A birding trip like no other!
10 days and 9 nights
Three different lodges within private (not public) reserves!
MAY 18 - 27, 2024
Ecuador is considered one of the most bird diverse countries in the world. In the West, the country has the Chocoan and the Tumbesian eco-regions, which are home to an abundant amount of endemic bird species.
This land package is all-inclusive, including airport transfers or pick up from downtown Quito, comfortable lodging accommodations, daily guided bird walks with specialized native bird guides to the region, inter-lodge private transportation and reserve entrance fees.
Added features while at San Jorge Lodges include delicious Ecuadorian and International cuisine with top of the line quality service.
The West Andes Lodges & Reserves visited on this tour are located in the Coco Corridor, which has the most concentrated amount of birds in Ecuador as this area was never hit by the ice age.
This tour is for active birders without physical limitations who can walk and bird steadily for approximately 3 hours in the morning and also in the afternoon.
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photo: Cheryl Korowatny |
Birding Tours - Daily general schedule:
- 6:15 – 8:30 am Guided birding - Observation at feeders, gardens & surrounding of the lodge
8:30 am breakfast.
- 2 to 2-1/2 hour moderately paced Guided bird walk
Lunch, then leisure time on your own
- 3:00 – 6:00 pm Guided birding hike on forest trails
7:00 pm – Dinner
Note: For those who do not wish to participate in the 3 bird walks, you may elect to stay at the lodge for birding on your own while at San Jorge Lodge only (except for days of transit)
When: May 18-27, 2024
Price:
• $3750.00 per person double occupancy. (airfare, tips, travel insurance, not included)
• Add $250.00 for a single supplemental ($4000).
• A deposit of $700.00 is required with registration to reserve your place and is non-refundable
• Balance due: Feb 15, 2024 (non-refundable as of Feb 20, 2024)
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photo: Cheryl Korowatny |
Land Package Includes:
- Airport and lodge transfer
- 9 nights lodging
- Birding tours
- All carefully prepared meals off a set menu (see notes below)
- Specialized guides
- Park and reserve entrance fees
- Regional Birding checklists
- WIFI
- Surprises!
About Dr. Marc Minno
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Dr. Minno has a Ph.D. in zoology and over 21 years of professional experience as an
interdisciplinary scientist and ecologist. He currently serves as the Lead Ecologist and co-
founder of Eco-Cognizant, Inc. Formerly with the Saint Johns River Water Management
District (SJRWMD), Dr. Minno has worked on mapping wetlands in northeastern Florida,
restoring drained wetlands in the Upper Saint Johns River Basin, estimating harm to wetlands
and lakes from groundwater withdrawals, and was the lead environmental reviewer for the
SJRWMD Consumptive Use Permitting program from June 2002 through September 2011.
He has considerable experience in designing environmental monitoring networks and using
groundwater model results, soils, vegetation, water level data, Minimum Flows & Levels
(MFLs), and other information to determine impacts from water withdrawals. Dr. Minno helped
to develop a predictive model for estimating harm to natural systems from groundwater
withdrawals used in SJRWMD water supply planning.
He has been qualified as an expert in wetland ecology and Consumptive Use Permitting and
has testified at Administrative hearings. He has served as Chairman of the Southern
Lepidopterists’ Society, President of the Florida Association of Benthologists, and was chair
of the Environmental Measures Team of the Central Florida Water Initiative through
September 2011.
Dr. Minno is also keenly interested in conservation biology and has authored/coauthored six
books, five book chapters, and more than 90 other scientific articles. He has worked on the
biological control of invasive pest species such as Hydrilla, Cogongrass, Japanese Stiltgrass,
and Caribbean Fruit Fly.
Dr. Minno received an Award of Excellence in gratitude for exceptional performance and
dedicated commitment to excellence and the water resources of Florida, presented by St.
Johns River Water Management District, November 9, 2010. |
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