Ecuador · Bird Watching

5-Day Birdwatching Tour from Quito with Mashpi and Bellavista

5 Days Round trip from Quito Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore birding trails at Zuroloma Lodge
02 Enjoy birdwatching along the old route to Tandayapa village
03 Stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge
04 Discover diverse bird species at Amagusa Preserve
05 Spend a full day birdwatching at Recinto 23 de Junio

Embark on an immersive birdwatching adventure through Ecuador's lush landscapes around Mindo from Quito. Explore the birding trails of Zuroloma Lodge, continue along the old route to Tandayapa village for more sightings, and spend time at Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge. The journey also takes you to Mashpi Lodge, Amagusa Preserve, and Recinto 23 de Junio, all renowned for rewarding birdwatching in pristine natural surroundings.

Embark on an immersive birdwatching adventure through Ecuador's lush landscapes around Mindo from Quito.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

City Quito

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Quito to Zuroloma Lodge Birding Experience

You will be picked up from Quito around 8 am in a private car with a bilingual guide for a birding tour. You will arrive at the Zuroloma Lodge at around 10 am. After arrival, we will prepare to hike one of the birding trails. We will stay at the lodge overnight and move to another place the next day after lunch.

Stay at Nono Zuroloma Lodge

Day 02

Zuroloma to Bellavista via Tandayapa

After lunch at Zuroloma Lodge, we can take the old route to Tandayapa village and enjoy birdwatching along the way until we reach Bellavista Lodge, arriving around 5 p.m.

Stay at Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge

Day 03

Bellavista to Mashpi and Amagusa Preserve

After lunch at Bellavista Lodge, we will travel by private car directly to Pacto Village and then to Mashpi Lodge, arriving around 5 p.m.
Here we will do birdwatching at Amagusa Preserve. We will stay here for 2 days.
The next day after lunch, we can move to the Recinto 23 de Junio for more birdwatching.

Stay at Mashpi Lodge

Day 04

Recinto 23 de Junio Birdwatching and Return to Quito

Full-day birdwatching. We can drive back to Quito around 3 pm.

Where this trip takes you

Zuroloma Lodge, Tandayapa village, Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve & Lodge, Mashpi Lodge

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Quito 1 city · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation
All ground transportation
3 meals per day
Specialized English-speaking bird guide
Reserve entry fees

What's Not Included

Alcohol
Any extra expenses
Tips

What to bring

Binoculars
Hat
Sunglasses
Change of clothes with long sleeves, shorts, and long pants
Hiking shoes
Camera
Sunscreen

Know before you go

Experienced bird guides/dedicated guides: all of our guides have more than 15 years of experience as birdwatching and bird photography guides.
Smaller groups for an uncrowded and personalized experience: if you've ever been part of a large birding group, you know how frustrating it is to try to see and appreciate the beauty of birds while surrounded by a crowd of people.

Logistics