Explore Zuruloma o Yanacocha reserves above 3,000 msl. Then, Tandayapa valley the Garden of hummingbirds that is a premiere place for birdwatching. The region is located on the foothills of the Western Andes in Ecuador. Spend a spectacular day at Mashpi Amagusa Reserve a place with a lot of birds, most of them endemics to the Choco Biosphere Reserve. Also we can stop in Alambi reserve a nice place to observe more hummingbirds and the Golden-headed Quetzal. This place is located at the entrance of Bellavista Cloud Forest.
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