The tropical foothills of the eastern Andes together with the lowlands of the Amazon basin boast some of the most impressive biodiversity worldwide. Bird wise, the area is arguably the most species-rich in the world. The Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary bird list alone surpasses 500 species while the number of bird species recorded at Sani Lodge is approaching 600! The tour will focus on finding as many species and local specialties as possible by visiting multiple habitats within the Amazonian basin. Although the list of possible targets is immense here, a couple iconic species that we will target include; Hoatzin, Zigzag, Capped and Agami Herons, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Sungrebe, Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied Macaws, Gould’s Jewelfront, Wire-crested Thorntail, Great and Long-tailed Potoo, White-throated, Black-mandibled and Channel-billed Toucans, Many-banded and Ivory-billed Aracaris, American Pygmy and Green-and-rufous Kingfishers, Gilded and Scarlet-crowned Barbets, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Rusty-belted Tapaculo, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Cinnamon Attila, Screaming Piha, Golden-headed and Orange-crowned Manakins, Bare-necked Fruitcrow and dozens of antbird species!

Top Birds

Cinereous, Undulated, Variegated Tinamou, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Speckled Chachalaca, Marbled Wood Quail, Anhinga, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Agami, Boat-billed, Capped and Zigzag Heron, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, King Vulture, Slender-billed Kite, Slate-colored and White Hawk, Harpy and Crested Eagle (both very rare), Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Red-throated, Black and Yellow-headed Caracara, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Chestnut-headed, Black-banded and Grey-breasted Crake, Sungrebe, Yellow-billed Tern, Blue-and-yellow, Scarlet, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied Macaw, Dusky-headed and Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, Black-headed, Orange-cheeked  and Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned, Orange-winged and Southern Mealy Amazon, Hoatzin, Black-bellied Cuckoo, Greater Ani, Tawny-bellied Screech Owl, Black-banded Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl,  Great and Long-tailed Potoo, 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 and Amazonian Trogon, Green-and-rufous and American Pygmy Kingfisher, Amazonian Motmot, White-eared, Yellow-billed, White-chinned, Coppery-chested and Great Jacamar, White-necked, Chestnut-capped and Collared Puffbird, Lanceolated Monklet, Brown Nunlet, Black-fronted, White-fronted and Yellow-billed Nunbird, Scarlet-crowned, Gilded and Lemon-throated Barbet, Black-mandibled, White-throated and Channel-billed Toucan, Golden-collared Toucanet, Lettered, Chestnut-eared, Many-banded  and Ivory-billed Aracari, Lafresnaye's Piculet, White-throated, Golden-green, Spot-breasted, Scale-breasted, Chestnut, Cream-colored, Rufous-headed, Ringed and Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Barred, Lined, Mouse-colored, Castelnau's, Russet, Dusky-throated and Cinereous Antshrike, Yasuni, Ornate, Rufous-tailed, Pygmy, Moustached, Plain-throated, Dugand's  and Yellow-breasted Antwren, White-backed Fire-eye, White-browed, Black-faced, Black-and-white, Silvered, Plumbeous, Sooty, White-plumed, Lunulated, Spot-backed, Dot-backed and Scale-backed Antbird, Black-spotted and Reddish-winged Bare-eye, Ash-throated and Chestnut-crowned Gnateater, Plain-backed, Ochre-striped  and Thrush-like Antpitta, Rusty-belted and White-crowned Tapaculo, Rufous-capped, Short-tailed and Striated Antthrush, Black-tailed Leaftosser, Lesser Hornero, White-bellied and Parker's Spinetail, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Chestnut-winged Hookbill, Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner, Long-billed, Cinnamon-throated, Amazonian Barred and Black-banded Woodcreeper, Ringed Antpipit, Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, Slender-footed and Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, 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 and Spangled Cotinga, Screaming Piha, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin, Blue-rumped, White-bearded, Blue-backed, Wire-tailed and Golden-headed Manakin, Wing-barred Piprites, Violaceous Jay, Coraya Wren, Black-capped Donacobius, Red-capped Cardinal, Flame-crested, Yellow-bellied, Paradise, Opal-rumped and Opal-crowned Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Olive Oropendola.

Top Mammals

Brown Woolley Monkey, Common Squirrel Monkey White-fronted Capuchin, Golden-mantled and Napo Tamarin, 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

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

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

Dušan Brinkhuizen
JR, Ecuador

Dušan is an excellent field ornithologist with an encyclopaedic knowledge of bird song, taxonomy, and field identification marks. Ornithology is Dušan’s passion. He is also excellent with the clients – friendly, courteous, patient, and anxious that everyone sees all the birds and enjoys the tour. It was a great tour!

Tuomas Seimola
RE, Ecuador 2022

Before our trip Daniel Danckwerts, with Rockjumper, was so attentive with our question and concerns. This was a wonderful experience. My favorite was the week at Sani Lodge - fascinating and fun. The Galapagos was such a learning experience and Darwin (the Galapagos guide) was so knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions. Tuomas (our Rockjumper guide) was Very knowledgeable of birds and bird vocalizations. Very impressive and so helpful.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
JK, Ecuador 2018

Dušan Brinkhuizen is an awesome guide. Very knowledgeable, patient, never got tired and made sure everyone got the bird. You are fortunate to have a guide like Dušan.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
YB - Ecuador 2024

Dušan is the best guide we can ask for this trip ! His expertise is top notch and enthusiasm contagious !!! Even though he's been birding in Ecuador for years and has seen over 1,600 species of birds there, he showed us how he appreciated every single species we discovered, especially those hard-to-get ones ! We'd love to have him as our guide again in the future !

Dušan Brinkhuizen
AW & LW - Ecuador 2022

Dusan was simply amazing! He was the best guide we have ever had. He can identify thousands of birds by sounds. He was very gentle and patient, making the tour very enjoyable. He tried very hard so that everyone in the tour could see the birds. Indeed, we are looking for a next tour where he is the leader.

Ecuador - Northern: Ultimate Amazon: Sumaco Foothills & Rio Napo II 2024

12 Nov 2024 - 20 Nov 2024 (9 days)

USD4,295 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox

Tour price (Per person): USD4,295 * GBP3,422 * EUR4,001 * AUD6,532

Single Supplement: USD550 * GBP438 * EUR512 * AUD836

Flight costs: USD200 * GBP159 * EUR186 * AUD304

Can be linked with:

Ecuador - Northern: Ultimate Amazon: Sumaco Foothills & Rio Napo I 2025

13 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025 (9 days)

USD4,395 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

Tour price (Per person): USD4,395 * GBP3,501 * EUR4,094 * AUD6,684

Single Supplement: USD670 * GBP534 * EUR624 * AUD1,019

Flight costs: USD200 * GBP159 * EUR186 * AUD304

Can be linked with:

Ecuador - Northern: Ultimate Amazon: Sumaco Foothills & Rio Napo II 2025

11 Nov 2025 - 19 Nov 2025 (9 days)

USD4,395 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Adam Walleyn

Tour price (Per person): USD4,395 * GBP3,501 * EUR4,094 * AUD6,684

Single Supplement: USD670 * GBP534 * EUR624 * AUD1,019

Flight costs: USD200 * GBP159 * EUR186 * AUD304

Can be linked with: Ecuador - Northern: Eastern Andes: Paramo & Cloud Forest II 2025

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