A single-site tour based at a new eco-lodge located in a pristine 13,000-hectare cloud forest reserve in the fabled Abra Patricia Pass—famous for its stunning array of rarely seen range-restricted endemics, including the mythical Long-whiskered Owlet and possibly the classiest of all hummingbirds, the Marvelous Spatuletail.

VIDEO: The Marvelous Spatuletail, from the BBC Television Series, Life

Spectacular rolling mountains clad in vast epiphyte-laden cloud forest brimming with exquisite orchids and fabulous endemic birds, Abra Patricia is bound to captivate. Temperatures in this mid-montane cloud forest region will be almost perfect, as we have timed this tour for the peak of the dry season. The Owlet Lodge is a perfect base from which to explore this rich avifauna; at our doorsteps we have a superb network of well-kept forest trails, a new canopy tower, and an array of hummingbird feeders.

Abra Patricia holds many new species recently discovered such as the mythical Long-whiskered Owlet, Royal Sunangel, Johnson's and Cinnamon-breasted tody-tyrants, and Bar-winged Wood-Wren, all seen well on our scouting trip. Short drives will allow us to explore other lower elevation forest and visit the unique stunted ridge-top elfin forest in search of their localized endemics. Foremost of all, we will visit the grasslands that are home to the dazzling Marvelous Spatuletail, a legendary hummingbird.

Many other glamour birds can be expected, including two species of quetzals; Crimson-mantled and Crimson-bellied woodpeckers; Andean Cock-of-the-rock; Chestnut-crested Cotinga; fruiteaters; many dazzling hummingbirds; an array of colorful tanagers including the unique White-capped, Hooded, and Blue-winged mountain-tanagers, and Flame-faced, Grass-green, Vermilion, Yellow-scarfed, Golden, Saffron-crowned, and Paradise tanagers; and White-collared Jay. We will also have a chance to see the endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey and much more.

Walking picturesque forest trails from the lodge, we will immerse ourselves in the rich avifauna, searching out such prizes as Wattled Guan; the poorly known White-faced Nunbird; mixed species flocks; Chestnut, Rusty-tinged, Ochre-breasted, and Rusty-breasted antpittas; Barred Antthrush; tapaculos; Green-and-Black Fruiteater; Johnson's Tody-Tyrant; Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant; and many more. Lower elevations will reward us with many more possibilities such as Torrent Duck, Emerald Toucanet, Speckle-chested Piculet, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Lanceolated Monklet, Versicolored Barbet, Equatorial Graytail, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper to name a few.

Night excursions will be emphasized for the mythical owlet with other possibilities including Andean Potoo, Cinnamon and White-throated screech-owls, Rufous-banded Owl, and the amazing Lyre-tailed and Swallow-tailed nightjars. 

Excellent forest-based lodge with spacious and comfortable bungalow accommodations; a few short drives for excursions from lodge based at middle elevation. No high elevations reached.