7 Day Birdwatching Tour in Ecuador
Birdwatching Tour in Ecuador
Ecuador is a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts. This itinerary takes you on an unforgettable journey through some of the country's most biodiverse regions, from the mystical cloud forests of Mindo to the breathtaking landscapes of Chakana and Yanacocha. You'll have the opportunity to explore rich ecosystems, observe unique bird species, and immerse yourself in Ecuador’s natural beauty.
Key information
- Group safari
- Minimum group size: 2 persons
- Maximum group size: 12 persons
- Children from the age of 8 years are allowed to participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian
- Starting point and ending point: Quito
- English-speaking professional guide / driver
Highlights
- Daily birdwatching
- Visit Chackana Reserve, Yanacocha Reserve, Mindo Cloudforest
- See hummingbirds, hawks, toucans, and more
- English-speaking professional guide / driver
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast and 2 lunches
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
Accommodation
They work with hotels that have excellent service, and they offer from budget to first class accommodations. You will be staying in the following:
- Casa Ilayaku Hotel
- Casa de Vista Alta Hotel
Program
Day 1: Flight to Quito
Upon arrival, their guide will be waiting to welcome you back to Quito and transfer you to your hotel in the city
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku Hotel, Quito
Day 2: Full day Antisana - Chakana Reserve
On this day, you’ll visit Chakana Reserve. This trip will take you through great scenery in the Ecuadorian High Andes. The roads will border one national protected area, Antisana National Park, and Fundación Jocotoco’s Chakana Reserve. Therefore, the scenery is amazing. The altitudinal range covered is over 3600 to 4100 masl.
You spend the entire day in the area, watching for Andean Condors that should be easy to spot and other birds like the Giant Hummingbird, the astonishing Ecuadorian Hillstar, Carunculated Caracara, and the Variable Hawk. You can take a walk around the Paramo to enjoy the views, the landscapes, and the native flora.
If you are lucky, you can spot the Spectacled Bear. You will have a delicious traditional lunch at Casa Antisanilla.
- Meals: Breakfast, box lunch
- Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku Hotel, Quito
Day 3: Full day Yanacocha Reserve
You will leave Quito as early as 5:30 am to Yanacocha Reserve, where you will find worm feeders set for the Tawny Antpitta and the Rufous Antpitta, the latter being seen more regularly in the area. In addition to finding several species of Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, and Ocellated Tapaculo.
You’ll hike the flat and easy-access Inca trail, which extends for about 2 kilometers through the stunning, lush, humid montane forest. Flocks of birds are regularly encountered. Several stations with multiple hummingbird feeders are situated at various spots. There are mixed flocks of beautiful birds, such as the Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, the Black-chested Mountain Tanager, the Blue-backed Conebill, the Golden-Crowned Tanager, and the Superciliaried Hemispingus.
A major highlight here is 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 reserved restaurant. In the afternoon, you return to Quito.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku Hotel, Quito
Day 4: Mitad Del Mundo / Transfer to Mindo Cloud Forest
This morning, you will drive to the northwest to the Chocó Forest.
You will make a stop to visit the “Mitad del Mundo,” the equator, where you can visit the monument and take photos of how you stand with one leg on the southern and northern hemispheres at the same time.
Then, drive towards Zuroloma Reserve, located on the slopes of the Pichincha Volcano, along the famous Hummingbird Route on the old Nono-Mindo Road.
You’ll witness a unique ecosystem with very particular and complex biodiversity, climate, and topographic conditions as you become immersed in this ideal location for an extraordinary ecological experience. Rainbows of sparkling Hummingbirds will catch all your attention, a true world-renowned place that might provide the best bird photography opportunities for some elusive species.
This cloud forest is part of an extremely important zone for conservation for the planet, one of the last hotspots of biodiversity, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Andean Chocó.” This reserve has become the best and the most reliable location to photograph the rare and elusive Chestnut-napped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, the incomparable Sword-billed hummingbird, Sapphire Puffleg, Blue-capped Tanager, and many others.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Casa de Vista alta Hotel, Mindo
Day 5: Mindo Cloud Forest
The Chocó Forest is one of the most diverse forests in the Neotropics. Tropical forests, which comprise just 6% of the world’s surface area, are estimated to contain between one-half and three-quarters of the earth’s plant and animal species.
After breakfast, you will visit the Refugio Paz de las Aves reserve. With more than 1,680 different species of birds, Ecuador is one of the most popular destinations in the world for birdwatchers. In the Refugio Paz de las Aves reserve, there are more than 200 species. Here, you will identify tanagers, toucans, 14 species of hummingbirds, and other birds that visit the feeders.
In the afternoon, you will drive to the Tulipe area, where you will visit another reserve to see more bird species like the cock of the rock, this is a beautiful place to take nice photographs. It is also possible to see some different species of tanager, lots of hummingbirds and toucans. By the end of the afternoon, you will drive back to your hotel in Mindo.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Casa de Vista alta Hotel, Mindo
Day 6: Mindo Cloud Forest / Return to Quito
This Inter-Andean cloud forest is in the Mindo Valley, where two of the most biologically diverse ecoregions in the Chocó lowlands and the tropical Andes meet. Enjoy practicing different extreme sports in the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve, observe various birds, and choose between a ziplining adventure or a hike through magnificent waterfalls.
The trees create thick vegetation where they remain intact without human intervention. Called Cloud Forest because the trees trap condensation in the atmosphere, which means that the whole place is covered with clouds, leaving a beautiful and mysterious view. In the morning, escape to nature by embarking on an expedition to the beautiful Mindo Cloud Forest.
This is one of the best places in Ecuador to get up close to the clouds, as they stay hung on top of the trees on a hill, and the thick foliage makes for a beautiful place to visit. You can also find plenty of wildlife, hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, zip lines, and other extreme activities for adrenaline lovers. No matter your adventure pace, there is always an adventure for you here.
By the end of the afternoon, you will drive back to the hotel in Quito.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku Hotel, Quito
Day 7: Transfer out
After breakfast, you will have the day at leisure until your transfer to the airport to take your international flight back home.
- Meals: Breakfast
Important Info: Itineraries are subject to change due to many different elements, such as weather, park authorities, and regulations, airline operations out of control, guide experience, and safety concerns.
Location
Your adventure begins and ends in Quito, visiting iconic locations such as Mitad del Mundo, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. Get ready for an incredible experience of wildlife, scenic trails, and unforgettable moments in one of the world's top birdwatching destinations.
Food
The package includes daily breakfast and 2 lunches. Please let them know if you have any dietary requirements.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Seafood
Things to do (optional)
- You can extend the itinerary and visit the Amazon Rainforest for 4 days more
- You can extend the itinerary and visit the Enchanted Galapagos Islands for 4 days more
What's included
- Transfers and excursions with private transportation
- An English-speaking professional guide / driver
- 6 nights accommodation (4 nights in Quito, 2 nights in Mindo)
- Daily breakfast and 2 lunches
- All excursions and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
What's not included
- International flights
- Alcoholics drinks
- Soft drinks
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips and extras
- Travel and health insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
16 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Their professional driver will wait for you on international arrivals at the airport.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.