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Papallacta Pass - Cayambe Coca National Park & Guango Cloud Forest Reserve

icon 8 to 10 hours Mobile ticket Free Cancellation
Tickets from € 236.07

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Adult (12 - 80)

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Take a day to awaken your senses in deep contact with nature. Papallacta is located 65 km (41 miles) east of Quito; it has a tundra-like habitat known as paramo in its upper part and montane humid forest below. Due to its location, on clear days it allows for breath-taking views of the Andean landscape. On the way, you'll stop at the Papallacta pass, one of the best spots for landscape photography and birdwatching in the area. Then you'll continue to Guango Cloud Forest Reserve where hummingbirds will take your full attention. The cloud forest concentrates the highest diversity of these winged jewels in the Americas. Today you'll experience different types of habitats from paramo grasslands to exuberant lush green vegetation all deep in the Andean subtropical zone. **Available optional add-on: Finish your day with a soak in the therapeutic waters of the best thermal water complex in Ecuador: Papallacta Hot Springs
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  • Certified bilingual naturalist, birding, photography guide
  • Coffee and tea at Guango
  • Private transportation
  • All activities
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Local Taxes (Only for Ecuadorians)
  • Personal expenses
  • Lunch
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered

Pick up and drop off at your hotel or accommodation in Quito and airport area.

Traveler pickup
  • Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito, Ecuador
  • Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca, 28, Ecuador
    After an early departure from Quito at 7:30 am from your hotel, you'll drive some 65 km (41 miles) east of Quito the road brings you into the high elevation paramo at the Papallacta pass, a very tundra-like habitat. On clear days the views of the surroundings and various volcanoes are breathtaking; a stop right up at the pass is one of the best spots to photograph the snow-capped Antisana Volcano as it towers over the mountains below. If the weather allows, from this point on we should start scanning the sky from time to time for the Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, which may soar overhead. At the highest elevations, you’ll seek out the secretive and cryptic Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and other unique wildlife of this region. Andean Bears can be found in this paramo, special natural feeding sites where the presence of bears is frequent all year round. sometimes close enough to have wonderful views and photographs.
    240 minutes
  • Papallacta 150205, Ecuador
    Later you’ll drive to Guango Reserve, where you will embark on a hike along the trails around the lodge to get a taste of the beautiful Andean temperate forests; hummingbirds will take your full attention. The cloud forest concentrates the highest diversity of these winged jewels in the Americas. Colorful mixed flocks with birds such as Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped Hemispingus can be seen around the lodge. Here you have possibilities of seeing very local birds like the stunning Gray Breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, and Northern Mountain Cacique. Along the Papallacta River, you’ll try to find a unique resident of fast-flowing mountain rivers, a powerful swimmer, and diver: the Torrent Duck. This could definitely be one of our day highlights!
    240 minutes
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • A small amount of walking is involved along trails with irregular terrain although if participants require longer hiking trails are available.
  • Copy of passport of one of the group members is require for billing purposes (local tax exemption)
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
julie_t
28 Sep 2022
Sebastian persevered to make sure we found a wide variety of birds and was very knowledgeable about the birds and their habitats. He knew where to find them. Although it was a hot day so many birds were hunkered down, he did not give up. His enthusiasm was contagious.
TimF2157
15 Feb 2022
I visited several places around Papallacta Pass to look for a large list of target birds with Santiago Salazar. Santiago was extremely knowledgeable of the area and knew exactly where to go to search for all of the special birds of the area. He was able to organize the trip extremely last minute (including getting us access to Cayambe-Coca National Park on a day it is normally closed to tourists). He knows the birds and natural history of the area extremely well. Anyone looking to visit this great area should definitely contact Santiago and Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips.
O9870HLkyleh
06 Feb 2022
This was our last full day in Ecuador for this trip. Santiago is an excellent guide. I was hoping to find many birds on this trip and was not disappointed. But we also learned many things about plants, animals, and the area in general. Santiago picked us up nice and early to take us up to Papallacta, where he spent a great deal of effort looking for bears. And while we were ultimately unable to see them, we saw many great birds. I especially appreciate the effort Santiago put forth to find us the rarer key birds for this area. Our glimpse of the seed snipe was definitely a highlight of the trip. Our afternoon was spent in the Guango Lodge area. The meal served was excellent. The feeders were excellent. The birds were excellent. Everything was excellent. Santiago's enthusiastic about birds and nature, and that shows through. My wife and I were both caught up in it. I will be looking to Neotropical for future tours in the area. I cannot recommend them enough.
This tour in Quito is organized by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips

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We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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