San Isidro Extension

San Isidro, Guacamayos Trail, & the Antisana & Sumaco National Park
  • Upon arriving to San Isidro in 2007, we added Bronzy Inca to our burgeoning list of over 40 species of
    hummingbirds.  We also added Highland Motmot and Andean Solitaire.  The resident bird guide (who
    I never tipped well enough) called in Chestnut-crowned Antpitta and White-bellied Antpitta.
  • You will also have an opportunity for some great night birding at San Isidro where Andean Potoo
    (though rare) is sometimes staked-out and where Rufous-bellied Nighthawk is often found, along with
    Rufous-banded Owl, and Mottled Owls.  In recent years, a large and beautiful species of owl (though
    similar in appearance to the Black-banded Owl, may be new to science) emerges in the early evening
    and then hunts right next to the cabins on a nightly basis.

  • On the second day at San Isidro, we will find additional birds.  Other potential trip birds likely to be
    added in the morning at San Isidro include White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-
    crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Inca Jay, Black-billed
    Peppershrike, Saffron-crowned Tanager and hundreds of other species.   
  • A short walk from the cabins, the forest awaits, where mixed understory and canopy flocks seemingly
    drip from the foliage.  A guide will be along to help find Masked Trogon, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan,
    Streak-capped Treehunter, Striped Treehunter, Long-tailed Antbird, and Barred Antthrush.  Marble-
    faced Bristle Tyrant, Variegated Bristle-Tyrants and Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet are a few of the list of
    varied tyrannids to be found in the mixed species flocks.  Also be on the look out for Black-chested
    Fruiteater, Dusky Piha, Pale-footed Swallow, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, and Golden-collared
    Honeycreeper.  Also a wonderful selection of colorful tanager species can be found, including Red-
    hooded Tanager and White-capped Tanager.  Also, the gregarious Northern Mountain Cacique and
    Subtropical Cacique should be found. All of these species, among many others, are residents here
    and are frequently seen by visiting birders.
  • San Isidro birds include a few rarities, which may be found, including Highland Tinamou, Greater
    Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, Peruvian Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, White-rimmed Brush-Finch, and maybe
    the White-faced Nunbird.
  • A few more hummingbirds may also be added to the trip list including Bronzy Inca, Buff-tailed Coronet,
    Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Long-tailed Sylph, Gorgeted Woodstar and likely a few more species.  

  • On the third day, the trip will continue with birding at areas nearby to San Isidro.  Locations which may
    be birded include nearby Guacamayos trail and the Sumaco National Park.
  • New birds added to the trip in 2007 included Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Yellow-throated Tanager,
    Red-breasted Blackbird, Black-and-Chestnut Eagle, Emerald Toucanet, Subtropical Cacique,
    Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Saffron-crowned Tanager, White-capped
    Parrot, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Black-streaked Puffbird, Rufous Spinetail, Bluish Flowerpiercer, Russet-
    backed Oropendola, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-green Bush-Tanager, Scaly-naped
    Amazon, Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer, Handsome Flycatcher, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper
  • In addition, more hummingbird species were seen including Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and White-tailed
    Hillstar.
  • At 4 PM the tour will continue back to Quito so that participants can catch their late night trips home (for
    those who prefer to sleep on the plane).  Another very reasonable lodging fee allows you to spend the
    night in Quito if you prefer the morning and day time flight.
Easy to Extend to Sani Lodge and Amazonian Rainforest:  
4 or 5 Days:  Pre-Trip or Post Trip Options

Travels by Plane from Quito to Coca and the Canoe to Sani Lodge
  • Upon your arrival in Ecuador or after returning from Guango or San Isidro, you
    will spend the night in Quito.  The next morning, breakfast will be provided at
    a Quito area hotel.  You will then reach the VIP Hanger by 10:00 AM to catch
    the plane to Coca and the Sani Lodge.
  • Pack 28 pound luggage for Sani Lodge.  Extra luggage can be stored with at
    the hanger or at the Quito area hotel.
  • Once your flight arrives in Coca, you will be met by other Sani representatives
    and a naturalist guide who will help retrieve luggage and get you aboard the
    canoe for our trip down the river.
  • From there, birding continues as you take a canoe down the river to the lodge.
  • About 1 PM,  lunch will be served as you continue boating and enjoying the
    river, birds and wildlife.
  • At 2:30, you will have a chance to enjoy snacks and drinks before settling into
    your room.
  • At 5 PM, a forest birding walk will be offered.  

Day 1 to Days 4 or 5:  Enjoy Birding, Other Wildlife and the Rain forest at Sani
Lodge
  • The success of each birding trip to the Amazonian basin varies due to length
    of stay, rain and the energy of group participants.  A very rain weary group in
    one of our past years added 140 species to the trip list; however, most
    groups can add up to 200 species over five days of birding in the area.  
    Experienced birders have told me, you can "easily" add another 200 species
    given better conditions and staying of for the 5th day.
  • Some of the many birds to be added to the trip list include Cinereous
    Tinamou, Striated Heron, Cocoi Heron, Slate-colored Hawk, Slaty-backed
    Forest-Falcon, Black Caracara, Speckled Chachalaca, Marbled Wood-Quail,
    Chestnut-headed Crake, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Black-headed Parrot,
    Dusky-headed Parakeet, Hoatzin, Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, and Long-
    tailed Potoo.
  • Additional hummingbirds included White-bearded Hermit, Straight-billed
    Hermit, Golden-tailed Sapphire, and Fork-tailed Woodnymph.
  • Additional trogon species included Black-tailed Trogon, Amazonian White-
    tailed Trogon, and Amazonian Violaceous Trogon.
  • Additional Toucans and related species included Golden-collared Toucanet,
    Many-banded Aracari, Ivory-billed Aracari, and White-throated Toucan.
  • Additional woodpecker species included Lafresnaye’s Piculet, Little
    Woodpecker, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, and Crimson-crested Woodpecker.
  • Past extension groups have also seen Brown Jacamar, Purplish Jacamar,
    Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Gilded Barbet, Pied Puffbird, Black-fronted Nunbird,
    Dark-breasted Spinetail, Chestnut-winged Hookbill, Cinnamon-rumped
    Foliage-gleaner, Castelnau’s Antshrike, Cinereous Antshrike, Plumbeous
    Antbird, White-plumed Antbird, Lunulated Antbird, Black-faced Antthrush,
    Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Screaming Piha, and Piratic Flycatcher.
  • Additional rain forest species included Pink-throated Becard, Purple-throated
    Cotinga, Plum-throated Cotinga, Spangled Cotinga, Wire-tailed Manakin,
    Orange-crested Manakin, Musician Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Red-
    capped Cardinal, Casqued Oropendola, and Orange-backed Troupial.
  • The group also saw another dozen tanager species including Paradise
    Tanager, Opal-rumped Tanager, Paradise Tanager, Green-and-gold
    Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Masked Crimson Tanager, and Flame-crested
    Tanager
  • All meals and lodging will be provided by Sani Lodge.  For more details on
    Sani Lodge (check out www.sanilodge.com).

4th or 5th Day or Last Day in Rainforest and Begin Journey Home
  • Early morning breakfast at Sani lodge.
  • Boat ride and birding back to Coca.
  • 30-minute dawn-boat-ride on the Challuayacu
  • 3hours and 30 min boat-ride on the Río Napo
  • Flight departing Coca at 11:15 AM and arriving Quito at 11:50 PM.
  • You may have lunch at a Quito area restaurant before packing at the lodge
    that afternoon.
  • By 7 PM arrive at airport for late night flight back through Atlanta and on to your
    final destination.  Most participants will arrive back in home the next morning.

  • Note:  It is possible to fly back the next morning (but please contact us to
    discuss this possibility and the additional costs).
Likely Extensions
  • Your Choice:  Any Ecuador trip participant can add 4 to 5 days at Sani Lodge in the Amazonian
    Rainforest .  Why not add 150 to 200 species to your trip list?  
  • Depending upon group interest, we will likely add several days at San Isidro, Guacamayos Trail,
    and the Sumaco National Park.
  • Other options exists including the Gallapagos Islands (best at certain times of the year and best as
    seperate trip) and other Amazonian Rainforest Lodges (such as Sacha Lodge or La Selva).
Pale-mandibled Aracari seen several times on '07 trip.
Photo by J. Drummond.
Ecuador Extension Choices