Full-Day Private Birding Tour in La Paz Refuge & Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary

Explore the enchanting cloud forests of Mindo on a full-day private birding tour at La Paz Refuge and Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary. Led by a knowledgeable specialist, you’ll rise early to search for vibrant species like the Giant Antpitta, toucan barbet, and blue-winged tanager across diverse habitats. Enjoy personalized service, breakfast and lunch, as you learn about the unique beauty of the region’s avifauna. This unforgettable adventure promises ample opportunities for spectacular birdwatching – but there’s more to discover about this one-of-a-kind experience.

Good To Know

• A full-day private birding experience guided by a specialist in the Mindo cloud forest, offering opportunities to see diverse bird species like antpittas, toucans, and tanagers.
• Includes transportation from Quito hotels, breakfast, lunch, and admission to the La Paz Bird Refuge, providing a comprehensive and convenient birdwatching tour.
• Early morning departure at 4:30 am maximizes birdwatching opportunities, with the chance to spot elusive species like Giant Antpitta, Mustached Antpitta, and Yellow-breasted Antpitta.
• Exploration of cloud forest habitats between Nanegalito and Mindo, with insights from the specialist guide on the ecosystem’s recovery and avifauna.
• Unique opportunity to observe trained antpittas up close, witnessing their distinctive behaviors and markings while they feed from the guides’ hands.

Tour Overview

The tour offers visitors a full-day private birding experience at the La Paz Refuge and Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary, located just outside the vibrant city of Quito, Ecuador.

Guided by a knowledgeable specialist, you’ll venture into the Mindo cloud forest in search of diverse bird species, including the elusive antpitta, toucan barbet, blue-winged tanager, and the iconic cock-of-the-rock.

The personalized tour provides flexibility for private groups and includes private transportation from your Quito hotel.

With breakfast and lunch provided, you’ll be fueled for a day of immersive birdwatching in this stunning natural setting.

Inclusions and Logistics

Breakfast and lunch are provided as part of the tour, and private transportation is included for pickup and drop-off at all Quito hotels.

Admission fees to the La Paz Bird Refuge are also covered. However, tips and personal expenses are additional.

The tour confirmation is received at the time of booking. While the tour isn’t accessible for wheelchair users, infants can join by sitting on laps.

The tour starts early in the morning at 4:30 am, and the experience typically ends around 12:30 pm, slightly earlier than the advertised "full-day" tour.

Early Morning Departure

Departing at 4:30 am, this birding tour starts early to maximize the opportunity of seeing a variety of bird species in their active morning hours.

Guests will be picked up from their Quito hotels and transported to the Paz de las Aves bird refuge in the Mindo cloud forest.

This early start allows visitors to explore the primary and secondary recovering forests, where they’ll have a chance to spot elusive species like the Giant Antpitta, Mustached Antpitta, and Yellow-breasted Antpitta.

The guide’s expertise ensures guests make the most of this unique birdwatching experience before the tour concludes around midday.

Exploring Cloud Forest Habitats

Upon arrival at the Paz de las Aves bird refuge, guests explore the primary and secondary recovering cloud forest habitats.

This unique ecosystem, located between Nanegalito and Mindo, offers a chance to see a diverse array of bird species up close.

The tour guide, a specialist in local avifauna, leads guests along side trails, providing insights into the cloud forest’s recovery and the variety of birds that thrive in this environment.

Guests may catch glimpses of trained antpittas, including the Giant, Mustached, and Yellow-breasted antpittas, as well as other sought-after species like the toucan barbet, blue-winged tanager, and a range of vibrant hummingbirds.

Birdwatching Opportunities

As visitors explore the refuge, they have ample opportunities to spot a diverse array of vibrant bird species. The guided tour takes them through primary and secondary cloud forests, where they may encounter the trained Giant Antpitta, Mustached Antpitta, and Yellow-breasted Antpitta up close. Plus, the tour provides access to multiple side trails, allowing birdwatchers to discover a variety of hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, and the iconic cock-of-the-rock. The opportunity to see these remarkable birds in their natural habitat is a truly unique and memorable experience.

Bird Species	Habitat	Highlights
Antpitta	Cloud Forest	Trained for close observation
Toucan Barbet	Cloud Forest	Vibrant plumage
Hummingbird	Cloud Forest	Diverse species
Cock-of-the-Rock	Cloud Forest	Iconic, male with bright red plumage

Trained Antpitta Sightings

Visitors on the guided tour have the unique opportunity to observe trained antpittas up close. The refuge is home to several species of these ground-dwelling birds, including the Giant Antpitta, Mustached Antpitta, and Yellow-breasted Antpitta.

These elusive birds have been trained to approach humans, allowing for incredible close-up views. Guests can witness the antpittas’ distinctive behaviors and markings as they feed from the guides’ hands. This exclusive access provides an unparalleled birdwatching experience, enabling visitors to appreciate the beauty and fascinating characteristics of these secretive forest dwellers.

The tour’s access to multiple side trails ensures ample opportunities to spot the trained antpittas and other avian species native to the Mindo cloud forest.

Personalized and Flexible Service

The tour offers personalized and flexible service to cater to the needs of private groups. Guests are picked up from their Quito hotels, with an option for additional charges for locations outside the city.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but infants can accompany the group while sitting on laps.

The service provides flexibility, allowing the group to explore the bird refuge at their own pace. This personalized approach ensures a tailored experience for each visitor, allowing them to maximize their birdwatching opportunities and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Mindo cloud forest.

Reviews and Ratings

Travelers have awarded the birding tour in La Paz Refuge and Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary an impressive overall rating of 5.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews.

The breakdown shows:

• 3 five-star ratings
• 1 four-star rating

Feedback highlights include:

• Beautiful scenery
• Punctual guide
• Unique experience of seeing cocks of the rock

However, some noted the tour ended earlier than the advertised full-day duration, concluding around 12:30 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Time Does the Tour End?

The tour ends around 12:30 pm according to the reviews, though it’s advertised as a full-day tour. Some customers noted the tour ended earlier than expected despite the full-day duration.

Can I Purchase Additional Food and Drinks During the Tour?

Yes, guests can purchase additional food and drinks during the tour. The tour includes breakfast and lunch, but travelers may want to bring extra snacks or beverages to enjoy throughout the day.

Is There Any On-Site Restroom Facility at the Bird Refuge?

Yes, there are on-site restroom facilities at the La Paz Bird Refuge. The tour includes access to these amenities, providing visitors with a comfortable and convenient experience during their birdwatching activities.

How Far Is the Driving Distance From Quito to the Birding Sites?

The driving distance from Quito to the birding sites at the La Paz Refuge and Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary is approximately 2 hours each way. The tour provider offers complimentary pickup and drop-off services from Quito hotels for the convenience of participants.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Children or Seniors?

The tour doesn’t appear to offer any discounts for children or seniors. The itinerary and pricing are the same for all participants, with no special rates mentioned in the overview.

The Sum Up

This full-day private birding tour in the Mindo cloud forest offers an exceptional opportunity to discover the diverse avifauna of the La Paz Refuge and Alambi Hummingbird Sanctuary. Guided by a knowledgeable specialist, travelers can expect personalized service, delicious meals, and the chance to spot stunning bird species like the Giant Antpitta and blue-winged tanager. With an early start and flexible itinerary, this unforgettable adventure promises an immersive and rewarding birdwatching experience.