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
Private tour, solo traveler
Private tour, group of 2 travelers. Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option.
Private tour, group of 3 to 4 travelers . Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option.
Private tour, group of 5 to 6 travelers. Please make sure to select the right number of participants when booking this option.
NOTE: You may have to request your hotel for a packed breakfast if they don't serve it before 5:30 am
NOTE: You may have to request your hotel for a packed breakfast if they don't serve it before 5:30 am
Add a visit to the Antisana National Park