Day of Arrival:  Arrival to Guayaquil and transfer to local
hotel.






Day 1:  Buenaventura & Choco Forest

Early drive to Buenaventura. Visiting first Manglares
Churute Hotel  Once we’ve settled into our lodge we’ll
begin our exploration of the Choco forests in search of
the regional endemic birds that live here. Overnight
Buenaventura.

Days 2 & 3:  Choco Forests

The forested hills of Buenaventura are now a reserve and
protect a mixed avifauna of Choco and Tumbesian birds.
The rare El Oro Parakeet, only discovered in 1980 will be
one of our major targets (our tour is timed to coincide with
the breeding season and we’ll inspect favoured nesting
areas), but other avian distractions include the strange
Long-wattled Umbrellabird (one of two umbrellabirds
possible on this tour), Club-winged Manakin and Grey-
backed Hawk. Bay Wrens belt out their explosive song
from the undergrowth while passing flocks may include
Pacific Tuftedcheek, Silver-throated and Rufous-throated
Tanagers or a Chestnut-backed Antbird may slip through
the understory almost unnoticed but for its simple but
distinctive song. We’ll also spend some time at the local
hummingbird feeders where we should see plenty of
Green Thorntails and Violet-bellied Hummingbirds. One
patch of forest with feeders is particularly good for
Emerald-bellied Woodnymph whilst Pale-mandibled
Aracaris and Grey-headed Chachalacas often visit the
bird tables near the lodge as well. Nights at Buenaventura.

Days 4 & 5:  Jorupe

After some final birding near Buenaventura we’ll drive to
Jorupe where we’ll spend the next two nights. We’ll
concentrate on Tumbesian species such as Scarlet-
backed Woodpecker, Ecuadorian Piculet, Henna-hooded
and Rufous-necked Foliage-Gleaner, Blackish-headed
Spinetail, Watkin’s Antpitta, Grey-breasted Flycatcher,
Pacific Elaenia, Grey-and-Gold Warbler, Black-capped
Sparrow and White-edged Oriole. The Grey-headed
Antbird occurs nearby so we’ll make a special effort to
see this rare bird as well as Chapman’s Antshrike, Pied-
crested Tit-Tyrant, Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant, Three-banded
Warbler, Black-cowled Saltator and Bay-crowned Brush-
Finch. Nights in Jorupe.

Day 6:  Loja

Today we’ll travel from Jorupe to Loja and we may be able
to bird the Cajanuma section of the Podacarpus NP if we
make good time travelling. Overnight Loja.

Day 7: Podocarpus National Park

Early birding in the Cajanuma area this morning within the
limits of the Podocarpus National Park. We’ll be in search
of some of the birds of humid cloud forests here including
Bearded Guan, Rainbow-bearded Starfrontlet, Grey-
breasted Mountain-Toucan, Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant,
Red-hooded Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager,
Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia and Plushcap. Later in
the day we’ll travel to Zamora where we’ll spend three
nights in easy reach of the Rio Bombuscaro.

Days 8 & 9: Podocarpus National Park

Two full days in the Bombuscaro area of the Podocarpus
National Park. The mosaic of primary, premontane cloud
forest and secondary growth allows a variety of species to
be seen (the birdlist for the area boasts around 300
species).  Bombuscaro is noted for two species in
particular, the White-breasted Parakeet and Coppery-
chested Jacamar. Whilst these birds will be our focus
attention (last year we saw the parakeet from the balcony
of our lodge!), there will be plenty more to keep us
occupied with Lanceolated Monklet, Black-streaked
Puffbird, Highland Motmot, Blue-rumped Manakin, Striped
Manakin, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Ecuadorian Piedtail
and Foothill Antwren all possible.

Days 10 & 11: Jocotoco Foundation Reserve

Today we’ll drive to the Jocotoco Foundation Reserve of
Tapichalaca where we’ll spend two nights. Tapichalaca is
famous for the recently described Jocotoco Antpitta and
our chances of seeing this rare bird have been enhanced
with the wardens feeding the antpittas with worms. We
were greeted by a Chestnut-naped Antpitta waiting on the
path near the feeding station on our last tour! The
reserve is home to many desirable species though and
time will be spent in search of White-capped Tanager,
Orange-banded Flycatcher, Masked Saltator, Streaked
Tuftedcheek and Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager.
Hummingbirds visiting the feeders may include Flame-
throated Sunangel, Rufous-capped Thornbill, Chestnut-
breasted Coronet and Long-tailed Sylph.

Day 12: Departure for those not going on extension
trip.

Today we’ll leave Tapichalaca for Loja where participants
can fly to Quito or Guayaquil.
Detailed Itinerary
Photo by Murray Cooper
Photo by John Drummond
Photo by Murray Cooper
Photo by Murray Cooper
Photo by John Drummond
Photo by Murray Cooper
Photo by Murray Cooper
For More Information or to Register for this Trip, call Charles or Alison at
888-203-7464 or Charles directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at
info@PIBird.com.
Photo by Murray Cooper
Photo by Murray Cooper
The Best of Southern Ecuador
Photo by John Drummond
Southern Ecuador
Southern Ecuador
Itinerary for Extension Trip
Day 13:  Saraguro and Acacana Mountain

From Loja drive to Saraguro with nice birding near
Saraguro and the lower and higher elevations of
Acacana Mountain.  Night in Saraguro.  

Day 14: Saraguro

Early morning birding Saraguro and then drive to and
bird Cajas National Park. Highlands and temperate
forest at Cajas NP. Late afternoon drive to Yungilla.

Day 15: Yunguilla Reserve.

Morning Birding the Yunguilla Reserve. Pale headed
Brush Finch.  Late afternoon transfer to Gualaceo.

Day 16: Gualaceo Limón Road

Full day birding the Gualaceo Limón Road and then late
afternoon, the group will drive back to Cuenca for the
night.  

Day 17:  Flights from Cuenca to either Quito or
Guayaquil.

Saraguro, Acacana Mountain, Cajas National Park,
Yunguilla Reserve and Gualaceo Limón Road
Buenaventura, Choco Forest, Jorupe, Loja, Podocarpus National Park & Jocotoco Foundation Reserve
Extension:  Saraguro, Acacana Mountain, Cajas National Park, Yunguilla Reserve and Gualaceo Limón Road