Ecuador Bird Watching Tours

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Ecuador Bird Watching Tours

From the peaks of the Andes to the lush branches of the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador has a tremendous amount of avian biodiversity. Though cruise tours in the Galápagos Islands are an obvious must when seeking unique bird sightings, Ecuador has other exotic birding opportunities as well. Birding tours include treks to find tropical birds on the scenic slopes of the Pichincha Volcano outside Quito; an adventure up the mountains to spot the highest-dwelling birds of the Andes; and adventures deep into the Amazon to see colorful toucans and chatty parrots.

Espanola Island Tour

San Cristobal

Located two hours from San Cristóbal, Española is the southernmost island and one of the oldest in the Galápagos archipelago. The island's flat profile is extremely dry with only a few inches of rain per year. Despite the dry climate the island is one of the world's only known nesting sites for the Waved Albatross. From April to December this island is covered with these adorably clumsy birds. Blue-Footed and Nazca Boobies as well as many other bird species. Another unique species found only on Española Island is the Green and Red Marine Iguana. Quite often you will be greated by these colorful reptiles. A visit to Gardner Bay for some open water snorkeling completes this island visit.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Boat Tours, Snorkeling

5.0 / 5.0

From$385

Santa Fe Island

Santa Cruz

Our guide will pick you from your hotel in Puerto Ayora and lead to the main pier. The sailing to Santa Fe will take two hours. In this island you will find an endemic land iguana that lives only in this place, sea lions in white sand beach resting waiting for pictures, they pose to your cameras. You will get into a giant cactus forest while the Galapagos hawk overfly in the light blue sky. Crabs, nocturnal herons, marine iguanas, mockingbirds and Galapagos doves are often seen in Santa Fe Island. It bay offers you this turquoise and crystalline water to swim and snorkel; marine turtles, rays, sea lions, fishes and other marine animals in this rocky reef are unique attractions of this place.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

5.0 / 5.0

From$230

Lava Tunnels

Isabela

The lava tunnels of Isabela Island create an unforgettable underwater landscape for snorkeling.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

5.0 / 5.0

From$229

North Seymour Island Tour

Santa Cruz

This tour takes you to some of the Galápagos Island’s excellent bird watching and snorkeling. First you’ll visit North Seymour Island, and then you’ll continue to a beach called Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours, Snorkeling

5.0 / 5.0

From$372

Lobo Island and Ochoa Beach

San Cristobal

Isla Lobos is a small islet located approximate 40 minutes from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Is it home to various Galapagos birds, such as Blue-Footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and Frigate Birds, as well as a colony of Sea Lions and numerous Marine Iguanas. On this half-day trip you will disembark on the islet for an hour long interpreted walk around the island. Afterwards you will be able to snorkel in the protected bay nearby. Following a lunch onboard you will relocate to Ochoa Beach where you can wander the sand, snorkel some more or relax in the sun.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Nature Walks, Boat Tours

4.2 / 5.0

From$186

Bartolome Island Tour

Santa Cruz

On this tour, you’ll get to hike on the Galápagos island of Bartolomé (or Bartholomew, in English). As you hike, you’ll learn about the volcanic landscape.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Hiking, Boat Tours, Snorkeling

From$372

Luxury Ocean Spray Cruise Galápagos Islands

San Cristobal

Tour the Galápagos aboard the Ocean Spray, and see the archipelago from a floating oasis. Ocean Spray is a mega catamaran with 9 cabins, and can accommodate up to 16 passengers. Each of the cabins has its own balcony, outfitted with comfortable patio furniture. You’ll love having a view all to yourself – it’s the ideal place to take memorable photos.

Bird Watching, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$4800

FC Millennium Cruise Galápagos Islands

Santa Cruz

The Millennium is a comfortable, 16-person yacht that offers cruises through the Galápagos Islands. Its social areas have great ocean views, and its accommodations are well-equipped with amenities. Cruises range from 5 to 8 days.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$3900

FC Millennium Cruise Galápagos Islands

San Cristobal

The Millennium is a modern, 16-passenger yacht that offers cruises through the Galápagos Islands. The accommodations are comfortable and nicely equipped, and there are ample social areas on the ship. Cruises range from 5 to 8 days.

Bird Watching, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$3900

Luxury La Pinta Cruise Galápagos Islands

Santa Cruz

Take the La Pinta cruise for an enlightening tour of the Galápagos. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the plants and animals from your naturalist guide, as well as from your own observations. And in the meantime, you’ll get to spend your vacation in some of the best accommodations in the Galápagos.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$5430

Luxury Cormorant Cruise Galápagos Islands

Santa Cruz

Sail the Cormorant around the Galápagos Islands, for an up-close look at the archipelago's ecology. The Cormorant is a catamaran-style cruise ship, and provides an elegant atmosphere for visitors to the Galápagos to enjoy every aspect of their voyage.

Bird Watching, Guided Tours, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$4890

Luxury Cormorant Cruise Galápagos Islands

San Cristobal

Aboard the Cormorant, you’ll have the best possible experience of the Galápagos. The Cormorant is equipped with a knowledgeable crew (including a naturalist guide) to ensure you have a thoroughly rewarding trip. Depending on how much of the islands you want to see, you can choose from several itineraries of varying lengths. The shortest is 4 days, and the longest is 15.

Bird Watching, Nature Walks, Marine Mammal Observation, Boat Tours

From$4890

Yanacocha Reserve / Tandayapa

Quito

The tour starts at 5:30 am, from your hotel in the city of Quito, we go to the reserve of Yanacocha where we develop activities of bird watching and photography, as well as the eco-route Nono-Mindo, for this First part of the tour we took a packed lunch. In the afternoon, we are arriving at Tandayapa Bird Lodge where we visit the famous drinking fountains for hummingbirds, to later return to their Hotel.

Bird Watching

From$200

Full Birding Tour 2/1 GUANGO LODGE

Quito

Our drive to Guango Lodge will initially lead us through the drier central valley before rising up steeply to the high and (often) windswept paramo. Among the many bird possibilities, we will be particularly on the lookout for Andean Condor (sometimes hard), Carunculated Caracara, Andean Gull, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Scrub & Blue-and-yellow Tanagers and Southern Yellow-Grosbeak. The Papallacta Pass by birders, is rich in paramo birdlife, and with the proper weather, you can expect to see some of the following: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Many-striped Canastero, White-chinned Thistletail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, some interesting seedeaters, and even Giant Conebill. At at Guango Lodge will be devoted to birding the trails and spectacular hummingbird feeders. In a matter of minutes it isn’t uncommon to see Bar-bellied Woodpecker, White-banded Tyrannulet, Blue-backed Conebill, Black-capped and Black-eared Hemispingus, Slaty and Pale-naped Brush-Finch, Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager, several species of mountain-tanager and even Plushcap.

Bird Watching

From$485

Yanacocha Reserve / Tandayapa

Quito

Bird Watching

From$200

YANACOCHA RESERVE

Quito

Yanacocha, is located on the northwest flank of Volcán Pichincha at ca. 3200-3400 m above sea level on the northwestern flank of the volcano remained one of the more reliable remaining locations for the Critically Endangered hummingbird, the Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), who has a tiny world range centered on and near Volcán Pichincha, the volcano that towers over Ecuador’s capital city, Quito.

Bird Watching

From$114

BIRD WATCHING TOUR REFUGIO DE PAZ

Quito

The morning tour lasts approximately 3-4 hours, this beginning at 5:45 a.m., you will first visit the Lek of the Andean Cock of the Rock. This will be enthralled as you watch Angel hand feed the Antpittas and then this will be followed by an observation at the Bird Feeding area. The tour will end between 9 and 10 after an exquisite breakfast

Bird Watching

From$114