OVERVIEW
Unforgettable 2-Day Birding Adventure Near Quito
Embark on the ultimate birding journey near Quito, led by Ecuador’s top birdwatching guides. Begin your adventure in the breathtaking montane forests, alive with the colorful mountain-tanagers, rare antpittas, soaring raptors, and the mesmerizing color of unique hummingbird species. Continue with vehicle-assisted birding along the renowned "Hummingbird Route of Ecuador,” revealing a mosaic of diverse microclimates, each brimming with localized birdlife.
On day two, immerse yourself in the wonders of San Jorge Eco-Lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary, the crown jewel of cloud forest birding in Ecuador. Explore exclusive birding trails, where vibrant tanagers, toucans, elusive antbirds, and trogons glide effortlessly through their pristine habitat, before encountering an unrivaled diversity of hummingbird species, all in the heart of the valley that holds the world record for hummingbird diversity.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
5:30 AM Pick-up from any hotel in Quito.
Birding San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito, and the Renowned Hummingbird Route:
Our adventure begins at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Quito, where you’ll enjoy a hot cup of Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate in the vibrant “Cucayo” breakfast room.After a delightful breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the lodge’s unique surroundings.
Savor the most delicious and freshest Ecuadorian dishes in the warm and cozy atmosphere of our Cucayo Restaurant.
Wander through the lush gardens and captivating Andean forest as we search for bird species found nowhere else, such as the Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Blue-and-Yellow Tanager, Band-tailed Seedeater, Undulated Antpitta, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant. With a bit of luck, we may even spot the majestic Andean Condor soaring overhead.
The extraordinary Sword-billed Hummingbird is a frequent and captivating sight at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. © Luis Alcivar
Before venturing to the renowned Hummingbird Route of Ecuador, we’ll first visit the lodge’s hummingbird feeders, offering the chance to observe an impressive array of species, including the Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, White-bellied Woodstar, Tyrian Metaltail, Purple-backed Thornbill, and one of the most extraordinary and unique species in the world, the Sword-billed Hummingbird.
After a morning packed with inter-Andean species, we drive and bird along a charming road that runs through the lower slope of Pichincha Volcano. Birding 
along this road is crucial to record several upper-Andean specialist including the stunning Golden-crowned Tanager, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, White-browed Spinetail, Undulated Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Rufous Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater, Andean Pygmy-Owl, White-throated Screech-Owl, Golden-breasted Puffleg, Great Sapphirewing, and, many more. The slopes of Pichincha Volcano are home to the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, with a bit of luck we might see this rarity. At around noon, we have our boxed lunch surrounded by stunning Andean landscape to then begin our descend down the "Old Nono-Mindo Road" or "Hummingbird Route" which connects the imposing Andean ridges with the lushy cloud forest of Tandayapa.
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock leks in the the upper valley of Tandayapa © Luis Alcivar
We will slowly descend and bird along the old Nono-Mindo road, making strategic stops to look out for a wide variety of birds including the highly sought-after Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, 
Plushcap, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant, Andean Guan, Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Masked Trogon, Beautiful Jay, Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast, Burrowing Owl, Western Hemispingus, Grass-green Tanager, White-rumped Hawk, and, many more. In the late afternoon, we make one last stop to delight our eyes with Ecuador's most iconic and stunning bird species, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. In this location, several males gather to engage in competitive display (LEK). We will see them fly around and listen to their raucous call. With a bit of luck, the cocks will be at a very close distance, if not, we will will use our spotting scope to fully appreciate this bird's vivid color.
Overnight: San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary.
DAY 2
Birding San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary:
We wake up in the heart of the famous Tandayapa valley, a charming little valley that holds the world record for the highest number of hummingbird species recorded in a year, 42 species! We begin the day birding the 4 observation decks overlooking our private reserve. We will have the opportunity to see an incredible amount of bird species before breakfast and without having to engage in much walking.
The bird feeders and fruit trees surrounding the breakfast room and the observation decks are visited by multicolored bird species like the Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, Toucan Barbet, Red-headed Barbet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal, Streak-capped Treehunter, Squirrel Cuckoo, Three-striped Warbler, White-winged Becard, Metallic-green Tanager, Masked Trogon, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Golden-naped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Swallow Tanager, and, many more. Additionally, the hummingbird feeders in front of the breakfast room are visited by abounding hummingbird species, including, the Tawny-bellied Hermit, Western Emerald, Gorgeted Sunangel, Wedge-billed Hummingibird, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and, of course, the iconic Booted Racket-tail and Violet-tailed Sylph.
The exotic Booted Racket-tails are commonly seen at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. © Luis Alcivar
After a very birdy morning, we have breakfast, and, for the rest of the day, we will explore several trails at our private cloud forest reserve. Trail birding will deliver different bird species including
the Scaled Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, White-winged Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Ringed Kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Uniform Antshrike, Russet-crowned Warbler, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Bat Falcon, Barred Hawk, White-throated Quail-Dove, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Cloud-Forest Pygmy Owl, and, with some luck, the enchanted White-faced Nunbird, and, the secretive Wattled Guan. We will have lunch at our open-air restaurant overlooking the impressive valley of Tandayapa.
5:00 PM transfer to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area. Arriving to most hotels in Quito at approx. 6:00PM
Read more about this lodge
Read more about this lodge