OVERVIEW
Unforgettable Birding Adventure Near Quito
Discover the ultimate birding experience just an hour from Quito. We’ll begin our journey in the Andes, where we’ll encounter rare antpittas, mountain-tanagers, raptors, and unique hummingbird species. As we descend into the cloud forest, we’ll explore various microclimates, each home to a rich diversity of localized bird species.
After a morning of unforgettable sightings, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary, surrounded by the vibrant colors of tanagers, endemic hummingbirds, toucans, and the thrilling possibility of spotting one of the world’s most spectacular bird species—the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
DETAILED ITINERARY
5:30 AM
Pick-up from Quito airport or any hotel in Quito area.
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Our adventure begins at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Quito, where we’ll spend approximately an hour exploring its unique surroundings. We’ll traverse the trail winding through the lodge’s picturesque gardens and Andean forest, searching for the Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager, Undulated Antpitta, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant. With a bit of luck, we might even spot the majestic Andean Condor.
Before we head back to our vehicle, we’ll visit the lodge’s hummingbird feeders to look for extraordinary hummingbird species such as the Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear, the diminutive White-bellied Woodstar, Purple-backed Thornbill, and the highly sought-after Sword-billed Hummingbird.
Black-tailed Trainbearer. Photo taken at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. © Luis Alcivar
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Following our visit to the Quito lodge, we’ll embark on a scenic drive along the historic countryside road leading to the Tandayapa Valley. Our journey will begin in the higher elevations of this route, tracing the foothills of Pichincha Volcano.
At this altitude, one of our primary targets is the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg, a rare and highly sought-after species. We’ll also search for a range of Upper-Andean birds, including the Andean Pygmy-Owl, Aplomado Falcon, Golden-crowned Tanager, Pearled Treerunner, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-chested Mountain-Tanager, Equatorial Antpitta, Chestnut-naped Antpitta, Barred Fruiteater, Great Sapphirewing, and many more.
The Sword-billed Hummingbird at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. © Luis Alcivar
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Around noon, we’ll begin our descent along this charming road that links the majestic Andean ridges with the lush Cloud Forest of Tandayapa. 
As we slowly traverse this route, we’ll make strategic stops to observe a diverse array of bird species. Look forward to spotting the sought-after Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Plushcap, Hooded Mountain-Tanager, Grass-green Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Chat-Tyrant, Torrent Duck, and White-capped Dipper. With a touch of luck, we might even encounter the elusive Beautiful Jay.
The multi-colored and endemic Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan can be seen along the "Old Nono-Mindo Road" © Luis Alcivar
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
At noon, we'll arrive at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary, located in the heart of a valley celebrated for holding the world record for the highest number of hummingbird species recorded in a year, with an impressive total of 43 species. We'll savor lunch amidst the mesmerizing backdrop of the cloud forest landscape, surrounded by the vibrant flurry of hummingbirds in flight.
Our open-air restaurant at Tandayapa provides a unique dining experience, allowing you to enjoy lunch amidst hummingbird feeders with a sublime landscape as your backdrop.
After lunch, we'll continue our birding adventure from the comfort of the restaurant and its adjacent observation deck. The hummingbird feeders and surrounding trees will provide excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of bird species. Our focus will be on identifying numerous hummingbird species, with special attention to the striking Violet-tailed Sylph and Booted Racket-tail. We’ll also aim to spot other notable species, including the White-throated Daggerbill, Purple-throated Woodstar, Toucan Barbet, Swallow Tanager, White-winged Tanager, Scaled Fruiteater, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Streak-capped Treehunter, White-winged Becard, and Crimson-rumped Toucanet.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Enjoy leisure time to photograph the vibrant hummingbirds at our feeders or simply relax and take in the serene surroundings.
The exotic Booted Racket-tails are commonly seen at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. © Luis Alcivar
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
After thoroughly exploring the observation decks, we’ll embark on one final hike to seek out elusive bird species that don’t frequent the feeders. Our journey will take us along the Andigena Trail, named after Ecuador’s remarkable Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan (Andigena laminirostris). This loop trail winds through the densest part of the reserve, where towering hardwoods are adorned with bromeliads, lichens, and other epiphytes.
There’s something truly magical about exploring the birding trails in Tandayapa, where misty clouds drift through trees adorned with mosses and epiphytes.
Along this trail, we’ll be on the lookout for an impressive variety of bird species, including the striking Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Scaled Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Masked Trogon, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, Plain Antvireo, Uniform Antshrike, Barred Becard, Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Bat Falcon, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal, and the elusive White-faced Nunbird. We'll also have a great opportunity to spot the iconic Andean Cock-of-the-rock, especially during the Heliconia fruiting season.
The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is one of the world’s most spectacular bird species, thriving throughout the Tandayapa Valley. © Jorge Luis Alcivar
4:30 PM
Transfer back to Quito airport or to any hotel in Quito area. Arriving to most hotels in Quito at approximately 6:00PM.
END OF ITINERARY
Read more about this lodge
Read more about this lodge