mindo forest bird -

Best of Ecuador & Colombia | Birding Tour – 20 days

Areas to Explore

best reserves without flight. Non-stop birding!

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Ecuador Reserves

Choco Andino Biosphere Reserve,
Highlands of Antisana Reserve,
East Slope of Ecuador (high and low elevation Cloud Forest),
Upper Amazon.

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Colombia Reserves

Amazon Valles Interandinos (Upper Magdalena and Upper Cauca),
Wetland of Magdalena Valle and
Highlands of Frailejon and Paramo

Start Tour Location

Quito & airport area (Ecuador). Other locations available upon request.

End Tour Location

Cali city or Cali airport (Colombia). Other locations available upon request.

NOT INCLUDED

Include

ITINERARY

– DAY 1 – Hummingbirds Garden in Mindo (Optional: Zuro Loma Reserve or Yanacocha Reserve)

* Optional Tour Start

Starting 6:00am from your Quito hotel. Contact us for more information adding this visit since it has a extra cost.​

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1396997
E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L10223666

Key species Yanacocha Reserve:

Sword-billed Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Andean Guan, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager.

Morning

10:00am Pick up at your hotel in Quito or airport area.

Afternoon

1:00pm Arrival to Las Terrazas de Dana Lodge and lunch.

Afternoon

Visit to the Hummingbirds garden in Mindo Cloud Forest

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 2 – Silanche and Milpe Reserves

Key species:

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

Early morning

Departure to Silanche Reserve. Breakfast box in the Silanche Reserve Tower.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1396974

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to Milpe Reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L493675

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 3 – Paz de las Aves, Alambi Reserve and Bellavista – Old Road to Mindo

Key species:

Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Toucan Barbet, Western Emerald, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Brown Violetear, White-capped Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet, Red-faced Spinetail, Golden-olive Woodpecker

Early morning

Visit to Paz de las Aves Reserve (Located about 1.600m. / 5.250ft.). Breakfast box included and ecuadorian breakfast in the reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L674753

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to Alambi Reserve and to Bellavista – Old Road to Mindo.

E-bird Hotspots: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1019128 and https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1477858

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 4 – Mashpi Road, Amagusa Reserve & San Tadeo Feeder

Key species:

Indigo Flowerpiercer, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Black Solitaire, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, White-tipped Sicklebill, Choco Vireo, Choco Parakeet, Glistening-green Tanager, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Black-striped Sparrow, Flame-faced Tanager, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail, Toucan Barbet.

Early morning

Visit to Mashpi Road and Amagusa Reserve (altitude rage is 1700m. to 750m.). Breakfast box in Amagusa Reserve feeders.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3175551

Afternoon

Lunch and visit to San Tadeo Feeder.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4992806

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 5 – Santa Rosa Feeder and Ruta San Lorenzo in Mindo Cloud Forest

* Santa Rosa Feeder is probably the best location in the Choco Andino to take photos. We will use our MULTI-FLASH SYSTEM in this location. Photo by Vinicio Perez.

Key species:

Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Blue-capped Tanager, Hoary Puffleg, Crested Guan, Rose-faced Parrot, Bat Falcon.

Early morning

Departure to Santa Rosa Feeder with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6978567

Afternoon

Lunch and hike along San Lorenzo Road (On the way to Waterfalls sanctuary. Located about 1.400m. / 4.600ft.).

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L792571

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 6 – Umbrellabird reserve (Recinto 23 de Junio)

Key species:

Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Choco Toucan, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, Guayaquil Woodpecker, Blue-Necked Tanager, Rufous Motmot, Swallow Tanager.

Early morning

Visit to Umbrellabird Reserve – Recinto 23 de Junio with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1741231

Afternoon

Lunch and birding in the higher area of Mindo.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L792571

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge.

– DAY 7 – Antisana Ecological Reserve

Key species:

Andean condor, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar.

Early morning

Visit to Antisana Ecological Reserve with breakfast box.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L683386

Afternoon

Lunch and continue with transportation to Guango Reserve. Stop in Papallacta area for birding in the afternoon.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at Guango Lodge.

– DAY 8 – Guango Lodge Reserve

Key species:

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Torrent Duck, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Collared Inca, Chestnut-breasted coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, Long-tailed Sylph, Tourmaline Sunangel.

Early morning

Breakfast and full day birding at Guango Lodge Reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L489428

Afternoon

Lunch and continue trip to San Francisco de Borja.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at San Francisco de Borja.

– DAY 9 – San Francisco de Borja

Key species:

Orange-eared Tanager, Greenish Puffleg, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Booted Racket-tail (Orange legs).

Early morning

Full day birding in this pristine area with breakfast in the reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L468862

Afternoon

Lunch and continue birding in San Francisco de Borja.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at San Francisco de Borja.

– DAY 10 – Cascada San Rafael

Key species:

Violaceous Jay, Magpie Tanager, Saffron-crowned Tanager, Grayish Saltator, Lemon-browed Flycatcher.

Early morning

Breakfast and continue to San Rafael Waterfall. One of the top 10 waterfalls in the world! We will do birding in the morning in this reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L577535

Afternoon

Lunch and continue to the Ecuador – Colombia border. In Colombia we will continue with another private guide and transportation.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in our hotel located in Orito.

– DAY 11 – Bosque Nuevo Mundo

Key species:

Blue-throated pinug- guan, Gould’s jewelfront, Band-billied Owl, Red-necked woodpecker.

Early morning

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel to continue 46km. (1 hour 30 minutes), to “Bosque Nuevo Mundo”.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4342230

Afternoon

Lunch and we will continue to our next hotel. It will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes, 110km.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in our hotel located in the way to El Encanto.

– DAY 12 – Finca El Escondite Reserve

Key species:

Great Potoo, White-chinned Jacamar, Chestnut Woodpecker, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Plump-throated Cotinga.

Early morning

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. We will continue to Finca El Escondite Reserve which is 41 km. Distance, around 1 hour.

E-bird Hotspost: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6464472

Afternoon

Lunch and we will drive to “El Encanto Reserva Ecoturistica”. It will take around 4 hours and distance is 164 km.

Evening

Check-in and dinner. We will sleep 4 nights in this amazing location.

– DAY 13 – El Encanto Reserve

Key species:

Tolima dove, Dusky Headed Bruch-finch, Indigo capped hummingbird, Apical Flycatcher, Colombian Chachalaca, Golden eared tanager.

Early morning

Breakfast and full day birding in El Encanto Reserve.

E-bird Hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5654916

Afternoon

Lunch and continue birding in the reserve.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at El Encanto.

– DAY 14 – Alto del Oso Reserve

Key species:

East Andean Antbird, tolima blossomcrown, Red bellied grackle, Maroon tailed parakeet). Posibilities to see bears, small mammals and monkeys.

Early morning

Full day birding in Alto del Oso Reserve with breakfast box.

Afternoon

Lunch and continue birding in the reserve.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at El Encanto.

– DAY 15 – Magdalena Valley Wetlands

Key species:

Cinnamon Teal, Masked duc, Least grebe, Velvet- fronted Euphonia, Little cuckoo.

Early morning

We will visit Conec and Pompeya Wetlands.

Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6049970

Afternoon

Lunch and continue birding in the wetlands.

Evening

Dinner and lodging at El Encanto.

– DAY 16 – Los Ariscos Reserve

Key species:

Black-chested Fruiteater, Black and chestnut eagle, Magdalena Tapaculo, Crested quetzal.

Early morning

Breakfast and check-out of the hotel.
We will continue for a full day birding in Los Ariscos Reserve with lunch.

Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6833465

Afternoon

We will continue to San Agustín where we will sleep 2 nights.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in San Agustín.

– DAY 17 – Archaelogical area of San Agustín

Key species:

Bronze-winged Parrot, Uniform Antshrike, Common Potoo, White-backed Fire-eye.

Early morning

Breakfast and full day birding in Archaeological area of San Agustín with lunch.

Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L940101

Afternoon

We will go back to our hotel.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in San Agustín.

– DAY 18 – Piedra del Cóndor and Puracé National Park

Key species:

Andean Condor, Caranculated Caracara, Black -billed Mountain-Toucan, Golden-plumed parakeet, White rimmed brushfinch, Purple-backed Thornbill.

Early morning

Breakfast and check-out. We will continue to Piedra del cóndor to see this amazing bird. Also we will visit the National Park of Puracé. Distance is 140km. and 4 hours. Lunch in this location.

Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4762772

Afternoon

We will drive to Popayán to sleep in this touristic city. Distance is 47km. And it takes 1 hour and a half.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in Popayán.

– DAY 19 – Finca Alejandría”

Key species:

Violet-tailed sylph, Blue-headed sapphire,Ornate Hawk-eagle, Multicolored tanager.

Early morning

Breakfast and check-out.
We will continue our trip to Finca Alejandría to visit this beautiful hummingbirds paradise.

Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2057859

Afternoon

We will continue the trip to a birding lodge in Cali area.

Evening

Dinner and lodging in Cali Birding Lodge.

– DAY 20 – Cali Birding Lodge

Key species:

Steely-vented hummingbird, Southern Emerald-Toucanet, Grayish granadensis.

Early morning

Breakfast and birding in the reserve of the lodge.Ebird Hot-spot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L5573619

Afternoon

Lunch and continue to your selected hotel in Cali or airport for your flight.

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