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5-Day Western Andes Birding Tour

Start your exploration in the highlands. Walk through the Andean Paramo and evergreen forest in the Tandayapa valley. Discover the lower montane forest of the western Andes. Visit the montane foot of the coastal mountain range and admire the famous Cloud Forest.

Day 1

Pick up from Quito at 5 am to head out northwest of city. Foothills of the Pichincha active volcano at 3,400m/11,154feet. Our exploration will begin at the top of the Andean choco reserve located above 3,000m/9,842 feet above sea level, in this ecosystem the species that can be found (depending on the time of year) are the following: Purple-backed Thornbill, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Golden-breasted and Sapphire-vented Pufflegs...

Day 2

Early departure to Mashpi - Amagusa reserve to see some species such as the Glistening-green Tanager, rose-cheecked parrot among others. Possible to see the Andean Cock of the Rock in Santa Elena. Also, birds that can be found in this sector: Green Thorntail, Purple-throated Woodstar, Velvet-purple Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Empress Brilliant, Brown Inca, White-whiskered Hermit, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet...

Day 3

Visit Silanche and Milpe areas where is posible to spot some birds of the lower forest. Berlepsch's Tinamou, as well as Pallid Dove, Blue-chested and Purple-chested Hummingbirds, Purple-crowned Fairy, Barred Puffbird, Orange-fronted and Red-headed Barbets, Choco Toucan, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Dot-winged and Moustached Antwrens, Stub-tailed Antbird, Brown-capped and Choco Tyrannulets, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Tawny-faced Gnatwren...

Day 4

23 de Junio in the morning and San Tadeo bird place in the afternoon. In this place, you can see countless species of the area. Species that can be found in this area: Long-wattled Umbrellabird - Cephalopterus penduliger, Ruddy Pigeon Columba subvinacea, Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigiceps, Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius, Golden-faced Tyrannulet Zimmerius chrysops...

Day 5

Early morning birwatching in the Mindo area (waterfall sanctuary) Green-fronted Lancebill, Violet-tailed Sylph, Velvet-purple Coronet, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Slate-throated Gnatcatcher and Black-chinned Mountain-tanager. Also, a chance of Black-and-white Owl and Long-wattled Umbrellabird (mostly Aug-Dec). Finally, drop off in Quito...

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