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From the moment we landed at our destination, we were looked after and expertly led for the whole of the holiday. It was primarily a bird tour and was the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition to visit South America and particularly the Andes and see a number of target birds. We had hopes of what the holiday would be like prior to going, but all those hopes were not only met, but exceeded by the trip. They [Naturetrek] expertly organised everything and took all the pressure away from going to a strange country. The tour guide Andrea and the driver Jose were brilliant and took us safely to places to see the birds and wildlife that only local knowledge made possible. Andrea’s bird knowledge and the way she led the group was excellent as was Jose’s driving and taking care of everyone’s baggage.
D.S. Surrey, Nov 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Ecuador - On the Trail of the Jocotoco Antpitta
Tour Code: ECU17A 12-day birdwatching tour to the forests of Ecuador in search of the rare Jocotoco Antpitta and a wealth of other Neotropical birdlife.
£4,295
£3,395
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
It was only in 1997 that birders combing the mist-shrouded valleys of southern Ecuador were assailed by a loud sound they didn’t recognise. The caller turned out to be a species new to science, the skulking and quite remarkable Jocotoco Antpitta. The discovery caused a sensation – how did such a distinctive bird go undetected for so long? Nowadays it comes to be fed with earthworms at Tapichalaca Reserve and provides the perfect excuse for a trip to the birding mecca of Ecuador. We stay at a trio of comfortable lodges where world class birding begins on the balcony as a stream of hummingbirds, tanagers and other delights come to feeders and afford superb views. Long-wattled Umbrellabirds gather to display at Buenaventura with a chance of El Oro Parakeets, Pacific Tuftedcheek and Club-winged Manakins nearby. See Amazonian Umbrellabird at Copalinga for a unique double, together with Spangled Coquette and Ocellated Tapaculo to complement the antpitta-fest!
- A birding tour to see some rare and localised species of the south Ecuadorean Andes
- Headline act is the recently discovered Jocotoco Antpitta at Tapichalaca Reserve
- Hummingbird heaven at Copalinga Lodge feeders on edge of Podocarpus National Park
- Three nights at Buenaventura Reserve for El Oro Parakeet and Long-wattled Umbrellabird
- Condors and chance of Spectacled Bear to end tour at Antisana
- Optional pre-tour extension to NW cloudforests
When the Jocotoco Antpitta was discovered back in 1997, deep within the moss-draped cloudforests of the eastern slopes of the southern Ecuadorian Andes it greatly excited the ornithological world. Heading the small team of five which discovered the bird were Bob Ridgely and John Moore. Their team’s goal had actually been for John to obtain further sound recordings for his work on the ‘Vocalizations of Birds of the Neotropics’ and for Bob to tidy some loose ends prior to the publication of the seminal ‘Birds of Ecuador’. It was this new bird’s distinctive ‘jo-jo-jo-jo-jo-jo’ which alerted the group to the undescribed species. Interestingly, locals were familiar with the calls of the bird, but had never seen what made them!
More than 20 years on, this new tour takes us first to the Manglares-Churute Reserve, not far from Guayaquil. Here we should see Pacific Royal Flycatcher and our first Tumbesian endemics in the form of Superciliated Wren and Ecuadorian Trogon. We then drive on for a 3-night stay at Buenaventura Reserve where star birds include El Oro Parakeet (for which the reserve was originally set up to protect), Long-wattled Umbrellabird and numerous hummingbirds and tanagers. Our next base, again for three nights, is Copalinga Lodge on the edge of the Podocarpus National Park. The feeders in the grounds of the lodge will be buzzing with hummingbirds such as Wire-crested Thorntail, Spangled Coquette and many others, while Blackish Nightjar and Gray Tinamou can be seen nearby.
The tour nears conclusion with two nights at Tapichalaca Reserve where, two decades after its discovery, we will be able to see Jocotoco Antpitta as it comes out to feed confidently on earthworms at an antpitta feeding station. A flight to Quito and a day at Antisana for Andean Condors and spellbinding scenery rounds off this exciting new itinerary, which can be combined with our established ‘Cock-of-the-Rock’ itinerary in northern Ecuador (website tour code ECU05).
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Comfortable hotels and birders' lodges.
- Food:
All included, except evening meals in Guayaquil and Quito.
Reviews
Extensions
Guaycapi extension
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Roberto Cedeno
Roberto Cedeño has 34 years of experience as a tour guide. He grew up on the outskirts of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and developed a strong attachment to horses and rural life from an early age. At the age of 17, he had the opportunity to participate in a one-year exchange programme in the US, where he improved his English language skills.
Upon his return to Ecuador, he decided to venture into the world of tourism and became a tour guide. In time, he developed into a specialist naturalist guide in the Amazon region of Ecuador, where he discovered his passion for birdwatching. Over the years, he has become an expert in bird and mammal watching and currently dedicates himself to guiding and photographic work.
Throughout his career, Roberto has had the opportunity to work in various countries including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, guiding clients who are particularly interested in discovering the local fauna and natural beauty of these places. He has also led multi-day horseback tours and specialist mammal-watching tours.
With his extensive experience and knowledge in the field of tourism, Roberto has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and clients. He regularly leads our ‘Ecuador’s Mammals’ itinerary and also some of our birding tours in Ecuador. He is a fun, witty, knowledgeable and popular travel companion!
2026
2027
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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