ITINERARY ECUADOR: RAINFOREST & ANDES Sacha Lodge, … · avifauna; to these weʼll add a daytrip to Yanacocha on the slopes of Pichincha volcano. With the abundance of species to

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ITINERARY ECUADOR: RAINFOREST & ANDES

Sacha Lodge, Mindo/Tandayapa & San Isidro February 28-March 13, 2016

Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan photographed at Guango Lodge by guide Mitch Lysinger.

We include here information for those interested in the 2016 Field Guides Ecuador: Rainforest & Andes tour: ⎯ a general introduction to the tour ⎯ a description of the birding areas to be visited on the tour ⎯ an abbreviated daily itinerary with some indication of the nature of each dayʼs birding outings Those who register for the tour will be sent this additional material: ⎯ an annotated list of the birds recorded on a previous yearʼs Field Guides trip to the area, with comments by guide(s) on notable species or sightings (may be downloaded from our web site) ⎯ a detailed information bulletin with important logistical information and answers to questions regarding accommodations, air arrangements, clothing, currency, customs and immigration, documents, health precautions, and personal items ⎯ a reference list ⎯ a Field Guides checklist for preparing and keeping track of the birds we see on the tour ⎯ after the tour, a list of birds seen on the tour This two-week itinerary promises a productive and fun visit to three famous venues in this small but amazingly bird-rich country. Weʼll have a five-night stay at Sacha Lodge in the Amazonian lowlands (with its three canopy towers, wonderful parrot licks across the river, and myriad birds), as well as three nights each at two other well-known locales in the beautiful Andes: Septimo Paraiso (“Seventh Heaven”) Lodge, on the west slope of the mountains with close access to both famous Mindo and the Tandayapa Valley, and San Isidro Lodge, featuring a significantly different and equally rich east-slope avifauna; to these weʼll add a daytrip to Yanacocha on the slopes of Pichincha volcano. With the abundance of species to be found at each of these sites, weʼll have hardly a dull moment on the trip. We can expect to encounter a fabulous diversity of tropical birds from stunning hummingbirds and dazzling tanagers to eye-catching cotingas, raucous parrots,

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and handsome antbirds. Highlights on previous tours have included dozens of dazzling hummingbird species (and hundreds and hundreds of individuals!) from Booted Racket-tails and Velvet-purple Coronets to Violet-tailed Sylphs and Tourmaline Sunangels; eye-level views of Golden-collared Toucanets, Bare-necked Fruitcrows, and Paradise Tanagers from Sachaʼs canopy towers; Boat-billed Heron and Cream-colored Woodpecker along a cocha; owls from Tawny-bellied Screech- to Mottled to the enigmatic ʻBlack-and-whiteʼ type that Mitch Lysinger has been observing at San Isidro for the past few years; a fantastic daytime Long-tailed Potoo, a glowing pair of the hard-to-find Collared Puffbird; shaggy-headed Hoatzins; several mind-blowing Wire-tailed Manakins; the always amazing Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan; brilliant Andean Cock-of-the-rock; Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and Plushcap among numerous species in several fantastic mixed flocks; eye-catching Turquoise Jays; a wonderfully close Slate-crowned Antpitta; and among many other flashy tanagers the wonderful Golden, Flame-faced, and Moss-backed. About the Physical Requirements & Pace: So rich is the birdlife of Ecuador that we will want to maximize our time in the field, prioritizing what we consider Ecuadorʼs long suits—its long list of hummingbirds, tanagers, and antbirds. We plan to orchestrate our activities to maximize our chances of finding and seeing the specialties of Ecuador. This does not mean that there is no time for the more common and widespread species, only that we would divert your attention from a Blue-gray Tanager in order to see a Rufous-throated Tanager. In fact, during our survey of the habitats of Ecuador, we will have excellent views of far more common species than of rarities or specialties. A typical day might involve an early breakfast in order to be in the field near dawn, birding along roads or trails for the morning, having a picnic lunch, and continuing (if the weatherʼs good) in the afternoon. We usually plan to return to our lodgings in time for a shower and a bit of a break before dinner. Sometimes, weʼll return for lunch and have an afternoon break before heading out again (especially if itʼs raining!). Once outside of Quito, we will be staying in accommodations close to the birding areas, cutting out longer drives. We plan to offer some optional night-birding as well. There will be a couple of long travel days—but always with interesting birding en route. We plan to take some moderately difficult (wet, slippery, muddy, and some steep) forest trails at elevations from the lowlands at 700 feet to around 9000 feet in the Andes, but we will move slowly. In fact, inside the forest we typically move at a snailʼs pace, walking quietly and listening. We will use tape playback to call in some fabulous skulkers that might otherwise go unseen. And, in the process, weʼll do considerable standing around just watching. For just such occasions (and for picnic lunches in the field), some participants find it worthwhile to carry a lightweight folding stool; the opportunity to sit in comfort periodically can reduce fatigue substantially. In order to enjoy this tour fully, you should be in relatively good physical condition, able to walk around 3 miles round trip on trails that can be uneven, steep, wet, and slippery. There are shorter, but somewhat challenging, trails almost every other day of the trip. Along most of these trails weʼll be birding at a very slow pace; but the trail to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek is fairly steep and we need to be inside the blind shortly after dawn, requiring that we descend for around 3/4 mile by flashlight (or headlamp) at the beginning. In almost each case of trail birding, there are good-birding options at the base lodge or along the road where our bus is parked at the trailhead. Between these trails, most of our birding is downright easy—either walking along roads or sitting in comfort (sometimes with a cup of tea) while watching some fabulous feeders. If you are concerned about the trails, you will want to read carefully the day-to-day itinerary that follows. While montane and lowland forest birding can be tough under any conditions (too much rain is worthless; too much sun can cause the forest to seem totally dead; and even just the right amount of mist for maximum bird activity implies glary-gray skies, birding with an umbrella, and muddy trails), exactly how we orchestrate our activities will depend in part on the weather. And though our tour visits during the (relatively) dry season on the east slope, weʼre sure to have some rain. With patience and flexibility, weʼre sure to enjoy a wondrous array of Neotropical bird species very different from our own. If you are uncertain about whether this tour is a good match for your abilities, please donʼt hesitate to contact our office; if they cannot directly answer your queries, they will put you in touch with one of the guides.

About the Birding Areas

The Slopes of the Andes: The Tandayapa-Mindo area (Septimo Paraiso Lodge in the west); the Cosanga area (San Isidro Lodge in the east)—The Andes form one of the wonders of the Earth. Our visits to the Tandayapa-Mindo area and to San Isidro provide an opportunity to bird a superior cross section of these spectacular mountains with the substantial improvement of being able to stay at two mid-montane lodges, one on each slope, that offer forest birding right on the grounds with additional interesting areas nearby.


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Between 5000 and 7000 feet, the Tandayapa Valley and the Mindo road have become a mecca for birders over the last decade. With great subtropical and foothill habitats, this area affords wonderful birding, both along roads and on trails…itʼs an ideal area for those of us in search of such spectacular birds as Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan and Toucan Barbet along with many west-slope specialties! Our base here, the attractive Septimo Paraiso (“Seventh Heaven”) Lodge, located just a short distance down the entrance road to Mindo off the good paved highway to Quito, will allow us to bird this region under relaxed and comfortable conditions. In addition to this, double rooms with private baths and hot water, not to mention the good food, will help keep us well charged for each dayʼs birding. The birding can be superb along roadsides near the lodge as well as in the Tandayapa Valley a short drive away. Hummingbird feeders at various stops offer an explosion of activity, with more than thirty species possible in this area alone! It is truly a marvelous spectacle to sit and watch as Buff-tailed Coronets, Fawn-breasted Brilliants, Brown Incas, Violet-tailed Sylphs, Purple-throated Woodstars, and even perhaps an Empress Brilliant or Purple-bibbed Whitetip zip about at armʼs length. Besides the numerous hummers, other

possibilities during our stay on the west slope include Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Barred Hawk, Red-billed Parrot, Golden-headed and Crested quetzals, Crimson-mantled and Powerful woodpeckers, Rusty-winged Barbtail, Andean Cock-of-the-rock (the males a fantastic scarlet color here west of the Andes), Sharpeʼs Wren, and the scarce Beautiful Jay (also confined to the west slope)…but this list just begins to scratch the surface of the many possibilities. The fabulous east slope of the Andes mirrors the west in its richness. Leaving Quito for San Isidro, the main road crosses the eastern cordillera at Papallacta Pass—just over an hour from Quito—where it runs for a short distance through páramo at elevations well above 12,000 feet, thence down the east slope into the lowlands. The páramo, or wet grassland, offers a number of birds we will not see elsewhere, so weʼll stop en route to San Isidro. If the right flowers are present, we might find a Chimborazo (Ecuadorian) Hillstar. Or perhaps weʼll spot a Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe or search a remaining stand of Polylepis trees for a rare Giant Conebill. And with good luck, weʼll hope to find one of Ecuadorʼs rare remaining (and magnificent!) Andean Condors, a pair of which weʼve observed at their favored roost ledge on past tours. While there is considerable overlap in species with the western cordillera at San Isidroʼs elevation, there are also differences. Here, for example, the Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan replaces the Plate-billed in the temperate zone. Higher up the slopes weʼll keep a sharp eye out for Purple-backed Thornbill, Tourmaline Sunangel, and Sword-billed Hummingbird, as well as Variable (Puna) Hawk, Red-crested Cotinga, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Black-backed Bush-Tanager, and White-chinned Thistletail. From our cabañas at San Isidro, weʼll check forest edge for flocks and venture into the forest interior in pursuit of some more retiring species. Some of Ecuadorʼs rarest birds occur here, including White-faced Nunbird, White-chested Swift, Greater Scythebill, Bicolored Antvireo, and White-rimmed Brush-Finch (we will be very fortunate to see just one or two of these). But be assured that more common species are in rich supply, and we will spend much of our time looking for such typical Andean joys as Crested and Golden-headed quetzals, Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant and Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher (a couple of fancy small flycatchers), Barred Becard, Green-and-black Fruiteater, Long-tailed Antbird, Rufous Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Capped Conebill, Hooded, Blue-winged, and Lacrimose mountain-tanagers, Saffron-crowned and Flame-faced tanagers, and Subtropical and Mountain caciques. There will be much to watch for and delight in during our stay here! Birding Amazonian Rainforest at Sacha Lodge—Over the last decade, Sacha (a native Quechua Indian word for rainforest) has become known as one of the most comfortable and best-run lodges in upper Amazonia, and it encompasses a wide variety of rich Amazonian habitats. Situated along the north bank of the giant Rio Napo, one of the three major tributaries that combine to form the upper Amazon, Sacha Lodge is located only two-and-a-half hours down-river from the Amazonian frontier town of Coca. The broad meander plain between the Napo and the Aguarico River to the north is low-lying and filled with a number of blackwater inlets and classic Amazonian oxbow lakes (called cochas in


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the native Quechua dialect), overlooking one of which sits Sacha. Sacha is reached from the banks of the Napo by a thirty-minute walk along the riverbank and then on an elevated boardwalk through palm-rich swamp forest, followed by a short ride in locally crafted dugout canoes along a narrow inlet that opens onto picturesque Pilchicocha, Sachaʼs oxbow lake. On the opposite bank stands the lodge itself, our base for five nights and four exciting days of rainforest birding. A network of trails from the lodge offers easy (if sometimes muddy!) access to a wonderful expanse of seasonally flooded forest (varzea) and to some of the finest canopy viewing we have encountered anywhere, opening a whole new dimension to formerly earth-bound birders. Sacha currently has a large wooden canopy tower located in an emergent kapok (Ceiba) tree, as well as two additional metal canopy towers we can visit, constructed as the first phase toward the hoped-for completion of a canopy walkway some time in the future. Each of these canopy platforms allows viewing from about 40 meters above the forest floor.

Cobalt-winged Parakeets photographed at the interior clay lick at Sacha by participant Gregg Recer.

Already Sachaʼs bird list approaches 500 species and boasts a fantastic array of regularly occurring Amazonian inhabitants, including the following: Great Tinamou, Marbled Wood-Quail, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Slender-billed Kite, Lined Forest-Falcon, Hoatzin, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Crested Owl, Great, Common, and Long-tailed potoos (sometimes at day roosts), Great-billed Hermit, Green-and-rufous and American Pygmy kingfishers, White-eared, Brown, White-chinned, Purplish, and Great jacamars, Chestnut-capped, Collared, and White-chested puffbirds, Brown Nunlet, Yellow-billed Nunbird, Scarlet-crowned, Gilded, and Lemon-throated barbets, four species of araçaris, two big toucans, Golden-collared Toucanet, Lafresnayeʼs Piculet, Chestnut and Cream-colored woodpeckers, Long-billed Woodcreeper, Dugandʼs Antwren (a regular visitor to the canopy near the platform), Spot-backed, Dot-backed, and Scale-backed antbirds, Chestnut-belted Gnateater, White-browed Purpletuft, Plum-throated and Spangled cotingas, Wire-tailed and Golden-headed manakins, Gray Elaenia and Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher (both regulars to the canopy tower tree), Cinnamon Attila, White-winged, Black-capped, and Pink-throated becards, Black-capped Donacobius, Scaly-breasted Wren, Lawrenceʼs Thrush (a great mimic), and a dazzling array of tanagers, many of which can be seen eye-to-eye from the canopy tower, including Masked Crimson, Turquoise, Paradise, Green-and-gold, Masked, Opal-rumped, Opal-crowned, as well as three dacnises and three honeycreepers. Of course, the above list is just a sampling of possibilities, and additional but less predictable lures include Agami Heron, Crested Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Buckleyʼs Forest-Falcon, Black-banded Crake, Long-tailed Potoo, Gouldʼs Jewelfront, Black-bellied Thorntail, Lanceolated Monklet, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Amazonian Umbrellabird, and many more. Weʼre sure to see an impressive array of fascinating birds and scenery. We will orchestrate our time to play to Sachaʼs strengths. Weʼll rise early each day and after breakfast take trails or canoe rides away from the lodge, usually returning for lunch and some time off in the hot early afternoon. We plan to


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spend at least one morning and perhaps one afternoon birding from the fabulous canopy platforms, reaching 130 feet up to above the treetops and allowing 360 degrees of viewing—out over the rainforest canopy. Watching the procession of araçaris, puffbirds, honeycreepers, tanagers, cotingas, parrots, raptors, and mixed-species flocks from these platforms usually comprise one of the highlights of the tour. Other activities include paddling a canoe quietly along the intimate yacu (outlet) off the oxbow lake and exploring the network of trails just behind the lodge.

Itinerary for Ecuador: Rainforest & Andes Day 1, Sun, 28 Feb. Arrival in Quito. It is possible to arrange flights from Miami, Atlanta, or Houston, and our office staff can help you determine the schedule best for you. Whenever you arrive (usually between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m.), our representative will meet you just outside the baggage claim. Watch for a sign with your name and/or Field Guides as you exit Customs. You will be transferred to the Hotel Sheraton, where youʼll check into your room. If you are arriving tonight, be sure to check for a message from your guides with any additional information you may need for tomorrow. If you have the time, we suggest arriving a day early. There are good shops in Quito (not far from our hotel), and the world-famous Otavalo Market—though at its best on Saturdays—has become essentially an everyday affair. We can help you make arrangements for an English-speaking guide if you like. Please contact Tiara in our office if you would like to fly to Quito a day early and rest up or plan activities for Day 1. Night at the Sheraton in Quito. Day 2, Mon, 29 Feb. Yanacocha/Tandayapa and Mindo areas. This morning weʼll wind our way up out of the Central Valley to the back side of Volcán Pichincha—one of the many volcanoes ringing Quito—stopping at Yanacocha reserve. This will be high temperate forest birding from about 9800 to about 12,000 feet with numerous possibilities. Weʼll take it easy at this elevation and should have a fine introduction to a variety of new Ecuadorian birds for everyone, including several hummers (the very rare Black-breasted Puffleg for which the reserve was created is a possibility, though weʼll have to be very lucky!), tanagers, and other groups. In the afternoon weʼll continue down towards Mindo with some strategic stops along the way in the mid-afternoon in the Tandayapa area where we could run into some higher elevation subtropical west slope species, such as Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan or even the rare and local Beautiful Jay. Our aim is to arrive at our lodge—home for the next three nights—in time for a round of viewing at the often very productive hummingbird feeders there…we like to call it hummingbird “power-hour”! Night at Septimo Paraiso Lodge. Days 3-4, Tue-Wed, 1-2 Mar. Mindo and lower Foothill areas. Weʼll have these two days to enjoy the rich birding the west slope has to offer. Weʼll check the roadside and trails near our lodge, visit several fantastic hummingbird feeder arrays at different elevations (for different species!), bird the roadsides in the Tandayapa Valley, and make an excursion down into the nearby foothills and upper lowlands for additional species that rarely venture higher. There will be some early morning starts to get to a few spots in time for the best morning activity…so much to do and plenty of great new birds to see! On one night weʼll want to try some night birding around the lodge as well. Nights at Septimo Paraiso Lodge. Day 5, Thu, 3 Mar. Visit to Paz de Las Aves; Tandayapa area/return to Quito. After an early morning exit from our lodge, bags loaded, we will drive for about 45 minutes slightly upslope to a spot that has received much attention over the last few years, Paz de Las Aves. Angel Paz has become famous for feeding antpittas, among some other sought after

Giant Antpitta at Paz de Las Aves. Photo by participant Larry Peavler.


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species, at very close range; Giant Antpitta at your feet is quite a sight! Aiming to arrive as the sun peeks at us over the mountains, weʼll start down the steep trail (hand-holds in the tougher spots) that leads to an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek (about 20 minutes down) where we should be able to view this raucous and gorgeous species at very close range. After getting our fill of this, we will follow Angelʼs lead and slowly work the nearby trails for many of the attractions. It often takes some waiting and patience, but we have a good chance of seeing some great in-forest birds, such as the aforementioned Giant as well as Yellow-breasted and Moustached antpittas. Other species we will hope for, but not by any means be limited to, include Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Sickle-winged Guan, Toucan Barbet, and the difficult Olivaceous Piha. Scaled Fruiteater even pops in sometimes. Luck can vary here, due to the weather and moods of the birds, but we usually come away with a respectable haul! We will spend much of the morning combing these trails, and while the trails are steep in some spots, we actually cover very little distance. Up at the main house, where we left the bus hours ago, a delicious brunch will be waiting for us where we can sample some home cooking surrounded by a spectacular view…usually a real hit! We will spend the rest of the day birding back through some of the stretches of the old Nono-Mindo road that we have not yet visited, hoping for our last round of west slope cleanup species. En route back to Quito, we may find the time to stop off and bird the drier chaparral habitats before dropping into the central valley. Night in Quito. Day 6, Fri, 4 Mar. Papallacta Pass; to Guango and San Isidro. Leaving Quito this morning, weʼll bird our way slowly to San Isidro, about 150 kms away, making several stops along the way, including at several places near Papallacta Pass for high-elevation species. (We will likely reach as high as 14,300 feet today in hopes of finding Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and several other species, though we will remain at this highest elevation for only an hour or so.) Weʼll plan to have a late lunch at Guango en route—a lovely small lodge with good food and some hummingbird feeders that attract several species that should be new to us (Tourmaline Sunangel and Long-tailed Sylph, for example); if we are very lucky, we might even see the amazing Sword-billed Hummingbird or the rare Mountain Avocetbill, both of which have been known to visit Guangoʼs feeders! After our Guango stop, weʼll continue another couple of hours downslope to San Isidro, arriving late this afternoon. Night at San Isidro. Days 7-8, Sat-Sun, 5-6 Mar. San Isidro. Our base for these next days of birding is Hacienda San Isidro Labrador, a set of cabanas near 7000 feet. Owned by a lover of nature who welcomes birders (and is also Mitch Lysingerʼs wife, Carmen), the Hacienda will allow us to enjoy home-style settings and meals between birding forays. Set in a grassy clearing, the cabanas are across a little creek from one patch of forest that offers the chance to see Wattled Guan from our lodging, while other patches from five to thirty minutes away by vehicle also offer tremendous birding. While on one day we may work our way down toward 5000 feet, weʼll spend most of our time around 7000 feet surveying this rich elevation. Much of our birding will be along easy roads, but weʼll likely also enter some trails, which can be slippery (we will take them slowly and carefully!). As always in the Ecuadorian Andes, the weather may be highly variable; some good cloud cover during the middle of the day would be just right! Nights at San Isidro. Day 9, Mon, 7 Mar. San Isidro to Coca; transfer to Sacha Lodge. Our plan today is to drive from San Isidro down the east slope of the Andes to the riverside town of Coca, along the Rio Napo and departure point for boats to Sacha Lodge. Overall driving time will be 5-6 hours, depending on road conditions, so it will mostly be a travel day. We should have some fun along the way—with an early departure we expect to have time for some productive birding stops in the first half

Golden Tanager is one of many lovely tanagers found on the west slope. Photo by guide Rose Ann Rowlett.


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of the drive including a patch of foothill forest below the slopes of Volcan Reventador, home to a number of interesting species that will be new for us. We expect to arrive in Coca by about 1:30 this afternoon, and once there weʼll proceed to the river dock, where bathrooms are available at a riverside hotel. At the dock weʼll transfer to our canopied boat for the two-and-a-half-hour trip downriver to Sacha Lodge. There will be some good birding en route, with a number of water-associated birds possible (from herons and egrets to Oriole Blackbirds, Pied Lapwing, White-banded Swallows, and various others to keep us watching carefully!). Upon landing, weʼll carry only what we want for birding. We may want to start on the observation deck near the landing. Slightly elevated and overlooking a pasture at the edge of forest, the covered deck affords good viewing in the afternoon light. Numerous species are possible here—from Southern Lapwing and Red-breasted Blackbird to Brown and White-eared jacamars, Orange-fronted Plushcrown, and Mottle-backed Elaenia—and it makes for a good introduction while the crew transfers our luggage to the lodge. Weʼll continue along a trail and then a boardwalk—a thirty-minute walk through swamp forest, where an active troop of Common Squirrel Monkeys could interrupt our progress. From the end of the boardwalk, it is a fairly short trip by dugout canoe across the Pilchicocha to the lodge, where weʼll be received in the bar with a welcome drink and an orientation talk. The lodge itself offers the comforts of good food, attractively prepared and served buffet-style at dinner; attractive, thatched-roof cabanas built of native materials with electric lighting and hot-water showers in modern, tiled private bathrooms; and (usually) pleasant nights in an amazingly insect-free environment and well-screened rooms. Meals are served in a central dining area. A full-service bar provides all the amenities along with a nice view. Fresh-pureed juices from tropical fruits of the region are provided with meals, and bottled soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor are available at an additional charge from the bar. Filtered drinking water is furnished in the dining room via a convenient tap, and you should get in the habit of bringing your canteen with you to meals to refill (bottled mineral water is also available for purchase). We should sleep tonight to the songs of frogs and perhaps the mellow whistling of the Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl. Night at Sacha Lodge. Days 10-13, Tue-Fri, 8-11Mar. Sacha Lodge. Weʼll start early each morning to take advantage of the precious first hours of maximum activity, but we will have some time for resting (during the heat of midday or the occasional rain shower) and individual exploration near the lodge as well. (If you love butterflies, be sure to make a visit to the butterfly house near the cabins some time during our stay; if you like to swim in the heat of the day, the water in the cocha right off the lodge bathing dock is wonderfully refreshing, so bring your swimsuit.) Much of our birding will be on foot on forest trails around the lodge or to the canopy platform. We will bird the lake margins and any areas of flooded forest from dugout canoes handled by skilled native boatmen. Some birding hikes may begin with a canoe ride as well, as a few trails are only reachable by boat. Weʼll usually return after our morning outing for lunch at the lodge, but we may arrange one day for a carry-along lunch to enable us to cover a more distant trail if we so wish. We hope to spend part of at least one morning and an afternoon on the canopy platforms so that we can take full advantage of this fantastic resource. As with all rainforest birding, calf-high rubber boots can be very useful if the trails are wet; not only are there likely to be muddy areas on the trails, but rubber boots provide foot and lower leg protection against any trail hazards. If you donʼt have exceptionally small or large feet, there will likely be boots available at Sacha that will fit you (from the lodgeʼs collection) and you neednʼt bring your own on this part of the tour. Some downed trees across trails are inevitable. Raingear in the rainforest is of course essential (a small, collapsible umbrella is also vital). Nights at Sacha Lodge. Day 14, Sat, 12 Mar. Return to Quito. Today weʼll rise early and have breakfast before embarking for Coca and the (usually) late-morning flight to Quito, arriving there in time to reorganize and clean up before our farewell dinner. Participants flying home on Delta, United, or LAN Airlines may choose to book flights departing near midnight tonight but will still have a room for showering before the overnight flight. Night in Quito or on the flight home. Day 15, Sun, 13 Mar. Departure. International flights to the US generally depart in the morning and require an early check-in, to arrive mid-day in time for connections home. Buen viaje!

About Your Guide Willy Perez has been leading birding tours for more than ten years. He has also worked as a resident guide at Maquipucuna Reserve on the west slopes of the Andes, on a project protecting marine turtles in Costa Rica, and on bird conservation in northwestern Ecuador. He was a resident guide at Kapawi Lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon for three years, mastering the art of finding and identifying the many secretive birds of the lowland rainforest. He has since guided


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throughout Ecuador including the East and West slopes of the Andes, the Amazon Basin, the Galapagos Islands, and southern Ecuador. During the last few years he has also guided birding groups in Bolivia. In his free time Willy trains local guides and is a frequent lecturer, in English and in Spanish, on birding and conservation issues in the Neotropics. His wife, Fiona, is British, and Willy and his family have relocated to England for several years. He speaks excellent English and has an engaging and outgoing personality that makes every tour he leads enjoyable and fun. Please visit http://fieldguides.com/guides for Willyʼs complete tour schedule; just click on his photo. Financial Information FEE: $4975 from Quito AIRFARE: $842.21 from Miami (fare as of May 2015; subject to change) DEPOSIT: $500 FINAL PAYMENT DUE: October 31, 2015 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (Optional): $925 LIMIT: 8

Other Things You Need to Know TOUR MANAGER: The manager for this tour is Tiara Westcott. Tiara will be happy to assist you in preparing for the tour. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call her! DOCUMENTS: A current passport valid for three months beyond the date of your return is required for US citizens to enter Ecuador. You will be issued a tourist card by the airline; leave your copy of this in your passport, as it will be collected by customs upon departure. If you are not a US citizen, please check with the Ecuadorian consulate nearest you for entry requirements. Information about consulates and entry requirements is generally available online or you can contact us and we will be happy to look this up for you. Passports should have an adequate number of blank pages for the entire journey. Some countries require a blank page for their stamp and as a precaution it is best to have one blank page per country you will visit or transit. VACCINATIONS: All travelers to Sacha Lodge must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival at the airport at Coca. The vaccine is good for ten years; please consult with your physician about whether it is appropriate for you (there are contraindications for some individuals). AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Round-trip airfare Miami to Quito is currently $842.21 (subject to change). Field Guides is a full service travel agency and your tour manager will be happy to assist you with flights to join this tour. Field Guides does not charge a service fee for these services to clients booking a tour. However, we understand that tech-savvy clients often prefer to shop online or that you may wish to use mileage to purchase tickets. Regardless of which method you choose, your tour manager will be happy to provide assistance regarding ticket prices and schedules, along with rental cars and extra hotel nights as needed. Please be sure to check with your tour manager prior to purchasing your ticket to make sure the flights you have chosen will work well with the tour itinerary and that the tour is sufficiently subscribed to operate. Once purchased, most airline tickets are non-refundable and carry a penalty to change. Field Guides cannot be responsible for these fees. Also, it is imperative that we receive a copy of your comprehensive flight itinerary—including any and all flights not covered in the tour fee—so that we may track you in the event of missed connections, delays, or other mishaps. LUGGAGE: Please be aware that many airlines have recently modified their luggage policies and are charging additional fees for checked bags. Updates could easily occur before your departure, so you may wish to contact your airline to verify the policy. Additional charges for bags on any flights, whether these are covered by the tour fee or not, will be the clientʼs responsibility.

“Willy Perez was a consummate professional and one of the best guides I've had…I can't think of a single thing he could have done better. As a college professor, I assigned grades on merit routinely. Willy Perez is the easiest A+ I've ever given!” D.W., Galapagos


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TOUR INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS: The tour fee is $4975 for one person in double occupancy from Quito. It includes all lodging from Day 1 through Day 14, all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through dinner on Day 14 (or breakfast at the hotel on Day 15 if your flight is later that day), the flight Coca to Quito, all ground transportation, entrance fees, and the guide services of the tour leader(s). Tipping at group meals and for drivers, porters, and local guides is included in your tour fee and will be handled for the group by your Field Guides leader(s). However, if you would like to recognize your Field Guides leader(s) or any local guide(s) for exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip. We emphasize that such tips are optional and not expected. The above fee does not include your airfare to and from Quito, airport taxes, visa fees, any checked or carry-on baggage charges imposed by the airlines, any alcoholic beverages, optional tips to local drivers, phone calls, laundry, or other items of a personal nature. The single supplement for the tour is $925. If you do not have a roommate but wish to share, we will try to pair you with a roommate from the tour; but if none is available, you will be billed for the single supplement. Our tour fees are based on double occupancy; one-half the cost of a double room is priced into the tour fee. The single supplement is calculated by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes). TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Registration/Release and Indemnity form and return it with a deposit of $500 per person. If registering by phone, a deposit must be received within fourteen days, or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 120 days prior to departure, or by October 31, 2015. We will bill you for the final payment at either 120 days or when the tour has reached sufficient subscription to operate, whichever date comes later. Since the cost of your trip insurance and airline tickets is generally non-refundable, please do not finalize these purchases until you have received final billing for the tour or have been advised that the tour is sufficiently subscribed to operate by your tour manager. SMOKING: Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. If you smoke, please be sensitive to the group and refrain from smoking at meals, in vehicles, and in proximity to the group on trails and elsewhere. CANCELLATION POLICY: Refund of deposit and payment, less $100 handling fee, will be made if cancellation is received up to 120 days before departure. If cancellation occurs between 119 and 70 days before the departure date, 50% of the tour fee is refundable. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are not refundable. This policy only applies to payments made to Field Guides for tour (and any services included in those fees). Airline tickets not included in the tour fee and purchased separately often carry penalties for cancellation or change, or are sometimes totally non-refundable. Additionally, if you take out trip insurance the cost of the insurance is not refundable so it is best to purchase the policy just prior to making full payment for the tour or at the time you purchase airline tickets, depending upon the airlines restrictions. The right is reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved in case of emergency to substitute another guide for the original one. TRIP CANCELLATION & MEDICAL EMERGENCY INSURANCE: We strongly recommend you consider purchasing trip cancellation (including medical emergency) insurance to cover your investment in case of injury or illness to you or your family prior to or during a trip. Because we must remit early (and substantial) tour deposits to our suppliers, we cannot offer any refund when cancellation occurs within 70 days of departure, and only a partial refund from 70 to 119 days prior to departure (see CANCELLATION POLICY). In addition, the Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. US medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Furthermore, US Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. US citizens will receive from us a brochure regarding optional tour cancellation/emergency medical insurance. Our agent, CSA, will insure for trip cancellation and interruption, medical coverage, travel delay, baggage loss and delay, 24-


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hour accident protection, and emergency medical transportation. If you purchase the insurance when making final payment for the tour, and cover all non-refundable parts of the trip (including any non-refundable flights), pre-existing conditions are covered. The CSA brochure includes a contact number; you may also purchase your CSA policy on-line by visiting our website at www.fieldguides.com/travelinsurance.htm and clicking the link to CSA. Please note, once the insurance is purchased it is non-refundable, so please check with your tour manager prior to making the purchase to assure the tour will operate as scheduled. Citizens of other countries are urged to consult their insurance broker. RESPONSIBILITY: For and in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the tour, each tour participant and each parent or legal guardian of a tour participant who is under 18 agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Field Guides Incorporated, its agents, servants, employees, shareholders, officers, directors, attorneys, and contractors as more fully set forth in the Release and Indemnity Agreement on the reverse side of the registration form. Field Guides Incorporated acts only as an agent for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, airplane, or other means, and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity caused by defect in such vehicles or for any reason whatsoever, including the acts, defaults, or bankruptcies of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. Field Guides Incorporated accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. The tour participant shall bear all such losses and expenses. Field Guides Incorporated reserves the right to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules. Field Guides Incorporated reserves the right to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of any tour. Baggage is at ownerʼs risk entirely. Participants should be in good health and should consult a physician before undertaking a tour. If you have questions about the physical requirements of a tour, please contact our office for further information. Participants should prepare for the tour by reading the detailed itinerary, the information bulletin, and other pertinent matter provided by Field Guides. Each participant is responsible for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as recommended in our bulletins. THE RECEIPT OF YOUR TOUR DEPOSIT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE CONSENT TO THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. EACH TOUR PARTICIPANT AND EACH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A TOUR PARTICIPANT WHO IS UNDER 18 SHALL SIGN AND DELIVER THE RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. 5/15 TW 5/15ADR

Documents

ITINERARY ECUADOR: RAINFOREST & ANDES Sacha Lodge, … · avifauna; to these weʼll add a daytrip to Yanacocha on the slopes of Pichincha volcano. With the abundance of species to