Hi I'm a bit confused, is Wild Sumaco considered upper amazon basin or cloud forest? I have been in contact with a couple of companies looking at options for a 2 week tailor made tour in November. We were looking to focus on the andes and cloud forest rather than the amazon, (as we're thinking about leaving amazon for a future trip maybe in conjunction with Galapagos) and neither option currently includes this lodge. We're both birder photographers with keen interest in mammals as well. Company 1 has suggested covering the following sites, company 2 has said they can cover the same but that they have some better sites to think about for photography but haven't been specific about that, and say it will be determined by local conditions as to where we should go. :
05-Nov 16:15 PM HJ Arrival to Ecuador.
- Giant Hummingbird Reserve & Penas Blancas "Rainbow Bearded-Thornbill" Birding Road
- Antisana Andean Condor & Wildlife Reserve, La Mica Lake, Ecuadorian Hillstar Nest
- Cotopaxi National Park Base Camp Hike, Possible Andean Fox
- Zuro Loma Antpittas, Yanacocha Reserve, Old Nono Mindo Road
- Andean Cock of the Rock Lek, San Tadeo Tanagers and Sunbittern Reserve. Night Olinguito and Kinkajuo Feeders.
- Plate-billed Mountain Toucan Reserve and Milpe Birding Sanctuary
- Umbrellabird Lek and Suamox Woodpecker Feeders
- Mashpi Amagusa Reserve & Alambi Hummingbird Paradise
- Papallacta Pass & Guango Torrent Duck and Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan Reserve, Night Owl Walk.
- San Isidro Reserve, Guacamayos Ridge Black-billed Mountain Toucan. Night Owl Walk.
- San Isidro Reserve and Las Brisas Hummingbirds. Night Owl Walk.
- Spectacled Bear
any other excellent birding/mammal watching sites that we can consider.
19-Nov 14:30 PM Transfer Out to the Airport (17H30PM flight)
looking for twin room accommodation for two people, preferably lodges with good wildlife viewing but we don't need luxury if we'll be out all day.
so far the lodges that have been recommended to us are:
Company 1:
Andes, 5 nights Hacienda Jimenita,
west slopes, 4 nights Sachatamia Lodge,
1 night back at Hacienda Jimenita,
east slope 3 night San Isidro Lodge,
1 night back at Hacienda Jimenita then fly out.
Company 2:
Andes, 2 nights, Puembo birding garden or similar,
6 nights Sachatamia Lodge,
back to Andes, 3 nights, Puembo birding garden or similar,
2 nights Guango Lodge with San Isidro,
1 night Termas de Papallacta
return to Quito & depart.
prices are pretty much the same for both. any advice welcome.