Loading search...
My holiday was a Naturetrek tour to mainland Ecuador, covering regions in the Andes Mountains, cloudforest habitats and the Amazon Rainforest. It was Nature focused and we saw approx. 400 species of birds including those with amazing colours and patterns, and many different mammals including Spectacled Bears and Giant Otters. The scenery was fantastic from snow-capped volcanos to mist-shrouded hill sides and forests. The Ecuadorian people were extremely welcoming and the food diverse and excellent. It was an amazing holiday and experience, which was expertly put together by Naturetrek. The initial discussions I had with Andy Tucker, their expert on this region, convinced me to go on the trip and he was always very honest and open with his experience and knowledge. Naturetrek also arranged short extensions for me at the beginning and end of the trip. It worked out very well!
A.P. Cambridgeshire, Nov 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Ecuador's Mammals
Tour Code: ECU14A 15-day holiday in search of an exciting variety of mammal species, among them Spectacled Bear and Mountain Tapir, in the diverse landscapes of Ecuador.
£5,995 (Inc flights)
£5,095
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
Ecuador is already a firm Naturetrek favourite for birding tours, and Ecuador’s mammals are now becoming more accessible due to the emergence of well-appointed jungle lodges in the Amazon. This, combined with the recent discovery of the Olinguito (a member of the raccoon family), has been the catalyst for us to launch this dedicated mammal-watching holiday, based in the contrasting Amazon and Andes regions.
After a flight to Quito, we head first to the subtropical forests in north-western Ecuador to search for the Olinguito. Next we head to the eastern cordillera where we’ll explore the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve around Papallacta looking for Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir and other mammals in the area’s high grasslands, native forest and bogs. We then travel down the eastern Andean slope, staying at Cabañas San Isidro in the picturesque Quijos Valley. Finally a boat ride down the Napo River takes us to our base for the final four nights of the tour: Napo Wildlife Centre, situated among pristine upper Amazon rainforest within Yasuní National Park. Golden-mantled Tamarin, White-fronted Capuchin Monkey and White-bellied Spider Monkey will be among our hoped-for finds as well as sloths, marmosets, Red Brocket Deer and the elusive Equatorial (Monk) Saki. Finally, we fly to Quito and on homewards.
- Spectacled Bear & Mountain Tapir, Giant Anteater & Tayra among target species, Andes
- Giant River Otter & many monkeys plus sloths all possible
- Search for the recently discovered Olinguito in forests of north-west Ecuador
- Arrive by motorised canoe at Napo Wildlife Centre (4-night stay)
- Excursions to look for Giant River Otters, Hoatzin & Agami Heron
- A wealth of birds attracted to gardens at Cabañas San Isidro
- Look for iconic mammals in the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
BEcuador is a firm favourite of ours. Its small size (comparable with the UK), equatorial location and climate, staggering scenic variety and extraordinarily rich natural history make it one of the most perfect of wildlife holiday destinations. Until recently, however, its elusive mammals have been hard to see, but this has changed. Well-appointed jungle lodges in the Amazon today offer good opportunities for mammal-viewing while, in the Andes, Spectacled Bear and Mountain Tapir are hard work but regularly seen. The recent discovery of a new mammal species, the Olinguito (a member of the raccoon family, Procyonidae), announced in 2013 and seen by one of our groups shortly afterwards, prompted us to launch a dedicated mammal tour to Ecuador. Mountain Tapir, Spectacled Bear and Olinguito will be amongst our targets, plus a wide variety of other Neotropical mammals, from Giant River Otter and armadillos, to anteaters, monkeys and sloths. When mammal-watching is quiet, as it will be at times, we will take time to enjoy Ecuador’s rich birdlife and other natural history.
We begin our tour with a flight to Quito from where, after an overnight stay, we will head to the subtropical forests in northwestern Ecuador to search for the Olinguito. Here, night-time spotlighting sessions should give us a very good chance of seeing this endearing mammal, while myriad hummingbirds and colourful tanagers abound around our cloudforest lodge during daylight hours.
We next pass back through Quito and up high into the Andes for a 4-night stay beside the tumbling Quijos River, an ideal base from which to explore the wild, windswept and starkly beautiful Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. In contrast to the cosy cabins and delicious food at our lodge, the habitat around and above Papallacta is rather desolate, comprising high grassland and bog, interspersed with small patches of native forest clinging to the mountain slopes. Spectacled Bears and Mountain Tapirs use these forest patches for shelter, but may be seen at dawn and dusk as they venture from their daytime lairs to forage and feed. These forest patches therefore provide the focal points for our patient scanning and, with expert local help, we have a good chance of seeing Spectacled Bear and a reasonable chance of Mountain Tapir. Warm and waterproof clothing is essential here, although a hot soak in the thermal baths will be very welcome at the end of a day in the mountains!
From Papallacta we continue down the eastern Andean slope, following the route taken by Francisco de Orellano on his discovery of the Amazon in 1541. Nestled in the foothills of the Andes at 2,070 metres, in the picturesque Quijos Valley, Cabañas San Isidro is a comfortable wildlife lodge surrounded by some of the largest and most accessible tracts of primary subtropical forest in Ecuador. Here, Red-tailed Squirrel and Black Agouti are both observed and photographed occasionally, while Spectacled Bear, Mountain Tapir, Giant Anteater and Tayra are amongst other mammals frequently photo-trapped and occasionally seen. Cabañas San Isidro also attracts a wealth of birds to its gardens, and these will keep us entertained when mammal-watching proves quiet!
We continue by road to Coca, the gateway to Amazonian Ecuador. Here we will board motorised canoes for a 2½-hour journey down the Napo River, Ecuador’s principal tributary of the Amazon, to the superb Napo Wildlife Centre. The NWC, as it is affectionately known, is owned and managed by the native Kichwa-Añangu community who conserve over 21,400 hectares of the pristine upper Amazon rainforest which surrounds a comfortable rainforest lodge and lies within the Yasunì National Park. This lodge, which sits beside Anangucocha, a tranquil and ancient oxbow lake, is our base for the next four nights. From it, we will enjoy both daytime and night-time walks along the Tiputuni and Napo Trails, exploring tracts of rainforest that are seasonally flooded, and some that are not. Golden-mantled Tamarin, Whitefronted Capuchin Monkey, White-bellied Spider Monkey, Silvery Woolly Monkey, Noisy Night Monkey, both Two-toed and Three-toed Sloths and the elusive Equatorial (Monk) Saki are amongst the species that occur here and may be seen with patience and good fortune. We will also silently explore the rivers and creeks by dugout canoe, hoping to encounter a family of Giant River Otters, and such avian highlights as Hoatzin and the exquisite Agami Heron. The possibility of a sighting of a Pygmy Marmoset, Red Howler Monkey, Nine-banded Long-nosed Armadillo, Red Titi or Red Brocket Deer further adds to the excitement of our extended stay along the Napo while, for those with an interest in birds as well as mammals, the nearby parrot clay-lick is well worth a visit. Here, a variety of parrots and parakeets are attracted to the clay, offering excellent photographic opportunities from the adjacent viewing platform.
A 3-hour motorised canoe journey up the Napo to Coca, and a short flight over the Andes to Quito, brings our exploration of this delightful country and its diverse birds and mammals to a conclusion.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A comfortable guesthouse, three wildlife lodges and a thermal spa hotel. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
-
-
From Quito, up and over the Andes and ending at Napo Wildlife Centre in The Amazon. Enjoying a variety of habitats from western cloud forest up through Paramo and down to the eastern cloud forest and then rainforest, this holiday covered so much. Over 300 species of bird along with several species of primate, spectacled bear, mountain tapir, 2-toed sloth, black aguti, various reptiles, with the most memorable encounter, a family of giant river otters. Our guide Roberto was exceptional, with knowledge on a wide variety subjects. What a beautiful country.
L.S. Kent, Nov 22 -
Our recent mammals and birds trip across Ecuador was much awaited after covid delays. The quality of the interactions with Naturetrek was superb at all times and the admin of the trip was sleek and efficient. The selection of the areas we visited were superb and over two weeks we travelled and were enriched by the natural history we were expertly guided on. We felt that the days were superbly planned and yet felt so bespoke and spontaneous. This was a small group tour of 9 people and in the instance when one of our party required urgent hospital treatment the process was treated with calm and good clear direction. Overall every small detail was attended to - we are well seasoned traveller and could find nothing to make negative note of.
E.L. Kent, Nov 22 -
We loved the variety of terrain that we visited for wildlife watching. Our guides related to us well and were very knowledgeable about not only the wildlife, but also history and culture. The places we visited were really special at sunrise when all the wildlife started to wake up. I loved being out there at that time of day. The lodges we stayed in were comfortable, the food was delicious, and hospitality wonderful. I thought it was great how smoothly everything went and how knowledgeable our guides were.
BL & HE, USA, Nov 19
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
Array
(
[179] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 179
[parent_id] => 165
[level] => 2
[path] => tour-focus/bears
[title] => Bear Watching
[alias] => bears
[description] => Bear Watching Holidays – See Bears in their Wild Habitat
Bears are many people’s favourite mammal. They are immensely strong and have unpredictable temperaments, yet inspire great affection in most of us.
The Naturetrek programme includes a number of specially designed bear-watching holidays which employ local expertise to provide clients with wonderful opportunities to see their favourite mammals.
Naturetrek Bear-watching tours
Most species of bear are retiring in habit and rarely seen during the day. However, a prodigious appetite leads many species to gather seasonally in big numbers, which makes them far easier to watch!
Our bear tour groups are limited in size and accompanied by Naturetrek naturalist leaders, and also usually assisted by resident experts. Although focused on bear-watching, all Naturetrek bear tours offer many opportunities to observe the other wildlife of the area.
We also see bears on other Naturetrek tours such as Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on many European tours.
Where can I see bears?
- Slovenia - Bears, Birds & Caves – a 6-day holiday to Slovenia, focusing on its Brown Bears, birdlife and other natural history highlights
- Canada: The West – stay on a floating wilderness lodge and explore Vancouver Island in search of Grizzly Bears
- Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear – a voyage into the high Arctic in search of Polar Bears and other wildlife (exclusive charter cruise)
- Brown Bears in Finland – photograph bears from a hide on the Russian border
- Romania – The Wildlife of Transylvania – go in search of foraging bears in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains
Is it possible to see bears on other Naturetrek tours?
Yes. While not specifically searching for bears, we regularly have sightings of Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on our Kamchatka cruise and many European tours.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Bears [note] => 01 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 186 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/mammals [title] => Mammal Watching [alias] => mammals [description] =>
Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Mammals [note] => 08 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) )
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
