Ecuador trip assistance (1 Viewer)

Hello All,

My girlfriend and I are arranging a three week trip to Ecuador. We will be having an 8 day cruise in the Galapagos, then visiting Tandayapa Lodge, in the Andean foothills, and Sacha Lodge in the Amazon rainforest. (We are also having a couple of days in the high Andes.)

We are currently down for four nights at each Lodge, and we now have an extra day to allocate to either Tandayapa or Sacha.

Anyone any views on what we should do?

Also, anyone stayed in a nice hotel at the Termas de Papallacta?

Many thanks.

Andrew

You might spend one night just up the hill from Tandayapa at Bella Vista. It's funky and fun. We saw Oilbirds there right after sunset. Along with other great birds, it's fun to wake up early and go find the mountain toucans.

My wife and I stayed at "Termas de Papallacta". The main place at the springs. It's wonderful. Great hummers and the pools are in front of your door. Condors, seedsnipe, and hillstars up at the top (towers).

Make sure you have the trout at Tandayapa. At least visit Anna Lucia at Septimo Paraiso in Mindo. Great birding gounds in back of her lodge. And if it's a Saturday, take a break and go to the market in Otavalo. Not to be missed..........Chris

Thanks Chris - I guess that's a vote for staying in the Tandayapa/Mindo region rather than Amazonia?

I should have said that whilst we are both keen on birds and bird photography (one of us a little more than the other...), neither of us are the sorts who insist on going to every last place to get all the birds going. We also want a holiday, so if we can be birding somewhere where the living is easy that is fine by us. I'm quite keen on going to a place and getting to know it for a few days (and if that means fewer hours in a car so much the better...).

I looked at Septimo Paraiso's stall at the Birdfair - looked nice, but the Tandayapa people were very persuasive... Good idea to take a trip there though.

Andrew

Andrew S said:

Thanks Chris - I guess that's a vote for staying in the Tandayapa/Mindo region rather than Amazonia?

I should have said that whilst we are both keen on birds and bird photography (one of us a little more than the other...), neither of us are the sorts who insist on going to every last place to get all the birds going. We also want a holiday, so if we can be birding somewhere where the living is easy that is fine by us. I'm quite keen on going to a place and getting to know it for a few days (and if that means fewer hours in a car so much the better...).

I looked at Septimo Paraiso's stall at the Birdfair - looked nice, but the Tandayapa people were very persuasive... Good idea to take a trip there though.

Andrew

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Hi Andrew,
I'm with you on wanting to just stay a few places. I guess I suggested Bella Vista for a night because it is so close to Tandayapa. Make sure you at least get up there early one morning then stop at Tony Nunnery's house on the way down for hummers. Everyone knows everyone in that area. Ian and Nick and the rest at Tandayapa are 1st rate. I took my best photos at their hummer feeders. Bring a tripod. There was also an undescribed frog in their garden pond just feet from our door. We saw Torrent Tyranulets and Dippers along the stream in the valley. While on the road a mixed flock came by with at least 50 species (we stood at the same elevation of the birds - they being downhill from us).
I can't be the one to say where to spend an extra day. Our time in Amazonia was very special. I would have stayed a month there alone. I hope you find, as I did, that Ecuador's people are incredible. They really made our trip. The birding was beyond my comprehension, but something else made the trip what it was. Wish I was coming..........

There are several hotels in Papallacta, but they're rather basic. There's a one or two better in the outskrits of the small town (e.g. Termas de Papallacta, mentioned in an earlier post). If you're into "hardcore birding" (probably not, I guess) there's some nice spots for camping nearby, although the nights can be rather cold. Most birdtours visit Papallacta from the nice Guango Lodge: http://www.sanisidrolodge.com/index.htm (owned & operated by the same people that have Cabañas San Isidro further down the East Andean slope).

I'd suggest you spend the extra night at Tandayapa - there's loads of nice birding localities in the vicinity, all within an hours drive (I'd suggest getting a guide with a car, if possible). - Or even better; take the extra night and allocate it into an extra night at Guango...

Thanks both for your assistance - very helpful info. However we've had to change things around a bit and the extra night seems to have disappeared!

Anyone any thoughts on Yanacocha - we're going there on the way to Tandayapa (which seems to be the standard thing).

Andrew

It was the only place we saw Giant Hummers. The feeders at the end of the road/trail had Swordbills, Sabrewings, etc. It's also the only Inca thing you might see/walk on. Our friend called it "The Inca Ditch". Also great Mountain Tanagers. One hint---- on the way there you'll see Datura flowers growing. These are used by Swordbills and pierced at the base by Flower Piercers. I picked one and pressed it in my "Birds of Ecuador" book at the Swordbilled info page. Friends back home who look at the book are always amazed at the connection. Then they see the Flower Piercer holes. We later saw Black Train Bearers using the Flower Piercer holes to feed.

Andrew

I was lucky enough to live in Ecuador for a year, working as a guide at Sacha Lodge. It is a great place, even more so now that they have constructed three additional canopy towers with a canopy walkway in between. If you're keen birders then you will need to put in a request for one of the two specialist bird guides - Oscar or Marcelo - both of whom are excellent, amazing eyes, great birders and great company.

There is a hotel at the Termas de Papallacta which comprises very comfortable wooden cabins surrounding the thermal pools. This is one of the most romantic places to stay in Ecuador. Soaking in those hot thermal pools at night under the equatorial stars when the day-trippers have gone back to Quito is an experience not to be missed - especially if you have your woman with you!

We put the Naturetrek groups that we send to Papallacta to Guango Lodge just down the road which has a nice patch of neighbouring forest and some good hummingbird feeders which attract Sword-billed and Tourmaline Sunangel which can be difficult to see elsewhere. This is also a cozy place to stay but of course without the hot springs.

Enjoy it - Ecuador is a fantastic country

Yes yes, stay at that place at the springs. Also, if you're tired and need a sugar fix -- and you're standing outside a little shop, buy a "Pony Malta". Quite a zing. That and "Chifle" -- those excellent paprika banana chips that don't taste like banana. Treat the local kids too.