Day 1

Quito - Yanacocha - Bellavista
Departure from Quito at 6 a.m. to the entry of Yanacocha, a private reserve which belongs to an Ecuadorian foundation, JOCOTOCO.  It covers 960 has. on the north western flanks of the Pichincha active volcano.  After parking the car, we will take the trail that leads us through a high Andean vegetation to discover Polylepis, Fuchsias, Melastomacea, Orchids, Bromeliads and other epiphytes. This vegetation will permit us to observe certain lads such as the Bared-bellied Woodpecker, White-browned Spinetail, Barred Fruiteater, Blue-backed Conebill, Stripe-headed Brush-finches, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brush-finches and Rufous Wrens.
In order to help the conservation of the small populations of certain hummingbird species, the Jocotoco Foundation has installed feeders in strategic places to facilitate the feeding of these flying jewels. The endemic and critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg (a hummingbird with the smallest range in America) comes to the feeders mostly from April to September. Roughly 18 easy-to-spot hummingbird species live in the area: Great Sapphirewing, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Purple-backed Thornbill and the wonderful Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. After box lunch, we will be able to see Andean Guan, Ocellated Tapaculo, and  Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager. In the afternoon, descent towards the Tandayapa Valley and Bellavista Reserve, our first lodge. Dinner and overnight at Bellavista Lodge. B/L/

Day 2

Bellavista
This primary forest will let us discover not only a big variety of epiphyte plants and orchids but also Tree Ferns, Heliconias and a big bunch of Chocó endemic species such as the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, and even the very rare Tanager Finch, the White face Nunbird and big compound flocks of Tanagers and Euphonias.  After this dawn excursions, we will have breakfast at the Bellavista Lodge accompanied of several species of hummingbirds that come to the feeders located around the Lodge:  Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet Gorgeted Sunangel, the shimmering green Western Emeralds, the vibrant Violet-tailed Sylphs and the Booted Racket-tails.  In the afternoon, another excursion to the waterfalls will let us discover the next superior altitudinal step with a different and very varied flora and avifauna:  Tawny-breasted Tinamou, Scaly-napped Amazon, Golden Headed Quetzal, Brown-billed Scythebill and the beautiful Grass-green Tanager.  After dinner, nocturnal walk searching for the Rufescent Screech-Owl, Swallow-tailed Nightjar and Common Potoo.  Overnight at Bellavista. B/L/D.

Day 3

Tandayapa Valley - Pachijal

Very early in the morning, we will bird around the Lodge where we got our first taste of the fantastic feeding flocks that roam these wet subtropical forests.  Beautiful Jay, a big number of Tyrants and Flycatchers, Woodpecker  and Tanagers. We will look particularly for the Masked Trogon, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, the inconspicuous Western Hemispingus, the magnificent Green-and-black Fruiteater to name a few. Lunch at Bellavista.  In the afternoon, we will descend to the Tandayapa Valley and Pachijal Reserve.  In our way, we will observe Choco Toucan and Pale mandible Aracari and a big number of hummingbirds and Tanagers as well.  Dinner and overnight at Pachijal Lodge. B/L/D

Day 4

Refuge Paz de las aves - Pachijal
After a very early breakfast, we will take the road to Reserva Paz de las Aves, where we will visit a very active lek of the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana sanguinolenta), where we will be able to observe the outstanding nuptial parade. On our way back, Rodrigo Paz, a well- known birdwatcher,  will permit us observe how he has succeeded to make the Giant, Yellow-breasted and Moustached Antpittas to accept the human presence.   After lunch, we will return to  Pachijal Reserve.  We will take the main road where we will make several stops to observe: Hook-Billed Kite, Broad-billed Motmot, Sickle-winged Guan, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Club-winged Manakin, Flame-faced Tanagers and Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager.  Before sun set, we will arrive to the lodge to have dinner.  Overnight at Pachijal. B/L/D.

Day 5

Obelisk Road – Pachijal
We will leave early in the morning through the obelisk road, driving through the Mindo-Nambillo Valley, searching for Red-Headed Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Velvet-purple coronet, Fawn-breasted brilliant, Blue-winged mountain-tanager, Beryl-spangled tanager, Beautiful jay and Orange-crowned Euphonia. Lunch in the charming garden of Hotel El Descanso surrounded by a big variety of hummingbirds :  White-whiskered Hermit, Booted racket-tail, White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and the extraordinary Purple-crowned Fairy, amongst other. We'll return to Pachijal Lodge for one more night. B/L/D.

Day 6

Milpe Sanctuary
After a dawn breakfast, we will take the road to  Milpe (1100 ms), Chocó Trogons, Grey-and-gold and Moss-backed Tanagers, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Brown-billed Scythebill, Esmeraldas Antbird, Snowy-throated Kingbird, Club-winged Manakin, Pale-vented Thrush, and the see-it-to-believe-it Glistening-green Tanager and also Pacific Flatbill, Rose-faced Parrot, Black-tipped Cotingas, Long-billed Starthroat. Lunch at  Milpe Reserve . In the afternoon, we will continue birdwatching on the trails of this reserve for more Chocó endemics and a good selection of more widespread but attractive species. Departure in the afternoon to Sachatamia Lodge. B/L/D

Day 7

Santa Lucia Reserve
We will dedicate this journey to look for more endemic species of Chocó such as  Scarlet-breasted and Scarlet-thighed Dacnises, Emerald, Blue-whiskered, Rufous-winged, Golden-hooded, Grey-and-Gold, and Scarlet-browed Tanagers, Orange-fronted Barbet, and Griscom's Antwren.  Dusky Pigeon is also regular, and after the mixed flock has passed you should look out for Pale-mandibled Araçari, Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Western Slaty-Antshrike, and Western White-tailed and Collared Trogons. After lunch, we will continue our way to « four rivers » looking for Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, Spot-crowned Antvireo, a few species of antwren, Western Woodhaunter, and White-whiskered Puffbird.  Black-headed Antthrush, Southern Nightingale Wren, and Chestnut-backed Antbird are commonly heard, and more rare species include Green Manakin, Pacific Flatbill, and Black-throated Trogon. Dinner and accommodation in  Sachatamia. B/L/D

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10