Day 1 – Arrival and Birding at Zuro Loma Reserve

Our tour begins on the western slopes of the Andes at Zuro Loma Reserve, a beautiful high-elevation cloud forest reserve just outside Quito.

This reserve protects a humid montane forest dominated by moss-covered trees, orchids, and bromeliads. The cool mountain climate and abundant flowering plants create ideal conditions for hummingbirds and Andean forest species.

Birding here focuses on forest edges, hummingbird gardens, and short trails that often host active mixed flocks.

Possible highlights include:

• • Sword-billed Hummingbird

  • Shining Sunbeam

  • Golden-breasted Puffleg

  • Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager

  • Andean Guan

This is an excellent introduction to the Andean cloud-forest ecosystem and the remarkable hummingbird diversity of Ecuador.

6 nights at Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa

Meals: L, D

Day 2 – Silanche Bird Sanctuary and Milpe Reserve

Today, we descend into the lowland and foothill forests of the Chocó bioregion.

Our morning is spent at Silanche Bird Sanctuary, a reserve famous for its productive fruit feeders and canopy observation tower. These feeders attract a colorful array of frugivorous birds, providing excellent photographic opportunities.

Typical species include:

• Pale-mandibled Aracari

• Scarlet-breasted Dacnis

• Blue-whiskered Tanager

• White-shouldered Tanager

In the afternoon, we visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, a foothill reserve surrounded by humid Chocó forest. Milpe Bird Sanctuary, at 1100 meters altitude, is a birders’ paradise with many Chocó endemic specialties and well-kept trails to look for Club-Winged and Golden Manakin, as well as the elusive and endangered Umbrella Bird.

Birds of particular interest at today’s hotspots include:

Choco Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-whiskered Puffbird, Black-crowned Antshrike, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis, Club-winged Manakin, Green Thorntail, White Whiskered Hermit, Green-Crowned Brilliant, Green-Crowned Woodnymph.

The forest here is rich in epiphytes and flowering plants, making it especially productive for hummingbirds and mixed feeding flocks.

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Day 3 – Paz de las Aves Reserve and Cock-of-the-Rock Lek

Today, we visit one of the most famous birding sites in South America: Paz de las Aves Reserve.

This mid-elevation cloud forest reserve is world-renowned for its opportunities to observe normally elusive antpittas at close range

This reserve is famous for its feeders attracting up to 5 species of Antpittas: Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, and other jewels such as Collared Aracari, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Chocó Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, and Crimson-rumped Toucanet.

Tanagers include Beryl-spangled, Golden-hooded, Flame-faced, Black-chinned, Metallic-green, Blue-capped, Blue-gray, and many more!

Later in the day, we visit a nearby lek of the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-rock, where males gather to perform their dramatic courtship displays.

Another highly sought-after species often seen in this region is the striking Toucan Barbet, a colorful Chocó endemic.

Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa