• Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca - After an early departure from Quito at 7:30 am from your hotel, you’ll drive some 65 km (41 miles) east of Quito the road brings you into the high elevation paramo at the Papallacta pass, a very tundra-like habitat. On clear days the views of the surroundings and various volcanoes are breathtaking; a stop right up at the pass is one of the best spots to photograph the snow-capped Antisana Volcano as it towers over the mountains below.

If the weather allows, from this point on we should start scanning the sky from time to time for the Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, which may soar overhead.
At the highest elevations, you’ll seek out the secretive and cryptic Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and other unique wildlife of this region.
Andean Bears can be found in this paramo, special natural feeding sites where the presence of bears is frequent all year round. sometimes close enough to have wonderful views and photographs.

• Guango Lodge - Later you’ll drive to Guango Reserve, where you will embark on a hike along the trails around the lodge to get a taste of the beautiful Andean temperate forests; hummingbirds will take your full attention. The cloud forest concentrates the highest diversity of these winged jewels in the Americas.
  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 of seeing very local birds like 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 our day highlights!

• Certified bilingual naturalist, birding, photography guide
• Coffee and tea at Guango
• Private transportation
• All activities
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

• Gratuities
• Local Taxes (Only for Ecuadorians)
• Personal expenses
• Lunch

Spend a day immersing yourself in nature at Papallacta, located 65km (41 miles) to the east of Quito. This place provides a unique experience with its paramo, a tundra-like environment in its upper region, and a moist mountain forest underneath. Due to its position, it offers jaw-dropping panoramas of the Andean landscape on clear days. En route, make a stop at the Papallacta pass, an optimal location for landscape photography and birdwatching. From there, you’ll proceed to the Guango Cloud Forest Reserve, where the mesmerizing hummingbirds will keep you engaged. This forest is home to the highest number of these fascinating birds in the Americas. Throughout the day, you’ll encounter diverse habitats ranging from paramo grasslands to lush greenery in the Andean subtropical zone.
**An optional addition to enhance your day: Conclude your adventures with a dip in the healing waters of Ecuador’s finest thermal water complex, the Papallacta Hot Springs.

• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• A small amount of walking is involved along trails with irregular terrain although if participants require longer hiking trails are available.
• Copy of passport of one of the group members is require for billing purposes (local tax exemption)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.