Explore Zuroloma and Yanacocha Reserves above 3,000 m a.s.l., prime high-Andean habitats for specialized bird species. Continue to Tandayapa Valley, known as the Garden of Hummingbirds, one of Ecuador’s premier destinations for birdwatching and bird photography, located on the western foothills of the Andes.

Spend a spectacular day at Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot rich in birdlife, including many endemics of the Andean Chocó Biosphere Reserve. If time allows, we will also visit Alambi Reserve, an excellent site to observe hummingbirds and the Golden-headed Quetzal, near the entrance to Bellavista Cloud Forest.

•  Explore four top birding reserves in the Andean Chocó: Zuruloma, Yanacocha, Tandayapa Valley, and Mashpi Amagusa

• Birdwatch across multiple elevations (1,100–3,200 m a.s.l.), maximizing species diversity

• Visit the famous Garden of Hummingbirds in Tandayapa Valley

• Observe Andean Chocó endemics in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions

• Exceptional bird photography opportunities in cloud forest and high-Andean habitats

• Chance to see iconic species, including the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and Golden-headed Quetzal

• Small-group experience for quiet observation and personalized guiding

• Led by an experienced birding guide, ideal for birders and nature photographers

Exploring the highest part of the Andes. The entrance of the Andean Choco Bio-Region (3,200 msl / 10,498 feet).

Departure time: 

We depart from the city of Quito at 5:30 a.m. 

Visit a hummingbird station: 

Our first part of the journey will be in a feeding station. The sword-billed hummingbird is instantly recognizable because it has the longest bill in relation to its body size. The curved bill of the Mountain Velvetbreast made it unmistakable. The Buff-winged Starfronlet is very abundant and splendid even in flight their light wing patches made them easy to recognize, since this buff coloration doesn’t occur in any other species within this area. The white tail and breast patch identify another as the Collored Inca. Sapphire-vented Puffleg one of the best in this area. The tiny Tyrian Metaltail is also abundant when light covers its body, which is where its name originated. Your guide will recognize these species instantly. One that no one would mistake for anything else is the magnificent Blak-tailed Trainbearer visits the station several times. Antpittas attract a lot of attention from birdwatchers. They are heard several times while exploring. They tend to stay on the ground hidden in the heavy undergrowth. Here you can find The Equatorial and Chesnut-naped Antpittas that usually hang around on the ground looking for fresh worms. 

Walk on different trails within the reserve. In a cold and cloudy weather with drizzle. The elusive Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis) can be spotted (Occasionally in November). Maybe you'll catch them with your camera; Purple-backed Thornbill, Golden-breasted, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Ocellated Tapaculo, Barred Fruiteater, Black-chested Mountain-tanager, Golden-crowned and Grass-green Tanagers, and Blue-backed Conebill. Also, a chance of Imperial Snipe. Yellow-Breasted and Gray-browed (Stripe-headed) Brush-finches. Andean Guan, Masked, Glossy, White-Sided Flowerpiercer, Blue-capped Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Red-crested Cotinga. 

Overnight at Alambi Reserve 

Includes: Dinner 

Start the day from the balcony at 6:00 a.m.: 

Standing on the balcony we will be able to observe: Short-tailed Nighthawk, Common Potoo, Yellow-throated Chlorospingus, Slate-throated Redstart, Rufous-brown Solitaire, Black Solitaire, Olive Finch, Choco brushfinch, Cinnamon Becard, Barred Becard, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Golden-bellied flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Smoke-colored Pewee, House Wren, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Zeledon's Antbird, Broad-billed Motmot, Black-chinned Mountain Tanager, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Grass-green Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Moss-backed Tanager, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Brown-capped Vireo, Yellow-breasted Antwren, Rose-faced Parrot. 

Amagusa Reserve protects the following varieties; Green Thorntail, Purple-throated Woodstar, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, White-whiskered Hermit, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Pacific (Buffy) Tuftedcheek, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Warbler, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Glistening-green, Lemon-rumped and Moss-backed Tanagers, and Golden-collared Honeycreeper (most of these birds can be seen at feeders).

Back to Quito

Includes: Breakfast