Day 1
Start the tour by visiting the highlands west of Quito, a reserve called Yanacocha. Here you can enjoy of one of the last remnants of the western Andean forest in Ecuador, an ecosystem in danger of extinction. During the walk, you will be able to find a great variety of flora and fauna, especially birds. You will see some of the most amazing birds living in America: the hummingbirds.
After Yanacocha, you will continue towards Bellavista Lodge where you will stay the night. You will have lunch in the lodge and in the afternoon, you will enjoy a nice walk in the reserve to learn about the cloud forest and the “choco” region before coming back and getting ready for dinner.
At night, it is possible to check on the mammal feeders to look for one of the newest species of mammal described in the world called Olinguito. Accommodation and all meals are included for this day.
Day 2
Walk on the trails that Bellavista reserve has to offer. Bromeliads and orchids, hummingbirds and tanagers, toucans and antpittas - all are vying for your attention, and could keep any dedicated naturalist enthused for a lifetime of observation. Add to that the sense of adventure hiking the forest trails, or deep adventure hiking up streams to reach hidden waterfalls.
You will be in the upper mountain forest at 2,000 meters high (6,400 feet). In the afternoon, you will keep exploring the area walking a different trail or enjoying the hummingbird feeders and the surroundings.
At night, you will go for a night walk around the area of the hotel looking for those creatures that wake up at night that form part of this amazing ecosystem. Accommodation and all meals are included for this day.
Day 3
Early bird watching activity for those enthusiasts that would like to take advantage of one of the best birding places in the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest. After breakfast, you move to Mindo town, and you will visit the biggest butterfly farm in the area. The purpose of the farm is the conservation of these insects and to provide environmental education.
You will also visit an orchid garden and an artisanal chocolate factory. Lunch is in the town. You will return to Quito after. Accommodation is included. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4
You will move a bit higher in elevation. You will visit one of the fauna reserves: Antisana. You will depart from your hotel in Quito and will go east to this protected area. You have several stops during the ride toward the ecological reserve trying to spot the Andean condor. There is more Andean wildlife that is possible to see in this reserve.
You will arrive at La Mica lake and will hike around this area to learn about the ecology and importance of the Paramos (Andean grasslands) in Ecuador. Later on, you will go for lunch, after which you will continue to Papallacta hot springs for dinner and accommodation. Accommodation and all meals are included for the day.
Day 5
After a nice and relaxing night in a very comfortable bed, you will get ready to have breakfast and go to another ecological reserve in the highlands by Papallacta. You will walk on the trails of this reserve trying to spot the wildlife living in here before returning to the hot springs to soak in the pools and relax.
You will have lunch in this area and will continue to a small reserve in the eastern slope of the Andes to watch a big variety of hummingbirds. You will enjoy some coffee and cookies while you observe and enjoy these amazing birds. You will return to Quito
afterward. Accommodation is included for the day. Dinner is your own.
Day 6
Early in the morning, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Manta City. Arrive at Manta and transfer to Machalilla National Park. You will visit Pacoche Reserve on the way, a protected area located around one hour from Manta city. At Pacoche, you will enjoy the humid forest of the coast and will have the chance to observe the black howler monkeys living in the area. Lunch at Pacoche Lodge.
After lunch ,you will depart to Machalilla National Park. You will continue to the lodge for accommodation. Accommodation is included for the day. Dinner is your own.
Day 7
Spend the fill day in Isla de la Plata in Machalilla National Park. Isla de la Plata is a continental island located one and half hours from Puerto Lopez by boat. It is also called the Little Galápagos for the kind of vegetation and fauna living on the Island. It is possible to watch blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions.
During the months of late June to early September, it is possible to watch humpbacks whales. The whales arrive to the coast of Ecuador for the mating season. After the visit to the island, you will have lunch on the boat and have the chance to go snorkeling. You will be arriving to the hotel in the mid-afternoon. You will have some time off to relax. Accommodation is included for the day. Dinner is your own.
Day 8
This last day, you will start your transfer to Manta for your flight back to Quito City. On the way, you will stop at the community of Agua Blanca where you will learn about the first cultures that settled on the Ecuadorian coast. Lunch is included. Arrive at Quito and transfer to your hotel.
