Natural History • Birdwatching • Flora • Wildlife • Travel Photography

ECUADOR: ANDES TO AMAZON
Nature and Birds in the Andes and Rainforests

Led by Mark Smith and Ecuadorian Naturalists

August 3 - 8, 2009
August 2010

(This tour combines with the Galapagos Tour.)

Itinerary

East from Quito the lakes and paramo grasslands of 13,000 ft Papallacta Pass offer classic alpine walks with vistas of 20,000-foot Andean peaks, as well as unusual birds and bizarre flora. On the Andes east slope (upper Amazon Basin), we explore waterfalls, lakes, and lush forests at many altitudes. Cock-of-the-Rock at their lek, toucans, quetzals, motmots, and flocks of even 15 different brilliant tanagers provide exciting birdwatching. Feeders at lodges host dozens of shimmering hummers. On numerous walks we'll admire orchids, bromeliads, palms, butterflies, leafcutter and army ants, and reptiles and amphibians. By night we'll search for potoos and owls. One hotel offers hot-spring fed pools and views of the Andes, while the other is surrounded by lush forest and beautiful trails. A delightful introduction to the Andes and upper Amazon, with grand vistas and many short hikes.

Leadership

Mark Smith has led nature tours throughout the world for The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and privately. After his studies at OSU, he worked as a researcher and educator for a variety of organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, the National Science Foundation, Portland Public Schools, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Mark has led about 20 tours to the Galapagos and Andes, among his favorite areas. He has special expertise and interest in vertebrates, insects, botany, ecology and island biogeography, and broad interests in all natural history subjects and cultural anthropology.

Also led by Lelis Navarete

Activities, Lodgings and Expectations

Quito is at 9,000 feet, and mild headaches are normal on arrival. Morning temperatures of the highest elevations are near 45° F, but for a short time. Walks are on roads and firm trails, and never more than a couple of miles. Most time is spent at 6,000 feet in forested areas. This is a drier season but some rain is possible, and trails may be muddy in places. Daytime temperature may reach the mid-70's. Transport is by small bus with no drives more than four hours and always with many stops.

Lodgings include a fine hotel in Quito at the beginning and end of the tour, and four nights at two comfortable lodges, all rooms with attached bathrooms.

Preparation

By March travelers will be sent a package of preparation materials, including articles, bird lists, reading and equipment lists, maps, etc.

Rigors of Travel

In the Ecuadorian Andes cities are close to 10,000 feet, and mild headaches are normal on arrival. Morning temperatures of the highest elevations are near 45 ° F. Walks are on roads and firm trails, and never more than a couple of miles, typically downhill. Most time is spent at 5,000–8,000 feet in forested areas.

Costs

A deposit of $500 is required to reserve one of the 14 spaces available on the Ecuador Pre-trip.

$ 500	Initial reservation deposit
$785	Final Payment due June 10, 2009
$1285	Ground Fare Total (includes all meals, lodgings, transport and park fees.)
($275)	(Single supplement)
Galapagos: Approximately $700-1000, round trip from US gateways (Miami, Dallas and Houston) to Quito.

Small Group Supplement
If our group size falls below 8, a reasonable small group supplement, calculated on a sliding scale, will be added.

A deposit of $200 is required only if you are not already signed up for the Galapagos tour. If you are already on the Galapagos tour and want to do this extension, drop Mark a note of intent, and make your international reservations accordingly.

Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel is the tour air-ticket agent; Mark has worked with Pam for over 15 years. Participants are encouraged to make bookings through Pam, which helps to coordinate our flights and keep leaders informed.

Pam Davis of Willamette International Travel
1314 NW Irving St. #101
Portland, OR 97209-2721
Email: pamd@wittravel.com
Phone: 503-224-0180 or 1-800-821-0401

Mark Smith
PO Box 3831
Portland, OR 97208-3831

phone: 360-566-0458
email, in care of: pamd@wittravel.com

Cancellations

Cancellations made 90 days prior to departure receive full refund less $50. Cancellations made between 90 and 60 days prior to departure forfeit $200. Cancellations made 60 and fewer days prior to departure forfeit 70% of ground costs. Trip cancellations insurance is available from Willamette International Travel.

Itinerary

Day 1	Monday, August 3	North America, or Galapagos, to Quito, Ecuador
Flights arrive into Quito from North America in the late evening After being met at the airport we are taken to our downtown hotel. Quito lies at 9,000 feet and has a population of one million. In a deep valley bounded by the Andes, with an ideal climate and an extensive and well-preserved Spanish colonial old town dating from the 16th century, Quito is a fascinating city and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. A day is spent in Quito as part of the Galapagos tour.
Day 2	Tuesday, August 4	Quito to Papallacta Pass
A relaxed departure for 13,000 ft Papallacta pass in the Eastern Andes. The highland grasslands of the pass are called Paramo, a sort of tropical alpine with unique flowers and birds adapted to the extremes of radiation, temperature, humidity and wind. Special birds of these heights include the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Tawny Antpitta and Red-rumped Bush Tyrant. In relict patches of endangered polylepis forest are Giant Conebill and Black-backed Bush Tyrant. At Lake Papallacta the eerie upper temperate forest holds other treasures. We spend the night at the beautiful Hotel Springs of Papallacta, which includes bathing in nine thermal pools, at about 10,500 feet.
Day 3	Wednesday, August 5	Pass, to Guango Lodge, to San Isidro
A relaxed departure to visit the upper temperate forest near Cayambe Coca National Reserve. Afterwards, en route down the east slope of the Andes, we visit the bird feeders at 9,000 ft Guango Lodge in humid temperate forest. Regulars include the stunning Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Montane Avocetbill, and Sword-billed Hummingbird. We continue descending, past rivers and waterfalls, watching for Torrent Ducks and Dippers, to Caba–as San Isidro, at a delightful 6,800 feet, where we spend three nights in private forest cabins with attached bathrooms. This evening we can enjoy birds at the feeders, or perhaps a short walk.
Days 4 & 5	Thursday - Friday, August 6 & 7	San Isidro-Andean Forests
Our lodge for three nights, Caba–as San Isidro is nestled in the picturesque Quijos Valley, one of the westernmost headwaters of the Amazon. This was a hacienda, transformed into a lodge with 11 ridgetop cabins, gardens and surrounding forests laced with trails, many of which we'll walk. The food is justly famous. One day we'll drive to other regional forests at different elevations. We'll walk to a lek of displaying flame-orange Cock-of-the-Rocks. Tracks of Spectacle Bear, Mountain Tapir and even Puma are still seen on the forest trails. Orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes flourish in these cool, moist middle-elevation forests. Over 300 birds have been noted in the area, including a dizzying array of brilliant tanagers and large showy species like Black-billed Mountain Toucan, Crested Quetzal, Highland Motmot and Black-and-chestnut Eagle. The hummingbird feeders on the porch attract Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy and Collared Incas, and Chestnut-breasted Coronet. At night Potoos and owls are frequently seen.
Day 6	Saturday, August 8	San Isidro to Quito
A final long morning exploring San Isidro, and after lunch we depart for Quito, with new stops en route. At our farewell banquet we'll recall favorite sightings. Tomorrow we begin the Galapagos tour.