Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour

Papallacta, Ecuador

GM
Galapagos My World
  • Email address verified
7 reviews
Duration: 1 day
Group size: 2 - 12
Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour
Papallacta, Ecuador

Galapagos My World
  • Email address verified
7 reviews

Duration: 1 day
Group size: 2 - 12

About this trip

Arrive in Cayambe-Coca National Park in the Eastern High Andes. The place is full of natural lagoons and surrounded by Andean vegetation or Paramo. Perfect place to record one of the best species  Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Black-backed Bush Tanager, Tyrian Metaltail, Spillmann's Tapaculo, Blue and Black Tanager,  Blue-mantled Thornbill,  Rainbow-bearded thornbill, Glossy Flowerpiercer among others. 


 

High Altitude Biodiversity

Papallacta Pass is home to a diverse range of bird species adapted to the high-altitude paramo ecosystem. You'll find species that thrive in both the wet Andean highlands and nearby cloud forests.


Unique Bird Species: 

The area is known for sightings of rare and endemic species such as the  Shining Sunbeam,  Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. The combination of paramo and cloud forest habitats makes it an ideal spot for spotting a wide variety of birds.

What’s included

  • Professional Guide
    With private transportation
  • Pick-up from Quito
    Return to the same starting point or we can drop-off at Quito airport
  • Entrance fee
    Guango Reserve

What’s not included

  • Travel Insurance
    Mandatory
  • Hot Springs Pools
    $10,50 price per person
  • Meal
    Lunch
  • Tips
    Customary

Available Packages

Group tour
$98

Itinerary

Full day
Exploring the high Andes and Cloud Forest

Top Birdwatching Spots in Papallacta Pass


Pick up from Quito city at 5 am. 


1. STOP: Papallacta Pass (La Virgen) (4,000 msl / 13,123 feet)

First stop to observe the best species of the high Andean mountains. Frequent birds found are the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, the Bar-winged Cinclodes, the Stout-billed Cinclodes, the Many-striped Canastero, the Variable Hawk, and the Tawny Antpitta. Go down to the lakes, it is accessible to spot the Yellow-billed Pintail, the Andean Teal, and the Andean Gull.


2. STOP: Papallacta Antennas

Andean Teal, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Carunculated Caracara, Paramo Tapaculo, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Grass Wren (Paramo). 


3. STOP: Cayambe-Coca National Park

Masked Mountain-Tanager, Glowing Puffleg, Blue-backed Conebill, Gray-browed Brushfinch, Tawny-breasted Antpitta, Black-backed Bush Tanager.


5. STOP: Guango Reserve

Tourmaline Sunangel, Collared Inca, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, Azara's Spinetail, Mountain Cacique, Red-hooded Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Gray-hooded Bush Tanager


Around 80 species can be seen in one day.

Optional visit: Papallacta hot springs

What to bring?

Comfortable color dark clothing, hiking shoes, light rain poncho, rain/wind jacket, a cap, sun protector, sun glasses, binoculars, photography equipment. 

Your Organizer


GM
Galapagos My World
7 reviews
We are trip organizers, who have traveled on all the roads, villages, lagoons, volcanoes, rivers, reserves and National Parks of Ecuador Mainland and Galapagos Islands to be able to advise with our first-hand experiences to many travelers who visit the wonderful Ecuador. Our experiential knowledge will be at your disposal to help you to create an experience for you, that will optimize your time and budget. If you dare to visit Ecuador, we are ready!!! are you ready?

Reviews

I booked this tour for my parents (early 70s) because it looked like a relaxing tour that had a good mix of culture and nature. They had the best time with Eduardo. Communications pre-trip were good, booking was easy, and Eduardo was super responsive to my questions. He was easily able to accommodate dietary restrictions (my mom is a pescatarian). Eduardo was waiting for my parents with a printed sign at arrivals. It was booked as a group tour, but my parents were the only ones signed up for that week, so they basically got a private tour. Eduardo spoke English and was super knowledgeable. The tour started with a tour of the historic parts of Quito and the Middle of the World. Then, they drove to the Amazon, where my parents stayed in a beautiful Ecolodge that was only accessible by boat. The lodge (Liana Lodge) was the perfect blend of being in rainforest and getting to enjoy nature but without sacrificing comfort. The rooms were individual private wooden cabanas, each with its own large balcony with a hammock. Despite heavy rain at night, there were absolutely no leaks. It was also fully encased with mosquito nets. It also had its own full bathroom and shower that had hot water. The cabana didn’t have electricity (the lodge uses candles, a fire pit, and my parents packed headlamps), but you could safely charge your phone and other devices at the lodge’s reception area (which also had WiFi). Meals were in their communal open dining area where they could see monkeys and other wildlife. My parents raved about the food there. They had 3 course meals, prepared by a professional chef (all meals at the lodge included in the tour price; other days in Quito and Banos included breakfasts). There were lots of activities included at the lodge stay, and my parents stayed busy on side tours such as boat rides, hikes (the lodge provides rain boots), wildlife sanctuary visits, and a chocolate making demonstration and tasting. The lodge provides designated indigenous guides for each guest, so it was nice to have a familiar face for all the tours from the lodge (Eduardo also accompanied them for all activities). Then, Eduardo drove them to Banos. My parents enjoyed the nearby hot springs the first evening and visiting a coffee producer. The next day, Eduardo took them to the main points of interest (Devil’s Caldron waterfall, Bride’s Veil waterfall, and the treehouse at the end of the world). Even though it was not included as part of the tour package, Eduardo drove them back to the Quito airport at the end of the tour. Eduardo went out of his way to make sure they were comfortable and looked after at all times. I’m glad my parents were in such good hands. Eduardo even thoughtfully got me a souvenir (much appreciated)! Thank you, Eduardo for giving them such an enjoyable experience!
By Mimi Y for 7-Day Amazon and Highland Experience on May 04, 2025
Honestly not sure what to expect from Mindo as we only planned to stay a couple days. What can I say? Truly a beautiful and fantastic place to visit. Safe and authentically Ecuadorian. And our visit was made even more special by our guide Eduardo. Not only does he know of all the places to visit but he is a naturalist with so much knowledge of the history, land and wildlife of the area. Eduardo caught on early to our love of birds and made sure we saw as many as he could get an eye on. Our kids loved the places he suggested we visit making this trip exciting for us all. He also paid tribute to the indigenous people of the land. I only wish we had more time to explore this incredible part of Ecuador. Thank you Eduardo! This is a trip we will not soon forget.
By Jamie N for Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day on Mar 29, 2025
Excellent trip. Eduardo customized the trip to what we were looking for. It included feeding the hummingbirds, the cable car ride and waterfall hike, and the Chocolate factory tour. Each place was ready and expecting us. He also suggested a great place for lunch. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about his country and nature. A photographer, he also took pictures and sent them to us! A perfect day!
By Nora F for Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day on Feb 15, 2025
BH
Galapagos My World provided the experience of a lifetime. Eduardo our guide, for both the Mindo Cloud day trip and Antisana Condor Sanctuary, met and exceed my expectations. In coordination with the ranger from the Sanctuary we arrived before dawn and were able to see condors in their nests and patiently waited for them to fly off for the morning. We also saw the Ecuardian Hillstar humming bird, the Andes Ibis, Andes Ducks, Llamas and deers. My photos of these birds are beyond words and I'm thrilled to recommend Galapagos My World tour operatos to all adventure seeking folks, birders, photographers.....for a lifetime experience. Kudos to Eduardo and Galapagos My world.
By Brian H for Antisana Condor Sanctuary, birding and photography on Jan 29, 2025
We had a great time. Eduardo showed us some impressive sights and informed us of what to expect and the activities to participate in.
By Prue D for Middle of the World Half-Day Tour on Jul 11, 2024
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References

Eduardo was full of amazing information! We loved the bizcocha demonstration and it was so yummy! We were sad that we were not told our start time would be an hour later, but todos bien!
By Janci B on 05 Jul, 2024

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