We depart from our airport of choice and arrive in Quito in the late afternoon. On the first day, we’ll make the most of our comfortable accommodation to rest.

In the morning, we’ll be picked up from our hotel in Quito and driven to the Zuroloma Reserve, where we can expect to see, amongst others, the ocellated tapaculo, sword-billed hummingbird, equatorial antpitta, chestnut-naped antpitta, sapphire-vented puffleg, masked flowerpiercer, rufous-breasted chat-tyrant and Tyrian metaltail.

At around 11 am, we drive to Yanacocha, where we first have an early lunch and then set off along the trail in search of the scarlet-bellied mountain-tanager, hooded mountain-tanager, black-chested mountain-tanager, spectacled redstart, grey-browed brush-finch, great sapphirewing, ash-coloured tapaculo, golden-breasted puffleg and many other species.

Today we drive to the Papallacta Pass in Cayambe–Coca National Park and set out in search of spectacled bears for the first time. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the mountain scenery and have the chance to spot species such as the rufous-bellied seedsnipe, black-chested buzzard-eagle and rainbow-bearded thornbill.

In the afternoon, we drive on to Pimampiro, an excellent region for observing spectacled bears.

We will spend a full day observing spectacled bears in Bear Valley. As well as mammals, we will also be on the lookout for local mountain species and hummingbirds found in the area.

Morning excursion for a final chance to spot spectacled bears at Bear Valley.

We then drive to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve near Quito. Once it is completely dark, we will go in search of owls. It is a well-known spot for the magical buff-fronted owl.

This morning we’ll be focusing on the rusty-breasted antpitta, the flammulated treehunter and the Andean pygmy-owl.

In the late afternoon, we’ll visit the feeders at Las Cotingas, where we’ll wait patiently for the mountain coati and the tayra to appear.

Early in the morning, we return to the feeders at Las Cotingas, where we wait patiently for the mountain coati and tayra to appear. After breakfast, we explore the Bellavista Cloud Forest in search of species such as the plate-billed mountain toucan and various hummingbirds.

In the afternoon and evening, we explore the trails and feeders around Bellavista in search of the olinguito, kinkajou and oncilla.

Today we visit Refugio Paz de las Aves, known for its various antpittas, cock-of-the-rock and toucans. In the late afternoon and evening, we will once again explore the trails and feeders around Bellavista in search of olinguitos, kinkajous and oncillas.

At night, we will go in search of northern tigrinas and olinguitos.

In the morning, we’ll explore the Bellavista Cloud Forest one last time.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out once more in search of the spectacled bear, less than an hour’s drive from our lodge.

During the evening, there is some free time to relax at the lodge near Quito.

Early departure and transfer to Chakana, where we will set up camp at a viewpoint for spectacled bears (and an Andean condor resting place).

Afterwards, we will drive to Antisana National Park, where we will look for the Andean fox and paramo bird species.

We’ll drive over the Papallacta Pass, where we’ll keep an eye out for the spectacled bear once again. In the evening and night, we’ll go in search of the mountain tapir and Andean porcupine. Those who wish to do so, can enjoy the lodge’s thermal baths in the evening.

Accompanied by a local guide with an impressive knowledge of tapirs, we explore the spectacular hinterland of Cayambe-Coca National Park via the exclusive access road behind the thermal baths at Papallacta. He guides us from one potential mountain tapir sighting spot to the next. Those who wish to do so can enjoy the lodge’s thermal baths again in the evening.

We begin the morning with another exploration of the Oyacachi Valley and Cayambe-Coca National Park, searching once more for spectacled bears and mountain tapirs, while also watching for the distinctive highland bird species of the Andes.

During the first hours after nightfall, we spend time exploring the grounds of San Isidro Lodge. The area is known for its population of Colombian night monkeys. We may also encounter mountain tapir and, with some luck, even an oncilla—both species are occasionally observed here.

A morning session at the lodge’s feeding station for white-bellied antpittas, followed by breakfast. We then drive to Guacamayos Ridge in search of topaz hummingbirds. We will then walk along the Jumani Trail in search of woolly monkeys, capuchin monkeys and various bird species. The programme also includes a visit to a site for the crimson topaz, a spectacular and rare hummingbird.

Back at the lodge in the evening, we will have another chance to see mountain tapirs, Colombian night monkeys and oncillas.

Our final day in Ecuador. In the morning, we’ll visit Guango Lodge. This visit focuses on specific species such as the sword-billed hummingbird, mountain avocetbill, tourmaline sunangel, white-capped dipper, torrent duck and grey-breasted mountain toucan.

After lunch, there’ll be time to pack before we return to Quito, where we’ll catch our evening flight home.

Today we arrive home.