| Ecuador from Quito: January to May, 2010 with Likely Extension We offer several excellent trips to Ecuador each year. The best time of year for birding in Ecuador is January to May. Our main trip itinerary for these trips is based upon our initial exploratory trip, improvements over the years, and the experience of the guides of Neblina Forest Tours. Our first trip resulted in 570 species of birds being observed or heard in 14 days. Since then, our trips have just gotten better. The main trip (without the extension trip to the Amazonian basin) yielded 440 species. By adding an extension in the Amazonian basin at one of the great lodges there, this full trip with an extension may yield 600 species. Participants will likely see over 40 hummingbird species and over 70 tanager species. Any of our base Ecuador trips (6 to 9 days) can include extension trips. One trip can be added to the Amazonian Rainforest. Also most groups consider 2 or 3 day additional days at San Isidro. Our April 2010 trip will be hosted by Ted Floyd with excellent bird guiding by Xavier Munoz. Ted Floyd is the editor of Birding Magazine (the flagship publication of the American Birding Association) and the author The Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America (HarperCollins, 2008). Ted hosted our trip to Bolivia several years ago and is anxious to enjoy another excellent trip to South America. |
| Favourite Itinerary for Ecuador April 3 and 4: Arrival and Off to Mindo and Start of NW Ecuador Bird Watching
April 5: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Continued below the Honey Creepers. |
| Brief Itinerary for April 3 to 11, 2010 Sat. April 3, 2010: Fly to Quito Sun. April 4: Mindo area birding and transfer to Milpe (and Sacha Tamia Lodge) Mon. April 5: Refugio Paz de Las Aves Tues. April 6: Rio Silanche and Milpe Area Wed. April 7: Milpe Reserve Thur. April 8: Bellavista Reserve and Tandayapa Valley (great hummingbird feeders in the Valley) Fri. April 9: Yanacocha Reserve (or optional rest day in Quito) Sat. April 10: Antisana Ecological Reserve Sun. April 11: Papallacta Pass and Guango Lodge/Reserve Likely Extensions:
Please see "Note on Flights" below and contact us, before booking your flight. |
| Itinerary for Ecuador - Continued - April 8: Bellavista, Tandayapa Valley:
April 9: From Quito: Yanacocha or Take a Break in the City: On Friday, participants will have a choice between taking a break from bird-watching or continue bird watching.
Continued below the Many-striped Canastero. |




| For more information (including an easy to print itinerary), contact us at 1-888-203-7464 or by email at info@pibird.com. |

| Keys to Our Successful Trips in Ecuador: 1. Our partnership with Neblina Forest Tours (the largest and most experienced South American birding tour company and based in Quito). 2. Northwest Ecuador with a touch of the east. The itinerary described here is much like that of our Ecuador trips over the years, and this plan has been the foundation for many bird watchers starting out in South America. You can honestly find 400 to 600 species in two weeks. 3. Excellent guides, including Lelis Navarrete and other experience and well-trained Neblina Forest guides. 4. Many Options: Besides this northwest Ecuador route (with a touch of the east), you can add an extension to the Amazonian basin with several fine lodging options there. We also have fine Southern Ecuador itinerary. |
April 6 and 7: Rio Silanche Reserve and Milpe Reserve
Continued to the right and above near the top of the page (and to the right of the Golden-headed Quetzal. |

| Note on Flights: Please call us before booking your flight, or you may have additional lodging and transfer costs. Many flights depart late at night, allowing for a full day of birding on the last day of the trip (either April 11 for the main trip or April 14 on the San Isidro extension). If you want a morning flight, please plan to depart the following day, but reasonable additional lodging and transfer costs will be incurred. Please contact us to discuss your arrival and departure plans. |
| Click here to learn about extension trip options to Sani Lodge and a chance to add 200 more species to your trip list. |
Guango and San Isidro Extension: April 12 to 14
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| Last Few Days on the Main Trip Itinerary: High Altitude Species and East Slope of Andes April 10 and 11: East of Quito: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Papallachta Pass, Hot Springs Area, and Guango Lodge
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| Great Bird Guides for Ecuador Birdwatching: Two key bird guides for our Ecuador trips include Lelis Navarrete and Xavier Munoz.
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