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Ecuador - Tour Destination
Click here for Trip Reports of previous tours
The northwestern corner of South America has the highest avian diversity in the world, and Ecuador is perfectly situated within the heart of this impressive region. A relatively small country that boasts an overwhelming bird list of more than 1600 bird species, Ecuador combines fine infrastructure with unsurpassable scenery and friendly people creating one of the world’s most enjoyable birding destinations.
Our team of Rockjumper tour leaders have many years of guiding experience in Ecuador and would be pleased to create the perfect itinerary to suit your needs. One of our most popular routes begins in the historic capital city of Quito nestled in a valley of the high Andes where we explore the surrounding volcanic mountains supporting a high rate of endemicism combined with awesome landscapes.
From here we depart to experience the birding spectacle on the bird-rich slopes of the Andes meticulously covering the different elevation zones of both eastern and western slopes as we endeavor to track down the bounty of spectacular specialties that grace these forests. A profusion of dazzling hummingbirds, toucans, and brightly colored tanagers await us as well as an abundance of secretive antbirds and some amazing antpittas.
We then continue into the mighty Amazon Basin into a region hosting the highest biodiversity anywhere in the world! This world-class birding from giant mixed flocks and antswarms to the blackwater forest by canoe and world-class canopy walkway simply has to be experienced to be believed. Here we will search out a vast range of fantastic species of bright cotingas, barbets, oropendolas, raptors, and parrots complimented by some of the finest areas to find mammals, especially primates, in South America.
We also offer in conjunction with this tour an optional excursion to visit the famous Galapagos Islands, an incredible visual example of speciation as studied by Charles Darwin. Our small vessel allows for a personable experience covering the major islands and a chance to ‘clean up’ all 26 of the Galapagos endemics! The resident and visiting breeding wildlife on this chain of amazing islands is not only prolific, but sometimes ridiculously tame with regular close encounters with the Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds, several species of nesting boobys, and endemic mockingbirds plus unique Giant Tortoises and Land Iguanas. Combine this with an unmatched underwater spectacle while snorkeling and a chance to swim with the delightful Galapagos Penguins and Sea Lions and this is an experience that is simply unforgettable!
Please contact the Rockjumper Office should you have any queries about this tour.
| tour name & dates 2011 | Ecuador - The Andes to the Amazon: 5 - 19 Sep (15 days) 6 SPACES REMAINING |
| tour cost for 2011 | US$ 3,925 pp, US$ 550 ss |
| max group size | 8 & 1 Rockjumper leader |
| tour leader | Lelis Navarrete |
| habitats covered | Amazon rainforest, Andean temperate forest, Cloud forest, Andean grasslands |
| climate | warm to hot and humid |
| tour pace & walking | moderate pace with some longer hikes |
| accommodation | comfortable lodges |
| ease of birding | moderate birding with some tricky species |
| no. of species expected | 500+ |
| top mammals | Red Howler Monkey, Two-toed Sloth, Golden-mantled Tamarin, Night Monkey |
| other attractions | Mindo Valley, Antisana Volcano, canopy walk at Sacha Lodge, Napo River |
| photographic opportunities | excellent |
Click here to view Photo Gallery of ECUADOR
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