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HUMMINGBIRD EXPEDITION - Searching for the cloud forest jewels
5.0
26 Ratings
Quito
Embark on a Hummingbird Expedition in the cloud forest, where you’ll witness the beauty of these elusive birds up close. Explore lush green forests, waterfalls, and learn about natural history and culture.
Embark on a Hummingbird Expedition in the cloud forest, where you’ll witness the beauty of these elusive birds up close. Explore lush green forests, waterfalls, and learn about natural history and culture.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Alambi Reserve - After an early pick up we head towars the cloud forest: start your day with some of the most fabulous views over the western Andean slopes.
Our first stop is Alambi reserve, a hummingbird paradise located only 1h15m from Quito. Here feeders and garden flowers attract several hummingbird species, allowing visitors to sometimes see…
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Alambi Reserve - After an early pick up we head towars the cloud forest: start your day with some of the most fabulous views over the western Andean slopes.
Our first stop is Alambi reserve, a hummingbird paradise located only 1h15m from Quito. Here feeders and garden flowers attract several hummingbird species, allowing visitors to sometimes see over 10 species in a day at surprisingle short distance!! The conditions here provide great opportunities for bird photography, to get a first taste of the wonderful diversity that the clud forest hosts, and to relax and take in the unmatched beauty of these winged jewels. - San Tadeo Birding - Our next stop is San Tadeo Reserve.
- Mindo - Next, we move on to Mindo, for a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.
- Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve - Exploring the area around Mindo we can find several reserves that offer chances to encounter new bird species. The subtropical rain forest is home to an outstanding number of orchids, birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. In addition, waterfalls and rivers invite you to test theis pristine refreshing waters. Talk to your guide about your interests (hiking, birdwatching, photography, general nature) and they will take you to the best destination to make the most out of your day!
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Reserva la Victoriana, Gallo de la peña tours - If you chose to take the tour extension, our last stop will be at the Andean Cock of the Rock lek. This colorful, iconic species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism, the male has a large disk-like crest and a very unique vivid scarlet plumage. Gatherings of males compete for breeding females with each male displaying its colorful plumage, bobbing and hopping, and making strident calls.
If you chose this extension, you can expect to be back at your hotel in Quito late in the afternoon. - Quito - This tour ends with a a scenic drive back and drop off in your hotel in Quito or the airport area.
What's Included
- Coffee and tea at Alambi and Santadeo
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified Naturalist & Birding guide
- All activities
- Coffee and tea at Alambi and Santadeo
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified Naturalist & Birding guide
- All activities
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Personal expenses
Additional Information
Wake up with some of the most fabulous views, as the sun rises over the western Andean slopes. Your specialized guide will share their vast knowledge in natural history, birdwatching, culture and photography to make the most of your experience today!
Once you arrive in the unique tropical Andean ecosystem, hummingbirds will take your full attention….
Wake up with some of the most fabulous views, as the sun rises over the western Andean slopes. Your specialized guide will share their vast knowledge in natural history, birdwatching, culture and photography to make the most of your experience today!
Once you arrive in the unique tropical Andean ecosystem, hummingbirds will take your full attention. You’ll visit 3 reserves located at different altitudes. Bird feeders will bring otherwise elusive species to very close distances, allowing you to photograph them and enjoy their unmatched beauty.
You’ll be able to watch up to 15 different species of hummingbirds, many of them endemic to this Bio-region, such as the stunning Velvet-purple Cornet, Purple- bibbed Whitetip, Brown Inca, Empress Brillant and Gorgeted Sunangel.
The cloud forest offers an amazing mixed setting from waterfalls and hikes through lush green forests that will allow you to have a day of deep connection with nature.
- 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)
Location
Alambi Reserve
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(26 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Susany163
May 31, 2024
Great trip! - A second half day trip with Santiago to see the hummingbirds in the Mindo area. What a delight. Again, Santiago pointed out the different birds, we felt tiny hummingbird feet on our fingers when they perched....what an experience! Delicious lunch. Santiago made sure we were able to see the birds as he identified them. Thank you, Santiago, we are looking forward to more trips with you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
788meredithw
Apr 25, 2024
It was an experience of a lifetime and hope to make a second visit to the cloud forest. - The views were amazing, and we took so many photos of the birds. The guide was so knowledgeable about the area and the birds. His enthusiasm about the birds made the day so pleasurable. He was very personable and was concerned and helpful when the altitude got the better of me. We have just returned home and anxious to review my photos. Meredith & Nicky [email protected]
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide52690908870
Feb 9, 2024
What an Amazing Day! - We started our birding at daybreak at a cock-of-the-rock lek. The birds were very vocal and easy to spot in the cloud forest canopy. It's difficult to describe the incredible experience. Afterward, Santiago took us to various locations to see an amazing number and variety of hummingbirds and colorful tanagers. Santiago is very knowledgeable about what is where and how to find it. We could not have had a better guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angelicas517
Dec 22, 2023
An extraordinary experience, which I have engraved in my soul! - The most spectacular thing I have ever experienced, thanks to the extraordinary driving and guide of Santiago Salazar of Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
202sinaf
Dec 7, 2023
Hummingbirds and so much more! - A wonderful, perfectly guided day tour to the rainforest. Santiago is a wonderful guide with extensive knowledge and passion for the local flora and fauna. With utmost enthusiasm, he showed me some wonderful spots in the rainforest teeming with countless tropical bird species. I highly recommend adding a visit to the cock of the rocks. Overall, an unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jpr6358nf
Aug 3, 2023
Worth every penny and Dario is the BEST! - I'm in Ecuador for work and wanted to get in one solid birding trip during an off day. A colleague recommended Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips by telling me it was founded by a fellow biologist who realized they didn't want to stay in academia and started this company. It really shows, because the people here definitely know their stuff!
When I messaged them to see if they had any availability at short notice, they did, for the hummingbird expedition the next day. I said I really wanted to see toucans, and Gabriela said my guide would know and take care of things. And she was right!
Dario was absolutely fantastic! He knew all the best spots to see specific species, he knew who to call about what birds have been active in which places, and he made sure we saw endemic species like the Toucan Barbet and Chocó Toucan. He knew every bird by sight and sound too. The hummingbirds were fantastic and plentiful, but we saw so many others as well. I never imagined I'd see an Antpitta so close, or 2 species of Quetzal! More than any other species, I wanted to see a Plate-billed Mountain Toucan. When we missed it at its regular spot, Dario didn't give up. He heard about a potential nest, so we went looking. And when our car couldn't make it up the road, he didn't give up then either. He scouted ahead for the nest and heard the toucans calling. And when we finally got one to come out of cover, it was such a triumph!!!
I didn't bring my camera with me, so I was happy to just see the birds without photos. But Dario brought his scope and at every turn offered to take photos for me through his scope with my phone! So thanks to him, I have Amazing photos and VIDEO of 5 species of Toucan, 12 Hummingbirds, Crested Quetzal, Yellow-bellied Antpitta, Golden-headed Quetzal, Toucan Barbet, Cock-of-the-rock, and so many gorgeous Tanagers!! And these photos and video are excellent!
I paid extra for the early pickup, and I think it's really worth it. They picked me up from my hotel in Cumbaya at 5, and it was a 2 hour drive to our first stop. I really don't think I would've seen as many species if I hadn't gone with the early-pickup option, especially not the super reclusive Antpitta. There is breakfast included with early pickup. They arranged a packaged to-go breakfast to eat in the car on the way there, and it was really tasty and filling! It included some sides I could snack on later in the morning too (apple, banana chips, oreos).
The lunch spot was delicious and had so many great options on the menu. Best part was it had big windows with bird feeders all around. I saw even more hummingbirds, Tanagers, and an Aracari while I ate lunch! It also has a nice overlook where you can look down on the Rio Blanco and the valley if it isn't too misty.
Overall my trip was excellent with 0 downsides. Absolutely everything was taken care of. Even something as small as me wanting a t-shirt as a souvenir, Dario knew a place where I could get one with some of the hummingbirds we saw that day! I saw every single bird I wanted to see, and some I didn't even think I would see!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diep_l
Jun 23, 2023
Exciting Tour Private Tour - Hotel picked up was on time. We saw three different humming bird locations and cock of the rock extension was a exciting experience. We got a chance to feed the humming birds and that was magical. Lunch was nice in Mindo. Be prepare for curvy roads and bumpy at times. Santiago was a great guide. Be sure to bring a binocular.
Review provided by Viator
Sightseer485069
Jun 1, 2023
Excellent expedition with hummingbirds and cocks of the rock - This expedition was the third we took with Neotropical. Our guide Dario took us to 3 different hummingbird reserves plus a lek for cocks of the rock (a spot in the forest where the males show off for the females). We walked through cloud forests and actually fed hummers out of bottle caps balanced on our hands.
The number of birds (many hummers plus toucans) and the variety of plants was amazing, and our guide Dario knew them all. What a fantastic day! We cannot recommend Neotropical highly enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I2308gpstevel
Apr 14, 2023
Awesome 7 day adventure with Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips! - Ecuador is an amazing place to visit with it's beautiful scenery, gorgeous birds and wonderful people. Santiago Salazar of Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips is over the top! He's an incredible guide and took excellent care of us starting with the planning stages and throughout the entire experience. We could not have asked for better service. When it was time to say goodbye it felt as if we were leaving family behind. If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Ecuador we would highly recommend Santiago and Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips. This is one trip we would love to repeat and bring our family next time. We have traveled the world and have seen amazing places however, Ecuador is about as close to Heaven on earth as you can get. We can only imaging what God has in store for us in Heaven.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arnaudm
Mar 7, 2023
An experience not to be missed - It was a real privilege to cross path with Santiago. His knowledge is incredible and we had a wonderful day, learning not only about birds but the wider ecosystem. Everything was perfect from start to finish, including the fantastic lunch. You are in the very best hands with Santiago and we hope to see him again in the future.
Review provided by Viator
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