Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Rise and shine for an early morning start on the drive from Quito to Yanacocha Reserve. On arrival to Yanacocha you will be greeted by the beauty of the colorful mountains, where you can enjoy nature at its most intense. Yanacocha Reserve is home to one of the best preserved Andean- and Páramo forests near Quito. We recommend grabbing a coffee at the El café del Zamarrito cafe to keep the cold (and yawns) at bay before you start walking.
The tour offers numerous highlights: in addition to the breathtaking landscape, the guide also explains the diverse flora you pass by. Feeding points were set on the trails for the various bird species, allowing for some wonderful experiences and beautiful pictures. At the end of the main road, La Trocha Inca, you will catch one of nature's special theatre shows; the hummingbirds tumbling and playing in the gorgeous hummingbird garden.
Afterward, return to the main building of the Yanacocha Reserve to enjoy a traditional lunch (optional) in the restaurant. This is the perfect opportunity to relax and to enjoy the magnificent view of the panoramic view over the Andes.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Yanacocha Reserve Interpreting Center to learn more about the ecosystem and ecology conservation projects of the Jocotoco Foundation.
We return to Quito in the evening.
Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary
The Rio Silanche private reserve is located 300 meters above sea level and is home to a large variety of endemic birds of the Choco region. There is an excellent trail system and a lookout tower from which you can observe tanagers and mixed flocks at close range. A mixture of dense, humid forest and the good viewing opportunities make the birding incredible on a good day.