Ecuador - Cloud Forest Birding

Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge Only two hours from Quito, Bellavista is an ideal place for adventure and relaxation. It's a great option for those travelling to the Galapagos and don't have time for a trip to the Amazon. But above all, Bellavista is a wonderful place for discovering the cloud forest and its magical diversity of bird and plant life. And perhaps most importantly, you can walk the trails in peace at your own pace without bumping into crowds of other people.

The British-run Bellavista Reserve is located in the spectacular cloud forests of northwestern Ecuador, on the edge of the 'Choco' bio-region, one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. Our expanding 700 hectare (2,000 acres) reserve is characterized by sharply angled and deeply forested mountains which descend into gorges sprinkled with cascading waterfalls and crystalline streams. We are concentrating our efforts to have a minimal impact on this pristine environment in the hope to truly practice sustainable tourism.

Hosteria Septimo Paraiso is located at just 1 1/2 hours from Quito, Ecuador; 2 km from la Y de Mindo, near the village. The Hosteria has 22 luxurious rooms with private bathrooms, hot water from their own spring with an old country style decoration. The two houses cater for different budgets without losing its first class category. It covers 420 Hectares of pre-montane cloud forest and its altitude varies between 1050m to 1650m.

Septimo Paraiso Hostería and Cloud forest Reserve has become on of the main destination for birders visiting Ecuador. The reserve has 420 hectares of pre-montane and montane cloud forest, with approximately 322 bird species. The Hosteria has a beautiful elegant country style restaurant with special national and international home-made food prepared with the unique style of our experienced staff of chefs. The El Puma Bar is a casual and relaxed bar area with a full fledged pool table, soccer table, darts, 660 + channels of music and TV via satellite link with PPV facilities and our own exclusive cocktails prepared by our bartender. La Cava has a very interesting collection of the finest Argentinean and Chilean wines available in all the areas of the Hosteria.

It also has a beautiful heated pool and jacuzzi with spacious solarium area. There is also a small gym for those who need a good workout. All the areas of the Hosteria are connected with a practical roofed board walk. The Tangaras Cafeteria offers the best fresh filtered coffee with home made cakes and bread from our own bakery. The Gift Shop offers all sorts of souvenirs and handcrafts plus last minute buys.

Two week's birding in north-western Ecuador makes for an excellent combination with other destinations in the country (Galapagos Islands, Amazon Basin, Southern Ecuador), or of course, if short on time, as a trip in its own right. We concentrate on this area alone, but can suggest people to help with the organization of trips elsewhere in Ecuador.

Northwestern Ecuador around the area of Bellavista & Septimo Paraiso Lodges still has good native forest cover, and nearby areas also have good private protected areas that assure us of good birding and importantly also help ensure the survival of species dependent on the forests.

Ecuador's bird diversity is famous, and this region, with its rapid changes of elevation, can offer 600 species of potential sightings. In the Tandayapa Valley alone (where Bellavista is located), over 330 species have been recorded! Bellavista, as the one of the two bases for this trip, offers comfortable and unique lodging, with gourmet food and hammocks to relax, trails to hike and waterfalls to discover, as well as excellent birding right around the main lodge complex.

We are aware that sometimes avid birders have a less avid companion; both Bellavista and Septimo Paraiso can very much cater for these varied interests with different naturalist hikes, waterfall hikes and visits to such places as a nice Butterfly Farm, and Orchid Reserves.

Day 1: Arrival Nono Road & Yanacocha Reserve

Once clear of Quito we will bird the Nono road all the way out to Bellavista, stopping at Yanacocha Reserve and looking for bird flocks as we travel.

Target species: Black-backed Grosbeak, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-breasted Puffleg, Torrent Duck, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Hooded Mountain-Tanager.

Dinner and Overnight at Bellavista.

Day 2: Bellavista

A full day to bird in and around Bellavista Lodge and its cloud forest reserve. We will concentrate on the roads that cross the reserve, and various easy trails for forest denizens.

Target species: Grass green Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Cloud-Forest Pygmy-Owl and Giant Antpitta.

Dinner and Overnight at Bellavista.

Day 3: Tandayapa Valley

Today we will take a day trip to lower Tandayapa Valley. We will visit hummingbird house, where some species typical of this mid-elevation can be seen comfortably from their veranda. The valley is so steep that as you drop about 200 meters in only 3 km, you find new species of birds!

Target species: White-faced Nunbird, Nariño Tapaculo, Scaled Antpitta, and White-capped Dipper, Wedge-Billed Hummingbird.

Day 4: Bellavista

Another day at Bellavista. There is pllenty to see at this elevation, especially with a vehicle to take us around.

Target species: Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Crested and Golden-Crowned Quetzal, Ocellated Tapaculo. And we will always try for the Tanager-Finch if we have not yet been successful.

Dinner and Overnight at Bellavista.

Day 5: Milpe Reserve

We will spend the day in los bancos region, concentrating on the elevation of Milpe reserve.

Target species: we will be looking for Club-winged Manakin, One-coloured Becard, and Scaled Fruiteater.

Dinner and Overnight at Bellavista.

Day 6: Los Bancos

Today we will take a second day trip to Los Bancos region, with a stop at a different reserve where we have been seeing a superb Cock-of-the-rock lek.

Target species: Cock-Of-The-Rock, Giant Antpitta, Crimson-Rumped Toucanet, Chestnut-mandibilled Toucan, Chestnut-throated Antwren, Choco Vireo, Crested Owl.

Dinner and Overnight at Bellavista.

Day 7: Pedro Vicente Maldonado

Today we will take a trip to lower a elevation around Pedro Vicente Maldonado.

Target species: Buff-rumped Warbler, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Rose-faced Parrot, and Orange-fronted Barbet.

Tansfer to Septimo Paraiso.

Our first night at Septimo Paraiso.

Day 8: Septimo Paraiso

We will have an early start to enjoy the birds at this impressive location (1580 m. above sea level), birding in the gardens of the hosteria and the trails including their own observation platform.

Lunch at Septimo will be followed by the excellent possibilities that this forest provides, finally stopping at the hummingbird station to enjoy incredible displays by this unique American family.

Target species: Choco Toucan, Pale-Mandibled Aracari, Scaled Antpitta, Ochre breasted Antpitta, Glistening-Green Tanager, Long-Wattled Umbrellabird, Wattled Guan, Black and White Owl, Cloud Forest Pygmy owl, Rufescent Screech Owl, Crested Quetzal, Toucan Barbet and many more.

Dinner and Overnight at Septimo Paraiso.

Day 9: Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve Bio-station & Cunuco Station

Optional very early wake up to be led to a Cock-of-the-rock lek, some hiking in the dark is expected returning to Septimo for Breakfast

Early Birding at Septimo Paraiso meeting the earlier starters coming from the lek. This will be followed by our departure for a full day birding in the Lower Mindo Valley and Cunuco. The trip includes a visit to the Septimo Paraiso Cloud Forest reserve Bio-station and the forest at the Cunuco station.

Lunch at the bio-station and then afternoon trip to the El Cinto Road, birding the road which is famous for good surprises. We hope for incredible sights of the Mindo specialities.

Target species: Sun-Bittern, little Hermit, Velvet-purple Coronet, Torrent Duck, Neo-tropical Cormorant, Golden-Headed Quetzal, Dark-backed Wood-Quail.

Return to Septimo Paraiso, Dinner and Overnight

Day 10: Maquipucuna Reserve

After an early Breakfast, we tale a full day trip for birdwatching at the Maquipucuna Reserve (walks are difficult, very muddy, with stiff hikes), which is very good for many forest birds.

Target species: Plushcap, Capped Conebill, Beautiful Jay, Yellow breasted Antpitta, and others.

Dinner and Overnight at the lodge.

NB: if the participants do not feel up to the physical requirements we suggest a full day hummingbird feast, visiting the lower Mindo river (Los Colibris), the orchid house and if possibly the butterfly farm located on the upper Mindo River.

Day 11: Septimo Paraiso - second valley

After an early Breakfast we set out for a full day Birdwatching in the second valley at Septimo Paraiso (the walks are semi-difficult, sometimes muddy, with some stiff hikes), but the birding is very good in the forest.

Target species: Wattled Umbrellabird, Cloud-wing Manakin, various tanagers and fantastic mixed flocks.

The day will end with a farewell dinner and Overnight at the lodge.

Day 12: Nono-Mindo Road & Yanacocha

After some early Birdwatching at Septimo Paraiso to cover anything we might of missed, we will breakfast at 8.30 am. We then leave for Quito via Nono-Mindo Road birdwatching throughout. This will complement the trip outward from Quito since we will cover Tandayapa and Nono valleys during the morning hours. We will take a packed lunch and spend the afternoon at Yanacocha if weather allows.

Arrival at hotel in Quito for overnight stay.

Day 13: Departure

Transfers to the airport.

End of service

US$2,880 per person based on two people sharing with private bath

Substantial reductions for larger groups! 4 pax: US$ 6 pax: US$ 8 pax: US$.

Above: Single supplement applicable on accommodation. For individual clients (1 pax), supplement applicable on all services.

The cost will include only: Reception at airport on arrival and send off on departure, accommodation on twin share with all meals, transport for all transfers and birding trips as per itinerary, entrance fees (Cock-of-the-Rock, Yanacocha, etc), guided birding.

Not included: Flights to and from Ecuador, internal flights to other destinations, medical expenses & insurance, drinks at dinner, alcohol, tips, insurance & items of a personal nature such as laundry & phone calls.