Ecuador Birding Tour
Birding the Andean Cloud Forest of Ecuador
This is a very special trip to the Andean cloud forest of Ecuador where we will spend 7-nights at the Tandayapa Bird Lodge. This pristine area is perfect for birding and enjoying the beauty of Ecuador. Ecuador, which has more than 1500 species within its borders, is a top birding destination. eBird lists more than 420 bird species for Tandayapa Bird Lodge. On this trip there will also be 5-days of birding tours away from the lodge in areas that increase the bird list to over 600 species.
- Travel Dates
- 2026:
- February 18 - 28, 2026, spots left = 6
- November 29 - December 9, 2026, spots left = 6
- Additional Dates: Tours by Request.
- Group Size: 6 travelers, plus guides
- Trip Length: 11 days
- Tour Rate: $4,430 per person ($1,200 extra for single occupancy)
- Rates include: Domestic transfers, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, scheduled group tours, park entrance fees, and basic travel insurance.
- Not included: International airfare, customs & immigration fees and visas, alcohol, trip cancellation insurance, snacks in between meals.
- Adventure level: Moderate due to the elevation, please check the “Welcome” page for definition
- Reservations: To reserve a spot on the trip, a non-refundable $800 per person deposit is required, and the non-refundable balance is due six months prior to the trip
Special offer: Included with your trip (one per room) is a copy of the field guide “The Birds of Panama” by George Angehr and Robert Dean. You will receive this when you reserve your trip so you will have time to study and know the beautiful birds of Panama.
Basic Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at the Quito Airport
Most flights from the United States arrive very early in the morning or very late in the evening. We will meet you at the Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). We will be staying at the Holiday Inn-Quito Airport Hotel, which is a 15-minute drive from the airport, for 2-nights.
Day 2: Quito
Because some flights, for example United Airlines flights arrive just around midnight on "Day 1", we will spend a second day in the airport area to make sure everyone has arrives and is well rested. For those who want to go exploring on this day, there will be a day trip to the historic city center of Quito. Our airport lodging is a 1-hour drive from the city. Quito is the capital of Ecuador and was founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534, which makes it the oldest capital city in South America and one of the highest capitals of the world at 9,352 feet. Due to the city's well preserved and least altered historic center, in 1979 it was declared the first World Heritage city in the world. “Quitu” literally means "the land of the middle” and is located just a miles south of the Equator.
Day 3: Travel to Tandayapa
From our airport hotel, it is a 2-hour drive to Tandayapa Bird Lodge. There will be a few birding stops along the way. Once at the lodge it will be time to check-in, get organized, and have a wonderful dinner. We will be staying at the lodge for 7-nights. There is no reason to leave this amazing place and move to a different hotel during our Ecuador visit. We will have 5-days of tours that leave the lodge property to look for birds at both lower and higher elevations, all being different habitats. The elevation of the lodge is 5,740 feet (1,750m).
On this first full day at the lodge, there will not be any organized tours. This will be a day for you to get used to the high altitude and rest a bit. The lodge property has many trails, feeders, and wonderful places to sit and relax and watch birds. The restaurant has a wide variety of food to please everyone.
Day 5: Tandayapa Day Tour
A day trip to the Rio Silanche Reserve area and Frutti Tour. This area is in the lower foothill areas with a lowland rainforest habitat. Elevation of 1,310 feet (400m). This will be a nice break from the higher elevations and plenty of different bird species to view in this different habitat.
Day 6: Tandayapa Day Tour
A full day trip to Yanacocha Biological Reserve which is a temperate neotropical cloud forest habitat with an elevation of 10,500 feet (3,200m). This site has trails and feeders for excellent birding. We will also have time to visit other areas of the Tandayapa Valley.
Day 7: Tandayapa Day Tour
Early morning departure for a full day visit to the Mashpi Amagusa Reserve. This subtropical and foothill neotropical cloud forest offers excellent opportunities to view more bird species and wildlife. Elevation of 2,625 - 5,575 feet (800-1,700m)
Day 8: Tandayapa Day Tour
Early morning departure for a full day visit to the Refugio Paz de las Aves (subtropical cloud forest). Elevation of 6,235 feet (1,900m).
Day 9: Tandayapa Day Tour
A full day tour to the Zuro Loma birding area, which is a temperate neotropical cloud forest habitat with an elevation of 10,225 feet (3,120m).
Day 10: Travel to Quito Airport
After a wonderful breakfast and time to visit the trails and feeders of the lodge, we will head back to the airport for our last night. There will be a few stops along the way for birding. We will once again stay at the Holiday Inn-Quito Airport Hotel
Day 11: Fly Home
Shuttle to the airport for your flight home.
Toucan Barbet
Andean Condor
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