Ecuador: Cabanas San Isidro Short Tour

Tiny Ecuador has long been regarded as our planet’s avian epicenter, and during this special departure, we will seek out a variety of species that exemplify the glory of the Neotropics—including up to 30–40 hummingbirds and some 32 tanagers. We will also be on the lookout for Mountain Tapir and Spectacled Bear! This itinerary is specially designed for birding enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone sporting a whim for the joys of the Neotropics who might not be able to join one of VENT’s longer excursions.

From Hostería San José de Puembo, located east of Ecuador’s capital city—Quito, we ascend to Antisana National Park (to 3,800 m) at the foot of the colossal Antisana Volcano, where we’ll watch for Andean Condor, Andean Ibis, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Shining Sunbeam, and Great Sapphirewing, among additional high elevation species. We then cross over the Eastern Cordillera and downslope to Guango Lodge (2,500 m) for lunch in this temperate-zone ecosystem, home to Torrent Duck, Tourmaline Sunangel, Long-tailed Sylph, the amazing Sword-billed Hummingbird, and Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. We continue downslope to ‘La Brisa’ (1,800 m) to enjoy as many as 13 “new” hummingbird species before arriving at Cabañas San Isidro, prior to our evening checklist session and dinner . . . and a possible San Isidro’s Mystery Owl visit!

At this charming location—with its comfortable, well-appointed cabins—we’ll take good advantage of its dining area’s ample deck (which doubles as a prime birding platform) and forest-blind moth lights, trails around the property, roadside habitat, along with half-day excursions to nearby hot-spots. Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Andean Potoo, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Golden-headed and Crested quetzals, Masked Trogon, Andean Motmot, Southern Emerald-Toucanet, Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, and Andean Cock-of-the rock are just a few to whet your appetite!