West Ecuador - Cloud Forest Biodiversity Tour.
August 7 - August 15, 2012
9 days / 8 nights
registration deadline June 7, 2012
Ecuador is one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspot. It sits among a region with the highest concentration of terrestrial life forms on the planet! The snow-capped Ecuadorian Andes reach a height of 20,565 ft / 6,268.2 m above sea level crossing the country from North to South. In the West, the Andes face the Pacific Ocean, creating an array of unique microhabitats and a high level of endemism.
Led by award-winning wildlife photographer and biologist, Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev this trip is designed to explore one of the most bio-rich Cloud Forest sites in Western Ecuador. We will visit and photograph a variety of Cloud Forest wildlife, including orchids, hummingbirds, toucans, Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Umbrella bird, just to name a few; and the most dramatic landscapes ranging in altitudes from 11,500 ft / 3,505 m in the Yanacocha Reserve down to 1,148 ft / 350 m in the Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary. We will tour the famous, colorful and eclectic Otavalo Market, known for its hand-woven textiles and then the town of San Antonio, the woodcarving capital of Ecuador.
Sasha will provide you with a wealth of information about the natural and cultural history of this country. In addition, for those interested in photography, Sasha will conduct workshops in specific techniques and tricks of the trade. You will leave Ecuador with an exceptional photo portfolio from this instructive expedition.
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/PERSON IN DBL |
|---|---|
| 4 - 10 | USD $ 2,655 |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT USD $ 284 |
|
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Hotel Quito
Arrival to Ecuador. Meet our representative at Mariscal Sucre International Airport for a transfer to the Hotel Quito. Hotel Quito has one of the most remarkable views of the capital. At 9,186 ft / 2,800 m elevation, the city of Quito is the second highest capital in the world.
Hotel Quito, free wireless Internet access, swimming pool, sauna, no meals included
Day 2 - Hotel Quito to Maquipucuna Lodge via Yanacocha Reserve
We meet at the hotel’s restaurant for an early breakfast before our departure to the Yanacocha Reserve. At an elevation of 11,500 ft / 3,505 m, it is famed for its rare and endemic Black-breasted Puffleg and distinctive variations of high altitude cloud forests, known as elfin forest, laden with epiphytes. After visiting the reserve we drive the Ecoruta road to the Maquipucuna Lodge making frequent stops for bird and orchid watching and to enjoy beautiful scenery. We arrive to Maquipucuna Lodge before dinner with time to relax and view many hummingbird species at the feeders.
Hotel Quito (B), box lunch, Maquipucuna Lodge (D)
Day 3 - Maquipucuna Lodge
After breakfast, we take a hike on one of the Maquipucuna Reserve trails. The trail meanders through the secondary and primary cloud forest with orchids, birds, butterflies, with many opportunities for photography on our way. Maquipucuna is a great place to observe the Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Cocho Toucan, Golden-headed Quetzal, Broad-billed Motmot and many tanager and hummingbird species. In season, it is a place to see the Spectacle bear, the only bear species in South America. We return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon activities may include a hike to the nearby waterfall, bird watching on the lodge's grounds or free time to relax.
Maquipucuna Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Maquipucuna Lodge
After breakfast, we explore another trail on Maquipucuna Reserve with more exciting subjects for photography. We will return for lunch with free time before dinner to relax and pack up.
Maquipucuna Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Maquipucuna Lodge to Sachatamia Lodge
After breakfast, we depart for the Sachatamia Lodge in the Mindo area. Again, we take the Ecoruta road for more orchid and bird photography with some great opportunities for scenic photography. We arrive to Sachatamia Lodge for relaxing afternoon. Free time can be spent observing and photographing the Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Great Sapphirewing among many other hummingbird species; or taking a short hike to the rainforest or just relaxing by the swimming pool and Jacuzzi before dinner.
Maquipucuna Lodge (B), box lunch, Sachatamia Lodge (D), free wireless Internet access
Day 6 - Sachatamia Lodge, Cock-of-the-rock lek, Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Mindo
We get up before sunrise to arrive at the lek in time to witness the amazing courtship of the Andean Cock-of-the-rock birds. We are back to the lodge for breakfast and soon depart to explore the lowland rainforest of the Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary at 1,148 ft / 350 m. There, we will have great photo opportunities for Pale-mandible Araçari, Choco Toucan, Broad-billed Motmot, White-bearded Manakin and tanagers among others. We return to the Sachatamia Lodge for lunch. After we can have an optional visit the town of Mindo, where we can tour the orchid garden and do some souvenir shopping at the town’s center. We return to the lodge for dinner.
Sachatamia Lodge (L, D, B), free wireless Internet access
Day 7 - Sachatamia Lodge to Hotel Quito
After breakfast, we take a hike through the Sachatamia private reserve. A portion of the hike includes a zip-line that will bring us to the virgin rainforest; where it is possible to spot the Umbrella bird, a year-round resident. After lunch we pack up and depart back to Quito. The Hotel Quito has one of the most remarkable views of the capital. At 9,186 ft / 2,800 m elevation, the city of Quito is the second highest capital in the world.
Sachatamia Lodge (B, L), Hotel Quito (D), swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access
Day 8 - Hotel Quito, Otavalo, San Antonio, Hacienda Cusin & Monastery
After breakfast, we drive to the town of Otavalo, Imbabura Province. The Otavalo area is known for its woven wool textiles, colorfully dressed indigenous people and its famous market. A short distance from Otavalo is San Antonio, the woodcarving capital of Ecuador. Little shops line the main street, where the woodcarvings are made and offered for sale. Next, just a short drive away, we arrive at Hacienda Cusin for lunch and tour the beautiful grounds of this 17th century monastery. We return to Hotel Quito with time to rest before our farewell dinner.
Hotel Quito (B, D), Hacienda Cusin (L), swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access
Day 9 - Hotel Quito, departure
Private transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your departure.
Hotel Quito, swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access, no meals included
End of Services.
- Lodging as specified
- Meals as specified
- Entrances and fees for all described activities
- Private transfers from and to the airport on first and last days
- Professional driver, private transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned tour bus
- Two professional bilingual photo/nature/culture guides
- Photography workshops and informal photography instruction
- Assistance with caption and identification for your images
- Taxes on all services listed above
- International airfare
- Airport departure tax (US $43)
- Traveler’s insurance
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Gratuities and tips
- Non-meal time snacks
- Non-meal time soft drinks and bottled water
- Souvenirs