| SOUTHWEST ECUADOR December 3-15, 2011 |
This photo tour visits the Southwest coast of Ecuador. This is the drier, sunnier part of
Ecuador which provides easier photo opportunities with many spectacular species of birds.
About Ecuador - Ecuador is one of the richest countries in the world for birds and bird
photography. Over 1,550 species of birds have been recorded in Ecuador, the fourth highest
total of any country in the world.
Tour leaders - Your tour leader Nate Chappell has a lot of experience photographing and
exploring Ecuador. Nate has done extensive bird photography there and knows the best
areas and techniques for seeing and photographing the birds there. Ken Archer will be
co-leading the trip. We will have Jairo Sanchez, an Ecuadorian birdwatching guide with us as
well. This will be the 6th photography and birdwatching tour that we have led to Ecuador.
What to Expect - The emphasis of the tour is on photographing the birds of Southwest
Ecuador. The Southwest coast of Ecuador is excellent for photographing waterbirds. Near
Salinas the Ecuasal lagoons are full of birds including flamingos, pelicans and shorebirds. We
will visit Isla de la Plata off the Ecuador coast on 2 days. This island is full of nesting boobies
and frigatebirds. Nate will setup water drips and feeding stations at some of the locations to
provide close up opportunities with beautiful landbirds including parrots and motmots.
Hummingbirds are not as prevalent in this part of Ecuador but Nate will try a multiple flash
setup at Mantaraya Lodge. Nate will give digital slide presentations on photographing birds in
the wild and using flash for bird photography. For those who are interested we will have an
image review and critique on 2 evenings. It's an excellent tour to bring your non photography
spouse or companion on. The birdwatching is terrific. On Isla de la Plata there will be
opportunities for snorkeling on the excellent reefs. For an additional fee terrific diving and
deep sea fishing are available. At Salinas there are beautiful beaches for relaxing and at
Mantaraya Lodge there is a swimming pool with ocean views. Our tours are fun, educational
and will provide you with a lot of great images.
Maximum Participants: 10 total, including a maximum of 6 photographers.
Spectacular species we should be able to photograph include:
Horned Screamer
White-tailed Jay
South American Sea Lion
Chilean Flamingo
Peruvian and Brown Pelicans
Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies
Magnificent Frigatebird
Blue-crowned Motmot
Pacific Parrotlet
Itinerary
Day 1, December 3, Arrival in the evening at Guyaquil International Airport, Transfer to a nice
hotel in Guayaquil.
Day 2, December 4, We will spend the day photographing at Charutes Manglares Nature
Reserve. It is a mangrove/wetland reserve. There are many birds here including the rare
Horned Screamer which can usually be seen and photographed at this location. Hotel: The
Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 3, December 5, We will spend the day photographing at Cerro Blanco reserve. This
reserve has many special birds which are endemic to Southwest Ecuador and Northwest Peru.
White-tailed Jay and Scarlet-backed Woodpecker are 2 of the more spectacular birds here. We
will set up a water drip to bring some of the birds in close for photography. Hotel: The
Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 4, December 6, We will spend the morning photographing and watching birds at Cerro
Blanco. We will then return to the hotel and drive to Salinas on the coast. We will spend the
afternoon photographing waterbirds at the Ecuasal lagoons. Hotel: The historic Amira hotel
which is only a block from the beach.
Day 5, December 7, Today we will spend the morning and afternoon sessions photographing
at the Ecuasal Lagoons. These salt lagoons are full of flamingos, pelicans, gulls and
shorebirds. With a local guide we will have access to the inside of this privately owned
property. Those non photographer spouses who want to relax can spend the day on Salinas's
great beaches. Hotel: Amira hotel, Salinas
Day 6, December 8, Today we will visit the western tip of Ecuador which has rocky seascapes.
There is a South American Sea Lion colony which we will spend some time photographing.
Hotel: Amira hotel, Salinas.
Day 7, December 9, We will spend the morning photographing the flamingos, pelicans and
waterbirds at the Ecuasal lagoons. After lunch we will drive north up the coast to our next
hotel, the Mantaraya Lodge. The Mantaraya Lodge is set on a hillside overlooking the ocean. It
has a nice pool and large grounds which include many birds. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge near
Puerto Lopez.
Day 8, December 10, Today we will take a boat to Isla de la Plata. Isla de la Plata about 2 hours
from the coast has an active Blue-footed and Nazca Booby colony. Many of the birds
territories are right next to the trail allowing closeups with smaller lenses. After our morning
session photographing the boobies we will spend some time in the boat. Here you will have
the option of snorkelling with beautiful reef fish or taking flight shots of frigatebirds and
boobies. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 9, December 11, Today we will visit Machalilla National Park, specifically the
Agua Blanca portion. There is an indigenous community here. The dry forest here contains
many birds including some rather tame Blue-crowned Motmots. Lizards are numerous here
and a few mammals are possible. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 10, December 12, Today you will have the option of photographing at feeder setups at the
lodge with Nate or heading out to look for some rarer species including Esmeraldas Woodstar
and Pacific Royal Flycatcher with Jairo at the Ayampe road. We should be able to bring in
some nice tanagers and a few hummingbirds to the feeders. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 11, December 13, Today you will have the option of going to Isla de la Plata for another day
of photographing boobies and frigatebirds and snorkeling or you can spend it relaxing at the
lodge and photographing at our feeder setups. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 12, December 14, Morning photography and birding at the lodge, followed by an afternoon
drive back to Guayaquil. Hotel: The Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 13, December 15, Morning transfer to the airport for return home.
Cost: $3,700 includes all lodging, meals, transportation within Ecuador, guiding, instruction. It
does not include airfare to and from Guayaquil, Ecuador or personal expenses, airport
departure fees or drinks. $400 single supplement. To reserve your spot a deposit of $700 is
required. The balance is due 90 days prior to the tour.
SANI LODGE, NAPO EXTENSION, December 15-19, 2011
Leader: Ken Archer
Day 1, December 15, We will fly from Guayaquil to Coca. After arriving in Coca, we will board an
outboard canoe for the 4 hour ride down the Napo River to Sani Lodge, in the heart of the
Ecuadorian Amazon. Hotel: Sani Lodge.
Days 2-4, December 16-18, We will have 3 full days at the superb Sani Lodge. Much of our
photography and birding will be done from canoes in the oxbow lakes and streams which
surround the lodge. Hoatzin are numerous along with Rufescent Tiger-Herons, Ringed
Kingfishers and many other species. Sani Lodge has an excellent tower which will get us eye
level with canopy species. It's a great spot to observe and photograph Scarlet and Blue and
Gold Macaws, among many others. On one of these days we will take a boat trip to a parrot
clay lick where parrots often congregrate in large numbers. In the evenings we will spotlight
for Black Caiman and other species from the canoes and for mammals and insects in the
forest, bring your macro gear as its great for insect photography.
Lodge: Sani Lodge
Day 5, December 19, We will return by canoe to Coca and to Guayaquil by plane. In the
afternoon you can relax at the hotel or go on a trip to an authentic Ecuadorian market. Hotel:
The Hampton Inn, Guayaquil.
Day 6, June 12, Early morning transfer to the Guayaquil International Airport for your flight
home.
Cost - $1,900 includes all lodging, food, flights, transportation and guiding. $350 Single
Supplement. To reserve your spot a deposit of $300 is required. The remaining balance is due
90 days prior to departure.
Contact - Email us at nchappell@trogontours.net if you are interested in this tour or call Nate at
253-512-1060.
Ecuador which provides easier photo opportunities with many spectacular species of birds.
About Ecuador - Ecuador is one of the richest countries in the world for birds and bird
photography. Over 1,550 species of birds have been recorded in Ecuador, the fourth highest
total of any country in the world.
Tour leaders - Your tour leader Nate Chappell has a lot of experience photographing and
exploring Ecuador. Nate has done extensive bird photography there and knows the best
areas and techniques for seeing and photographing the birds there. Ken Archer will be
co-leading the trip. We will have Jairo Sanchez, an Ecuadorian birdwatching guide with us as
well. This will be the 6th photography and birdwatching tour that we have led to Ecuador.
What to Expect - The emphasis of the tour is on photographing the birds of Southwest
Ecuador. The Southwest coast of Ecuador is excellent for photographing waterbirds. Near
Salinas the Ecuasal lagoons are full of birds including flamingos, pelicans and shorebirds. We
will visit Isla de la Plata off the Ecuador coast on 2 days. This island is full of nesting boobies
and frigatebirds. Nate will setup water drips and feeding stations at some of the locations to
provide close up opportunities with beautiful landbirds including parrots and motmots.
Hummingbirds are not as prevalent in this part of Ecuador but Nate will try a multiple flash
setup at Mantaraya Lodge. Nate will give digital slide presentations on photographing birds in
the wild and using flash for bird photography. For those who are interested we will have an
image review and critique on 2 evenings. It's an excellent tour to bring your non photography
spouse or companion on. The birdwatching is terrific. On Isla de la Plata there will be
opportunities for snorkeling on the excellent reefs. For an additional fee terrific diving and
deep sea fishing are available. At Salinas there are beautiful beaches for relaxing and at
Mantaraya Lodge there is a swimming pool with ocean views. Our tours are fun, educational
and will provide you with a lot of great images.
Maximum Participants: 10 total, including a maximum of 6 photographers.
Spectacular species we should be able to photograph include:
Horned Screamer
White-tailed Jay
South American Sea Lion
Chilean Flamingo
Peruvian and Brown Pelicans
Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies
Magnificent Frigatebird
Blue-crowned Motmot
Pacific Parrotlet
Itinerary
Day 1, December 3, Arrival in the evening at Guyaquil International Airport, Transfer to a nice
hotel in Guayaquil.
Day 2, December 4, We will spend the day photographing at Charutes Manglares Nature
Reserve. It is a mangrove/wetland reserve. There are many birds here including the rare
Horned Screamer which can usually be seen and photographed at this location. Hotel: The
Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 3, December 5, We will spend the day photographing at Cerro Blanco reserve. This
reserve has many special birds which are endemic to Southwest Ecuador and Northwest Peru.
White-tailed Jay and Scarlet-backed Woodpecker are 2 of the more spectacular birds here. We
will set up a water drip to bring some of the birds in close for photography. Hotel: The
Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 4, December 6, We will spend the morning photographing and watching birds at Cerro
Blanco. We will then return to the hotel and drive to Salinas on the coast. We will spend the
afternoon photographing waterbirds at the Ecuasal lagoons. Hotel: The historic Amira hotel
which is only a block from the beach.
Day 5, December 7, Today we will spend the morning and afternoon sessions photographing
at the Ecuasal Lagoons. These salt lagoons are full of flamingos, pelicans, gulls and
shorebirds. With a local guide we will have access to the inside of this privately owned
property. Those non photographer spouses who want to relax can spend the day on Salinas's
great beaches. Hotel: Amira hotel, Salinas
Day 6, December 8, Today we will visit the western tip of Ecuador which has rocky seascapes.
There is a South American Sea Lion colony which we will spend some time photographing.
Hotel: Amira hotel, Salinas.
Day 7, December 9, We will spend the morning photographing the flamingos, pelicans and
waterbirds at the Ecuasal lagoons. After lunch we will drive north up the coast to our next
hotel, the Mantaraya Lodge. The Mantaraya Lodge is set on a hillside overlooking the ocean. It
has a nice pool and large grounds which include many birds. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge near
Puerto Lopez.
Day 8, December 10, Today we will take a boat to Isla de la Plata. Isla de la Plata about 2 hours
from the coast has an active Blue-footed and Nazca Booby colony. Many of the birds
territories are right next to the trail allowing closeups with smaller lenses. After our morning
session photographing the boobies we will spend some time in the boat. Here you will have
the option of snorkelling with beautiful reef fish or taking flight shots of frigatebirds and
boobies. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 9, December 11, Today we will visit Machalilla National Park, specifically the
Agua Blanca portion. There is an indigenous community here. The dry forest here contains
many birds including some rather tame Blue-crowned Motmots. Lizards are numerous here
and a few mammals are possible. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 10, December 12, Today you will have the option of photographing at feeder setups at the
lodge with Nate or heading out to look for some rarer species including Esmeraldas Woodstar
and Pacific Royal Flycatcher with Jairo at the Ayampe road. We should be able to bring in
some nice tanagers and a few hummingbirds to the feeders. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 11, December 13, Today you will have the option of going to Isla de la Plata for another day
of photographing boobies and frigatebirds and snorkeling or you can spend it relaxing at the
lodge and photographing at our feeder setups. Hotel: Mantaraya Lodge
Day 12, December 14, Morning photography and birding at the lodge, followed by an afternoon
drive back to Guayaquil. Hotel: The Hampton Inn or similar, Guayaquil.
Day 13, December 15, Morning transfer to the airport for return home.
Cost: $3,700 includes all lodging, meals, transportation within Ecuador, guiding, instruction. It
does not include airfare to and from Guayaquil, Ecuador or personal expenses, airport
departure fees or drinks. $400 single supplement. To reserve your spot a deposit of $700 is
required. The balance is due 90 days prior to the tour.
SANI LODGE, NAPO EXTENSION, December 15-19, 2011
Leader: Ken Archer
Day 1, December 15, We will fly from Guayaquil to Coca. After arriving in Coca, we will board an
outboard canoe for the 4 hour ride down the Napo River to Sani Lodge, in the heart of the
Ecuadorian Amazon. Hotel: Sani Lodge.
Days 2-4, December 16-18, We will have 3 full days at the superb Sani Lodge. Much of our
photography and birding will be done from canoes in the oxbow lakes and streams which
surround the lodge. Hoatzin are numerous along with Rufescent Tiger-Herons, Ringed
Kingfishers and many other species. Sani Lodge has an excellent tower which will get us eye
level with canopy species. It's a great spot to observe and photograph Scarlet and Blue and
Gold Macaws, among many others. On one of these days we will take a boat trip to a parrot
clay lick where parrots often congregrate in large numbers. In the evenings we will spotlight
for Black Caiman and other species from the canoes and for mammals and insects in the
forest, bring your macro gear as its great for insect photography.
Lodge: Sani Lodge
Day 5, December 19, We will return by canoe to Coca and to Guayaquil by plane. In the
afternoon you can relax at the hotel or go on a trip to an authentic Ecuadorian market. Hotel:
The Hampton Inn, Guayaquil.
Day 6, June 12, Early morning transfer to the Guayaquil International Airport for your flight
home.
Cost - $1,900 includes all lodging, food, flights, transportation and guiding. $350 Single
Supplement. To reserve your spot a deposit of $300 is required. The remaining balance is due
90 days prior to departure.
Contact - Email us at nchappell@trogontours.net if you are interested in this tour or call Nate at
253-512-1060.
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