Andean Western Slopes and Antisana Birding Tour

Birdwatching Ecuador

Group Size
Small groups

Duration
11/15 days

Birdwatching Ecuador

Birding the Western Andes and Antisana

Northern Ecuador offers one of the richest birding circuits in South America, combining high Andean páramo, Chocó cloud forests, and tropical lowlands—all within a few hours’ drive from Quito. In just a week, it’s possible to enjoy more than 400 species, from iconic Andean Condors soaring over volcanoes to dazzling hummingbirds and tanagers of the Chocó.

The journey begins in the cloud forests near Quito, where feeders bring close encounters with Sword-billed Hummingbird, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, and Chestnut-naped Antpitta. Exploring the famous Tandayapa Valley and reserves like Zuroloma, Amagusa, and Milpe reveals an astonishing variety of tanagers, trogons, barbets, and manakins, while Río Silanche adds a taste of the lowlands with Scarlet-browed Tanager, Purple-chested Hummingbird, and Chocó Trogon.
A highlight of the trip is the unforgettable visit to Refugio Paz de las Aves, where Andean Cock-of-the-rock displays at dawn are followed by close views of elusive antpittas such as Giant, Moustached, and Chestnut-crowned—an experience unique to this reserve. The adventure closes at Antisana Ecological Reserve, one of the best places to see Ecuador’s national bird, the Andean Condor. Here, páramo landscapes frame encounters with Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Carunculated Caracara, and waterfowl like Andean Teal and Silvery Grebe. With luck, even the rare Spectacled Bear may appear among the highland puyas.

Key species:

Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Toucan Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Giant Antpitta, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, Glistening-green Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Scarlet-browed Tanager, Club-winged Manakin, Chocó Trogon, Ecuadorian Hillstar.

Tour Details

Arriving to Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport UIO

Arrival at Quito International Mariscal Sucre International UIO. Transfer to the hotel. In the evening we will have a welcome dinner to begin the tour.

Zuroloma Reserve and Sachatamia Lodge

Zuroloma,it ’s a beautiful cloud forest reserve on the slopes of Pichincha Volcano, about 90 minutes from Quito. Despite the steep terrain, walking here is relatively easy, and it offers excellent birding with good chances to see specialty species. The feeders provide close views of remarkable hummingbirds such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Mountain Velvetbreast, Collared Inca, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, and often Great Sapphirewing and Shining. Sunbeam. Other highlights include Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Black-crested Warbler, Red-crested Cotinga, and up to three species of Antpitta among them the Chestnut-naped Antpitta, considered a likely cryptic new species. After enjoying a productive morning at Zuroloma we’ll continue birding through the famous Tandayapa Valley, stop for lunch at Guaycapi Lodge, and make birding stops en route through Alambi Humminbird garden before arriving at Hotel for an overnight stay.

Sachatamia Lodge

At Sachatamia Lodge, the day often begins with exciting bird activity around the moth light, where nocturnal insects attract a variety of shy forest species at dawn. In the morning we will work from the hides, where visitors can expect close encounters with birds such as Masked Trogon, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, different woodcreepers taking advantage of the early feast and with luck Rufous-breasted Antthrush.

After breakfast we will use a multi-flash setup to photograph hummingbirds including Booted Racket-tail, Violet-tailed Sylph, Andean Emerald, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, and Brown Inca. At the fruit feeders we may also capture Red-headed Barbet, Flame-rumped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Golden Tanager, and more.

Santa Rosa Bird Lodge

Santa Rosa is one of the top places to photograph Plate-billed Mountain Toucan at eye level. We start early at the hide where species such as Montane Woodcreeper, Yellow-breasted Antpitta, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, and Slaty-throated Redstart regularly appear. There are also good chances for reflection shots with Toucan Barbet, Flame-faced Tanager, and Golden-naped Tanager.

In the afternoon we will walk the Frutitour trail to photograph barbets, tanagers, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds such as Violet-bellied Hummingbird and Long-billed Starthroat.

Refugio Paz de las Aves and Cock-of-the-Rock

One of the highlights of the northwestern birding circuit is a visit to Refugio Paz de las Aves, a pioneering reserve near Mindo that has become world famous for its unique approach to bird conservation. Here, the Paz family transformed their former farmland into a sanctuary where elusive forest birds can be observed like nowhere else. Here we can photograph up to five antpitta species: Giant, Yellow-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, Moustached, and Ochre-breasted Antpitta. Other targets include Golden-headed Quetzal, Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl, Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Toucan Barbet, and Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager.

After lunch we go to Milpe to focus on Club-winged Manakin, and if the fruit feeders are active, species such as Choco Toucan and Collared Aracari. On our way to the next lodge we will stop at a reliable Cock-of-the-Rock site.

Mashpi Amagusa and Sachaguatusa

In the northwestern foothills of Ecuador, within the heart of the Andean Chocó a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the planet’s most important biodiversity hotspots lies the Amagusa Reserve, a family run conservation initiative protecting over 130 hectares of recovering cloud forest, ensuring supports a sustainable livelihood for the local family.

The reserve is a paradise for birders and photographers alike. Fruit and hummingbird feeders attract an incredible variety of species, including Toucan Barbet, Glistening-green, Moss-backed, and Rufous-throated Tanagers, Golden-collared Honeycreeper, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, and the rare Chocó Vireo. The hummingbird activity here is spectacular, with dazzling species such as Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Green Thorntail visiting the flowers and feeders around the main house.

Beyond the feeders, easy walks along forest trails and roads offer the chance to encounter mixed flocks with foliage-gleaners, flycatchers, and antwrens, while more elusive treasures like the Black-tipped Cotinga or Esmeraldas Antbird may appear with luck.

In the afternoon we will visit Sachaguatusa, a good site for special tanagers such as Gray-and-gold, Emerald, and Bay-headed Tanager.

Chakana and Antisana Ecological Reserve

Today we explore Chakana and the Antisana Ecological Reserve, one of the best places in Ecuador. Our day begins early at over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft).

As we scan the cliffs and open skies, we’ll search for majestic Andean Condor, along with other specialties such as Ecuadorian Hillstar, Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Andean Lapwing, Black-faced Ibis, and Aplomado Falcon. Around the lagoons, waterbirds like the Andean Teal, Ruddy (Andean) Duck, Andean Coot, Silvery Grebe, and Yellow-billed Pintail are regular highlights.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant with a privileged view of condor nesting areas. Here, we may also encounter Giant Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, and Black-tailed Trainbearer, among several other species at the feeders.

Papallacta and Río Quijos

We head out early to Papallacta Pass, an excellent area for Spectacled Bear and high-elevation birds such as Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, and Giant Conebill.

Later we will work around the lodge, which has fruit and hummingbird feeders. From the deck it is possible to photograph species like Mountain Cacique, Masked Trogon, Blackburnian Warbler, and Saffron-crowned Tanager. This is also a good place for the orange subspecies of Cock-of-the-Rock.

Las Brisas and Airport Transfer

In the morning we visit Las Brisas, one of the best hummingbird photography sites east of the Andes, ideal for multi-flash work. Possible species include Peruvian Racket-tail, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Green-backed Hillstar, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Speckled Hummingbird, and Long-tailed Sylph.

In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for the return flight home.

Amazon Extension

Dinner and overnight at Zaysant Lodge.

Yasuní National Park and surroundings

Early flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, followed by a canoe transfer into Yasuní National Park. We stay at Sani Lodge beside a lagoon surrounded by Amazon rainforest.

During these days we photograph birds in creeks, along the lagoon, from the canopy tower, at clay licks, and on forest trails. Target species include Scarlet Macaw, Wire-tailed Manakin, Opal-crowned Tanager, Hoatzin, Pygmy Marmoset, Many-banded Aracari, Gilded Barbet, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Crested Owl, and many more.

Gallery

Colibri amarillo by Maria Luisa

Location

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