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Yanacocha Reserve Birding Day Tour

  • Visit Yanacocha Reserve for access to 1,080 hectares of protected high Andean Cloudforest & Paramo reserve and trails.
  • This tour is of special interest for birding, trekking, photography, and nature.
  • Yanacocha Reserve is a great spot close to Quito for observing hummingbirds and mixed bird flocks.
  • Travel at your own pace with a private guide and transport.
  • This tour is available 365 days each year.
  • Prices from $125 per person!
  • Flexible itinerary choices depending on your interests.

Photography credits:

Santiago Arroyo, Meinolf Pues, Efraín Cepeda, Michelle Hidrobo, Andres Vasquez N.

ecuador birding day tour antisana reserve
sword billed hummingbird at yanacocha reserve ecuador
 

YANACOCHA RESERVE DAY TOUR

PRICES PER PERSON 2025

  • Number of passengers Prices Per Person
  • 1 passenger $350
  • 2 passengers $180
  • 3-4 passengers $150
  • 5 passengers $135
  • 6 passengers $125
yanacocha-reserve-map ecuador

Itinerary

Yanacocha Reserve is well-known among local birders. Originally created to protect the habitat of the critically-threatened Black-breasted Puffleg, it’s also home to other interesting species, including: Andean Guan, Imperial snipe, Giant Conebill, Tawny, Undulated, Chestnut-crowned, and Rufous Antpittas, Ocellated Tapaculo.

There’s also plenty for hummingbird lovers to enjoy at the feeders. Keep your eyes peeled for Great Sapphirewing, Sapphire-vented and Golden-breasted Pufflegs, Tyrian Metaltail, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, and, of course, the unforgettable Sword-billed hummingbird.

Although sightings are rare, mammals also call the reserve home, such as the Spectacled Andean Bear, Andean Fox, Western Andean Coati, Andean Guanta, Red brocket deer, Oncilla, and Puma.

Approximate Timings:

    • 06:00 Pickup from your Quito hotel
    • 07:00 Arrival at Yanacocha Reserve. Enjoy a day of flexible exploration on the trails with your naturalist guide. Places of interest include: Interpretation Center, 8 trails of low and medium difficulty, Hummingbird Garden, Mindo River Waterfall, Polylepis Forest, and Picnic area.
    • Early to Mid Afternoon: Return to Quito to be dropped off back at your hotel.

Full itinerary Book Now

YANACOCHA RESERVE TOUR SPECIFICATIONS

Inclusions

  • Return transport to / from your Quito city hotel.
  • Licensed English-speaking birding guide.
  • Entrance fees to reserve.

Exclusions

  • Meals. We recommend you bring your own box lunch & snacks.
  • Transport to/from Quito airport or the valley area, this costs a little extra, please let us know in advance.
  • Personal Expenses.
  • Tips (Optional).

Tour Dates

  • This tour can run on any day of the year.
  • We recommend booking Yanacocha day tours at least one week in advance, to ensure that a guide is available for you, and the trip booking & organization can be done smoothly.

Recommended to bring

  • Camera, binoculars, rain proofing (just in case), decent walking shoes, warm clothes, water bottle, head covering (hat or buff), snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent.
  • Average Temperature: 8 - 19 ºC
  • Altitudinal range: 3200 - 4400 m

About this itinerary

  • This is a private tour to visit Yanacocha Reserve, so the itinerary is flexible according to your specific goals / desires.
  • Exact Itinerary may change based on weather conditions or unexpected events which could compromise safety.

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