CHAKANA RESERVE ws

CHAKANA RESERVE

NN
57 reviews
Duration: 1 day
Group size: 1 - 999
CHAKANA RESERVE ws
CHAKANA RESERVE

57 reviews

Duration: 1 day
Group size: 1 - 999

About this trip

Start your adventure with a 6:30 am pick-up from your hotel in Quito, embarking on a scenic drive east through the stunning landscapes of the Ecuadorian Andes. In just one hour, you'll reach Hacienda Antisanilla within the Chakana Reserve, a 7,000-acre conservation area established in 2014 by the Jocotoco Foundation in collaboration with various conservation organizations, including the American Bird Conservancy. This reserve plays a crucial role in protecting Ecuador's most significant population of Andean Condors north of Peru, fostering a thriving ecotourism program and contributing to vital conservation efforts.


Today you'll enjoy exclusive access to a prime lookout point overlooking key roosting and nesting sites for Andean Condors. You might see them soaring 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. The paramo is rich in important  food sources for the bears’ mostly herbivorous diet; The Andean Bear's main food source in the area is a type of ground paramo bromeliad Puya sp. which is pretty abundant  in this ecosystem and has a sweet juicy heart.  The area has a road system and trails of varying difficulty, allowing you to cover a big extensions of territory in a short period time. It is right here  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!


After exploring the reserve you'll have a well deserved break and lunch  at Tambocondor where  you can also observe different species of hummingbirds like the Giant Hummingbird, Shining Sunbeam, Black-tailed Trainbearer and other species  at the surrounding native flora and feeders. You'll return to your hotel in Quito  in the afternoon.

An early pick-up can be arranged if you want to experience the best bird activity and light

What’s included

  • Pick up/ drop off
    Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Quito
  • Private trasnportation
  • Private guide
    Certified, bilingual, naturalist/birding guide
  • Lunch w/soft drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Horse & gear rental
    available as add-on option ($60.00 usd p.p.)

What’s not included

  • Tips
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses

Available Packages

SOLO TRAVELER
Deposit:$96

Private tour, solo traveler

$350
Deposit:$96
GROUP OF 2
Deposit:$56

Private tour, group of  2 travelers. Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option.

$185
Deposit:$56
GROUP OF 3-4
Deposit:$42

Private tour, group of 3 to 4  travelers . Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option. 

$140
Deposit:$42
GROUP OF 5-6
Deposit:$36

Private tour, group of 5 to 6  travelers. Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option.  

$120
Deposit:$36

Available options

Early pick up group of 1 or 2
$40
Deposit: $12

NOTE: You may have to request your hotel for a packed breakfast if they don't serve it before 5:30 am

Early pick up group of 3 or more
$25
Deposit: $8

NOTE: You may have to request your hotel for a packed breakfast if they don't serve it before 5:30 am 

Horseback riding p.p.
$60
Deposit: $18
Visit Antisana Reserve
$20
Deposit: $6

Add a visit to the Antisana National Park



Your Organizer


NN
Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips
57 reviews
We provide unique experiences in some of the most exciting and biodiverse destinations in South America. Our aim is to create unforgettable life changing experiences with deep connection with nature, exploring unique habitats and creating unmatched wildlife and photography opportunities. With a firm conviction that responsible tourism is a powerful tool to promote environmental awareness and conservation, we share our passion for nature and contribute to local initiatives of conservation and long-term sustainable development.

Reviews

Our family's birding adventure at Zuroloma Reserve with Neotropical Tours was nothing short of extraordinary. It wasn't just a trip, it was an immersion into an avian paradise that left us speechless. Our guide, Dario Hipo, was a true expert, leading us to hidden gems where we witnessed the legendary Sword-billed Hummingbird, our most sought-after species, in all its glory. His passion for photography was evident as he patiently taught me how to capture 13 magnificent hummingbird species in flight, a skill I had long aspired to master but had never attempted before. But the highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the antpittas. These secretive birds are notoriously difficult to spot, but thanks to Dario's expertise, we had perfect looks at three species: Chestnut-naped, Equatorial, and Tawny. It was a birder's dream come true! Dario's cousins added another layer of expertise to the experience. Their keen eyes and understanding of bird behavior helped us capture frame-worthy shots, ensuring perfect lighting, backgrounds, and perches. And then there was the thrill of hand-feeding hummingbirds! An experience that connected us to these tiny wonders in a way we'll never forget. We visited Zuroloma specifically to see the birds that frequent feeders, but Dario also took us to more remote forest highlands where we encountered even more elusive species. The sheer diversity of birds we encountered was mind-blowing: Sparkling Violetear, Lesser Violetear, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam, Collared Inca, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Mountain Velvetbreast, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, Speckled Hummingbird, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Equatorial Antpitta, Tawny Antpitta, Band-tailed Pigeon, Turquoise Jay, White-tailed Tyrannulet, White-crested Elaenia, Black-crested Warbler, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, American Kestrel, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Azara's Spinetail, Plain-tailed Wren, Blackish Tapaculo, Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Brown-bellied Swallow, Great Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, Spectacled Redstart, Cinereous Conebill, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Black Flowerpiercer, White-sided Flowerpiercer, Masked Flowerpiercer, Plushcap, Blue-capped Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Rufous-chested Tanager, and Red-crested Cotinga. To top it all off, lunch at Villa Doris in Nono was a delicious treat. Neotropical Tours didn't just meet our expectations, they blew them away. This trip was an unforgettable adventure into the heart of nature's wonders, and we can't recommend Dario and Neotropical enough!
By Vinay K for ZUROLOMA RESERVE PHOTO & BIRDING TOUR ws on Aug 25, 2024
I had a great experience on the 2024 Brazil Atlantic Forest tour with Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips. We were able to see a wide array of birds, including many endemics, and other life, with great scenery and the ability to sample local foods and deserts. Local specialist guides were also used to maximize our experience. The guides were also particularly attentive to helping me optimize photography experiences. I highly recommend the tour.
By David C for 2024 BRAZIL’S ATLANTIC FOREST TOUR on Aug 19, 2024
My husband and I went on the full day Mindo tour with afternoon lek option and had a wonderful guide named Gabriel. Would highly recommend! They were so knowledgeable about all the birds and loved sharing their passion with us. The ride was comfortable and they were very accommodating to what we wanted to see. Thank you!
By Laura H for MINDO FULL DAY TOUR ws on Aug 17, 2024
Our tour to the Antisasa with Santiago was the highlight of our time in Ecuador!
By Lora D for ANTISANA CONDOR FULL DAY TOUR ws on Jul 11, 2024
My guide was great, super knowledgeable, informative, personable, and a great driver. We saw condors and many other birds in a spectacularly beautiful area of Ecuador. And lunch was fantastic.
By Laurie D for ANTISANA CONDOR FULL DAY TOUR ws on Jul 04, 2024
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