Start your day with some of the most fabulous views over the western Andean slopes. We’ll head out to an  area which  is known among birders as the “Mashpi road”,  the birding area includes a small side road that forks off and heads a few km to the Mashpi Amagusa Reserve.
Mashpi is a recently popularized site in the northwestern foothills that has gained notoriety for its impressive collection of Chocó endemic bird species. The wet mossy forest along the roads in the area boasts Moss-Backed Tanager, Pacific Tuftedcheek, Orange-Breasted Fruiteater, Black Solitaire, Indigo Flowerpiercer, and the very rare Choco Vireo.

You’ll visit a reserve manage by a local family from the neighboring Pacto Loma community. Sergio the owner has set fruit feeders with natural perches that offer great photography opportunities of many species that are difficult or rare elsewhere, like the astonishing Glistening-green Tanager.

The reserve has some of the last well preserved remnants of pristine cloud forest, in one of the world’s most renowned hot spots of biodiversity on the planet, the Andean Chocó forest. Our visit will support the efforts to preserve this invaluable forest over time.

Time and space will take on a different meaning as you become immersed in the deep green forest, exploring pristine landscapes.
After a delicious lunch you’ll start your way back to Quito but there is another  amazing place to visit:  Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve. This is one of the best places in Ecuador to watch hummingbirds at close range. Up to 14 species have been recorded in less than 30 minutes!! You’ll be amazed with the beauty of this winged jewels.