We are offering a six-week course on tropical ecology in Biological Station Un Poco del Chocó for biology students. Besides biodiversity and conservation, particularly the ecology of the Neotropics will be theme of the course. While studying the ecology of selected organisms, students gain an understanding of scientific investigation methodology. In addition, of gaining biological-ecological knowledge, the aim of the course is to prepare for future academic studies (bachelor, master etc.).

The course is structured as follows:

1. Introduction

The course starts with a theoretical and practical introduction. The tropical ecology of South America will be presented both in lectures and during trips into the rainforest.
Particularly interesting topics will be presented by the students as short reports. Furthermore we will do two excursions on the topic “Nature Tourism and Conservation in the Tropics”. Depending on their interests, at the end of the introduction phase the students choose a research topic for their project.

2. Data collection

The students can work individually or in groups of two on their project.

During this part of the course the participants will learn how to plan a scientific research project and how to collect data. For further analysis it is important to organize data and put them in the computer after each day in the field (Excel).

3. Analysis

Data will be analysed both by descriptive and analysing statistics. Charts will be created for the presentation.

4. Presentation

The results will be presented to the other participants. Afterwards the results and their possible interpretation will be discussed in the group. Additionally a summary in publication style shall be
written in order to add to the station’s library.

Courses 2011

Summer Course I (18.07.-26.08.2011)

Apply before 31.05.2011

Summer Course II (29.08.-07.10.2011)

Apply before: 30.06.2011

Price per person

$ 1.650

The price includes transportation from Quito to Biological Station Un Poco del Chocó ,lodging and food for six weeks, on-site transportation, two excursions (incl. entry fees) and the utilization of the station’s equipment and literature, as well as scientific support.

Conservationt of Black breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis)

The Black breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis) is an enigmatic hummingbird, endemic to Ecuador and restricted to the centers of endemism in the Páramo de Los Andes and Central Slopes and inter-Andean valleys, has been considered endangered both global and national level.

In recent years the records have been obtained in altitudes between 2.850 and 3.500 m, although there have been some youngest individuals around 1.700 m, the presence of this species is widespread it is estimated around 68 km², and its overall population is between 250 and 999 individuals.

In 2005 the Municipality of Quito described the Gorgeted Puffleg Pechinegro as emblematic Ave Quito, representing the city for its special characteristics, this species can be seen as important in the western foothills of the Pichincha volcano in Ecoruta Walk Quinde, especially in Yanacocha Reserve.

Has been rated as Critically Endangered by the increase of deforestation that has taken their habitat in recent years, which led to the execution of an action plan for preservation by Bird Conservation Organizations.

If you want to know this Action Plan, visit Bird Conservation at www.avesconservacion.org

Its more than 40 ethnic groups located around the country keep their cultural customs, myths, legends, traditions, handcrafts, and gastronomy; and more than 150 popular traditional celebrations, make Ecuador a multi-ethnic and multicultural country.

The country also has its history and cultural background from the Cañari and Inca battles, Spanish  conquest and independence warfare that have left marks in the ruins settled in the southern part  of the country and colonial centers of its cities.

Ecuador is a place for everyone, open to visitors and always ready to let itself be discovered.

1. Unparalleled Diversity.

2. World Heritage Sites.

3. Countless adventure option.

4. Authentic Cultural Experiences.

5. A Model of Sustainable Tourism.

6. For all Tastes.

7. Easy Access.

8. Safe and Hospitable.

9. Pleasant Climate.

10. A Different Destination.

Keep reading

Source: Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador

Enjoy it

Ecuador – life at its purest

Trek-the-world.com proudly introduces our newest agreement on scientific interest tourism, to develop professional one to one supervision for ecology studies on the Ecuatorian mountain rainforest.

The Biological Station Un poco del Chocó.

The Biological Station Un poco del Chocó. Is an study area with 15 Acres of montane rainforest located in the transition area between the biodiversity-hotspots Chocó and Tropical Andes. Besides being part of the Chocó ecoregion the forest at Un poco del Chocó also belongs to the IBA (Important Bird Area) of Mindo

You can find giant arum plants, palms, bromeliads, orchids and other typical montane rainforest vegetation, around of the station’s house has already identified more than 150bird species, for example, you can observe Chocó-Toucans, Chocó-Trogons, Andean-Cocks-Of-The-Rock,  Torrent Ducks,  lots of different hummingbird and tanager species, sometimes you’ll see White-fronted Capuchin-Monkeys or Western Agoutis, at nighttime foraging armadillos, kinkajous, pacas, ocelots and even pumas roam through the forest.

In this Biological Station you can do :

• Volunter Work

In this area you can work in Carpenter, Organic Garden, Trail system and learning trail through the Montane Rainforest and Environmental Education.

• Biological Research and Training

In this area you can do Flower and Pollination Ecology, Hummingbird Feeder Project, Long-term Monitoring,  Studies about Biodiversity or  Ecology of Insects , Internship,  Individual Research Projects, Thesis  Advisorship and Tropical Ecology Course.

• Nature Observation and Bird Watching.

If you are interested to apply in any of these activities do not
hesitate  contacting us for more information.

With this small video we would like to show you a small sample of what is awaiting for you

Come and Book now, and enjoy a life time experience with us

Birdwatching in Yanacocha

Tour Information
Early in the morning we will leave to Eco-route “Paseo del Quinde” where we will start our tour to Yanacocha Reserve, which has been declare by the Mayor and the city Council as “Natural Patrimony of Humankind” due to the prescense of the Black-breasted Puffleg, an endagered specie that was named Emblemm Bird of Quito. In this reserve some species can be observed as the Andean Guan, Rufous Antpitta, Shining Sunbeam, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Golden breasted Puffleg, Barred Fruiteater, amongst others

Zone Data
The Yanacocha reserve is located 15 km (9.32 mi) from Quito in teh western spurs of Pichincha Volcano at 3.500 msl, the average temperature is 15ºC – 28ºC (59ºF – 82.4ºF). the Dryseason is from May to September and the Rainy season from October to April.

Included Services in the Tour

• Transportation
• Bilingual Guide
• Yanacocha Reserve entrance
• Coffee break
• Box Lunch

Recommendations
Light clothes preferably in layers, t-shirts, shirts or blouses and lightweight pants (no jeans), dark colors are suggested, rain coat, water proof jacket, sweater or fleece vest, water resistant boots extra pair of socks, hat, sun block (SPF40 or more), Insect repellent, photographic camera and binoculars.

Birdwatching in La Nueva Esperanza

Tour Information

Day 1
Early in the morning we will head to La Nueva Esperanza, at noon we will have a delicious lunch at the end of the afternoon take a short hike to see some birds as Palm Tanager, Dusky Capped Flycatcher, White-Bearded Manakin, Orange-Crowned Euphonia, between other. In the evening we will have dinner and overnight.

Day 2
Will walk at dawn in the vicinity of the farm to see some species as Bananaquit, Rufous Throated Tanager, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird among others, then enjoy breakfast, at noon we will go to the Mirador Rio Blanco where we see a variety of species of hummingbirds while we have lunch before returning to Quito.

Zone data
The Nueva Esperanza farm is located between Los Bancos and Pedro Vicente Maldonado northwest of Pichincha Province, about 109 km from Quito, the weather is warm and humid, the average temperature in this zone is 16 º C – 25 ° C and the months of February, March, April and May are the most raining.

Included  services in the tour

• Transportation
• Local Guide
• Accommodation
• Lunch, dinner and breakfast in Nueva Esperanza
• Lunch at the Mirador del Rio Blanco

Recommendations
Light clothes preferably in layers, t-shirts, shirts or blouses and lightweight pants (no jeans), dark colors are suggested, rain coat, water proof jacket, sweater or fleece vest, water resistant boots extra pair of socks, hat, sun block (SPF40 or more), Insect repellent, photographic camera and binoculars.

For free information and a quote please contact us.

Birdwatching in Bellavista

Tour Information

Early in the morning we will head to Ecoroute “Paseo del Quinde” where we will start our tour from the highlands to the cloud forest in the Bellavista reserve, which applies the technical normative and has been evaluated by the Applied Ecology institute at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, as one of the best places for bird watching, where could find Purple backed Thornbill, Purple throated Woodstar, Violet tailed Sylph, Toucan barbet, Masked Trogon, Grass green Tanager, Beautiful Jay, Giant Antpitta, Powerful Woodpecker, among others.

Zone data

The Bellavista reserve is located 62Km. (38.52 mi) from Quito, 1.800 – 2.800 msl.

Average temperature varies from 22ºC during the day and 12ºC at night, the rain season is from November to May, and the dry season from July to October.

Included Services in the Tour

• Transportation
• Bilingual Guide
• Bellavista Reserve entrance
• Coffee break
• Lunch

Recommendations

Light clothes preferably in layers, t-shirts, shirts or blouses and lightweight pants (no jeans), dark colors are suggested, rain coat, water proof jacket, sweater or fleece vest, water resistant boots extra pair of socks, hat, sun block (SPF40 or more), Insect repellent, photographic camera and binoculars.

For pricing information please contact us.