For an informative overview of all our Ecuador birding tours, see Ecuador: Field Guides Tours.

Here's the pitch. When it comes to avifauna, the subtropical zone of the Andes, suspended between about 4500-8000 feet, is simply one of the richest and most enjoyable areas to bird anywhere in the world. And Ecuador's subtropics offer perhaps the greatest montane birding that can be compressed into a short tour.

Here's the story. There are two cordilleras that transect most of Ecuador. These mountain barriers yield two humid subtropical slopes, one that falls away into Amazonia off the eastern cordillera and another falling toward the Pacific along the western cordillera. Eastern and western outer slopes combine to produce a staggering array of species in spectacular surroundings and ideal temperature.

Hummingbird fans! See our Hummer Slideshow plus a listing of all our best itineraries for 30, 40, even 50 or more hummingbirds on a tour.

Here's the tour. We'll spend our first three days on the beautiful western slope, where Toucan Barbet, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Gorgeted Sunangel, Violet-tailed Sylph, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, and other west-slope specialties are regular. Then we'll head to the eastern slope, to the fantastic San Isidro Lodge, located among Golden-headed Quetzals and White-bellied Antpittas at 6800 feet. Here we're ideally situated on a remarkable ridge that is just teeming with birds. Black-billed Mountain-Toucan (our third possible Andigena!), Slate-crowned Antpitta, colorful hummingbirds and tanagers, Greater Scythebill, and many more are all very real possibilities, and we will have three full days to enjoy this place, its gourmet meals, and courteous accommodation.

Would you like to extend your Ecuador visit with a day or more of additional birding or cultural options with a local guide? Check out the various possibilities on our Ecuador: Add to Your Tour! page.

Download an itinerary, triplist(s), request space, and see more about this tour...

Combo Tours
If you would like a longer birding holiday, some departures of this tour may be combined with:
GALAPAGOS
AMAZONIAN ECUADOR: SACHA LODGE