AZUAY BIRD WATCHING

Cuenca is strategically located near important ecosystems with a very interesting diversity of birds.

El Cajas NP
(35 Km) hosts some 150 upper Andean species; the most notable is the violet-throated Metaltail (humming bird) which is practically endemic to this park. Other birds found here are the Caranculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Stout-billed Cinclodes and the Ecuadorian Hillstar Hummingbird.
Altitude: 3500 msnm appprox.

Llaviuco
(17 Km), only 20 min away is the lower part of El Cajas NP. It possesses a highly interesting mixture of habitats for bird-watching: well preserved mountain forests, paramos, lakes and pastures. The mountain Toucan, Andean Guan, masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, colorful Tanagers and 12 species of Hummingbirds and water birds are among the highlights.
Altitude: 3100 msnm

The Yunguilla Valley
(85 Km) route takes you into an inter-Andean valley which marks a transition to coastal plain, with different climatic zones and ecosystems: the western Andean foothills, the subtropical valley and the desert like zone. It is also the doorway to the Tumbesian region. Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Striped Owl, the endemic Tumbesian Pacific Elania and Pale-headed Brush-Finch and endemic bird rediscovered in 1998.
Altitude: 1550 msnm

Manta Real Shagal Route
(115 Km) is an area characterized by diverse humid foothills forests, where more than 230 bird species have been recorded. Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Choco Trogon, Choco Toucan, Long wattled Umbrellabird are some of the birds found here.
Altitude: 1500 msnm

Gualaceo – Limon Route
(145 Km) begins at 11500 ft and ends in the other side of the eastern Andean range at 4000ft providing different ecosystems: paramo, bushed covered paramo, mountain forerst and pre-mountain humid forest. Masked Mountain Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Cotinga, Emerald Toucanet, etc.
Altitude: 1600 – 2449msnm

Packed lunch included on all routes. Far routes require special arrangements and conditions.