Southern Ecuador Birding TourExploring the Land of Endemics – Dry Forests, Cloud Forests & High Páramo

 

This 12-night expedition traverses one of South America’s most ecologically diverse yet lesser-visited birding regions. From the endangered dry forests of Jorupe to the mist-shrouded cloud forests of Tapichalaca and the rugged páramo of Cerro Acacana, this route is packed with regional endemics and remarkable habitat variation.

The tour features private reserves managed by the Jocotoco Foundation, a conservation leader in Ecuador, as well as cultural stops in Saraguro and Cuenca. Participants can expect to encounter species like Jocotoco Antpitta, El Oro Parakeet, Crescent-faced Antpitta, and many hummingbird and tanager species rarely seen elsewhere.

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Lodging and Locations

• Puembo Birding Garden – Quito-based arrival and final night

• Umbrellabird Lodge (Buenaventura Reserve) – Cloud forest endemics in southwest Ecuador

• Urraca Lodge (Jorupe Reserve) – Dry forest specialists near the Peruvian border

• Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve) – Cloud forest species including Jocotoco Antpitta

• Copalinga Lodge (Zamora area) – Podocarpus National Park and eastern slope birding

• Achik Wasi Hotel (Saraguro) – Mid-elevation transition zone birding and cultural exposure

• Hotel Oro Verde (Cuenca) – Final birding at El Cajas National Park

 

Tour Details

• Duration: 13 days / 12 nightsStart/End: Quito, Ecuador

• Group Size: Maximum 8 participants

• Pace: Moderate to Intense — includes long travel days, uneven terrain, and high elevations

 

Includes:

• All lodging,

• Domestic flights

• All meals (BLD)

• Private transportation

• All entrance fees

• Professional guide services

• Printed checklist

• All gratuities

 

Excludes:

• International airfare

• Travel insurance

• Alcoholic drinks

• Personal expenses

 

 

📄 [Download Full Itinerary (PDF)]