Leave Quito for a full-day drive into the Antisana Ecological Reserve to watch Andean condors ride thermals over volcanic ridges. This guided, 8–10 hour tour includes Laguna Mica, lunch, and strategic lookout stops for wildlife and landscape photography.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The day begins before the city heat: a low sun breaks over grassland, cold wind pushing across the páramo as condors wheel like slow punctuation marks against the high-blue sky. Travelers leave Quito and climb through Andean farmland into the raw slopes of Antisana, where the air thins and the landscape sharpens into volcanic ridges, boggy tussock, and mirror-flat lagoons.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–10 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness — able to stand and walk on uneven ground at 3,500–4,200 m for several hours.
Wildlife
History
Antisana has long been part of Andean landscape use and folklore; its peaks and páramo have supported indigenous communities and traditional grazing for centuries.
Conservation
The Antisana Ecological Reserve protects fragile páramo and glacial-fed wetlands critical for water regulation; visitors should stay on trails and avoid disturbing vegetation to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the Antisana Condor Tour from Quito today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize before you go
Spend at least a day in Quito to adapt to altitude; move slowly and hydrate to reduce symptoms of altitude sickness.
Layer for wind and sun
Temperatures swing quickly — pack insulating mid-layers plus a windproof shell and sun protection for clear, exposed ridges.
Bring optics
Binoculars or a telephoto lens are essential for condor and paramo-bird viewing from lookout points.
Follow guide directions
Keep distance from wildlife, stay on established paths, and avoid loud noises to improve sighting chances and protect habitat.
Insulating windproof jacket
Blocks cold Andean winds and keeps you warm during long, exposed watches.
Sturdy hiking boots
Provide traction on rocky trails and wet páramo sodden ground.
Binoculars or telephoto lens
Crucial for identifying condors and photographing distant wildlife.
Sun hat and sunscreen
High-altitude UV is intense even when temperatures are low — protect skin and eyes.
summer