In this birding tour you can find: Rich Biodiversity, Exceptional Birdwatching Opportunities, Close Encounters with Hummingbirds, Scenic Beauty and Tranquility, Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tourism, Convenient Location, Professional Birdwatching Guides, Photography and Nature Exploration.
Natural reserves and places for visiting: Zuruloma Birding, Tandaya Valley, Allambi Reserve, Andean Cock of the Rock Lek, Amagusa Mashpi Reserve, Silanche and Milpe area, Mindo Cloud Forest, San Tadeo Birding and Mindo Hermite Trail.
English-speaking
Return to the same starting point
In a double standard room
Comfortable cars for long trips
Mandatory
Lunch, Vegetarian and vegan options are available
Additional expenses that arise during the trip
International bank or credit card fees
Extra cost per person
Pick up from Quito at 5 am to head out northwest of Quito. Foothills of the Pichincha active volcano at 3,400m/11,154feet. Our exploration will begin at the top of the Andean choco reserve located above 3,000m/9,842 feet above sea level, in this ecosystem the species that can be found (depending on the time of year) are the following: Purple-backed Thornbill, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Undulated Antpitta, Ocellated Tapaculo, Barred Fruiteater, Black-chested Mountain-tanager, Golden-crowned and Grass-green Tanagers, and Blue-backed Conebill. Also, a chance of Imperial Snipe, and an outside chance of Black-breasted Puffleg (mostly May-Sep) and and Grey-browed (Stripe-headed) Brush-finch. Great opportunities to spot 3 antpita species. After this, we go to another reserve close to this area, this place will help us to have a break lunch and try to see some species of this height, since in the afternoon it is usually cloudy. In adittion, we can stop to visit the hummingbird sanctuary. overnight in Mindo area or similar.
Early departure to Mashpi - Amagusa reserve to see some species such as the Glistening-green Tanager, rose-cheecked parrot among others. Possible to see the Andean Cock of the Rock in Santa Elena. Possible birds that can be found in this sector: 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).
By the Mashpi area, also possible to see: (Well over 100 species possible in a day) Rose-faced Parrot, Cloud Forest Pygmy-owl, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Barred Puffbird, Orange-fronted, Red-headed and Toucan Barbets, Scarlet-backed Woodpecker (Mashpi Shungo), Pacific (Buffy) Tuftedcheek, Uniform Treehunter, Rufous-rumped Antwren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Narino Tapaculo, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Club-winged (lek) and Golden-winged Manakins, Black Solitaire, Slaty-capped Shrike-vireo, Indigo Flowerpiercer, Black-chinned Mountain-tanager, Glistening-green, Grey-and-gold, Moss-backed, Ochre-breasted and Scarlet-browed Tanagers, and Yellow-collared Chlorophonia. Also, a chance of Rufous-crowned Gnat/Antpitta/soma (coming to chopped earthworms at Mashpi Shungo Chocolate Farm in late 2010s), Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Black-tipped Cotinga, Choco Vireo, Silver-throated Tanager and Yellow-green Bush-tanager.
Visit Silanche and Milpe areas where is possible to spot some birds of the lower forest. Berlepsch's Tinamou, as well as Pallid Dove, Blue-chested and Purple-chested Hummingbirds, Purple-crowned Fairy, Barred Puffbird, Orange-fronted and Red-headed Barbets, Choco Toucan, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Dot-winged and Moustached Antwrens, Stub-tailed Antbird, Brown-capped and Choco Tyrannulets, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Blue-whiskered, Grey-and-gold, Rufous-winged, Scarlet-browed and Tawny-crested Tanagers, and Scarlet-breasted, Scarlet-thighed and Yellow-tufted Dacnises. Also, a chance of Rufous-fronted Wood-quail and Lanceolated Monklet.
23 de Junio in the morning and San Tadeo bird place in the afternoon. In this place, you can see countless species of the area. Species that can be found in this area: Long-wattled Umbrellabird - Cephalopterus penduliger, Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea, Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigiceps, Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius, Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops One-colored Becard
Early morning birwatching in the Mindo area (waterfall sanctuary) Green-fronted Lancebill, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher and Black-chinned Mountain-tanager. Also, a chance of Black-and-white Owl and Long-wattled Umbrellabird (mostly Aug-Dec). Finally, drop off in Quito.
