What to Expect
Overview
This is a moderately paced birding tour with a focus on finding a variety of birds including some endemics. This itinerary includes several very early starts and some long travel days in order to experience the region’s key birding highlights. Guests should be prepared for a demanding but rewarding schedule.
Meals
We will usually have breakfast at the hotel or lodge. On some occasions we may go on an early morning excursion before breakfast. Lunch will either be in the field or at the lodge or occasionally at a restaurant when travelling between locations. In the evening, we enjoy good meals provided by the various lodges’ dining facility or at the hotel restaurant. At this time we discuss the day’s activities and review the list of birds and wildlife we have encountered. We outline the events for the next day, in preparation for another round of excitement and discovery.
Accommodations
Our accommodations range from good to excellent. We stay in a number of good quality lodges located in excellent birding locations. Please note that some accommodations have limited electricity, which is typically turned off at night. We recommend planning ahead for charging any essential devices during the available hours.
Weather
Weather on this tour will be variable. At low and middle elevations days are usually warm to hot, sunny and likely humid, although it can be cool and overcast. At higher altitudes conditions range from cool to cold, especially in the early morning. Rain can be expected at times. Layers and a windbreaker would be the solution in the mountains. At all altitudes, we should remember to have adequate protection from the sun. There may be mosquitoes.
Walking
Walking effort is mostly moderate. Expect to walk a maximum of 4 kms in a day at a slow walking pace with plenty of stops for birding. Trails may be muddy and waterproof footwear is recommended. On some occasions we go spotlighting at night. Participants should also be comfortable getting in and out of the long boats used for the boat trips.
Driving
You can expect comfortable travel with some adventurous terrain on this tour. We use well-maintained paved roads, while routes in the Andes become narrower, steeper, and more winding, with a few unpaved or bumpy sections that are typical of cloud-forest travel and offer outstanding scenery and wildlife opportunities.
Some days involve longer travel times as we transition between regions, though these are broken up into 1.5 – 2 hour sections with frequent birding stops and planned rest breaks. Altitude changes are a natural part of the journey, and the itinerary is designed to allow for gradual acclimatization. Throughout, travel is in modern, well-maintained vehicles driven by experienced professionals.
