Birdwatching Tour
6 days (available as a private tour)
Price: $1690 per person (minimum 2 persons)
DESCRIPTION
Whether you are an experienced birder or just starting with this activity, the Amazon basin, with around 590 species, is a must destination to visit. From the common bird species: toucans, macaws, parrots, kingfishers, oropendolas, and more, to the most searched birds as eagles, herons, owls, and potoos, our experienced local guides with the company of expert birdwatching guides will make your bird checklist a full one.
TRIP CONSIDERATIONS:
Activity level: relaxed – moderate
Focus: birdwatching
Tour type: specialized
Itinerary (sample)
Here you can see our checklist on e-bird here
Day 1: Arrival at Mandari Panga
We'll then begin a journey of about an hour and 45 minutes in land transport, during this route we will make a couple stops to start birding. Once we arrive at the Tiputini river port we will enjoy a packed lunch and begin our adventure. We embark on a serene journey down the meandering river, nestled within the graceful embrace of our canoe. Our eyes eagerly scan the verdant banks, anticipating the arrival of avian companions. Soon, a vibrant kaleidoscope of feathered wonders graces our vision: elegant herons gracefully stalking their prey, darting kingfishers with their vibrant plumage, and gentle swans gliding serenely along the water's surface.
When we arrive at the camp, you will have time to get to know the facilities and settle into your tent. Indulge in a refreshing welcome drink before savoring a delectable candlelit dinner that awaits you in the main house.
Day 2 to 5:
Parrot clay-lick. There is one clay-lick close to the campsite and another close the community center. Birds are usually more active early in the morning; we will leave the camp around 5 am to visit either of these sites. There are various types of parrots, like the Orange-cheeked Parrot.
El Moretal. This site is just crossing a small river from the camp. Morete is a type of palm tree, and local refers to Moretal to a lowland flooded forest composed by this palm. This hike is near or in swamp areas. This ecosystem is a perfect area to see birds during the day, like the Long-tailed potoo.
Tiputini river. This river flows west to east and passes all the Yasuni National Park, and in some areas, it is the natural limit between the Kichwa and Huaorani communities. This river carries a lot of nutrients in its water. We will leave early in the morning for a canoe ride; we will turn the motor off and go with the flow. Birding here is nice and relaxing. This is an excellent opportunity to see swallows, kiskadees, kingfishers, woodpeckers, potoos, and others. If we are lucky, we might see river dolphins.
Blackwater lagoons. There are a few of these in this area. We can find hoatzins, herons, pigeons, tanagers, swallows, and others. And with some luck, the giant otter. This is a mixed activity, hiking and canoeing.
Trails by the camp. One trail (Peccary trail) starts just back of the restaurant, and another two trails are crossing the Tiputini River and the Yutzuyacu River from the camp. Most are loop trails with options of length. Most of the time it is not necessary to walk long distances to observe a good variety of birds.
Day 6: Return to Coca
Included:
- Transportation Coca – Mandari Panga – Coca
- Bilingual birdwatching guide and native guide
- Accommodation in tents complete with mattress and bedding
- Use of rubber boots for hikes, life jacket for canoe travel
- Three meals a day (starting with lunch on the first day through breakfast on the final day)
- Purified water
Not included:
- Transportation Quito – Coca – Quito
- Additional beverages and snacks; extra meals in Coca before and after the tour
- Rain poncho
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Travel insurance
PACKING LIST (looking for our recommendations?):
- ORIGINAL PASSPORT (in waterproof plastic bag)
- Fast drying, lightweight clothing including long sleeve shirts and pants
- A light jacket for colder nights
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sandals or walking shoes
- Thick, absorbent hiking type socks
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses, sunblock and repellent (no spray)
- Water bottle
- One small (waterproof recommended) daypack
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- Plastic bags to protect electronic equipment
- Camera and Binoculars
- Swimming suit
INQUIRY FORM
Other Information
CLIMATE:
The Amazon Rainforest is characterized by rain, heat and more rain and heat (usually 72°-90°F, 22°-32°C), providing the perfect environment for plants and wildlife! The Amazon is always humid with generous amounts of rain occurring year-round. Both the rainy and “rainier” seasons are great times for an Amazon tour.
Sunshine and rain showers during the day and slightly chilly temperatures at night are a rule of thumb to go by on Amazon rainforest tours.
December and January are the driest months with February and March being a shoulder that leads to the months with the heaviest rainfall.
April, May, June and July see the most precipitation in the Ecuador Amazon Basin. These months coincide with the wet season in the rest of the country. Rainfall in the Andes spills over into the Ecuador Amazon Basin-raising water levels of the Napo River and its tributaries.
August through December see a decline in the amount of rain that falls each month. The average temperature in the jungle remains around 25°C (77°F) year-round, but during the dry season, daytime temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F).
ELECTRICITY:
There is limited electricity at the camp; there is a charging station for electronics which functions from 6 pm to 10 pm. There is electric lighting at the camp during these hours.
LUGGAGE:
There is no luggage limit weight that you can bring to the campsite, but we recommend to bring only the necessary. If you have big luggage you might leave in Quito or we can hold it in Coca for you.
VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH TIPS:
Full Covid-19 (or a negative PCR test) and yellow fever vaccination are required to enter the Yasuni National Park.
Yellow fever and Malaria are the usual concern of our visitors. We haven’t had any cases at our campsite, but it is always recommendable to have a shot and bring medication for this, as well as a type of anti-biotic for Traveler’s diarrhea (TD).
Consult your doctor for the most current recommended health precautions for your time visiting the Amazon rainforest. The US Center for Disease Control is an excellent source for detailed information on preventing travel-related illnesses.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM COCA
- On the first day of the tour, passengers are picked up in Coca (airport, bus station or hotel) in the morning approximately at 10 AM.
- At the end of the tour, passengers will be in Coca by about 10 AM, and can take a flight or bus to their next destination. This may change upon flight availability.
- To get to Coca, there are currently flights departing from Quito on our operation days. There are currently 2 airlines flying this route, please ask us for options. If there are no early flights, passengers traveling to Coca should arrive the day before the tour. Exceptions can be made if necessary, please contact us. Regular bus service to/from Coca is also available, the trip is about 7 hours.
- Passengers beginning their tour in the morning will have the option to stop at a local restaurant for breakfast (not included), this restaurant is operated by a Kichwa women’s association to benefit community conservation projects.
- For those traveling by bus, there are day and evening buses as well as overnight buses departing at 11 PM or 11:30 PM.
- We can assist with purchasing flight or bus tickets.
Other journeys you may be interested in
Private Tailor Made
We are open to plan new experiences. If you want to create your journey, we will be happy to make it possible.
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