Best Birding in the Chocó Andes
7-Days / 6-Nights
Starting at $2100 per person
7-Day Birdwatching Expedition: Exploring Ecuador’s West Slope
This 7-day journey offers unparalleled access to Ecuador’s cloud forest and the heart of the Chocó Andino biodiversity hotspot, all while using Refugio Paz de las Aves as your home base. We’ll explore the best birding sites in the region, including private reserves and conservation areas rich with birdlife. Expert guides will lead you to witness rare and iconic species, from elusive Antpittas to brightly colored tanagers, toucans, and hummingbirds. Along the way, you’ll experience intimate encounters with Ecuador’s diverse ecosystems and the warm hospitality of the Paz family. This tour is designed for both birdwatchers and nature photographers, offering incredible opportunities to observe and photograph some of the world’s rarest species in their natural habitat.
Four Unique Ecosystems
This tour capitalizes on the diverse range of micro-climates surrounding Refugio Paz de las Aves, each fostering a unique array of bird species. The proximity of these varied ecosystems—ranging from subtropical cloud forests to montane woodlands—allows visitors to experience a remarkable breadth of avian biodiversity within a compact region.
Chocó Lowlands
300-400 m (985-1,150 ft)
Mindo Area
1200-1400 m (3,900-4,600 ft)
Mashpi Area
750-1700 m (2,450-5,600 ft)
Highland Andes
2700-3200 m (8860-10,500 ft)
Beyond birding, this extended stay deepens your bond with the Paz family. The extra night allows for more meaningful conversations, a greater understanding of their conservation efforts, and a closer glimpse into the daily rhythms that sustain this sanctuary. You’ll hear firsthand about the remarkable journey of transforming their land into a world-renowned bird reserve, making your time at Refugio truly unforgettable.
Ultimately, staying for four days provides not just a greater chance of seeing the birds you came to find, but also the rare opportunity to slow down, savor the experience, and feel fully connected to the cloud forest and its protectors.
7-day West Slope Birding Itinerary
This is our proposed itinerary for our 7-day, 6-night Chocó-Andes birdwatching tour, based at Refugio Paz de las Aves. Birdwatching in the cloud forest requires flexibility, as the best sightings often depend on the birds and weather. Rest assured, we prioritize new and exciting bird encounters, adjusting schedules accordingly. We also tailor the experience to match your birding style—whether you prefer a relaxed pace, are focused on expanding your life list, or are in search of a specific species. Your tour will be adapted to make the most of every opportunity!
(Day 0) Arrival Day – Night at Wyndham Airport Hotel
Your birding adventure begins with your arrival in Quito.
We include one night at the Wyndham Airport Hotel, just minutes from the airport.
Enjoy a comfortable rest and breakfast the next morning.
Pick-up for the tour starts at 8:30 AM the following day.
Day 1 – Arrival at Refugio Paz de las Aves
After breakfast at Wyndham, we’ll pick you up and drive toward Refugio Paz de las Aves.
On the way, we make a short birding stop at Alambi Reserve, known for its hummingbirds and tanagers.
Arrival at the Refugio is around 12:00 PM, just in time for lunch.
Spend the afternoon birding around the lodge’s trails and feeders.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner at Refugio Paz
Days 2 & 3 – Full Birding at Refugio Paz de las Aves
Explore the trails, hides, and birding zones of Paz de las Aves for two full days.
This is your chance to see:
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The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock at its active lek
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Up to 5 Antpitta species (Giant, Yellow-breasted, Moustached, Ochre-breasted, Chestnut-crowned)
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Dozens of hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, and tanagers
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Over 100 species in a single day is common!
Enjoy early morning outings, mid-day breaks, and afternoon birding sessions — all guided and paced for comfort and great sightings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Refugio Paz
Mashpi and Lower Cloud Forest
Today, we’ll visit the Mashpi-Amagusa reserve, known for its rich bird diversity and mixed flocks. Look for Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Glistening-green Tanager, and Moss-backed Tanager. See endemics like the Andean Solitaire and Indigo Flowerpiercer. Enjoy the hummingbird garden. The reserve is run by a local family, much like the Paz family, who transitioned from farming to eco-tourism to protect the land and its wildlife. Their deep connection to the forest is evident in their conservation efforts, making this visit not only a birding highlight but also a chance to support local families dedicated to preserving Ecuador’s natural heritage.
After lunch at Mashpi, we’ll return to Refugio Paz to enjoy an enchanting afternoon in the Hummingbird Garden, where you can observe species like the Violet-tailed Sylph and the Booted Racket-tail.
Meals: Breakfast at Refugio Paz, Lunch at Mashpi, Dinner at Refugio Paz
Day 5 – La 23 de Junio Reserve & Fruti Tour Experience
Today we visit the lush La 23 de Junio Reserve, a community-based conservation area that offers excellent chances to see the rare and iconic Long-wattled Umbrellabird.
Highlights of the day include:
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Early morning hike to look for the Umbrellabird at its lek
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Possible sightings of motmots, woodpeckers, trogons, and colorful tanagers
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A special “Fruti Tour”, where you’ll taste a variety of seasonal tropical fruits while learning about local traditions and farming
This day combines high-quality birding with authentic local culture — a refreshing and unique experience in the heart of the Chocó.
Meals: Breakfast at Refugio Paz, Boxed Lunch, Dinner at Refugio Paz
Mindo Ornithology Center and Chocolate Tasting
We’ll have an early breakfast and head out to an ornithology station in Mindo, followed by a hike to the stunning Mindo Nambillo waterfall, birding along the way. Cap off the day with a tour of a local chocolate factory, learning about the production process while sampling some of the finest Ecuadorian chocolate.
Meals: Breakfast at Refugio Paz, Boxed Lunch, Dinner at Refugio Paz
Day 7 – Zuro Loma & Yanacocha + Departure
On our final day, we travel to higher elevations to visit Zuro Loma and Yanacocha Reserves, both located near Quito.
Species to look for include:
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Black-breasted Puffleg (critically endangered)
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Sword-billed Hummingbird
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More Antpittas, flowerpiercers, and mountain-tanagers
After lunch and final birding stops, we drive you back to Quito Airport by 5:00 PM for your flight or overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast at Refugio Paz, Boxed Lunch
This Itinerary Includes
- Expert Birding Guide
- Transportation, including transfers to and from the Quito International Airport
- Lodging & Meals, including purified water and hot beverages
- Access to Paz de las Aves grounds, including hummingbird gardens and feeding stations.
Not Included
- Tips for staff
- Travel insurance
Your Overnight Stay Helps the Forest
By choosing to stay overnight at Refugio Paz de las Aves, visitors play an active role in the reforestation of former cattle pastures and agricultural lands in the region. A portion of the fees from your stay is donated directly to Fundación Paz de las Aves, supporting their mission to restore and expand critical bird habitats.
Additionally, overnight guests have the unique opportunity to plant a tree during their visit, leaving a lasting impact on the landscape. This hands-on experience allows you to contribute to the long-term preservation of Ecuador’s cloud forest, helping to regenerate ecosystems for future generations of both birds and people.
Additional Information
October 27, 2024
Paz de Las Aves, Mindo, Ecuador
Lodging and Rooms
Our lodge is small, with a total of 4 rooms. Three of these rooms have queen-beds. One room has two twin beds. Each room has a private bathroom with hot water and shower. These rooms share a protected, outdoor living room where we serve early morning coffee and tea.
The lodge does have wifi, though weather can impact the strength of the signal.
Want to learn more? Visit our Lodge and Restaurant page.
Meals
Our team, with over 20 years of experience serving a diverse international birdwatching audience, offer thoughtfully prepared dishes. Whether you're enjoying Ecuadorian classics or familiar international favorites, we ensure every guest has delicious meals that meet their needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options with advanced notice.
For day-trip visitors, breakfast is included, and for overnight guests, meals are included from dinner on the day of arrival through lunch on the day of departure.
Want to learn more? Visit our Lodge and Restaurant page.
Reservations and Payments
Guests wishing to book directly with Refugio Paz de Las Aves should use our online booking system, powered by WeTravel.
A deposit is required at the time of booking. If you need to cancel before making the full payment, we will do our best to refund your deposit, minus any bank transfer and administrative fees. Cancellations must be made in writing.
Full payment is due 30 days before your arrival date.
Once the full payment is made, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected situations. If you need to cancel, please first submit a claim to your insurance provider.
For bookings made within 30 days of arrival, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Price Adjustments
Refugio Paz de Las Aves may need to adjust rates for reservations made more than four months in advance of the travel date. Rapid changes in the global economy can affect costs for transportation, fuel, food, and other essentials. If an adjustment is necessary, we will inform you immediately.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. A good policy should cover reimbursement for travel expenses due to personal illness (including COVID-19), natural disasters, and/or political instability. We also highly advise buying health insurance that includes medical coverage within Ecuador and emergency evacuation. While Refugio Paz de Las Aves is within driving distance of Quito, emergency medical care is limited in our region. If evacuation is needed, you will be responsible for all associated costs.
Terms and Conditions
By making a reservation through email, WhatsApp, or our website, you (the client) agree to these terms and conditions.
If your reservation is made through a third party such as a travel agency, Mindo hotel, or private guide, their terms and conditions apply, and you should contact them directly with any issues.
Terms of Service
The scope of our services is detailed on our website. However, we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather, national emergencies, changes in animal behavior, etc.
If your arrival time changes due to unforeseen circumstances, please notify us as soon as possible. We will work with you to arrange an alternate visit time. However, if you prefer to cancel, please note that you may forfeit your payment.
Privacy Policy
At Refugio Paz de las Aves, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you engage with our marketing campaigns and services.
Information that we collect:
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when completing forms on our website or through Facebook ads. This information may include:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
How We Use Your Information:
- To send you details and updates about our birdwatching tours
- To respond to your inquiries and assist with booking our services
- To send promotional emails about future activities and events at Refugio Paz de Las Aves
Changes to the Privacy Policy:
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the updated policy on this page.
Protecting Your Information:
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. We do not share your information with third parties unless it is necessary to provide our services to you. You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information at any time. To do so, please contact us at info@refugiopazdelasaves.com or call us at +1 619 919 4985 (U.S.) or 0996494170 (Ecuador).
