THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a day above Quito exploring Yanacocha and the small Zuro Loma reserve for up-close encounters with high-Andean hummingbirds and mountain-tanagers. This guided, full-day tour blends hands-on birding, accessible trails, and conservation-minded viewing at high elevation.
Spend a day above Quito exploring Yanacocha and the small Zuro Loma reserve for up-close encounters with high-Andean hummingbirds and mountain-tanagers. This guided, full-day tour blends hands-on birding, accessible trails, and conservation-minded viewing at high elevation.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle into thin, cool air and the paramo opens like a living map: tussocks, moss-stained rocks and a thin ribbon of trail that the wind seems to study before letting you pass. The morning here is a chorus of sharp calls and metallic hums as hummingbirds patrol feeders and mountain-tanagers flash across mossy trunks.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Ideal Destination Travel · Quito, Pichincha
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle into thin, cool air and the paramo opens like a living map: tussocks, moss-stained rocks and a thin ribbon of trail that the wind seems to study before letting you pass. The morning here is a chorus of sharp calls and metallic hums as hummingbirds patrol feeders and mountain-tanagers flash across mossy trunks.
Yanacocha Reserve and nearby Zuro Loma sit between roughly 3,200 and 4,400 meters (10,500–14,400 ft). The landscape is high Andean forest and paramo carved by glacial action and volcanic uplift; soils are peaty, the drainage quick, and views frequently framed by cloud and sudden sunlight. The area is protected by the Jocotoco Foundation to preserve species such as the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Local stewards run small feeders and trails at Zuro Loma (about 8 hectares) that concentrate hummingbirds for photography and close observation.
Expect guided, full-day outings (about 8–10 hours) that mix slow walks, stakeouts at feeders, and short ascents over uneven, often muddy ground. Target species include the sword-billed hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, mountain-tanagers, and secretive species like the Ocellated Tapaculo. Guides read the habitat and calls for you; the birds read you back.
Practical notes: mornings are prime—arrive before mid-morning when activity peaks. Dress in layers for rapid weather shifts, bring binoculars or a camera with a 300mm+ lens, and carry water and snacks. Altitude can affect breathing—move deliberately, hydrate, and limit heavy exertion on the higher sections. Respect feeders and local rules: avoid sudden movements, keep voices low, and let the birds decide the distance.
easy.
8–10 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; be comfortable walking 2–6 miles on uneven, sometimes muddy trails and standing quietly for extended periods.
The outing is a full-day private tour lasting approximately 8–10 hours, including transport from Quito and time at both Zuro Loma and Yanacocha Reserve.
Yes—sites sit between about 3,200 and 4,400 m; take it slow, hydrate before and during the day, and avoid heavy exertion if you feel dizzy or short of breath.
Lunch is included as part of the tour, and vehicles are air-conditioned for comfort during transfers.
No—this tour is suitable for all levels; expert guides help locate and identify species and tailor the pace to the group.
Jocotoco Foundation established Yanacocha to protect high-Andean habitat and critical species such as the Black-breasted Puffleg, supporting local conservation and community stewardship.
Stick to marked trails and avoid feeding wildlife; small private reserves here balance controlled feeders for research and photography with broader habitat protection.
Ideal Destination Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle into thin, cool air and the paramo opens like a living map: tussocks, moss-stained rocks and a thin ribbon of trail that the wind seems to study before letting you pass. The morning here is a chorus of sharp calls and metallic hums as hummingbirds patrol feeders and mountain-tanagers flash across mossy trunks.
You step out of the air-conditioned vehicle into thin, cool air and the paramo opens like a living map: tussocks, moss-stained rocks and a thin ribbon of trail that the wind seems to study before letting you pass. The morning here is a chorus of sharp calls and metallic hums as hummingbirds patrol feeders and mountain-tanagers flash across mossy trunks.
Yanacocha Reserve and nearby Zuro Loma sit between roughly 3,200 and 4,400 meters (10,500–14,400 ft). The landscape is high Andean forest and paramo carved by glacial action and volcanic uplift; soils are peaty, the drainage quick, and views frequently framed by cloud and sudden sunlight. The area is protected by the Jocotoco Foundation to preserve species such as the critically endangered Black-breasted Puffleg. Local stewards run small feeders and trails at Zuro Loma (about 8 hectares) that concentrate hummingbirds for photography and close observation.
Expect guided, full-day outings (about 8–10 hours) that mix slow walks, stakeouts at feeders, and short ascents over uneven, often muddy ground. Target species include the sword-billed hummingbird, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, mountain-tanagers, and secretive species like the Ocellated Tapaculo. Guides read the habitat and calls for you; the birds read you back.
Practical notes: mornings are prime—arrive before mid-morning when activity peaks. Dress in layers for rapid weather shifts, bring binoculars or a camera with a 300mm+ lens, and carry water and snacks. Altitude can affect breathing—move deliberately, hydrate, and limit heavy exertion on the higher sections. Respect feeders and local rules: avoid sudden movements, keep voices low, and let the birds decide the distance.