The Palaces of Rajasthan, Birding and Wildlife - 26th Jan. to 16th Feb. 2003

Tour Schedule:

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Quito

Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge; overnight at the comfortable San Jorge Birding Lodge near Quito. Bird Lists, images and maps can be found here

Day 2. Birding in Yanacocha and in San Jorge Reserve

Morning birding at Yanacocha Reserve (cloud forest), Late afternoon birding San Jorge Botanical Reserve (high barren plains, highland rainforest and paramo); overnight in San Jorge. All meals.

Day 3. Birding in Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve

Birding San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve, Lower Valley (cloud forest); overnight in San Jorge de Milpe Lodge. All meals.

Day 4. Birding in San Jorge Milpe Orchid and Bird Reserve

Birding San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (subtropical rainforest); overnight in San Jorge de Milpe Lodge. All meals.

Day 5. Birding in Pedro Vicente Maldonado area

Birding Pedro Vicente Maldonado (subtropical rainforest); overnight in San Jorge de Milpe Lodge. All meals.

Day 6. Birding in Tandayapa and the Mindo road cloud forest

Birding Upper Tandayapa Valley & world famous Nono-Mindo Road (cloud forest);overnight San Jorge near Quito. All meals.

Day 7. Quito - Guango lodge

A guide will pick us up the group from San Jorge Eco Lodge Hotel for the short drive to Papallacta (3071m/10,078 ft) before continuing onwards to the Guango Lodge.

Papallacta is a small roadside village situated along the road between Quito and Baeza, 58km from Quito. These are some of the bird species you might see in Papallacta: Silvery Grebe, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Andean Snipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Mountain Avocetbill, Viridian Metaltail, Tawny Antpitta, Buff-breasted Mountain- Tanager, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, Giant Conebill.

A short distance further along, Guango Lodge lies at a higher elevation (about 2,700 meters) on Ecuador's eastern slope, only 11 kms down the main Interoceanica Highway from the town of Papallacta. This area is centered in a zone classified as humid temperate forest and characterized by its more stunted trees (and thicker canopy), cooler climate, and different bird and plant composition.

Some of the birds of particular interest that we have seen regularly at Guango Lodge include Andean Guan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet-bellied, Lacrimose, Buff-breasted and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Black-headed, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus and Slaty Brush-Finch.

Guango Lodge's hummingbird feeders attract some exciting hummers on a regular basis, some of the more noteworthy species being Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird,Tourmaline Sunangel, Golden-breasted and Glowing Pufflegs, Mountain Avocetbill, and White-bellied and Gorgeted Woodstars!

Guango Lodge is only a short drive from the tree-line forests and treeless p?ramo zones, where an almost entirely new set of birds awaits you. Overnight at Guango Lodge. Breakfast & dinner.

Day 8. Guango to the San Isidro Lodge

Early departure to visit the eastern slopes of the Andes while driving from Guango down to Baeza and then to the San Isidro Lodge near Cosanga.

San Isidro and its surroundings now boast a bird list of about 310 species, many of which are more easily found here than anywhere else in the country.

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 to the subtropical zone.

Birding groups have been visiting Caba?as San Isidro for years with impressive results. Birds such as Highland Tinamou, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, Peruvian and Giant Antpittas, and White-rimmed Brush-Finch are a few of the exciting rarities that make their homes at San Isidro Lodge. The White-faced Nunbird might even put in an appearance as it has been seen at San Isidro more in recent years than at any other single site on the east slope in Ecuador.

What really makes San Isidro Lodge such a joy to bird though are the hundreds of other bird species that one has a good chance of seeing while quietly strolling down the forest trails and forested roadsides. Pick a direction to start walking from the cabins, and there will be birds! Right from the doorstep folks often get their first looks at White-capped Parrot, Powerful Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Smoky Bush-Tyrant, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Inca Jay, Black-billed Peppershrike, Andean Solitaire or Saffron-crowned Tanager. And, during the right season, sightings of singing Wattled Guan (a large turkey-like bird) can virtually be guaranteed as they sit unobstructed in the crowns of large emergent trees, belting out their bizarre territorial call each morning and evening while Pale-eyed and Glossy-black Thrushes perch nearby singing 'back-up'! Lunch and dinner at San Isidro Eco Lodge. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 9. San Isidro - Quito via the Antisana reserve

Visit to the Guacamayos? cordillera.

We will have the opportunity to visit the Guacamayos Cordillera and the Antisana Ecological Reserve.

The hike takes place in the Macaws Mountain Range (Cordillera de los Guacamayos), located in the Eastern Mountain Range of the Ecuadorian Andes and has a maximum height of 3044 meters. It is located in the Antisana Ecological Reserve 2 hours from Quito, and is very famous among biologists for its preserved cloud forests. It is an excellent spot for bird watching and it is easy to find macaws, toucans and tanagers.

The trail starts in primary forest, and then you will encounter the oil pipeline that is very strange - a pipeline covered by orchids, bromeliads and other plant species. The second part of the trail will lead you through a secondary cloud forest and wet grass, crossing streams.

The Antisana Ecological Reserve lies on the foothills of the 5705 meter glacier covered peak of the volcano Antisana. This reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean p?ramo. Below approximately 3000 meters one finds shrubs, orchids and other specially adapted plants. You can also see this type of flora at a lava flow approaching the Antisana reserve. Above an altitude of 4800 meters very little vegetation exists, as this area is covered with snow year-round. Between 3600 & 4800 meters, this habitat is called the p?ramo, in which the plant and animal life are highly adapted to the extreme conditions which are the norm here. Due to the high winds that regularly sweep this habitat, nothing taller than the grass and low lying succulents are found in the open. Even hardy, high altitude shrubs are found only in crevices and streambeds hidden from the wind. Plants in this habitat are pollinated by beetles or by birds, as the winds are too strong for flying insects.

Drive back to Quito and overnight in Quito. Breakfast and dinner.

Days 10-14 Sani lodge in the Amazon rainforest

Drive to Quito airport for our short flight to Coca. Upon arrival, we will transfer by motorised boat to the Sani Lodge. All meals included.

Sani Lodge is truly a one of a kind eco-lodge, dedicated to ecotourism, environmental conservation, and community life in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. The wildlife at Sani Lodge is outstanding, although it is obviously not possible to say exactly what the average visitor is likely to see due to the tremendous general biodiversity and the scarcity of some particular Amazon species.

On the other hand, all the major mammals endemic to the area can be found here. There are also many types of monkeys and most visitors will be able to see at least a few varieties. Bird life is also excellent and Challuacocha is home to 5 species of Kingfishers, many species of parrots, macaws and toucans as well as tanagers, cormorants, cotingas and many others. All told, some 550 species of rainforest birds can be found in the area -making it an excellent place for bird watching.

the lagoon Caiman, frogs, turtles and strange looking fish can all be seen. Snakes are seldom apparent, but may be encountered on night walks. Don't worry though, poisonous snakes are quite rare. Terrestrial Amazon mammals, like Jaguars, Tapirs and Capybara are all here, but are mostly nocturnal and difficult to see, but then again, you never know.

The exact day to day activities will deliberately be kept flexible in order to maximise birding opportunities during our stay in the Amazon. However, amongst the activities that we plan to include are:

  • Night canoe ride on the river for caiman watching or a night hike for watching spiders, insects and night monkeys
  • hike on the Aguila Trail
  • walk to the watchtower for bird watching and listening to the sounds of the famous Howler monkey
  • Piranha-fishing
  • Trip to the parrot mineral licks on the southern side of the Napo River to look at more than 10 species of parrots while they feed at the mineral licks.

Day 14. Amazon - Quito - Lima( Peru)

Flight to Quito and we may then have a few hours at leisure before our onward flight to Lima. Overnight in Lima. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 15. Lomas de Lachay, Peru

We start early from Lima driving 105 kms north to the Lomas De Lachay Nature Reserve. These coastal hills are an oasis in the desert seasonally covered in a fog bank that provides water for annuals and xerophytic plants like cactus and agaves. Many desert birds can be seen such as Cactus Canastero, Coastal and Grayish Miner, Raimondi?s Yellow-Finch, Least Seedsnipe, Collared Warbling-Finch, Tawny-throated Dotterel and many more.

Paraiso is a site where the rare Peruvian Tern breeds. It is also a haven for wintering shorebirds and there is a colony of wintering Chilean Flamingos in season. We return to Lima and have the afternoon free in Lima to explore the lively Miraflores neighbourhood. Breakfast, dinner and overnight in Lima.

Day 16. Colonial Cuzco & The Sacred Valley of the Incas

Early flight to the Inca capital of Cuzco. Upon arrival we will embark on our Cuzco city tour touching the most important Inca and colonial sites of Sacsayhuaman, the Cathedral and the Coricancha. Later we depart for the somewhat lower elevations of the Sacred Valley and the small town of Yucay. We plan to visit Huacarpay on the way for lake birds and the endemic hummingbird - the Bearded Mountaineer. Other birds include the Rusty-fronted Canastero, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Wren-like Rushbird, Plumbeous Rail, Yellow-hooded Blackbird and others. Breakfast and dinner and overnight in Yucay.

Day 17. The High Andes

We get up early for the drive up beyond the Abra Malaga pass at 4200mtrs and then continue to the north side of the pass and the wet temperate forests at Canchayoc. Here we may see Diademed Tapaculo, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Golden-collared Tanager, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Parodi?s Hemispingus, Marcapata Spinetail, Tit-like Dacnis and many others. Rusty-breasted (Leimebamba), Red-and-White, Rufous and Undulated Antpitta are often heard and with some luck we may be able to lure some of them into view by returning their calls. Driving back to the pass around midday we will do a short but strenuous walk to the quite disturbed Polylepis woodland on the ridge beside us. This is the most easily accessible high Polylepis woodland that is home to the very rare Royal Cinclodes, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant and White-browed Tit-Spinetail. Among other specialties are the Giant Conebill, Line-fronted and Junin Canastero, Puna (Andean) Tapaculo, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Thick-billed Siskin, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant and various species of Ground-Tyrants. As we come out of the valley we stand a good chance of encountering Andean Parakeets and Tit-like Dacnis. Once back on the road in roadside scrub we often find Junin Canastero, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch and Golden-billed Saltator. Breakfast and dinner and overnight in Yucay.

Day 18. Aguas Calientes and Macchu Pichu

Early morning train from nearby Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes followed by birding along the uphill trail to the Machu Picchu ruins. We will drive up the last part of the road and then visit the famed Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. In close proximity to the ruins one can find the endemic Inca Wren, Cusco Brush-Finch and Green-and-White Hummingbird. The area below the ruins is rich with birds and many species such as Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Mitred Parakeet, Barred Parakeet,Andean Guan, Cock-of-the Rock, Ocellated Piculet, White-eared Solitaire, Highland Motmot,Variable Antshrike, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Black-streaked Puffbird, White-crowned, Sierran and Highland Elaenias, Masked Fruiteater, Saffron-crowned, Flame-faced, Rust-and-Yellow and Beryl-spangled Tanagers, Mottled-cheeked and Sclater?s Tyrannulet can be seen. We drive down to Aguas Calientes and at dusk may find Lyre-tailed Nightjar near the hot springs. Breakfast and dinner and overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 19. Aguas Calientes and Cuzco

Another day at Aguas Calientes looking for species we may have missed earlier. Some of you may like to go back and revisit the spectacular site of Machu Picchu which is easily done as there is a frequent bus service up from Aguas Calientes. The rest of us will go birding towards the Mandor waterfalls which is the lowest section of the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This is the best place for the Pale-legged Warbler and it is also usually possible to see the Cock-of-the Rock here. We take the afternoon train back to Cuzco. Breakfast, dinner & overnight in Cuzco.

Day 20. Imperial Cuzco

A full day of sightseeing in the capital of the Inca Empire. There will be some free time this afternoon to explore the heart of fascinating Cuzco on your own. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 22. Cuzco - Lima - Fly Home

Since most flights to North America depart Lima late night, we have the entire day for some cultural touring in the Peruvian capital of Lima. We start our tour with a visit to San Francisco?s Church to visit the extensive catacombs that lie underneath. We then continue to the Plaza de Armas, the most important plaza in Lima. The oldest surviving part of the plaza is the impressive bronze fountain, erected in 1650.Surrounding the plaza is the exquisite Archbishop?s Palace, the cathedral, and the Government Palace where handsomely uniformed presidential guards are on duty all day. After taking some free time for lunch in one of the many outdoor cafes, we head to the Larco Museum which showcases in remarkable chronological galleries an excellent overview on 3,000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, the Larco is surrounded by beautiful gardens and features the finest gold and silver collection from ancient Peru. Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Late evening transfer back to the airport for your return flight. Breakfast and dinner.