February 07 - Quito
Upon arrival in Quito, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel Sheraton Quito
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February 08 - Mindo
Depart from the hotel early in the morning. En route to Mindo, visit Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, where 250 species of birds have
been recorded. The property sits over two major valleys and covers a large range of altitudes with several different habitats. Alambi also has a list of 32 hummingbirds seen either at the feeders or in the reserve. Then continue your trip through the Nono-Mindo Eco Road and arrive in Mindo in the afternoon. Overnight Sachatamia Lodge (BLD)
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February 09 - Mindo
Early in the morning visit Mindo Loma reserve for birding along the road and at Mindo Loma. Lunch on site. In the afternoon return to the lodge. Overnight Sachatamia Lodge (BLD)
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February 10 - Mindo
This morning visit Milpe Bird Sanctuary, located in the subtropical rainforest. This 49-acre land area protects species of endemics including the Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Glistening-green Tanager, Chocó Trogon, Club-winged Manakin, and
Long-wattled Umbrellabird. Continue to Mirador Río Blanco for lunch. This place is a birder’s dream and great for seeing tanagers. In the afternoon return to the lodge. Overnight Sachatamia Lodge (BLD)
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February 11 - Antisana
Depart from Mindo early in the morning and travel to Antisana Reserve. En route stop for bird`s observation along the road that surrounds the Cayambe-Coca Reserve. Enjoy a box lunch and continue to Antisana Reserve, with a quick birding stop at Calacalí. The dry scrub at Calacalí is home to species such as the Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Golden-rumped Euphonia, and the globally threatened White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant. Overnight Guaytara Lodge (BLD)
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February 12 - Antisana
Enjoy spectacular Andean sceneries along the trails of the Antisana Ecological Reserve, located on the edge of Amazon and Andes national parks. It`s approximately 120,000 hectares are considered a paradise for birdwatchers due to its various ecological zones ranging from páramo (high grasslands) to the lowland rainforest with more than 70 bird species, including the endangered Andean Condor. The snow-capped Antisana Volcano is the fourth highest peak in Ecuador with an altitude of 5,758 meters. Return to the hotel. Overnight Guaytara Lodge (BLD)
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February 13 - Cosanga
Enjoy birding in the Papallacta area with a good chance to see the Andean Condor. Continue through the Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park with stops for birding along the road. Arrive at Cabañas San Isidro, a private reserve boasting a bird list of about 310 species, many of which are more easily found here than anywhere else in the country. Overnight San Isidro Lodge (BLD)
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February 14 - Cosanga
Explore the area accompanied by your guide. San Isidro Lodge is situated at about 2050 meters above sea level, but the trails lead through elevational gradients that pass through habitats from 2,400 meters all the way down to 1,850 meters. What this means to birders is an ideal base to observe Andean birds from the lower reaches of the temperate zone down into the heart of the subtropical zone. Overnight San Isidro Lodge (BLD)
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February 15 - Cosanga
The Guacamayos Range rises east of the Cordillera Oriental. This well-preserved cloud forest hosts nearly 50 species of tanagers, as well as Gray-breasted and Black-billed Mountain Toucans. Overnight San Isidro Lodge (BLD)
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February 16 - Quito
After breakfast, check out San Isidro and continue to Guango Lodge. Located about one hour away from San Isidro, Guango lies at a higher elevation (about 2,700 meters) on Ecuador’s eastern slope, only 11 kms down the main Interoceanic Highway from the town of Papallacta. This area is centered in a zone classified as humid temperate forest, a habitat distinctly different from San Isidro and characterized by its more-stunted trees (and thicker canopy), cooler climate, and different bird and plant composition. Enjoy lunch at Guango and in the afternoon continue your drive back to Quito. Farewell dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Hotel Sheraton Quito (BLD)
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February 17 - Quito
Transfer to the airport for the flight back home. (B)
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