Day 1 

• Recommended arrival time: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Warm welcome to the Yunguilla Community
• Briefing on local projects and community organization
• Check-in at your accommodation
• 1:00 pm – Lunch at the community restaurant
• 2:30 pm – Guided birdwatching walk along a community trail with optional visits to local producers including organic gardens, artisans, cheese makers, and jam facilities
• 7:00 pm – Dinner hosted by a local family
• Overnight stay in the community

Day 2

• 5:00 am – Begin the day with early morning birdwatching at Mirador del Chochal, located at approximately 2,600 meters above sea level. This prime location offers excellent chances to spot species such as the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris ), various Tangara tanagers, the Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii ), and the striking Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca turcosa ).
• 8:00 am – Enjoy breakfast with a local family, experiencing traditional Ecuadorian hospitality.
• 9:00 am – Depart for the entrance of the Santa Lucía Reserve (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by vehicle).
• 11:00 am – Arrive at the trailhead by car, where your guide will greet you and provide a short briefing on the upcoming hike to the lodge.
• Guided Hike – Embark on a scenic 2.5 km uphill trek (approx. 2 hours) through mature secondary forest. The trail offers great opportunities to observe a variety of bird species and interesting invertebrates. As you reach the lodge, enjoy breathtaking views over the surrounding cloudforest.
• Welcome & Check-in – Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome, a brief introduction to the lodge and reserve, and check into your cabin.
• 1:00 pm – Lunch served in the dining room, featuring delicious local cuisine and panoramic views of the Andean landscape.
• 2:30 pm – Explore the Self-Guided Trail near the lodge, ideal for spotting Woodpeckers, Golden-winged and Club-winged Manakins, Tanagers, and Warblers. Later, visit the hummingbird feeders where up to 12 different species may be seen (total approx. 2 hours).
• 7:00 pm – Dinner under the stars or in the main lodge.
• Evening – Rest and relax after a full day, enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep in one of our cozy private cabins nestled in the heart of the cloudforest.

Day 3 

• 5:00 am – Visit the Cock-of-the-Rock lek site to witness the species’ dramatic mating display
• Light breakfast served during the return hike through primary forest and mountain ridges — excellent for spotting birds like Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Mountain-Tanagers, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogons, Hummingbirds, Antpittas, and more (approx. 11 km / 7 hours)
• 1:00 pm – Lunch at the lodge with panoramic views
• 2:30 pm – Explore the Self-Guided Trail near the lodge — great for observing Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Warblers, and both Golden-winged and Club-winged Manakins
• Optional: Visit hummingbird feeders where up to 12 species may be seen (approx. 2 hours)
• 7:00 pm – Dinner
• 8:00 pm – Optional night hike: Discover nocturnal wildlife such as frogs, insects, Pygmy-Owls, Nightjars, and Potoos
• Overnight in a private cabin at Santa Lucía Lodge

Day 4 

• 6:00 am – Early morning birdwatching around the lodge
• 9:30 am – Scenic breakfast with panoramic views
• 10:00 am – Walk along the Self-Guided Trail: observe Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Warblers, and Manakins
• Optional: Return visit to hummingbird feeders (approx. 2 hours)
• 1:00 pm – Final lunch at the lodge with spectacular views
• 2:00 pm – Departure

• Overnight in private cabin