Quito - Antisanilla - Antisana - Tambo Condor

Reserva Chakana- Hacienda Antisanilla - Pick-up from your hotel at 6:00 am. This trip will take you through a great scenery in the Ecuadorian Andes. Leave Quito early in the morning for a one-hour drive towards the East towards Hacienda Antisanilla – Chakana Reserve, a 7,000-acre conservation land purchased in 2014 by the Jocotoco Foundation. This reserve protects the most important population of Andean Condors in Ecuador.
Today you’ll have access to enjoy a privileged lookout to some of the most important Condor roosting and nesting sites. You might see them gliding at eye level. The altitudinal range covered is from 10.000 to 12.000 ft asl. You’ll spend the entire day in the area, watching for Andean condors (should be easy!) and other beautiful birds like the unique Ecuadorian Hillstar feeding on unique flowers of the Chuquiraga shrub, “The flower of the Andes”. You will even have to keep your eyes open for the only bear species of South America: The Spectacled Bears.

Antisana Ecological Reserve - Today you’ll have the opportunity to admire Ecuador’s fourth highest peak covered by the largest ice cap in the country. This protected area is located in the Cordillera Real de los Andes, between the provinces of Napo and Pichincha, and includes lush Andean forests and moors located in the plains and foothills of the volcano of the same name. Something that makes this place wonderful is the contact with undisturbed nature apart from crowded touristic places and it’s beautiful Andean scenery. Later you’ll continue to explore Antisana National Park and “La Mica” lake where, with the aim of a good spotting scope, your guide will bring to your eyes some of the most representative species found within this important reserve.
After a very productive morning you’ll drive back for lunch to Tambo Condor where on top of serving delicious food, you’ll have a privileged view to the Condor’s cliffs and also have the opportunity to admire several species of hummingbirds.

Cayambe Coca National Park - Guango Reserve

Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca - Today you will head out to Papallacta Pass, and explore different sections of the Cayambe-Coca National Park. A very tundra-like habitat. On clear days the views of the surroundings and various volcanoes are breath-taking; a stop right up at the pass is one of the best spots to photograph the snow-capped Antisana Volcano. Andean bears are one of the most emblematic and elusive mammals found in the highlands and cloud forests of Ecuador. It is in the paramo, north east of Quito where, you can increase your probabilities of a great encounter with bears and other Andean wildlife, sometimes close enough to have wonderful views and photographs. The area to visit covers the surroundings of the Cayambe Coca National Park, a special natural feeding site where the presence of bears is frequent all year around. The paramo is rich in important food sources for the bears’ mostly herbivorous diet; Puya sp. is abundant in this ecosystem also covered with grasslands, small bushes and elfin trees.

Guango Lodge - In the afternoon you’ll drive to Guango Reserve, where we will embark on a hike along the trails around the lodge to get a taste of the beautiful Andean temperate forests. Colorful mixed flocks with birds such as Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped Hemispingus can be seen around the lodge. Here you have possibilities for rare and very local birds like the Mountain Avocetbill, the stunning Gray Breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, and Northern Mountain Cacique. Along the Papallacta River you’ll try to find a unique resident of fast flowing mountain rivers, a powerful swimmer and diver: the Torrent Duck. This could definitely be one of your day highlights!

Quijos Valley Andean Eastern Slopes

Sumaco Galeras National Park - Venture with us into an unparalleled journey throughout different ecosystems in the Andean Eastern Slopes, from a high altitude tundra-like habitat to lush green vast mountainous rainforest. Witness the origin of the exceptional water path between the Andes and the refreshing network of rivers that actually flows to the mighty Amazon basin. This area acts as a very important continuous corridor between the Andes and the vast tropical rainforest of the Amazon Region. Due to its location on the Equator, the steep Andean foothills, and the close proximity of the Amazon, the Quijos Valley area hosts one of the richest diversity records in the world.
An amazing diversity of hummingbird species will also make this a memorable experience. Visit different gardens that features a wide variety of flowering plants and also feeders, all of which attract a dizzying diversity of hummingbirds. If weather permits at the end of the afternoon you’ll visit an active “LEK” of the Andean Cock-of-the Rock.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

• Gratitudes / Tips
• Alcoholic beverages
• Equipment (binoculars and cameras) / Binoculars available for rent $20 per day

The knowledge and experience of our specialized guide will let you make the best out of this tour. They all know the right places to increase your chances to admire some of the most emblematic species of flora and fauna.
You’ll venture into an unparalleled journey throughout different ecosystems in the Andean Eastern Slopes, from a high altitude tundra-like habitat to lush green vast mountainous rainforest drained by a refreshing network of rivers.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.