Name: Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour
Location: Papallacta, Ecuador

Galapagos My World

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6 reviews

Duration: 1 day

Group size: 2 - 12

Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour

Papallacta, Ecuador

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Galapagos My World

Email address verified

6 reviews

$98

Duration: 1 day

Group size: 2 - 12

Arrive at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca National Park in the Eastern Andes. The income is over 4,000 msl / 13,123 feet. The place is full of natural lagoons and surrounded by Andean vegetation or Paramo. Perfect place to record one of the best species Chestnut-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Black-backed Bush Tanager, Tyrian Metaltail, Spillmann's Tapaculo, Blue and Black Tanager. Another important site near Papallacta Pass is Antisana National Park.

Papallacta Pass is home to a diverse range of bird species adapted to the high-altitude paramo ecosystem. You'll find species that thrive in both the wet Andean highlands and nearby cloud forests.

Unique Bird Species:

The area is known for sightings of rare and endemic species such as the Shining Sunbeam, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. The combination of paramo and cloud forest habitats makes it an ideal spot for spotting a wide variety of birds.

Full day
Full day
Exploring the high Andes and Cloud Forest
Pick up from Quito city at 5 am.

Birding in Papallacta Pass: (4,000 msl / 13,123 feet)
First stop to observe the best species of the high Andean mountains. Frequent birds found are the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, the Bar-winged Cinclodes, the Stout-billed Cinclodes, the Many-striped Canastero, the Variable Hawk, and the Tawny Antpitta. Go down to the lakes, it is accessible to spot the Yellow-billed Pintail, the Andean Teal, and the Andean Gull.

Visiting the Guango protective reserve, the entrance to the Rainforest:
Some birds of particular interest that we have seen regularly at Guango include the Andean Guan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet-bellied, Lacrimose, Buff-breasted and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Black-headed, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, and Slaty Brush-Finch.

What to bring?
Comfortable color dark clothing, hiking shoes, light rain poncho, rain/wind jacket, a cap, sun protector, sun glasses, binoculars, photography equipment.
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Full day

Exploring the high Andes and Cloud Forest

Pick up from Quito city at 5 am.

Birding in Papallacta Pass: (4,000 msl / 13,123 feet)

First stop to observe the best species of the high Andean mountains. Frequent birds found are the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, the Bar-winged Cinclodes, the Stout-billed Cinclodes, the Many-striped Canastero, the Variable Hawk, and the Tawny Antpitta. Go down to the lakes, it is accessible to spot the Yellow-billed Pintail, the Andean Teal, and the Andean Gull.

Visiting the Guango protective reserve, the entrance to the Rainforest:

Some birds of particular interest that we have seen regularly at Guango include the Andean Guan, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Scarlet-bellied, Lacrimose, Buff-breasted and Hooded Mountain-Tanagers, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, Black-headed, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, and Slaty Brush-Finch.

What to bring?

Comfortable color dark clothing, hiking shoes, light rain poncho, rain/wind jacket, a cap, sun protector, sun glasses, binoculars, photography equipment.

Galapagos My World

6 reviews

We are trip organizers, who have traveled on all the roads, villages, lagoons, volcanoes, rivers, reserves and National Parks of Ecuador Mainland and Galapagos Islands to be able to advise with our first-hand experiences to many travelers who visit the wonderful Ecuador. Our experiential knowledge will be at your disposal to help you to create an experience for you, that will optimize your time and budget. If you dare to visit Ecuador, we are ready!!! are you ready?

Honestly not sure what to expect from Mindo as we only planned to stay a couple days. What can I say? Truly a beautiful and fantastic place to visit. Safe and authentically Ecuadorian. And our visit was made even more special by our guide Eduardo. Not only does he know of all the places to visit but he is a naturalist with so much knowledge of the history, land and wildlife of the area. Eduardo caught on early to our love of birds and made sure we saw as many as he could get an eye on. Our kids loved the places he suggested we visit making this trip exciting for us all. He also paid tribute to the indigenous people of the land. I only wish we had more time to explore this incredible part of Ecuador. Thank you Eduardo! This is a trip we will not soon forget.

By Jamie N for Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day on Mar 29, 2025

Excellent trip. Eduardo customized the trip to what we were looking for. It included feeding the hummingbirds, the cable car ride and waterfall hike, and the Chocolate factory tour. Each place was ready and expecting us. He also suggested a great place for lunch. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about his country and nature. A photographer, he also took pictures and sent them to us! A perfect day!

By Nora F for Mindo Cloud Forest Full Day on Feb 15, 2025

Galapagos My World provided the experience of a lifetime. Eduardo our guide, for both the Mindo Cloud day trip and Antisana Condor Sanctuary, met and exceed my expectations. In coordination with the ranger from the Sanctuary we arrived before dawn and were able to see condors in their nests and patiently waited for them to fly off for the morning. We also saw the Ecuardian Hillstar humming bird, the Andes Ibis, Andes Ducks, Llamas and deers. My photos of these birds are beyond words and I'm thrilled to recommend Galapagos My World tour operatos to all adventure seeking folks, birders, photographers.....for a lifetime experience. Kudos to Eduardo and Galapagos My world.

By Brian H for Antisana Condor Sanctuary, birding and photography on Jan 29, 2025

We had a great time. Eduardo showed us some impressive sights and informed us of what to expect and the activities to participate in.

By Prue D for Middle of the World Half-Day Tour on Jul 11, 2024

Quilotoa lagoon is beautiful, and Eduardo walked me through it as a wonderful experience. Stopping on the way I enjoyed experiencing the life of the indigeounous native people, their markets and art. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

By Michal E for Quilotoa Lagoon on Aug 25, 2022

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Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour

Papallacta Pass and Guango Reserve birdwatching tour

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