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About this trip
This trip will take you through great scenery in the Ecuadorian High Andes. The roads ascend to the foothills of Pichincha Volcano. Therefore, the birdlife is great, and the scenery is quite amazing. The altitudinal range goes from 3200 to 4400m.
The reserve was created with the aim of preserving the Black-breasted Puffleg hummingbird (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), which is critically threatened, and has a very limited range of distribution.
What’s included
- TransportPrivate transportation
- Untitled ItemUse of trails and facilities
- GuideProfessional naturalist guide
- MealLunch and soft drink
- EntranceAll excursions and entrance fees to the reserve
What’s not included
- Extra Meal
- Tips
- ExtrasExpenses of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, extra drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.
Available Packages
IMPORTANT NOTES:
What to bring:
- Warm clothes, hiking boots, hat, sunblock screen, binoculars (optional), photograph camera.
WEATHER: At sunrise it tends to be clear and gets misty and foggy around 10 am. Rain is likely in the afternoon. It can get cold early in the morning at higher elevations.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
Itinerary
Yanacocha is about 1 hour by car from the city of Quito, on the northern slopes of Pichincha volcano. To reach the reserve, we will take the old road to Nono or “Ecoruta Paseo del Quinde”.
We will leave Quito early at 5:30 AM to Yanacocha reserve, where some hummingbird feeders have been placed in the surroundings. Tawny antpitta and Rufus Antpitta are seen regularly in the area.
We’ll hike through the flat and easy-access Inca trail that extends for about 2 km through the stunning lush montane humid forest, with flocks of birds being regularly encountered. Several stations with multiple hummingbird feeders are situated at various spots. There are mixed flocks of beautiful birds such as Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-chested Mountain Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Golden crowned Tanager, Superciliated Hemispingus.
A major highlight here are the amazing Hummingbirds!! Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs, Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet and the outstanding Sword-billed hummingbird are frequent visitors of the feeders. Lunch will be served at the reserve restaurant; later on, you’ll continue your way back to Quito with remarkable landscapes. End of services.