Ecuador Amazon Birding Tour

BIRDS BY BIJS

They're Not Gonna Watch Themselves!

ECUADOR: Amazon Birding Adventure

Join us on our carefully crafted 8-day tour into the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here, we will immerse ourselves in the magic of one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, Yasuni National Park. The park is a unique convergence zone of the Andes Mountains, the Equator, and the Amazon Rainforest, hosting one-third of all native bird species in the Amazon.

Situated along the Napo River and deep within pristine rainforest, we will stay at two exceptional lodges: Napo Cultural Center and Sani Lodge, both offering access to rich primary forest, canopy towers, blackwater systems, and clay licks.

In addition to the incredible bird diversity, Yasuni is home to 150 species of amphibians, 121 species of reptiles, over 4,000 species of vascular plants, 500+ species of fish, and an immense diversity of insects.

Mammal diversity is equally impressive, with species such as Common Woolly Monkey, Black-mantled Tamarin, Howler Monkey, Spider Monkey, Giant Otter, and even Jaguar possible.

Our daily excursions include canopy towers, parrot clay licks, rainforest trails, blackwater creeks, and river systems, offering a complete Amazonian birding experience.

All images © BIRDS BY BIJS

Amazon Birding Tour Map

TOUR INFO

Departures:

1 – 8 Aug, 2027

*Price:  $4,850 per person/double occupancy

Single supplement: $850.00

*Based on double occupancy at lodgings with a minimum group size of 4 and a max of 8. 

Note if you have requested a roommate we will try to find you one, but this is not a guarantee, if none is available you will be charged the single supplement fee.

TRIP OVERVIEW

Type: Bird watching and Wildlife Viewing
Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Starting city: Quito, Ecuador
Ending city: Quito, Ecuador
Pace: easy to moderate
Physical difficulty: easy to moderate
Focus: Bird Watching and Wildlife viewing
Max group size: 10 + 1 tour leader + local guide(s)

Join us for an incredible 7-day tour into the Ecuadorian Amazon. Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on earth will be our home base as we search for birds, monkeys, caiman, and more!

Our wildlife-packed tour includes a variety of adventures like epic canopy tower birding, raucous parrots at clay licks, and canoe paddles by starlight looking for owls and nightjars.

——-

*This tour can be done as a standalone tour, or as an amazing extension to our NW Ecuador Birding Tour

ITINERARY

DAY 1 ARRIVAL: QUITO                       

                 

Arrival: Quito International Airport (UIO)

Today we will pick you up from Quito International Airport and transfer you to our nearby lodge, approximately 20 minutes away.

After settling in, we will enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner and prepare for the Amazon portion of the tour.

Overnight: Zaysant area

Dinner included

DAY 2 Quito → Coca → Napo Cultural Center
                                                  

After an early breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our short domestic flight to Coca.

Upon arrival, we meet our local guide and begin our journey down the Napo River by motorized canoe (approx. 2.5 hours). This is our first immersion into the Amazon, with excellent chances to observe river-edge and open-area species.

After arriving at the lodge, checking in, and refreshing, we will head out for introductory birding around the lodge and nearby lagoon systems.

Overnight: Napo Cultural Center

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included  

DAY 3 – Napo Cultural Center

We begin early with a paddle along Añangu blackwater creek (approx. 1.5 hours), a prime habitat for secretive species.

We then continue to forest trails and canopy viewpoints, including a visit to the Black-necked Red Cotinga lek, one of the major highlights of the trip.

Throughout the day, we will explore a mix of flooded forest, terra firme forest, and canopy environments.                            

Overnight: Napo Cultural Center

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

DAY 4 – Napo Cultural Center → Sani Lodge

 

After an early breakfast, we visit a parrot clay lick along the Napo River, where large flocks gather to feed on mineral-rich clay. We then visit a second clay lick deeper in the forest, offering closer and more prolonged viewing opportunities.

After this, we transfer to Sani Lodge and head out for afternoon birding around lagoon and forest edge habitats.

Overnight: Sani Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

DAYS 5–6 – Sani Lodge

 

During our two full days at Sani Lodge, we explore multiple habitats including canopy, lagoon, river edge, and interior forest. Each day remains flexible based on weather and bird activity, but includes canopy tower visits, canoe excursions, forest trails, clay licks, and night outings.

Across these habitats, we have opportunities to encounter an exceptional diversity of Amazonian birdlife.                                         

Overnight: Sani Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

DAY 7 – Sani Lodge → Coca → Misahualli

 

After breakfast, we depart Sani Lodge via paddle canoe and motorized canoe back to Coca. From Coca, we travel by road to Misahualli (approx. 2.5 hours), with additional birding opportunities along the way.

After lunch and a short rest, we head to the Arajuno River for a boat excursion to a lek of one of the Amazon’s most spectacular hummingbirds.

Overnight: El Jardin Misahualli

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

DAY 8 – Misahualli → Quito – Departure

Before breakfast, we will enjoy final birding around Misahualli, targeting species we may have missed earlier in the trip. After breakfast, we drive back to Quito, making birding stops along the way. We stop for lunch at Cabañas Tamiaju before continuing to the airport.

Final opportunities may include a mix of open-area and edge species such as:
Swallows, flycatchers, tanagers, kites, and kingfishers depending on conditions

Arrival at Quito International Airport is expected around 6:00 PM.                                           

Breakfast, Lunch included              

Meal Key

B – Breakfast

L- Lunch

D – Dinner

BB/BL – Boxed Breakfast/Boxed Lunch

ON – Overnight lodging location 

Tour includes:

  • All airport transfers
  • Domestic flight from Quito to Coca (round trip)
  • Private transportation throughout the tour
  • Accommodation at well regarded birding lodges and hotels (private bathrooms, Wi-Fi where available)
  • Professional bilingual bird guide equipped with spotting scope, playback speaker, and laser pointer
  • Professional tour leader for groups of more than 4 participants
  • All park entrance fees and permits
  • Three delicious meals per day featuring local cuisine (as indicated: B, L, D)
  • Safe drinking water throughout the tour and beverages at meals
  • Canoe transportation and excursions within the Amazon
  •  

Not included on tour:

  • Optional tips to the tour leader or guide(s)
    Tips for luggage porters if you require their services
  • International Flights, airport departure tax
  • Snacks or additional drinks apart from those included
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
  • Excursions not included in the tour itinerary
  • Extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items
  • Medical fees or other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included

Questions

Call us now! 818 939 9913

Trip Reports & Blog Posts

July 2024 –Blog Trip Report & eBird Trip Report

Mar 2025 –Blog Trip Report & eBird Trip Report

Trip Reports & Blog Posts