Ecuador

• November 2017
  • Species List
• November 2018
  • Trip Report
• November 2019
  • Species List
• November 2022
  • Trip Report
• January 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• November 2023 (Birds & Mammals)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• December 2023 (Christmas Tour)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• March 2024
  • Species List
• November 2024 (Birds & Mammals)
  • Species List

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months after the date of your scheduled return to the U.S. See "Passports, Visas & Documentation" section below for details.
• No Visas are required for U.S. citizens for stays of this length in Ecuador. If you are from another country, please contact the Embassy of Ecuador’s website for guidelines.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Ecuador and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your international flight reservations to Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office please.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival into Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), Quito

When you arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), look for the Holiday Inn Quito Airport Shuttle or call the hotel for the shuttle. We have your arrival time and will reconfirm with your guide. If you know you will be delayed and can email, text, or phone your guide or local operator, they would appreciate it. Both numbers can be found in your contact list.

You will fill out a tourist entry card for Ecuador on your flight. Visas are not needed in advance of travel. When you arrive in Quito you will first pass through immigration. You will be given a customs form on the plane to fill out. Also have your emergency contact sheet handy going through Immigration to show your destinations. Look for the shuttle or call the hotel once you exit to the main terminal area.

There is an ATM at the airport if needed (see MONEY below).

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), Quito

Your departing airport is in Quito at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). There is an International Departure Tax, but this is normally now in your international ticket, and thus taken care of, just be aware that any time leaving a country, there could be notification of an increase or change. Plan your return flight at your leisure. You need to be at the airport about three hours ahead of your scheduled flight on this return. Most flights leave near midnight, so please watch the days/dates carefully.

Please check the Travel Details tabof this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html. If you are from another country, please contact the Ecuador embassy website for guidelines. 

Passport: At the time of writing, you must have a passport that is in good condition and valid for at least six months from your scheduled return to the U.S. You should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: At the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required for the duration of this tour. Your tourist card is part of your airline ticket and you will receive inbound forms to complete on your flight.  If you are issued a card at immigration, be sure to carry it with your passport at all times. You will need the card to exit the country.

The departure tax from Ecuador is now included in the cost of your flight, so you do not have to pay this separately at the International Airport before checking in for your flight.  

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information - Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for Ecuador or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency.  

Vaccinations: Bring copies of your current vaccination records with you. At the time of writing there were no required vaccinations to enter Ecuador, however, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Please check with your doctor for recommendations at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip.

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude sickness: It can affect some and, if there is a concern, be prepared. The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. These symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water and taking aspirin. If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications that may be right for you.

Anti-malarial drugs are not required for any area that you visit. There are occasional reports of Dengue Fever in lower elevation areas, for which there is no vaccine. Dengue fever, Zika, and other diseases are contacted by mosquito bites so be sure to use mosquito repellant containing DEET or Picaridin, though at this time of year there should be little mosquito activity.  Travelers can reduce their risk of disease by protecting themselves from mosquito bites by using protective clothing.

Daily Itinerary

We generally follow the published itinerary but do network with other guides and may make changes if we hear of great bird sightings or a new opportunity. The joy of our travel is tremendous flexibility, and we make every effort to do the things you particularly want to do. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of the trip is moderate, with some early morning departures, extensive field time and some options for hikes. It is also easy to take it at a vacation pace! You can pace yourself within our typically active schedule.

Weather & Climate

In general, weather where we travel in Ecuador is quite variable, and particularly dependent on the altitude in the different places we spend time.  We start in Quito at 9,350 feet of altitude. Temperatures should vary in the upper 40s°F to upper 60s°F. In the lower elevations, temperatures will be higher; expect mid 70s°F to upper 80s°F. Rain is likely, so do have good rain gear; shoes with good tread and support are essential. We recommend dressing in layers, with a good wind-breaking layer that can do double duty as raingear. Dressing in layers works perfectly for these conditions. Please bring warm enough clothing for the higher altitude, morning, and evening temperatures.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur, especially along the Napo River; therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET is essential. At grassland or farm locations you may encounter chiggers, if so, spray your shoes with repellent, and tuck your pants into your socks; this helps a lot.  When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing. Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats throughout Central and South America. Your guide should have a good read on if it has been wet enough that they are active. There can also be poisonous snakes and insects, though encountering them is rare.  Do listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide. And remember the sun is strong and be prepared with proper protection.

Food & Drinks

Menus at lodges and restaurants are varied, sustainably based on the wonderful local ingredients available, and delightfully prepared in a sanitary environment. As with any case when traveling we urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. Trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. This is the best way to avoid any unwanted problems. Ask for recommendations from your hotel or refer to a guidebook such as Frommers. Meals reflect the contributions of American, European, Spanish, and local cuisines.

Bottled water will be available for field trips and drinking water is provided for you to refill a bottle. One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by trying to reduce our consumption of plastics; if convenient, we appreciate if you can bring reusable water bottles. Your guide will let you know when bottled water is preferable.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Dress is very informal and laundry services are available for a fee at our lodges. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day.

Please, pack light.  We are serious about this – we move around a lot and you just do not need many changes at these elevations! Please do not bring anything more than you must. Lay out your hopeful things to take and then do a serious paring down.

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field, have one day’s clothing change, and a change of underwear! And please do not pack any essential medications, original travel documents, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

Ecuador has adopted the US Dollar as their monetary unit, so there is no exchange rate. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. Bring crisp, unsoiled U.S. dollars in good condition in SMALL denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) for purchases and tipping. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

When using the ATM to withdrawal cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards. Many U.S. banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at lodges to pay your bar and gift tabs. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants or taxis require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them

Gratuities

Tipping is optional and completely at your discretion. If you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, lodge and hotel staff, or anyone associated with this tour, it is entirely appropriate. Know that they appreciate anything you care to give and of course you can do more if you wish! Lodges normally have a box for tips that the staff share, and at hotels you would just tip the maids as you do at home. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services.

Here is a standard suggestion for tipping on birding trips:

• Birding tour guide: US $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest
  Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them, so that is a total, per person, per day
• Tour driver if different from guide: US $5.00 - $7.00 per person/day
• Lodge staff: US $6.00 - $10.00 per day per guest
• Transfer (airport shuttle) driver: US $2.00 - $3.00 per person
• Hotel & international airport bellmen: US $1.00 per suitcase

You may wish to bring small gifts for local people that you meet and enjoy (this is totally optional!). T-shirts, school supplies like pens and small notebooks, inexpensive watches, and baseball caps are always popular.  Your guides can pass along school supplies to a local school if you bring them. They also love any nature books/coloring books.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

The standard in Ecuador is the same as in the United States: 110-120 volts AC (60 cycles). Plugs are set up in the same style. However, three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter for a two-prong outlet. If your appliance plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ecuador/.

Time

Ecuador is on Ecuador Time, which is the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time.  (Ecuador does not have Daylight Savings Time.) A great website for someone calling you to check the time in Ecuador is https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ecuador/quito.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage.  Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle.  It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds.  If lighter, all the better! Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Weather & General Guidelines

In general, weather where we travel in Ecuador is quite variable, and particularly dependent on the altitude in the different places we spend time.  We start in Quito at 9,350 feet of altitude. Temperatures should vary in the upper 40s to upper 60s. In the lower elevations, temperatures will be higher; expect mid 70s to upper 80s. Rain is likely.

Clothing & Gear

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Pack clothing that is comfortable and easy. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable in variable conditions and a good wind-breaking outer layer can do double duty as raingear. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool.   Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation, but if you like to wear shorts, by all means bring them.  Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy. Bring warm enough clothing for the higher altitude, morning, and evening temperatures, as well as light-weight, loose, protective clothing for lower elevations. Shoes with good tread and support are essential.

Note on clothing colors and insect repellent: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors.  Camouflage clothing is not recommended, and in some countries, not legal to wear. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent, such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield Clothing collection.  Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

• Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
• Lightweight long sleeve shirts, 2-3 (if open buttons, may be layered with short- sleeved or sleeveless t-shirt to keep cool in the lowlands). Loose fitting keeps you cool.
• T-shirts, short-sleeved or equivalent (1-2)
• Personal underclothing (consider what dries quickly if you plan to wash) and nightclothes
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry, and long enough to tuck your pants to help protect from chiggers in the lowlands
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes) and lightweight hiking boots – 2 pair. Please note that forest trails will be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – bring shoes with good support and firm grip tread.
• Field vest (optional) a great source is Big Pockets
• Good quality raincoat and pants (recommended) or poncho
• Fleece jacket or sweater for highlands and Quito evenings
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes)
• Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days
• Hat with broad brim; warm hat for Papallacta Pass
• Scarf, light gloves, light hat for cold evenings (you want to go owling!)
• Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when hot and sweaty)
• Bathing suit if you enjoy swimming

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry gear while hiking and in vehicles
• Cell phone and charger
• Binoculars (a hotel shower cap is great to cover these when it is raining…)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Camera and charger/extra batteries, memory cards/film, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual. Do a good check for all this before leaving, battery chargers may be hard to find! (optional)
• Tablet/laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB stick, USB cord and charger (optional). If bringing a laptop or tablet, bring a good dustcover to protect it at all times.
• Adapters for three prong electronic equipment
• Walking stick (optional but recommended if you have one)
• Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored
• Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries (important – cabins may be up the hill from our dining areas). Make sure this is in good working order. Extra batteries.
• Alarm clock (yes, you’ll hopefully be inspired to get up early!) If you use your phone for this learn how to turn off data roaming.
• Sunscreen/lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (something containing DEET, and sulphur powder or equivalent for chiggers)
• Toiletry articles: shampoo and conditioner, dental supplies, razor, emery boards, hairbrush/comb, tweezers, hand lotion, feminine hygiene, deodorant, pain reliever
• Sink stopper, soap for hand laundry (the new detergent sheets are super handy!)
• Water bottle (can easily be bought in the airport and refilled daily). We love the Life Steam bottles that have an internal filter, making it possible to fill from the tap and be safe – VERY handy!
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Small bottle of antibacterial hand soap/hand sanitizer
• Small bottle or bag of laundry soap (or the new detergent sheets, super handy!) sink stopper
• Washcloth (optional)
• Earplugs (optional)
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)
• Steri-Pen or other UV water treatment device to help cut down on the use of plastic bottles (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

• Heath insurance and vaccination records (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) taken on a regular basis with their original containers (and copies of vital prescriptions, including glasses)
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
• Personal first aid kit including over-the-counter medications for common ailments and digestive issues (Imodium or Lomotil, antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, aspirin, Band-aids etc.)
• Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Altitude sickness medication (optional)

Donations & Gifts

We enjoy interacting with local people. Why not bring a small photo album or load your tablet with some photos of your life to share? Or some small lightweight gifts – hair ties, costume jewelry, memory sticks or flash drives, etc.  Be creative here.  Also for kids, school supplies – marking pens, activity cards such as number cards, small notebooks, and pencils are a bit hit, we can surely find a home for these in the smaller rural villages. Children’s books are a treat, especially if they are in Spanish.

Guides at the lodges are often isolated. They always enjoy a current newspaper, nature magazine, and books. If you have an old USA field guide you are not using, these are great for them to see some of the migrants and birds from another area.

There are many titles of interest for Ecuador; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Merlin App – Ecuador Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Ecuador.

Birds of Ecuador

Wildlife of Ecuador: A Photographic Field Guide to Birds, Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians

 Field Guides

The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide

Fieldbook of the Birds of Ecuador

Travelers’ Wildlife Guides Ecuador and the Galapagos

Natural History

Ecuador: Andes & Amazon

The New Neotropical Companion

Tropical Nature. Forsyth and Miyata

History & Culture

Insight Guide Ecuador and Galapagos

Portrait of a Nation: Culture and Progress in Ecuador 

Ecuador - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Panama Hat Trail

Latin American Spanish: Phrasebook & Dictionary 

Ecuador and Galapagos Map

There is a good selection of books available for sale at visitors’ centers, and your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

Bird Checklist – Avibase

• https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=EC&list=howardmoore

Biodiversity of the Tropical Andes

• https://www.rewild.org/get-to-know/tropical-andes

Conservation

Discovery article Ecuador’s new approach for monitoring butterflies

• https://www.discovery.com/nature/butterflies

Jocotoco Foundation and Reserves

• https://www.jocotoco.org/wb#/EN/home

Buenaventura Reserve

• https://conservationbirding.org/?reserve=buenaventura-reserve

Tapichalaca Reserve

• https://abcbirds.org/program/reserves/tapichalaca-reserve/

Copalinga

• https://conservationbirding.org/?reserve=copalinga

Cajas National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cajas_National_Park

Podocarpus National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podocarpus_National_Park

Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churute_Mangroves_Ecological_Reserve

Antisana Ecological Reserve (opt. day trip)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisana_Ecological_Reserve

Geology & Geography

National Geological Map

• https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/national-geological-map-republic-ecuador-including-gal%C3%A1pagos-province

World Atlas of Ecuador

• https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/ecuador

Geography of Ecuador

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ecuador

History & Culture

A Brief History of Ecuador

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador

Culture of Ecuador

• https://www.adventure-life.com/ecuador/articles/history-and-culture-of-ecuador

Cuisine of Ecuador

• https://www.southamerica.cl/ecuador-guide/typical-food.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador#Cuisine

Speaking Spanish in Ecuador

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_Spanish
• https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/i.e.mackenzie/andeanr.htm

Helpful Travel Websites

Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)

• https://www.aeropuertoquito.aero/

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

Global ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/locator/atm
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information - Ecuador

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Ecuador

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ecuador

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories - Ecuador

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador

Travel Health Pro (UK) - Ecuador

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/70/ecuador

Electricity and Plugs – Ecuador

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ecuador/

Date, Time, and Holidays – Ecuador

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ecuador
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/ecuador/