Explore 300+ Bird species in 7Days.
Private, Expert-Guided Journey Through Ecuador’s Chocó Cloud Forests
Tired of Missing the Birds You Traveled So Far to See?
Are you a passionate birder or nature photographer frustrated by:
*Visiting “hotspots” where the best species never show?.
*Struggling to find trustworthy, expert local guides?.
*Wasting time on logistics instead of enjoying the birds?.
Our expertly guided 7-day tour through Ecuador’s Chocó Andino takes care of everything, so you can focus on what you love: spotting rare birds and capturing unforgettable images.
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)
7-day West Slope Birding Itinerary
This is our proposed itinerary for our 8-day, 7-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!
Discount code PAZFAMILY
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Welcome to Ecuador
- Arrival of the first group: March 22, 2026
- Arrival of the Secont group: April 12, 2026
Upon arrival in Quito, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to the Wyndham Airport Hotel, where a comfortable room and breakfast await. This restful evening gives you time to adjust to the altitude and ease into an unforgettable week of birding.
Included:
- Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel – 1 Night (Double occupancy is included in the tour price).
- Transfer to the hotel
Alambi Reserve & Arrival at Refugio Paz de las Aves
- First group: March 23, 2026
- Secont group: March 13, 2026
After breakfast, we depart the Wyndham Hotel at 9:00 am. On the way to the Chocó Andino, we’ll stop at Alambi Reserve, where tanagers and hummingbirds welcome you in a stunning garden setting. Then we continue to Refugio Paz de las Aves, arriving around 12:00 pm for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first birding experience around the reserve’s trails.
Includes:
🚐 Private Transportation
🧭 Private Expert Guide
🎟️ Reserve Entry Fees
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast at Wyndham; lunch & dinner at Refugio Paz
🏨 Overnight: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock & Antpitta Experience
Two full days exploring the primary cloud forest of Refugio Paz de las Aves. Witness the famous Cock-of-the-Rock lek, and photograph up to five species of Antpitta, including Giant, Yellow-breasted, and Moustached Antpittas. The trails offer the chance to see over 100 species in a single day.
Includes:
🚐 Private Transportation
🧭 Private Expert Guide
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast; lunch & dinner at Refugio Paz
🏨 Overnight: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Mashpi & the Lower Cloud Forest
Today we head into one of the most bird-rich corners of the cloud forest — a place that feels like it was made for birders. The lower elevations here are bursting with life, especially colorful mixed flocks and species you won’t find anywhere else.
As we walk the trails, keep your eyes open for some real gems: the sparkling Glistening-green Tanager, the mossy-toned Moss-backed Tanager, and the vibrant Orange-breasted Fruiteater. We might also spot a Rose-faced Parrot, hear the soft song of the Andean Solitaire, or catch a flash of deep blue from the Indigo Flowerpiercer.
The hummingbirds here? Absolutely unreal. They zip around so close, it feels like you’re in the middle of a nature documentary.
After lunch, we’ll head back to the lodge.
🚐 Private Transportation
🧭 Private Expert Guide
🍽️ Meals: BoxBreakfast; lunch at Amagusa & dinner at Refugio Paz
🏨 Overnight: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Río Silanche & Fruti Trail Day
Morning – Río Silanche Reserve
We start the day exploring Río Silanche, a tropical lowland forest reserve managed by Fundación Jocotoco. This site features a 15-meter canopy tower, offering a unique vantage point to observe mixed-species flocks, including Choco Toucans, Scarlet-browed Tanagers, and White-bearded Manakins.
We’ll also walk forest trails where we may encounter Blue-whiskered Tanagers, woodcreepers, and flycatchers, while feeders near the entrance attract a dazzling variety of hummingbirds like Purple-chested Hummingbird and White-necked Jacobin — ideal for photography.
Afternoon – Fruti Trail
After lunch, we visit the Fruti Trail, a nearby private reserve known for its excellent hummingbird and fruit feeders. This site offers a relaxed birding experience with superb chances to photograph tanagers, honeycreepers, motmots, and more — all at close range and in great light conditions.
Evening – Return to Refugio Paz de las Aves
We head back to the lodge in time to enjoy dinner.
🚐 Private Transportation
🧭 Private Expert Guide
🎟️ Reserve Entry Fees
🍽️ Meals: Box-Breakfast; lunch at Pedro Vicente & dinner at Refugio
🏨 Overnight: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Umbrellabird & Mindo Experience
Morning – Primera de Mayo Reserve
We start early at Primera de Mayo Reserve, one of the most reliable places to observe the Long-wattled Umbrellabird. With luck and timing, we’ll get great views — sometimes even close-range encounters — in its natural habitat. The surrounding forest also offers chances to see other Chocó endemics and forest specialists along the trail.
Midday – Transfer to Mindo Area
After our Umbrellabird search, we continue to the Mindo Valley, one of Ecuador’s most popular birding regions, known for its diversity, scenery, and charm.
Afternoon – Punto Ornitológico & Chocolate Experience
We’ll visit Punto Ornitológico, a private reserve with well-maintained hummingbird and fruit feeders, offering excellent bird photography opportunities. Species like Red-headed Barbet, Flame-faced Tanager, and Velvet-purple Coronet are frequently seen here.
Afterward, we stop by a local chocolate factory to learn about the artisanal cacao process and enjoy a tasting session.
Evening – Return to Refugio Paz de las Aves
We return to the lodge in time for dinner and a well-earned rest after a full day of birds, nature, and local flavor.
🚐 Private Transportation
🧭 Expert Guide
🎟️ Reserve Entry Fees
🍽️ Meals: Box-Breakfast; lunch at Pedro Vicente & dinner at Refugio
🏨 Overnight: Refugio Paz de las Aves
Zuro Loma & Yanacocha: High-Andean Birding Adventure
- First group: March 29, 2026
- Secont group: April 19, 2026
We close the journey with an unforgettable day in the high-altitude forests and páramo of Zuro Loma and Yanacocha — two of the top birding sites on the slopes of the Andes.
Here, we search for spectacular mountain specialties like the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-breasted Puffleg, Tawny Antpitta, and the brilliant Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager. The crisp air and dramatic scenery add to the magic of these rare highland encounters.
After a rewarding morning of birding, we begin our return to Quito, arriving around 5:00 PM, with memory cards full and binoculars well-used.
🚐 Private Transportation (We will drop you off at the hotel or at the Quito International Airport).
🧭 Private Expert Guide
🎟️ Reserve Entry Fees
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, BoxLunch
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).
