Top Birdwatching Spots in Papallacta Pass
Pick up from Quito city at 7 am.
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.
Papallacta Antennas
Andean Teal, Blue-mantled Thornbill, Carunculated Caracara, Paramo Tapaculo, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Grass Wren (Paramo).
Cayambe-Coca National Park
Masked Mountain-Tanager, Glowing Puffleg, Blue-backed Conebill, Gray-browed Brushfinch, Tawny-breasted Antpitta, Black-backed Bush Tanager.
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
What to bring?
Comfortable color dark clothing, hiking shoes, light rain poncho, rain/wind jacket, a cap, sun protector, sun glasses, binoculars, photography equipment.