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Birding Trip to Cuyuja,

Eastern Andes,

ECUADOR

Cuyuja is located in the high altitude, temperate zone forests of the eastern slope of the Andes. The hour and a half drive from Quito takes you through glacier-carved valleys, over the continental divide, through grasslands and cloud forests. These little known, high altitude forests are some of the richest in the world in terms of biodiversity, including the endangered Mountain Tapir, the rare Spectacled Bear, the world’s smallest deer, the Andean Pudu, up to 20 species of orchids in a single tree, toucans, high altitude parrots, Military Macaws, quetzals, countless tanagers, caciques, guans, tinamous, trogons, a wealth of hummingbirds that staggers the imagination and the huge Andean Condor. In the morning, we will be going for a slow walk to find some of these amazing creatures, then arrive around noon at the Borman farm, El Cedral.  for a meal of grilled hamburgers a la Cuyuja- the fire pit stocked with Spanish cedar and arayan lends a flavor all of its own to our mountain grown beef burgers and locally baked bread. After lunch we hike “up the hill” into untouched pristine forests. The environment is very different as we hike here- much more wet and drippy, with orchids and bromiliads everywhere. After a couple hours here, we’ll get back in the vehicle at dusk for the ride back to Quito.

What’s Included:

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Quito
  • An experienced nature guide
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Time/Duration:

  • 5:00am-8:00pm
  • 15 hours

Meeting Location:

  • Your hotel in Quito

What to Bring:

  • Quick dry clothing or rain poncho
  • Sweater or light jacket
  • Sun hat
  • Binoculars
  • Walking/hiking shoes that are somewhat waterproof, or rubber boots
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera
  • Flashlight
  • Water bottle

Price:

  • Group of 4 people, $75 per person
  • Price is flexible for other group sizes
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