Papallacta Pass - Cayambe Coca National Park & Guango Cloud Forest Reserve
Take a day to awaken your senses in deep contact with nature. Papallacta is located 65 km (41 miles) east of Quito; it has a tundra-like habitat known as paramo in its upper part and montane humid forest below. Due to its location, on clear days it allows for breath-taking views of the Andean landscape. On the way, you'll stop at the Papallacta pass, one of the best spots for landscape photography and birdwatching in the area. Then you'll continue to Guango Cloud Forest Reserve where hummingbirds will take your full attention. The cloud forest concentrates the highest diversity of these winged jewels in the Americas. Today you'll experience different types of habitats from paramo grasslands to exuberant lush green vegetation all deep in the Andean subtropical zone.
**Available optional add-on: Finish your day with a soak in the therapeutic waters of the best thermal water complex in Ecuador: Papallacta Hot Springs
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca, 28, Ecuador
After an early departure from Quito at 7:30 am from your hotel, you'll drive some 65 km (41 miles) east of Quito the road brings you into the high elevation paramo at the Papallacta pass, a very tundra-like habitat. On clear days the views of the surroundings and various volcanoes are breathtaking; a stop right up at the pass is one of the best spots to photograph the snow-capped Antisana Volcano as it towers over the mountains below.
If the weather allows, from this point on we should start scanning the sky from time to time for the Andean Condor, Variable Hawk, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, which may soar overhead.
At the highest elevations, you’ll seek out the secretive and cryptic Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and other unique wildlife of this region.
Andean Bears can be found in this paramo, special natural feeding sites where the presence of bears is frequent all year round. sometimes close enough to have wonderful views and photographs.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Guango Lodge, Papallacta 150205, Ecuador
Later you’ll drive to Guango Reserve, where you will embark on a hike along the trails around the lodge to get a taste of the beautiful Andean temperate forests; hummingbirds will take your full attention. The cloud forest concentrates the highest diversity of these winged jewels in the Americas.
Colorful mixed flocks with birds such as Lacrimose and Hooded Mountain Tanagers, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped Hemispingus can be seen around the lodge. Here you have possibilities of seeing very local birds like the stunning Gray Breasted Mountain-Toucan, Andean Guan, and Northern Mountain Cacique. Along the Papallacta River, you’ll try to find a unique resident of fast-flowing mountain rivers, a powerful swimmer, and diver: the Torrent Duck. This could definitely be one of our day highlights!
Duration: 4 hours
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking"
"Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required"
"A small amount of walking is involved along trails with irregular terrain although if participants require longer hiking trails are available."
"Copy of passport of one of the group members is require for billing purposes (local tax exemption)"
"Most travelers can participate"
"Ecuador received the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Private tours guarantee that you will share your time and space with your group only, making your experience safe while enyoing the unmatched biodiversity of our forests."
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Hora de Inicio:
07:30 AM
Duración: 8 To 10 Hours
Lugar de comienzo: Traveler pickup is offered
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or accommodation in Quito and airport area.
Airports- Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito Ecuador
Cancelaciones y devoluciones:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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