Yanacocha Birdwatching, private, full day

< previous 1 of 5 next >   Open this gallery and post comments

Price from:
262.00 USD
per person

Discover Ecuador’s amazing and unrivaled avifauna at our premier birding sites. About the size of the United Kingdom or the State of Colorado in the U.S., Ecuador houses some 1600 species of birds over half of the species in all of South America; Ecuador is home to the greatest bird diversity, like no other destination in the world.

Tour Details

Early departure, as the sun draws itself up, over the northwestern slope of  Pichincha Volcano.  Start birding in the enchanted, Protected Forest of Yanacocha for a surprising array of bird species such as the, Sword-billed hummingbird, Andean Guan, Sickle-winged Guan, Scarlet bellied Mountain-Tanager.  Hummingbirds are a major highlight here.  Box lunch is included. 

The Yanacocha Reserve, on the slopes of Pichincha Volcano, is just an hour outside of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. The reserve protects a large area (960 hectares) of the unique Andean woodland Polylepis forest which is home to the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), adopted as the Emblem of Quito. As far as we are aware, the reserve contains the entire world range of this very rare hummingbird.

The Yanacocha reserve was purchased using funds provided by the Jocotoco Foundation and with contributions from a number of individuals and agencies from Ecuador, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Included

• Snack 
• Lunch
• Round trip land transportation and guide

Travel Facts

Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, and coat).  This tour includes walking at altitudes of 3,300-3,600 meters (10,824-11808 feet). (Sun protection (SPF 40).  Hat or cap.  Good walking shoes and extra pairs of socks.  Rain occurs throughout the year, although the climate is driest from May to September.

Temperature:  15° to 28° C / 59° to 82° F.v

What to bring & wear

Your tour itinerary will have specific suggestions about what to bring. In general, bring the things you will need and leave unnecessary items at home. Casual attire is appropriate at all times on our birding tours. Wearing bright or light-colored clothing in the field is strongly discouraged. Waterproof or rubber boots that reach at least halfway to the knee are useful on many of our tours (check specific itineraries). All of our leaders carry a scope0. Bringing one of your own is optional. A water bottle, insect repellent, a hat, alarm clock, and snacks may also be useful.

Clothing

Dress is casual or informal throughout the tour. Lightweight field clothing is the norm for most areas visited, with a sweater or jacket for extra warmth. We suggest dark field pants and shirts for forest birding, and lightweight long-sleeved shirts that dry quickly (long sleeves are not essential, but offer additional protection from sun and biting insects). Please wear darker colors, not whites, and avoid startling patterns that frighten the birds. Also important are a hat and sunscreen for sun protection and a rain jacket, poncho, or umbrella. Good footwear is essential, and for this we strongly suggest sturdy mud boots or waterproof hiking boots. In any case, your footgear for the field should at the very least be rated “water-resistant,” as this is a damp climate. Even the dew on the roadside grass will get your feet wet!. At higher elevations the temperatures can be as low as the low 40s on occasion, and you should be prepared to layer for warmth with a warm, long-sleeved shirt, plus a warm jacket or sweater. You can shed layers as the day warms up (or add them as it cools down). Consider bringing gloves and a warm hat if you know that you chill easily. There is a strong likelihood that we will be out in at least some mist or light rain on the east-slope, so a waterproof jacket is needed.

Suggested reading material

• Ridgely, Robert S. and Paul Greenfield. The Birds of Ecuador, Vol. II: Field Guide. Cornell University Press, 2001.
• Hilty, Steven. Birds of Tropical America: a watcher’s introduction to behavior, breeding and diversity. University of Texas Press. 2005. A watcher’s introduction to behavior, breeding and diversity. 
• 2004. Pearson, D. L. and L. Beletsky. Ecuador and its Galapagos: The Travellers' Wildlife Guide, 2nd edition. Interlink Press, Northampton, MA., 498 pp.

Information Price per Person (USD) 4 - 9 262.00 3 persons 280.00 2 persons 375.00 1 person 670.00

Birdwatching on the slopes of the Andean Ranges

Discover Ecuador’s amazing and unrivaled avifauna at our premier birding sites.

Discover Ecuador’s amazing and unrivaled avifauna at our premier birding sites. About the size of the United Kingdom or the State of Colorado in the U.S., Ecuador houses some 1600 species of birds --over half of the species in all of South America; Ecuador is home to the greatest bird diversity, like no other destination in the world.

Ecuador’s fascinating geography and unique landscapes, with easy and comfortable access to all areas, allows for bird watching in the montane and cloud forests surrounding  the volcanoes in the high Andes, home to many endemic and stunning birds.  

Exploring the Eastern or Western slopes of the Andes you will find different habitats and the greatest biodiversity known in our planet, guided by the most professional, highly experienced bird watching experts.

Departures are flexible, with carefully designed programs and excursions to provide maximum birding and nature experiences. Choose full day, one, two or more night excursions.