Ecuador - Northern (Amazon Ext): The Wildlife Society 2026

26 Jun 2026 - 04 Jul 2026 (9 days)

USD4,495 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

Tour price (Per person): USD4,495 * GBP3,309 * EUR3,819 * AUD6,812

Single Supplement: USD790 * GBP582 * EUR671 * AUD1,197

Flight costs (Linked Tour): USD198 * GBP146 * EUR168 * AUD300

This unforgettable journey through Ecuador’s cloud forests, Andean slopes, and Amazonian lowlands is designed for nature enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, photographers, and curious travellers alike. While birding remains a central focus, the tour offers much more—dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity, vibrant plant life, and immersive cultural encounters that make this region one of the most captivating corners of the planet.

We begin in the lush Chocó Cloud Forests northwest of Quito, a region renowned for its astonishing variety of wildlife and high levels of endemism. Staying in the scenic Tandayapa and Mindo valleys, we’ll explore an array of spectacular private reserves that support important conservation efforts. This is a haven not just for birders, but for anyone enchanted by nature’s beauty—from sparkling waterfalls and misty forests to dazzling butterflies, vibrant orchids, and the sounds of life echoing through the trees.

In these magical forests, we may encounter charismatic mammals like tayras, coatis, or even a shy olinguito, while watching toucans and tanagers from the comfort of a forest lodge balcony. Photography opportunities abound, especially at well-maintained feeders and along quiet trails—ideal for capturing colourful birds, rare orchids, moss-draped trees, and other forest wonders.

We then venture east into the majestic Andes, descending from snow-capped volcanoes into pristine montane cloud forests and lush foothills. Each elevation brings a new tapestry of species, scenery, and sensory experiences—from windswept páramo landscapes and highland lakes to rushing mountain rivers and dense, bird-filled woodlands. This region is a hotspot for hummingbirds, orchids, butterflies, and rare Andean wildlife. Highlights include the iconic Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Velvet-purple Coronet, Giant Antpitta, Quetzals, and perhaps even the elusive Spectacled Bear.

A dedicated extension takes us deep into the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the tropical foothills of the eastern Andes meet the lowland rainforest in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Together, these ecosystems form the Upper Amazonian biome—arguably the most species-rich area in the world. We’ll explore two incredible sites—Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary and the renowned Sani Lodge—each offering extraordinary birding in vastly different micro-habitats. Wildsumaco alone boasts a bird list exceeding 500 species, while Sani Lodge’s list is fast approaching 600! From terra firme forest to varzea, oxbow lakes, and canopy towers, we’ll search for a dazzling range of Amazonian specialities including the legendary Harpy Eagle, prehistoric Hoatzin, American Pygmy and Amazon Kingfishers, Golden-headed and Orange-crowned Manakins, Fiery-throated Fruiteater, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Plum-throated & Spangled Cotingas, and dozens of striking antbird species!

This immersive experience across Ecuador’s most iconic ecosystems promises unforgettable moments, superb wildlife encounters, and a deep connection with some of the richest natural environments on the planet.

*This tour is available exclusively to members of The Wildlife Society (TWS). If you're not yet a member, your trip registration automatically includes a complimentary 1-year TWS membership, valued at $94. This membership provides access to a range of valuable benefits, including a bi-monthly magazine featuring the latest wildlife research and conservation insights, full access to online journals, the eWildlifer newsletter for timely updates, networking opportunities with fellow wildlife professionals, and exclusive member discounts on TWS events, training, and resources.

Top Birds

Cinereous, Undulated & Variegated Tinamous; Blue-throated Piping Guan; Speckled Chachalaca; Marbled Wood Quail; Agami, Boat-billed & Zigzag Heron; Greater Yellow-headed & King Vultures; Slate-colored & White Hawks; Harpy & Crested Eagles (both very rare); Black & Ornate Hawk-Eagles; Red-throated; Black & Yellow-headed Caracaras; Grey-winged Trumpeter; Chestnut-headed, Black-banded & Grey-breasted Crakes; Sungrebe; Blue-and-yellow, Scarlet, Chestnut-fronted & Red-bellied Macaws; Dusky-headed & Cobalt-winged Parakeets; Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet; Black-headed, Orange-cheeked & Blue-headed Parrots; Yellow-crowned, Orange-winged & Southern Mealy Amazons; Hoatzin; Black-bellied Cuckoo; Tawny-bellied Screech Owl; Black-banded Owl; Ferruginous Pygmy Owl; Great & Long-tailed Potoos; Fiery Topaz (rare); Ecuadorian Piedtail; Peruvian Racket-tail; White-tailed Hillstar; Black-throated Brilliant; Gould's Jewelfront; Gorgeted Woodstar; Olive-spotted Hummingbird; Black-tailed; Green-backed & Amazonian Trogons; White-eared, Yellow-billed, White-chinned, Coppery-chested & Great Jacamars; White-necked, Chestnut-capped & Collared Puffbirds; Lanceolated Monklet; Brown Nunlet; Black-fronted, White-fronted & Yellow-billed Nunbirds; Scarlet-crowned; Gilded & Lemon-throated Barbets; Black-mandibled, White-throated & Channel-billed Toucans; Golden-collared Toucanet; Lettered, Chestnut-eared, Many-banded & Ivory-billed Aracaris; White-throated, Golden-green, Spot-breasted, Scale-breasted, Chestnut, Cream-colored, Rufous-headed, Ringed & Crimson-crested Woodpeckers; Barred, Lined, Mouse-colored, Castelnau's, Russet, Dusky-throated & Cinereous Antshrikes; Yasuni, Ornate, Rufous-tailed, Pygmy, Moustached, Plain-throated, Dugand's & Yellow-breasted Antwrens; White-backed Fire-eye; White-browed, Black-faced, Black-and-white, Silvered, Plumbeous, Sooty, White-plumed, Lunulated, Spot-backed, Dot-backed & Scale-backed Antbirds; Black-spotted & Reddish-winged Bare-eyes; Ash-throated & Chestnut-crowned Gnateaters; Plain-backed; Ochre-striped & Thrush-like Antpittas; Rusty-belted & White-crowned Tapaculos; Rufous-capped, Short-tailed & Striated Antthrushes; Black-tailed Leaftosser; Lesser Hornero; White-bellied & Parker's Spinetails; Orange-fronted Plushcrown; Point-tailed Palmcreeper; Chestnut-winged Hookbill; Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner; Long-billed, Cinnamon-throated, Amazonian Barred & Black-banded Woodcreepers; Ringed Antpipit; Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant; Slender-footed & Ecuadorian Tyrannulets; Double-banded Pygmy Tyrant; White-eyed Tody-Tyrant; Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher; Brownish Twistwing; Orange-eyed Flycatcher; Drab Water Tyrant; Citron-bellied Attila; Amazonian Umbrellabird; Plum-throated & Spangled Cotingas; Screaming Piha; Bare-necked Fruitcrow; Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin; Blue-rumped, White-bearded, Blue-backed, Wire-tailed & Golden-headed Manakins; Wing-barred Piprites; Violaceous Jay; Coraya Wren; Black-capped Donacobius; Red-capped Cardinal; Flame-crested, Yellow-bellied, Paradise, Opal-rumped & Opal-crowned Tanagers; Golden-collared Honeycreeper; Olive Oropendola.

Top Mammals

Brown Woolley Monkey; Common Squirrel Monkey; White-fronted Capuchin; Golden-mantled & Napo Tamarins; Pygmy Marmoset; Dusky Titi; Red Howler; Monk Saki; White-bellied Spider Monkey; Black Agouti

Habitats Covered

subtropical cloud-forest, tropical foothill forest, Rio Napo river-edge forest, Rio Napo river islands, Amazon terrafirme forest, Amazon varzea forest, Amazon riparian habitat and blackwater lagoons

Expected Climate

pleasant in the subtropics and foothills, warmer and more humid in the Amazon lowlands

Max Group Size

11 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

easy to moderate pace

Accommodation

top notch lodges

Ease of Birding

in general easy birding with tricky species in primary forest

Number of Species Expected

400+

Photographic Opportunities

great, especially at the Wildsumaco feeders, NWC canopy tower and during the canoe rides at Sani Lodge

What our clients say about us

Lev Frid
GS, Ecuador 2021

I had a great time on the two Ecuador tours. I have been wanting to bird with Lev Frid since I viewed his webinar on Mexico, and he was every bit as fun and as good a guide as I thought that he would be. Lev's cheerful energy and care for his tour members were always evident, and his bird finding and identifying skills were superb. He worked hard to make sure that everyone was able to see the birds whenever possible, and he dealt with the varying experience levels of the various tour members very well. The list of tour members changed from tour to tour, with a wide range of ages, birding agendas, and personalities. Lev took it all in stride and provided what I considered to be an excellent experience for all. He worked particularly well with the local guides, with whom he shared friendship and respect, and his ability in speaking Spanish was an excellent asset. The local guides were all excellent, and worked hard to give us the best birding experience possible. Our driver kept us safe on the road and got us where we needed to go. The lodges were all great, with comfortable accommodations and excellent food. I picked up several birds that I had missed on an earlier tour through the area, and got a good look at a Mountain Tapir, as a rare bonus mammal. All in all, it was an excellent trip, and I look forward to future trips with Rockjumper.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
WB, Ecuador 2018

Dušan Brinkhuizen is great bird master, very friendly and helpful. The trip was brilliant.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
KP, Ecuador - Galapagos 2018

The guides, Dušan Brinkhuizen and Andrés Trujillo, conducted the tour very professionally. They were meticulous in what they did and took care of us, seeing to our every need.

Lev Frid
SL, Ecuador 2024

Both Lev (rockjumper guide) and Andres (local guide) were excellent. Both were extremely patient, always upbeat, interacted well with the tour participants, were great birders, and answered any questions put to them. A very unique way to explore the archipelago, could not recommend it enough.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
MW, Ecuador 2023

What a tour! We ended up with nearly 700 species seen and heard, and I ended up with almost twice as many lifers than I had anticipated. Dusan was excellent: Attentive to those having difficulties, enthusiastic, energetic, indefatigable, and a complete whiz at the birds. He was as excited about each new sighting as was the rest of the group, right through to the last day. We saw many very special birds, birds that I have missed over three previous trips to Ecuador as well as quite rare birds that, although specialties for this tour, require great effort and skill to unveil (think Buff-fronted Owl). Climate change affected the tour to a certain extent, but Dusan always had a clever plan or an alternative site to try for the bird again. The tour was a bit more strenuous than the itinerary led me to believe, but all at the participants willingly went the extra mile with Dusan every time. We were fortunate to have a pretty good group, a great driver, and good luck with the weather.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map