Tour Details
Early departure to take the old Nono-Mindo road, a well-known birding road that descends the west slope of the Andes from Quito that leads to the rich Montane and Cloud Forests. These are the habitat of the Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Dark-backedWood-Quail, Purplebibbed, whitetip, Gorgeted Sunangel, Giant Antpitta,Tanager Finch,Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Toucan Barbet, and the Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. Road birding with a snack and box lunch. Mid afternoon arrival to Séptimo Paraíso Lodge, dinner and overnight. Hosteria Septimo Paraiso has 22 rooms with private bathroom with an old country style decoration. It is a 100% ecological lodge.
Séptimo Paraiso Cloud Forest Reserve is a private protected area established in 2001, with the goal of saving and preserving the forest and the diverse ecosystems that are immersed in it. It is managed by the Green Mindo Foundation, which is in charge of the conservation and the study of its 420 hectares of pre-mountain and mountain cloud forest.
Day two is all day birding around Septimo Paraíso in different trails; a magical experience with an overwhelming 322 species. Look for Toucan Barbet, Scaled Antpitta, Spillman`s Tapaculo, Little Woodstar, Long-Wattled Umbrellabird, Tanager-finch, Black-crowned Tityra, Golden-Bellied Warbler, Torrent Duck,White-capped Dipper and many more. Meals and snacks are included. Overnight at Septimo Paraíso.
On day three, early birding, breakfast and return to Quito to arrive at midday.
Included
- Two nights accommodations
- Snacks
- All meals
- Round trip land transportation and guide
Travel Facts
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, and coat). This tour includes walking at altitudes averaging 1700 meters, 5577 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: Day, average 15° to 28° C / 59° to 82° F. Night, average 10° to 15° C / 50° to 59° F
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.
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.
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