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HUMMINGBIRD EXPEDITION - Searching for the cloud forest jewels
4.9
34 Ratings
Quito
Embark on a Hummingbird Expedition in the cloud forest, where you’ll witness the beauty of these elusive birds up close. Explore lush green forests, waterfalls, and learn about natural history and culture.
Embark on a Hummingbird Expedition in the cloud forest, where you’ll witness the beauty of these elusive birds up close. Explore lush green forests, waterfalls, and learn about natural history and culture.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Alambi Reserve - Begin the day with an early departure towards the cloud forest, offering breathtaking views of the western Andean slopes. The first destination is Alambi Reserve, a haven for hummingbirds located just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Quito. The feeders and garden flowers here attract numerous hummingbird species, allowing visitors to…
- Alambi Reserve - Begin the day with an early departure towards the cloud forest, offering breathtaking views of the western Andean slopes. The first destination is Alambi Reserve, a haven for hummingbirds located just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Quito. The feeders and garden flowers here attract numerous hummingbird species, allowing visitors to observe over 10 species in a single day from remarkably close distances! This setting is perfect for bird photography, providing an initial glimpse into the incredible diversity of the cloud forest, while also offering a chance to relax and admire the unparalleled beauty of these winged gems.
- San Tadeo Birding - The journey continues to San Tadeo Reserve.
- Mindo - Following this, enjoy a delightful lunch at a local restaurant in Mindo.
- Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve - While exploring the Mindo area, several reserves offer opportunities to discover new bird species. The subtropical rainforest is home to an impressive array of orchids, birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles. Additionally, the waterfalls and rivers invite visitors to experience their pristine, refreshing waters. Discuss your interests with your guide (hiking, birdwatching, photography, general nature) to ensure you visit the best locations to maximize your experience!
- Reserva la Victoriana, Gallo de la Peña Tours - For those opting for the tour extension, the final stop is at the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek. This vibrant, iconic species displays significant sexual dimorphism, with males featuring a large disk-like crest and striking scarlet plumage. Male gatherings compete for the attention of breeding females, showcasing their colorful plumage, bobbing and hopping, and emitting loud calls. If this extension is chosen, expect to return to your hotel in Quito late in the afternoon.
- Quito - The tour concludes with a scenic drive back, with drop-off at your hotel in Quito or the airport area.
What's Included
- Coffee and tea at Alambi and Santadeo
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified Naturalist & Birding guide
- All activities
- Coffee and tea at Alambi and Santadeo
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch with soft drink
- Private transportation
- Certified Naturalist & Birding guide
- All activities
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Personal expenses
Additional Information
Wake up with some of the most fabulous views, as the sun rises over the western Andean slopes. Your specialized guide will share their vast knowledge in natural history, birdwatching, culture and photography to make the most of your experience today!
Once you arrive in the unique tropical Andean ecosystem, hummingbirds will take your full attention….
Wake up with some of the most fabulous views, as the sun rises over the western Andean slopes. Your specialized guide will share their vast knowledge in natural history, birdwatching, culture and photography to make the most of your experience today!
Once you arrive in the unique tropical Andean ecosystem, hummingbirds will take your full attention. You’ll visit 3 reserves located at different altitudes. Bird feeders will bring otherwise elusive species to very close distances, allowing you to photograph them and enjoy their unmatched beauty.
You’ll be able to watch up to 15 different species of hummingbirds, many of them endemic to this Bio-region, such as the stunning Velvet-purple Cornet, Purple- bibbed Whitetip, Brown Inca, Empress Brillant and Gorgeted Sunangel.
The cloud forest offers an amazing mixed setting from waterfalls and hikes through lush green forests that will allow you to have a day of deep connection with nature.
- 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)
Location
Alambi Reserve
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(34 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Jean_g
Nov 23, 2025
Very nice day trip from Quito to Mindo - A lot of humming birds on two locations. Batteries too and observation of thé cocktail of thé rock.
Gabriel thé guide very efficient and has a very good knowledge of nature
Review provided by Viator
R6389tnkeving
Oct 22, 2025
We spent our tour up close to wildlife without disrupting their behaviour and led by a very enthusiastic Santiago - My daughter and myself both felt that the tour surpassed our expectations of what we could expect. It was a first class experience of seeing wild birds up close and having the pleasure of Santiago to answer all our questions and much more.
The tour was customised to our interests and planned in advance with Santiago. This led an earlier start to see birds just after dawn.
Santiago had so much experience, knowledge and skills and was flexible and able to adapt to a changing situation so we could see and hear a wide range of birds, over 60 different species in the day.
We got to visit a number of reserves and the tour was not rushed and Santiago was always on the lookout for new sightings and it was incredible what it could see and hear to then direct us to see/hear the same.
Santiago had a great understanding of the habitats were visiting and also on the lookout for other wildlife such as reptiles.
Santiago was well equipped with telescope and other equipment to see and hear birds real close up.
It was truly magical day and it was fantastic that Santiago recorded all the birds we had seen/heard and sent us the list.
We would highly recommend Santiago for any wild life tours In South America, check out their website you won’t disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taffy2001
Oct 20, 2025
Amazing experience - Dario was prompt in the pick up time. He was fairly quiet during the drive, but was very knowledgeable on the birds and cameras (both pro settings and camera phones). Alambi hummingbird reserve was great. Many feeders and many birds per feeder. Sachatamia had a cute set up for hummingbirds as well as a lookout into the valley. A short 300 meter walking path was cut into the grounds. We also had lunch here which was fine. They attempted to work with a dietary restriction, but missed with dessert. Mindo Loma was a great ending to the day. The hummingbirds were super active and friendly. We were able to sit under a covered area so the rain was not an issue. We even got to hand feed them at all locations! After this one day tour, we ended up with over 2000 hummingbird photos… we just couldn’t stop taking pictures of the cute lil birds. Truly an amazing experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cheryl
Aug 28, 2025
Amazing and best ever bird watching/photography tour. - This tour was absolutely the highlight of our trip. Gabriel was our guide for a fabulous tour of the cloud forest in Mindo with incredible bird sightings. After picking us up early in the morning from our hotel, we headed to the cloud forest. Along the way we stopped at several different spots to see vast numbers of bird species. Gabriel was an expert in identifying the different birds for us. The shear number of different hummingbirds and tangiers that we saw was unbelievable. We also took a cable ride across the Mindo valley for spectacular views followed by a nice hike to a beautiful waterfall with many more bird sightings along the way. We had a most delicious lunch at a local restaurant. We then headed in search of the Andean Cock of the Rock and were able to see several in a remote area. This was such an awesome experience. Gabriel took such great care of us and made sure we had plenty of time for photography. If you love birdwatching and/or bird photography, then this tour is a must with the best guide ever, Gabriel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X7503hkdianeg
Aug 8, 2025
Amazing day with hummingbirds - Outstanding tour! The various locations we visited were a treasure trove of hummingbirds, birds, flora and fauna. Our guide Dario taught us so much about the area, hummingbirds and on top of that helped me understand and use my camera to its optimum, capturing amazing images. We can't stop talking about the tour now that we are home. The highlight of our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janetsv7908yf
Feb 27, 2025
Wonderful cloud forest birding experience! - Santiago is a wonderful guide! He took us to some of the most accessible spots in the Choco cloud forest where we saw dozens of hummingbird species, tanagers, aracari, umbrellabird, Andean cock-of-the-rock and many more species. He made sure we got the best look possible, while still ensuring the birds were not disturbed and the reserves we visited used ethical measures to protect the birds. We would highly recommend Santiago for your birding adventures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susany163
May 31, 2024
Great trip! - A second half day trip with Santiago to see the hummingbirds in the Mindo area. What a delight. Again, Santiago pointed out the different birds, we felt tiny hummingbird feet on our fingers when they perched....what an experience! Delicious lunch. Santiago made sure we were able to see the birds as he identified them. Thank you, Santiago, we are looking forward to more trips with you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
788meredithw
Apr 25, 2024
It was an experience of a lifetime and hope to make a second visit to the cloud forest. - The views were amazing, and we took so many photos of the birds. The guide was so knowledgeable about the area and the birds. His enthusiasm about the birds made the day so pleasurable. He was very personable and was concerned and helpful when the altitude got the better of me. We have just returned home and anxious to review my photos. Meredith & Nicky gmaw5322@gmail.com
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide52690908870
Feb 9, 2024
What an Amazing Day! - We started our birding at daybreak at a cock-of-the-rock lek. The birds were very vocal and easy to spot in the cloud forest canopy. It's difficult to describe the incredible experience. Afterward, Santiago took us to various locations to see an amazing number and variety of hummingbirds and colorful tanagers. Santiago is very knowledgeable about what is where and how to find it. We could not have had a better guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richard_b
Jul 26, 2025
We were very... - We were very disappointed. We booked this excursion at the start of our holiday. We got up at 5.30. No one arrived to collect us . After 20 minutes we messaged to ask if the excursion had been cancelled- the person answering the message said they had received no notification that this was the case. After an hour, we messaged again and were asked if we had phoned. When we did phone we were told the excursion had indeed been cancelled. It’s a shame no one contacted us at any point.
Review provided by Viator
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