Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes

11 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Go off the beaten path to explore the pristine environments of the Ecuadorian Andes, where you’ll join experts to spot a wealth of rare birds, including the stunning Cock-of-the-Rock!
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$4,049
From$3,079
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • View an amazing variety of bird species across Ecuador’s different climatic zones and altitude ranges
    • Enjoy lectures by experts who are part of the Ecuadorian Association of Ornithology, Aves & Conservacion and the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation
    • Meet with members of local bird-watching clubs to learn how they are preserving the birding habitats

What's this trip about?

    Go off the beaten path to explore the pristine environments of the Ecuadorian Andes, where you’ll join experts to spot a wealth of rare birds, including the stunning Cock-of-the-Rock!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • 50 Plus
  • Birding
  • Education / Learning
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

Trip includes

    • 10 nights of accommodations
    • 28 meals (10B, 9L, 9D)
    • 2 expert-led lectures
    • 12 expert-led field trips
    • 1 hands-on experience
    • An experienced Group Leader
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program
    • Road Scholar Assurance Plan
    • Taxes

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Itinerary

Day
1 In Transit to Program, Arrive Quito Quito Sheraton Quito Hotel Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Early check in subject to hotel availability. Elevations in Quito range from 9,223 ft - 9,883 ft. To minimize your chances of experiencing altitude sicknes...
Day
2 Parque Metropolitano, Birds of Ecuador, Colonial Quito Quito B,L,D Sheraton Quito Hotel Activity note: Walking on easy trail conditions at a leisurely pace to acclimate to high elevation in Quito and the Andes. Some city walking and intermittent standing. Br...
Day
3 Birding Along the Yanacocha & Quinde Eco-Route Mindo B,L,D Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve Activity note: From Quito to Nono is about 20 miles, approximately 1-1.5 hours; from Nono to Mindo area is about 61 miles, approximately 2-2.5 hours. Easy to mo...
Day
4 Chocó-Andean Foothills, Milpe Cloud Forest, Milpe Garden Mindo B,L,D Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve Activity note: Easy trail conditions and birding from an unpaved road. From Mindo to San Miguel de los Bancos is about 11 miles, approximately 1/2 hour or...
Day
5 Birding in the Rio Silanche Reserve Mindo B,L,D Sachatamia Lodge and Rainforest Reserve Activity note: From Mindo to Rio Silanche is about 27 miles, approximately 1 hour or less. Easy trail conditions. Average elevation ~1,000 feet. Breakfast: At the hotel. ...
Day
6 Paz de las Aves Reserve, Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest Chillos Valley B,L,D Hacienda La Carriona Activity note: Moderate to difficult trail conditions. From Mindo to Paz de las Aves Reserve is about 12 miles, less than 1/2 hour. We will travel through the Mindo...
Day
7 Birding in the Antisana Ecological Reserve Quijos Valley B,L,D Cabañas San Isidro Activity note: Easy trail conditions. From the lodge to San Isidro is about 206 miles, approximately 5 1/2 hours. Breakfast: At the hotel, juice, coffee, tea, water included. ...
Day
8 San Isidro Reserve Quijos Valley B,L,D Cabañas San Isidro Activity note: Easy to moderate trail conditions. Elevations ~6,100-6,700 feet. Breakfast: At the lodge restaurant, plus coffee, tea, water. Morning: We'll enjoy a full day of birding activities ...
Day
9 San Isidro Reserve, Cordillera de Huacamayos Quijos Valley B,L,D Cabañas San Isidro Activity note: Easy to moderate trail conditions. Breakfast: At the lodge. Morning: Early morning birding at the Baeza Bypass in search of species like the Black-billed ...
Day
10 Humid Temperate Forest, Elfin Forest, Transfer to Quito Quito B,L,D Hosteria Rincon de Puembo Activity note: From Quijos Valley to Guango Lodge is about 29 miles, approximately 1 hour; from Guango Lodge to Rincon de Puembo is about 36 miles, approximately 1 hour...
Day
11 Program Concludes, In Transit from Program In Flight B Activity note: Check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers at the conclusion of the program. Breakfast: At the hotel (dependent on flight times). Morning: Early tr...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,079
Price per day$280
Last Updated: 2/24/2020

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

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Meals Included
  • 28 Meals
  • 10 Breakfasts
  • 9 Lunches
  • 9 Dinners
  • The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Low Salt, Low Fat, Gluten Free
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-848

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