This full-day excursion takes you deep into the spectacular Ecuadorian High Andes, bordering the Antisana Ecological Reserve and Fundación Jocotoco’s Chakana Reserve. The route offers breathtaking views of snowcapped volcanoes, wide páramo landscapes, and exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation.
Covering altitudes above 3,600 meters, this experience is especially known for its excellent chances to observe Andean Condors soaring above the mountains. Other highlights include hummingbirds, highland raptors, endemic species, and—with some luck—the elusive Spectacled Bear. A traditional lunch at Casa Antisanilla, set within the reserve and overlooking the Andes, completes this unforgettable Andean adventure.
Warm clothing, hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, binoculars (optional), and camera.
Andean Condor, Giant Hummingbird, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Carunculated Caracara, Variable Hawk, and possible sightings of Spectacled Bear.
Late afternoon to Quito.
This trip will take you through a great scenery in the Ecuadorian High Andes. The roads will border one national protected area Antisana Ecological Reserve and Fundación Jocotoco’s Chakana Reserve therefore the birdlife is great, and the scenery is quite amazing. The altitudinal range covered is over 3600 M. We spend the entire day in the area, watching for Andean Condors (should be easy!) and other beautiful birds, even for Spectacled Bears, with a traditional lunch at a small “refugio” Casa Antisanilla inside the reserve with a magnifiscent view of the Andes; back to Hotel in Quito in late PM.
The condor´s flight over the snowcapped volcano
Leave Quito early at 6:00 AM to the East where the Antisana Volcano is located. On clear days, the views of the Antisana glaciers are dazzling. Our first stop is in the small town of Pintag to take a traditional sweet bread. Then we will continue to Tambo Condor to use bathrooms and take a cup of coffee. There we can enjoy the hummingbird feeders where we can see the Giant Hummingbird and the astonishing Ecuadorian Hillstar. Then, we continue to the strategical located gazed of Chakana reserve where we can look for the Andean Condor nests and the Spectacled bear who used to walk around the “Peñón del Ishco” that is just in front of the Porch. We can also see some other species such as the endemic Carunculated Caracara, Variable Hawk.
We can a make a walk around the paramo to enjoy the sightings, landscapes and native flora. We will take a delicious and traditional lunch at Casa Antisanilla. In the afternoon return to Quito. End of services.
