Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included

After an early departure from Quito with and an included pick up from your hotel at 7:30 am, you'll drive for about an hour to reach the western entrance of Antisana Ecological Reserve, just about 48 km (30 miles) southeast from Quito.

The snow-covered top of Antisana Volcano is located at 18,886 ft a.s.l.. It’s the fourth highest peak of Ecuador and it's covered by the largest ice cap in the country. Something that makes this place wonderful is the contact with undisturbed nature apart from crowded touristic places and its beautiful Andean scenery. The reserve provides opportunities to understand the geological history of the Andes and the importance of this unique ecosystem. 

You may see many high altitude and local wildlife specialties including Ecuadorian Hillstar visiting the Chuquiragua bushes, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Andean Tit-Spineatil, Many-striped Canastero, Tawny Antpitta, Tufted tit-Tyrant, Red-crested Cotinga, Paramo Pipit, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch and Black-winged Ground-Dove. You’ll have the chance to see Carunculated Caracaras, Andean Gulls, Andean Lapwings, and many other species that are absent or difficult at other sites such as the rare Black-faced Ibis.

This reserve has at least 4 different cliffs in which up to 30 Andean condors have been counted perching; this is a large number considering an estimated population of just 102 wild individuals in the country. 

Birdlife categorizes Antisana as an Important Bird Area and it's part of The Nature Conservancy's Condor Bioreserve, it is just a worthy glimpse between 10500 ft to 15000 ft a.s.l. 

Arriving at Lake "La Mica", you'll scan the lake shore for Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Andean Ruddy Ducks, and Yellow-billed Pintails. This is also the best place in Ecuador to observe closely the regal Silvery Grebe.

A delicious lunch is included at Tambo Condor reserve, enjoy the grounds of this beautiful property with a privileged view to the Andean Condors nesting sites and admire hummingbirds flying around the flowers and feeders at the garden. Return to your hotel in Quito around 5 pm.