Ecuador Family Trip, July 19 to 26, 2008 with Sacha Lodge Extension to August 2 Brief Trip Description With Lelis Navarette as your bird guide and the services of Outdoor Instructors, both bird watching parents and children will have a great time.  Lelis will help the group look for over 300 species in locations such as Yanacocha, Tandayapa, Rio Silanche, Mindo and Milpe, covering a number of habitats over seven days.  You will not want to miss an opportunity to share the globally famous Refugio Paz de Las Aves (the Antpitta spot)  with your children.  The Outdoor Instructors will provide plenty of children's activities to keep the children happy and to assure the parents' have time to bird by themselves and successfully with their children.     This trip will offer families a number of opportunities to see interesting birds, including Grey-breasted Woodwren, White-winged Becard, Blue-chinned Mountain-Tanager (amongst over 50 tanager species), Red-headed Barbets, Crimson-rumped Toucanets, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, and Barred Hawk.  As a start to nearly 40 species of hummingbirds, just imagine Tawny-bellied Hermit , Sparkling Violet-ear, Purple-bibbed White-tip, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Booted Racket-tail, and Purple-throated Woodstar.  This will be our most incredible trip to date.  A side trip will be offered to the Amazonian rain forest area (giving the bird watch an opportunity to see over 400 species in less than 2 weeks).  A complete bird list of expected species by location based upon our April 2007 exploratory trip is available by request. This trip will fill up quickly so please contact us in the next few weeks.  For more information or to contact us, call 1-888-203-7464 or by email at travel@nestlingtours.com. Please contact us if you are interested or have any questions about this great opportunity.

Brief Itinerary Saturday, July 19:  First Night in Quito. Sunday, July 20:  Orientation, Yanacocha, start on Tandayapa Valley Monday, July 21:  Full day in the Tandayapa Valley Tuesday, July 22: Bellavista Reserve, Mindo Area including Sacha Tamia Reserve Wednesday, July 23:  Refugio Paz de Las Aves Thursday, July 24: Day 6. Early morning in Mindo area and afternoon Milpe Friday, July 25: Rio Silanche and Other Local Areas Saturday, July 26:  Milpe Reserve and Quito return. Flights out on Saturday in late evening or Sunday in the morning. Extension:  July 27 to August 1 or 2 Sunday, July 27:  Day to enjoy Quito with family or Quito area birding (including Pappalachta Pass) Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1:  5 Days and 4 Nights at Sacha Lodge in Amazonian Rain Forest. Extension flights out on Friday August 1 late at night or on August 2 in the morning.

Nestling Tour's Family Trip to Ecuador Itinerary for Ecuador (All times are approximate and all plans are subject to change based upon the actual pace of birding, weather and better birding opportunities which may develop) July 19 and 20:  Arrival, Orientation and Yanacocha Reserve On Saturday (July 19), participants will fly to Quito via Atlanta on Delta Airlines (arriving at about 9 PM) or from Houston (arriving after 11 PM).   Other flight arrangements are possible, but will require additional transfer fees and maybe additional lodging costs.  No matter your flight plans, we will have a representative from the local lodge meet you outside of customs gate and take you to the lodge. On Sunday morning (July 20), some parents will have the opportunity for some early morning birding at the botanical reserve surrounding the lodge in which we are staying.  This first morning of the trip, each child will need a parent to stay with them until they wake after a needed good night's sleep.  This brief guided trip will end at breakfast so that we can begin orientation at 7 AM and get to Yanacocha.  Some of the interesting birds seen regularly at this location include Blue-and-gold Tanager, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Giant Thrush, and about 20 other species are possible to start the day off. 7:00 AM to 8:30/9 AM:  Breakfast and Orientation with all participants (including children) and then just adult participants (from about 8 AM). About 8 AM until 9:15 AM:  After breakfast and part of the orientation, the children can go enjoy a children's friendship building activity and hummingbird feeder watching with the Outdoor Instructors. From about 9:15 AM, we will head towards the Yanacocha Reserve.  We will stop along the way for a number of birding opportunities and short hikes.   Some of the birds, which may be seen along the way, include White-crested Elania, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Brown- bellied Swallow, Black-crested Warbler, Masked Flower-Piercer, Glossy Flower-Piercer,  Black Flower-Piercer, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Grassland Yellow-Finch, Stripe-headed Brush- Finch, Hooded Siskin, and more.  Some choice species we found along the way in 2007 included Azara's Spinetail, Tyrian Metaltail and Tawny Antpitta.     With Lelis as the bird guide, your time will be well spent picking up a several gems (not likely to be seen on the rest of the trip).   Between 10:30 and noon depending upon birding along the way and paced based upon Lelis' sound judgement, the group will arrive at Yanacocha.  The whole family will enjoy watching for humminbirds at the feeders which are famous for high elevation hummingbirds (such as Giant Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented Puffleg and many more).   This location will be a good time to enjoy a boxed lunch.  Next, a short birding hike may be worthwhile (go with Lelis' judgement here).  A short children's activity will be prepared so the children will have an alternative to birding with their parents and have another opportunity to get to know their peers. On the way to the lodge, the group will have a chance to enjoy a few more birding stops. If the group gets checked into the lodge by 4:30 PM, there may be time for another children's activity while the parents go birding with Lelis in the cloud forest area surrounding the lodge before 5:30 PM. 5:30 PM:  Family Time Begins.  See Note 4 on the importance of ending the Outdoor Instructor services for the day. 5:30 PM:   Allow half hour to clean-up before dinner at 6 PM 6 PM Dinner, followed by a compilation of the bird species seen that day 8 PM: Recommended Bed Time for All Note:  We will try to establish a kid's camp at the lodge for all interested children.  Children will be able to bunk in a series of 6 rooms above the main lodge.  Most kids will find this sleeping arrangement (like sleeping at a camp bunkhouse) fun over the next 2 nights.  The Outdoor Instructors will be able to assure the children get to sleep and will sleep nearby to assure the kid's feel safe.  This will allow nearly all parents the opportunity for an early morning bird start the next day. July 21 to 23:  Bellavista Reserve, Tandayapa Valley, Tandayapa Hummingbird Feeders, Mindo Area, & Refugio Paz de las Aves On Monday morning (July 21), we will start right before dawn with an early morning bird walk in the cloud forest area by the lodge.  We are hoping most kids will be staying at the kids camp above the main lodge so nearly all parents can enjoy this early morning bird walk.  In some cases, children will stay in the same room as their parents, and this will require one parent to stay in the room with their child. At about 7:30 AM, the entire group (parents and children) will enjoy breakfast at the main lodge.  By then, the kids will be out of bed.  If any child rises early, one Outdoor Instructor will be available to greet them and   help them meet their needs (getting dressed and finding the bathroom) while the other Outdoor Instructor initiate an early morning exploration of the lodge area until breakfast is served. Some of the species we are more likely to see around the lodge include Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Common Potoo, Golden-crowned Flycatcher, Plain-breasted Hawk, Blue and White Swallow, Plain-tailed Wren, Sickle- winged Guan, Great Thrush, Plumbeous Pigeon, Glossy-black Thrush, Red-billed Parrot, Turquoise Jay, Spectacled Whitestart, Slate-throated Whitestart, White-collared Swift, Russet-crowned Warbler, Masked Trogon, Grass-green Tanager, Dusky Bush-Tanager, Plate-billed Mountain- Toucan, Rufous-chested Tanager, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Blue- winged Mountain-Tanager, Powerful Woodpecker, Thick-billed Euphonia, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Montane Woodcreeper, Golden Tanager, Azara's Spinetail, Flame-faced Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, and Beryl-spangled Tanager, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Blue-and-black Tanager, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Spillmann's Tapaculo, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Green and black Fruiteater, White-winged Brush-Finch, Streak-necked Flycatcher, White-sided Flowerpiercer, White- tailed Tyrannulet, Masked Flowerpiercer, Cinnamon Flycatcher, and Smoke-coloured Pewee. After breakfast, we will take a short (30 to 90 minutes as warranted by productive birding) family birding walk on the lodge grounds or at the nearby reserve. After our morning family birding walk, we will load up the vans and enjoy family birding at a number of nearby locations, including several stops ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. One nearby lodge will warrant a longer stop, as its feeders can have between ten and twenty species of hummingbirds, including Velvet-purple Coronet, Sparkling Violetear, Buff-tailed Coronet, Gorgeted Sunangel, Purple-bibbed White-tip Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Booted Racket-Tail, and Purple-throated Woodstar, Andean Emerald, Speckled Hummingbird, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Brown Inca. At some point, we will enjoy a boxed lunch before returning to the lodge. For 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon, the Outdoor Instructors will offer an activity for the children while the parents go out birding alone.  Some additional species which may be found in the area include Rufescent Screech-Owl, White-faced Nunbird, Cloud Forest Pygmy-Owl (likely to hear several times), Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Ocellated Tapaculo, and Green- fronted Lancebill.   We will also look for Crested Quetzal, Plushcap, Tanager Finch, and Beautiful Jay. At some point in the day, the families can take a break and spend some time exploring the lodge grounds together. A 5:30 PM:  Family Time Begins:  The services of the Outdoor Instructors will not longer be available for the day. 5:30 PM:   Allow half hour to clean-up before dinner at 6 PM 6 PM Dinner, followed by a compilation of the bird species seen that day 8 PM: Recommended Bed Time for All All children will be encouraged to stay at the kid's camp at the lodge and not in their parents rooms.  If children choose to stay with their parents, one parent will miss the early morning bird walk. July 21 to 23:  Bellavista Reserve, Tandayapa Valley, Tandayapa Hummingbird Feeders, Mindo Area, & Refugio Paz de las Aves On Tuesday morning (July 21), we will start right before dawn with an early morning bird a short distance from the lodge.  We are hoping most kids will be staying at the kids camp above the main lodge so nearly all parents can enjoy this early morning bird walk.  In some cases, children will stay in the same room as their parents, and this will require one parent to stay in the room with their child.  The adults will have a boxed breakfast and join the children about 1/2 hour before we leave for Mindo. As children wake up, they will go downstairs and be met by one of the Outdoor Instructors.  The other Outdoor Instructor will conduct an early morning exploration of the lodge area.  Breakfast will be served at between 7 AM and 8 AM for the children (and any adults who wish to enjoy the morning with the kids).   At about 9:30 AM, the group will pack up and head towards Mindo. With some family birding at road stops (and small hikes) in transit, we will arrive in the Mindo area at about lunch time.   After lunch and checking into the lodge, we will drive around the Mindo area for a few hours of family birding with small hikes and short stops.   With a nesting Long-wattled Umbrellabird, the lodge grounds may be the most productive area to start at that time.   Other interesting birds found in the Mindo area (to name a few) include Red-billed Parrot, Golden-headed Quetzal, Rufous Motmot, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Pale-legged Hornero, Scaly-throated Foilage-Gleaner, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Ashy-headed Tyrannulet, Torrent Tyrannulent, Torrent Duck, Scale-creasted Pygmy Tyrant, Scaled Fruiteater, Golden- winged Manakin, Lesser Greenlet, and Three-striped Warbler. At some point and by about 3 PM, we will offer 2 to 3 hours of children's activities back at the Mindo Lodge.  This will give the parents an opportunity for birding with Lelis and perhaps a few interested children.  Beryl- spangled Tanager, Bule-winged Mountain Tanager, and nealry 20 tanager species can be found here.    We will also likely add to our burgeoning list of hummingbird species. By around 5 PM, the adult bird group will head towards the lodge to meet back up with the children and have dinner by 5:30 PM. At the Mindo area lodge, we hope to accomodate each family in their own room in the main lodge.  This will assure that parents can get out early.   With all the kids in the same building, the Outdoor Instructors will be able to intercept every child as they awake the next morning. At 5:30 PM:  Family Time Begins:  The services of the Outdoor Instructors will not longer be available for the day. 6 PM Dinner, followed by a compilation of the bird species seen that day 8 PM: Recommended Bed Time for All On Wednesday morning (July 23), the adults will start about 1/2 hour before dawn for the Refugio Paz de las Aves.  The Refugio trip will begin just before dark as we walk to the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek.  Besides seeing and hearing these beautiful birds, we will also see several other species, such as Toucan Barbet and perhaps Crimson-rumped Toucanet. The Refugio is world famous for opportunities to see Antpitta species.    With some luck, we will be able to see Giant Antpitta, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, and Moustached Antpitta.  We may also see Dark-backed Wood Quail and likely see dozens of other species. The children will awake between 7 AM and 8 AM and have breakfast with the Outdoor Instructors.  The Outdoor Instructors will be in the lodge dining area and will intercept all children as they get up.  Between breakfast and a short early morning activity, the children will have a continue to have a good time until they leave for the Refugio Paz de Las Aves. The children will get to the Refugio at about 9 AM and begin with a visit to the jungle and the Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Between 10 AM and 11 AM, the adults and children will join back up together for some family birding at the Refugio.  Hummingbird species found at their feeders include Empress Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, and Collared Inca, and several others.  Other fantastic species occur here including Fawn-breasted Tanager, Golden-naped Tanager, Lemon- rumped Tanager, and Golden-headed Quetzal to just name a few.  Like many other parts of Ecuador, large flocks of multiple species can be found.  On the 2007 trip we found a flock with over 20 different species, proving over one hour of fantastic bird watching.  All of this should indicated a good 3 to 4 hours of family birding with a break for a box lunch and snack. At some point and by about 3 PM, we will offer 2 to 3 hours of children's activities back at the Mindo Lodge.  This will give the parents an opportunity for birding with Lelis the rest of the afternoon in the Mindo area.  Some parents may want to go back to the lodge with the children and spend some time at the lodge (which even has a pool table). At 5:30 PM:  Family Time Begins:  The services of the Outdoor Instructors will not longer be available for the day. 6 PM Dinner, followed by a compilation of the bird species seen that day 8 PM: Recommended Bed Time for All Continued to the right and above near the top of the page, below the White- bellied Woodstar.

Nestling Tour's Family Birding Itinerary for Ecuador The typical day for the rest of the trip, July 24 to 26 starts with early an early morning bird walk for the parents. The kids start their day sleeping in and enjoying breakfast with the Outdoor Instructors.  After an morning educational and recreational activity with the Outdoor Instructors, they join the parents for some family birding. After a one or two hours of family birding, the group enjoys lunch. After family birding for another hour or two, a children's activity will be offered.  During the children's activities, parents can choose to participate or spend a few hours birding with Lelis. At 5:30, family time begins.  After 1/2 hour for clean up, dinner will be served at 6 PM.

Birding Description for Rio Silanche:  Friday, July 25 On Wednesday, we will go to Rio Silanche, an area preserved by the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation.  This area includes Choco lowland forest at about 1000 to 1200 feet above sea level.  The reserve is comprised of a mixture of primary forest, regenerating forest, with some grassland and former plantation. In addition to the canopy observation tower, extensive trails and a footbridge make for easy exploration of the forest. An early morning start is warranted to reach the top of the tower at sunrise.   From the top of the tower, we saw 80 species between 6 AM at 9:30 AM in April 2007.  We saw several new hummingbird species in a nearby tree, including Purple-chested Hummingbird.  Great looks were had of Dot-winged Antwren, Purple Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper and the spectactular Scarlet-breated Dacnis.  Griscom’s Antwren, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher, Scarlet-and-White Tananger, Guira Tanager, Blue-whiskered Tanager, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Chestnut-fronted Macaw and Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher could also be seen from the tower.   Lelis is always worth watching as he sorts large flocks or listens carefully to allow the bird-watching participants the opportunity to see new species. A short walk down the trail included Bar-bellied Woodpecker, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, Pacific Antwren, Immaculate Antbird, Western Woodhaunter, Russet Antshrike, and Blue-crowned Manakin.  In one 20 foot segment of the trail we added Western White-tailed Trogan, Collared Trogan, Broad-billed Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, and Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant to our day list which reached 139 species.

Birding Description for Milpe Area:  Afternoon of Thursday, July 24 and Morning of July 26 The Milpe Bird Sanctuary in the Andean Foothills is located in a Birdlife International Important Bird Area (IBA), Los Bancos—Milpe.   The sanctuary has an altitudinal range from 3350-3770 feet and includes two small rivers that converge in a steep, forested valley.   Many birders consider this one of the finest sites in all of Ecuador. Many of the most spectacular Choco Endemics occur here: Plumbeous Forest-Falcon, Moss-backed Tanager, Choco Trogon, and Club-winged Manakin. At some point, we may see Chocó Toucans and Pale-mandibled Araçaris in the more open areas. This sight is long famous for good tanager viewing days.  The road hosts good mixed flocks, and new trails in the reserve allow access to the forest.   We can expect a host of  tanagers, including Ochre-breasted Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, and we may get lucky and find the dazzling Grey-and-gold Tanager.  Over twenty species from this spectacular family are possible here in a day. On our last trip, we found Choco Toucan, Choco Warbler, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Thick-billed Euphonia, Bay Wren, Rufous-throated Tanager, Flame- faced Tanager, Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager, Yellow-belllied Siskin, Tri- colored Brush-Finch, Striped Cuckoo, Chestnut-collard Swift and Russet Antshrike.  We will also add a few more species of hummingbird species, possibly Purple-crowned Fairy, Green-crowned Brilliant ,White-whiskered Hermit, and Green-crowned Woodnymph.  In total, the day could reach 100 species.    We will have time to cool off at nearby restaurant where up to a dozen species of tanager come to feed on the bananas put out for them. Several species which come here include  Emerald Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, and several others.  A number of hummingbird species (including Green Thorntail) can be seen here.  In addition, we may find Crimson-rumped Toucanet.

For more information (including an easy to print itinerary), contact us at 1-888-203-7464 or by email at travel@nestlingtours.com.