JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE ECUADOR with Professor Nelda Hinckley and Trevor Hinckley January 4-13, 2015
ITINERARY Sun., Jan. 4 Arrival in Quito / Puembo Birding Garden B & B You will be met on arrival in Quito for a short drive to our cozy B and B, known for its lovely gardens and birds, and it is convenient to the airport. Accommodations at the Puembo Birding Garden B & B. Mon., Jan. 5 Andean Condors at Antisana Reserve / Guango Lodge Today we explore the high paramo, a tundra-like terrain with stunning snow-capped Antisana Volcano in view. Vistas are on a grand scale here, and several large lakes and ponds attract a variety of species. Our eyes are peeled for Andean Condor, very much at home here in the mountain realm. We also look for Black-faced Ibis, Andean Lapwing, and a high-elevation hummingbird, the Andean Hillstar. Black-chested buzzard Eagle and Carunculated Caracara are two birds of prey we can study, and we also note plant life which exhibits adaptations to the rugged life required to survive in these high elevation grasslands. With luck we have splendid views of one of the most beautiful peaks of the Andes. From here we travel part way up Papallacta Pass, to stay at Guango Lodge, a lovely place along a rushing stream. Hummingbirds at the feeders abound! This and our next lodge are owned by the same family and both offer gracious hospitality. Accommodations at Guango Lodge (B,L,D) Tues. Jan. 6 Guango Hummingbirds and River Walk / Papallacta Pass / San Isidro Enjoy time at the hummingbird feeders at Guango Lodge, owned by the same family that hosts us at Cabinas San Isidro. Here we hope to observe the incredible Sword-billed Hummingbird at close range! We also walk among the gardens and down by a rushing river, where we often find White-capped Dippers. After lunch, we pass through a fascinating change in vegetation as the road we drive crosses the Andes at Papallacta Pass. We stop at key points to observe wildflowers, birds and spectacular scenery. Accommodations at San Isidro Lodge (B,L,D)
Wed., Jan 7 Full Day Birding and Botanizing in San Isidro. Birding groups have been visiting Cabañas San Isidro for years with impressive results. They report seeing rarities such as Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill and Bicolored Antvireo. The lodge has several feeding stations and a mix of trails and quiet back roads for us to explore in detail. We look for night birds, including what may turn out to be a new species of owl, closely related to the Blackbanded Owl. Accommodations at San Isidro (B,L,D) San Isidro is a place to be to enjoy the beauty of Ecuador's Cloud Forest, where we find magical species such as Goldenheaded Quetzal, Masked Trogon and Green-and-black Fruiteater. On this side of the Andes we are perched on the headwaters of the Amazon basin. The lodge and immediate surroundings boast a bird list of about 310 species, many of which are more easily found here than anywhere else in the country. On one of our days, we drive down the east side of the Andes to explore a canyon at a lower elevation where we find additional species. Thurs., Jan 8 Guacamayos Ridge / Birds and Botany around San Isidro / Return to Puembo We spend much of today in and around the lush mountain forests of San Isidro, repositioning back to Puembo at the end of the day to be in place to head out to Mindo the following day. If we have energy for a hike we will visit and bird the wild country of Guacamayos Ridge. Alternately, we may bird down the road a bit from the San Isidro Lodge, a favorite place for jays and other colorful mountain species. In the afternoon, we return to Quito, for flights out the next day. We arrange dinner for the group at favorite local restaurant. Accommodations at Puembo Garden B & B (B,L) Read a Blog Article in 10,000 Birds about the taxonomy of the Green vs. Inca Jay. Photo by Mike Bergin http://10000birds.com/why-is-the-inca-jay-not-a-green-jay.htm
Fri., Jan. 9 Yanacocha Reserve: Cloudforest and Hummingbirds / Mindo This morning we visit Yanachocha Reserve, located on the Pichincha Volcano west of Quito. We walk a trail through lush Polylepis forest to experience this Andean habitat and its unique plant life. We will search for species such as the colorful Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Glossy Flowerpiercer, and Rufous-naped Brush Finch. Hummingbirds are the star attraction here, with opportunity to see some high-elevation which may include the amazing Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Tyrian Metaltail, and others. Feeding stations set up along the trail allow for easy viewing. This is an important conservation reserve, managed for several rare species that find breeding range here. It is located on the old Nono-Mindo Road, a famous route for birding over the past few decades. Accommodations at the Sachatamia (B,L,D) http://www.sachatamia.com/ Sat., Jan. 10 Birding and Natural History in the Mindo Area Mindo is one of the most popular areas for nature enthusiasts in all of Ecuador. It is a small town in the mountains, and our lodge provides great bird and butterfly watching as well as wonderful meals, and a cozy fireplace to gather around in the evenings. It is nestled in the valley of the Rio Mindo, a remarkable locale where over 360 species of birds may be seen. The ridges, slopes, and steep ravines to the north, west, and east of the village are cloaked in pre-montane cloud forest with a dense understory that includes Guadua bamboo. Much of the land around the village has been cleared for pasture, but small patches of secondary growth remain. This afternoon we spend time in rural and agricultural areas and in small patches of secondary forests close to town. At feeders in the Tandyapa Valley, we look for Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Green-fronted Lancebill, Purple-throated Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Brown and White collared Inca, Western Emerald and more. In gardens and along wild walkways, we marvel at lush vegetation. Sachatamia is a lovely lodge located on a private reserve. Legendary birding is right outside your door. Hummingbird feeders surround the dining room, often distracting you from dinner! A hint to be most comfortable here: Bring easy to slip off shoes, as you will go in and out of the lodge in search of birds. (Ecuadorian custom is to remove shoes to protect their beautiful wooden floors!) Accommodations at Sachatamia Lodge (B,L,D) http://www.sachatamia.com/
Sun., Jan. 11 Birding at the Farm of Angel Paz / Milpe Reserve Early this morning we plan to visit the farm of Angel Paz, who has become famous for providing great views of two often difficult to see species, Giant Antpitta and Andean Cock of the Rock. Meeting the family and walking the trails, learning the story of how they came to conserve and make close acquaintance with these species is a highlight of the tour. In the afternoon, while visiting lower elevation reserves at Milpe Reserve, we hope to find a number of Chocó Region endemic birds. Some of these display fascinating social behavior. We hope to see White bearded and Club-winged Manakins on their leks and other species we may encounter include: Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Tricolored Brush Finch, Purple-throated Fruitcrow and other species. On past trips we ve had great luck finding mixed flocks of tanagers that include Glistening-green, Rufousthroated, Golden-hooded, Moss-backed and Ochre-breasted members of this colorful clan. The organization and behavior of members of the mixed flock has attracted a great deal of research in the Neotropics which we can discuss today. Accommodations at Sachatamia Lodge (B,L,D) Mon., Jan. 12 Bella Vista Cloud Forest / Evening Departures from Quito Today as an option, we can use our early morning time to bird close to the lodge, where a light brings in a great variety of species, eager to feed on large insects that have collected there during the night. After breakfast, we drive up to Bella Vista Cloud Forest Reserve, a private 1,000-acre nature reserve that encompasses a mix of primary and secondary forest. The botanical wonder here is something to behold! One of the top birding locations in Ecuador, the reserve is known for its diverse hummingbird species which visit hummingbird feeders allowing close-up views -- as well as a colorful array of toucans and tanagers. At 5,000-7,000 feet we encounter spectacular cloud forest on the steep slopes above us. Here we may find a number of bird species with limited range, including the Tanager Finch. The forest and gardens are draped with orchids and bromeliads, and butterflies abound. Some of the most beautiful birds of the forest include the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Golden Tanager, and Flame-faced Tanager. As most flights for the USA leave just after midnight, our plan is to share a farewell dinner together, and be dropped at the airport in time to check in for these, three hours ahead is the recommended time. If anyone is
NOT taking one of the late flights, they may overnight at Puembo Garden B and B and taxi back in the morning; just remember an early flight means a middle-of the night run to the airport. (B,L,D, if extra night at Puembo Gardens B and B add $70 shared occupancy price). Tues., Jan. 13 Departures from Quito, or in-country flight to Coca and Sani Lodge for next four nights Most flights leave just after midnight, so you have just a few minutes of this day in Ecuador. We arrive three hours prior to departure as recommended for this often busy airport. If you did opt for a flight morning or onward today, we can help you plan activities or transfer by taxi (additional cost.) Cost of the Tour Cost of the Main tour, from Quito, Ecuador, is $2390 per person, double occupancy. Tour Price includes: All transfers upon arrival in Quito Accommodation and meals at all lodges (Sachatamia, Guango, San Isidro) Puembo Birding Garden B & B breakfast is included, and you purchase dinners. Private bus Private bird / naturalist guide throughout Water and Box lunches Park fees to reserves and national parks Single supplement $325. Tour cost does not include: round-trip transportation from your home city to Quito, Ecuador, guide gratuities, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, maid gratuities or beverages from the bar. TRAVEL INFORMATION Arrive in Quito, Ecuador Mariscal Sucre International Airport, on or before January 4, 2015. For the main tour, depart on June 13, at your convenience, remembering that it is suggested that you need to be at the airport three hours ahead of your flight. For those going on the extension, your final night will be back at Puembo Birding Garden, so you can plan flights out either late the night of January 17 or the next day. International Air is not included in the tour price. Professor Hinckley will recommend flights. Photo Credits: Thanks to Peg Abbott, Greg Smith, Tony Beck, and Trevor Hinckley for sharing photos in this itinerary.