Great threads below. Unfortunately, it appears I will be travelling alone, which makes hiring guides much more difficult money-wise. I'm hoping to be able to hook up with others. I think I especially would like a guide for Papallacta/Antisana, and probably Pululahula for Antipittas. My self-inflicted budget is $2k after airfare. But I will sleep on the ground and live on protein powder and noodles in exchange for great birding. Then again, I will probably bust the budget. I have been very limited in birding for a number of years, and am really just getting back in. So, I will be wanting to see everything, but my focus really will be on the flashy stuff. I'll try to photo/video everything too 
But the motivation started as 1. High - Condor, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Giant Hummer, Seedsnipe and their neighbors, 2. Photograph Mountain Toucans and Mountain Tanagers, 3. Antpittas, 4. Flashy hummers of course, 5. 1400 or so other species Not necessarily in this order. If I had time, I would put on the backpack and hit backcountry, but this trip will be about maximizing species, photolist and soaking up the crowd pleasers. Fruit feeders for Tanager etc photos will be at a premium for me.
It looks like cheap beds and camping are easy to find, I expect to rent a car, although if guides have cars .... and hit Gunago/Papallacta/Antisana 3-4 days, Yanacocha, Tandayapa, maybe Yellow House/Tangaras, Paz, Un Poco del Choco, Mashpi Amagusa, Mangaloma and Silanche 10 days. (Looks like I'll need to whittle that down, sigh), Plus I'd love some hits like Umbrellabirds, Lyre-Tailed Nightjar, Oilbird, ... Anybody that wants to chat, I'm available as I can think of nothing else but this trip right now Anybody that wants to come and share guide and car rental and see a boatload of birds, welcome!
But the motivation started as 1. High - Condor, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Giant Hummer, Seedsnipe and their neighbors, 2. Photograph Mountain Toucans and Mountain Tanagers, 3. Antpittas, 4. Flashy hummers of course, 5. 1400 or so other species Not necessarily in this order. If I had time, I would put on the backpack and hit backcountry, but this trip will be about maximizing species, photolist and soaking up the crowd pleasers. Fruit feeders for Tanager etc photos will be at a premium for me.It looks like cheap beds and camping are easy to find, I expect to rent a car, although if guides have cars .... and hit Gunago/Papallacta/Antisana 3-4 days, Yanacocha, Tandayapa, maybe Yellow House/Tangaras, Paz, Un Poco del Choco, Mashpi Amagusa, Mangaloma and Silanche 10 days. (Looks like I'll need to whittle that down, sigh), Plus I'd love some hits like Umbrellabirds, Lyre-Tailed Nightjar, Oilbird, ... Anybody that wants to chat, I'm available as I can think of nothing else but this trip right now
Anybody that wants to come and share guide and car rental and see a boatload of birds, welcome!
