great way to end a fabulous trip. Roberto is an outstanding guide. Informed, attentive and great company. His knowledge of the social and cultural history of his country combined with his ability to find great wildlife and ensure wherever possible that everyone got a good view, makes him one of the very best guides we have ever toured with. Jorge was a skilful driver and we always felt safe in his capable hands, even when driving on some vertiginous mountain passes.
J.M. Hampshire, Aug 22

I had the holiday of a lifetime exploring mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in a Naturetrek small group tour. The trip was made extra special by the knowledge, care and attention of the guides who accompanied our small group, the high quality of the accommodation throughout the trip and the excellent service of crew on the Galapagos cruise boat. Ecuador is an amazing place to visit for the birdlife, people and food and I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to experience the Galapagos. I'm still sorting through my 2500+ photos! Naturetrek were very knowledgeable about the country and the places I visited. They obviously take a lot of care in selecting the local providers in Ecuador as the guiding and level of service were incredible. The Galapagos part of the trip was an add on following conversations with their Ecuador specialist in the UK - they put together a bespoke package that dovetailed my Andes and Amazon tour with an ongoing Galapagos tour. This was achieved at a manageable cost to me because of their policy to not charge a single supplement for singles willing to share a cabin. I'm so grateful that those early conversations took me to the Galapagos Islands which were magical after an already exceptional experience birding on the mainland.
V.L. Kent, Feb 19

This was a wonderful trip, stretching from both eastern and western slopes of the Andes to the Amazon basin. We covered so many different habitats and saw over 400 different species of birds in two weeks. Manuel our guide was superb - his skills in calling and recognising so many different birds were second to none. We stayed in charming rustic lodges and ate excellent food. All in all a holiday to be recommended and an unforgettable experience.
J.P. Kent, Nov 18

Tremendous trip. One of the best birding trips I have ever been on. 512 species seen or heard in 12½ days. Astonishing. (Saw a) Spectacled bear, a fantastic finale on the final day.
T.R. Norfolk

The trip covered a lot of ground and we saw a lot of birds and quite a lot of orchids. The guides worked hard and were very enthusiastic with good equipment.
S.P. London

We saw a lot of wonderful birds and such great contrasts in habitat/scenery. William was a superb leader. His knowledge of birds and his ability to find them were second to none. He was very helpful and had a tremendous sense of humour. The arrangements in Ecuador were very well organised and the packed lunches were very good, if anything too generous!
T.H. Hampshire

My trip with you to Ecuador - Andes & Amazon was a great trip. 520 birds in two weeks does not get any better! The trip leader William Perez was excellent throughout.
P.B. Yorkshire

Accommodation was very good throughout as was the food. The local guide was pleasant and kept us very well informed throughout the tour...he is a great birder and was helpful to me in locating a lot of the birds. The guide at Sacha Lodge was also helpful in that he quickly got the telescope onto the birds enabling people to have good views. Overall an excellent holiday. My first experience of a Naturetrek holiday was a good one.
A.W. Berkshire

Our tour leader, Alejandro, is one of the best leaders I have had the pleasure of travelling with. His knowledge of the country and it's wildlife is second to none. I would consider travelling on any trip which Alejandro is leading in the future.
Mr B. East Sussex

This was the best ever trip as everything was excellent.
G.H. North Yorkshire

This holiday, 'Ecuador - Andes & Amazon', was the best organised holiday that I have ever been on. Nothing was left to chance; every detail of the itinerary had been painstakingly organised. Every aspect - transport, accommodation, food and travel arrangements - were superb. Our leader, Alejandra Solano, is in a class of his own as a bird guide and tour leader. He put a lot of his personal time in, ensuring that everyone was enjoying the trip, and nothing was too much trouble.
A.P. Norfolk

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Ecuador, and was amazed at the huge range of habitats and wealth of wildlife which we encountered over the two weeks we spent there. Thank you Naturetrek for such great attention to detail. I have already booked another holiday with you...
N.H. Hertfordshire

The trip leader, Andrea Molina, was superb. Her detailed knowledge and skills enabled us to see very many species of birds, including some rarities. She also had excellent knowledge of cultural aspects of Ecuador. We very much enjoyed the intense programme, with early starts to birdwatch at dawn, and the night trips by canoe in the Amazon - there were many unforgettable scenes, such as the Lyre-tailed Nightjar dancing in the evening sky, the calling Potoo, the displaying manakins, and the Condors circling. Another very enjoyable aspect was the diversity of habitats. The quality of food was excellent, especially at Sachatamia, Guango and Sacha Lodges. The hot springs at Papallacta were great.
D.W. London

Excellent accommodation and food despite the remoteness of some areas visited.
P.D. Gloucestershire

Excellent. Knowledgeable leader. Lodges were excellent.
Mr & Mrs D. Berkshire

The diversity of locations worked well on this holiday. Lelis was wonderful and did a great job of leading 13 people, even on forested walks where it is difficult. Sacha completely lived up to our expectations and from the representative at Quito airport to the laundry, everything ran like clockwork - an amazing place.
Mr & Mrs W. Canada

We wanted a birding holiday and we had a first class guide who was totally dedicated to birding. His skills, knowledge and enthusiasm were phenomenal which enabled us to locate and identify over 330 species. The accommodation was of a high standard and the Pembo birding lodge in Quito was very welcoming though the night in Quito on our way to Mindo was excessively luxurious for us!!
H.R. West Glamorgan

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Dates & Prices

2024

Departures Availability Cost

Sat 3rd Aug – Sat 17th Aug 5 £6,195

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Flights:

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Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,695

Room sharing options:

If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.

Male sharing available

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

Wed 6th Nov – Wed 20th Nov FULL £5,695

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,695

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

Sun 10th Nov – Sun 24th Nov SPACES £5,695

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,695

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Wed 5th Feb – Wed 19th Feb SPACES £5,895

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Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,995

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

Sat 2nd Aug – Sat 16th Aug SPACES £6,395

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,995

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

Sun 9th Nov – Sun 23rd Nov SPACES £5,895

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£4,995

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£595

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Tour Reports

Tour report - February 2018

Tour report - August 2015

Tour report - August 2014

Tour report - November 2013

Tour report - November 2012

Tour report - August 2011

Tour report - November 2009

Tour report - November 2008

Tour report - November 2007

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